Dynamic Full-Field Imaging of Rupture Radiation: Material Contrast Governs Source Mechanism

In seismology, the rupture mechanisms of an earthquake, a glacier stick-slip and a landslide are not directly observed, but inferred from surface measurements. In contrast, laboratory experiments can illuminate near field effects. The near field reflects the rupture mechanism but is highly attenuated in the case of real-world surface data. We directly image the elastic wave-field of a nucleating rupture non-invasively in its near-field with ultrasound speckle correlation. Our imaging yields the particle velocity of the full shear wave field at the source location and inside the 3D frictional body. We experimentally show that a strong bimaterial contrast, as encountered in environmental seismology, yields a unidirectional or linear force mechanism for pre-rupture microslips and decelerating supershear ruptures. A weak contrast, characteristic for earthquakes, generates a double-couple source mechanism for sub-Rayleigh ruptures, sometimes preceded by slow deformation at the interface. This deformation is reproduced by the NF of a unidirectional force.

Automated summary

The rupture mechanisms of earthquakes, glacier stick-slips, and landslides are inferred from surface measurements rather than directly observed. Laboratory experiments provide insight into near field effects, which reflect the rupture mechanism but are attenuated in real-world surface data. By using ultrasound speckle correlation, we directly image the elastic wave-field of a nucleating rupture non-invasively in its near-field. Our imaging technique allows us to determine the particle velocity of the shear wave field at the source location and inside the 3D frictional body. We demonstrate that different bimaterial contrasts result in different force mechanisms for pre-rupture microslips and decelerating supershear ruptures, as well as sub-Rayleigh ruptures.