Inelastic Dilatancy as a Mechanism for Coseismic Fluid Depressurization of a Shallow Fault Zone
Abstract
Abstract Hydrologic observations and experimental studies indicate that inelastic dilation from coseismic fault damage can cause substantial pore pressure reduction, yet most near‐fault hydromechanical models ignore such inelastic effects. Here, we present a 3‐D groundwater flow model incorporating the effects of inelastic dilation based on an earthquake dynamic rupture model with inelastic off‐fault deformation, both on pore pressure and permeability enhancement. Our results show that inelastic dilation causes mostly notable depressurization within ∼1 km off the fault at shallow depths (
Fields of Study & Subjects
earthquake and tectonic studies
Groundwater flow and contamination studies
Earthquake Detection and Analysis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth
- Volume
- 131
- Issue
- 1
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN