@article{PAR00004517,
  title = {{S}elf-similarity of the largest-scale segmentation of the faults : implications for earthquake behavior},
  author = {{M}anighetti, {I}. and {Z}igone, {D}. and {C}ampillo, {M}. and {C}otton, {F}abrice},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{E}arthquakes are sensitive to the along-strike segmentation of the faults they break, especially in their initiation, propagation and arrest. {W}e examine that segmentation and search whether it shows any specific properties. {W}e focus on the largest-scale fault segmentation which controls the largest earthquakes. {I}t is well established that major segments within faults markedly shape their surface cumulative slip-length profiles; segments appear as large slip bumps separated by narrow, pronounced slip troughs (inter-segments). {W}e use that property to examine the distribution (location, number, length) of the major segments in 927 active normal faults in {A}far ({E}ast {A}frica) of various lengths (0.3-65 km), cumulative slips (1-1300 m), slip rates (0.5-5 mm/yr), and ages (10(4)-10(6)yr). {T}his is the largest fault population ever analyzed. {T}o identify the major bumps in the slip profiles and determine their number, location and length, we analyze the profiles using both the classical {F}ourier transform and a space-frequency representation of the profiles, the {S}-transform, which is well adapted for characterizing local spectral properties. {O}ur work reveals the following results: irrespective of their length, 70% of the slip profiles have a triangular envelope shape, in conflict with the elastic crack concept. {I}rrespective of their length, the majority of the faults (at least 50-70%) have a limited number of major segments, between 2 and 5 and more commonly equal to 3-5. {T}he largest-scale segmentation of the faults is thus self-similar and likely to be controlled by the fault mechanics. {T}he slip deficits at the major inter-segment slip troughs tend to smooth as the faults accumulate more slip resulting in increased connection of the major segments. {T}he faults having accumulated more slip therefore generally appear as un-segmented (10-30%). {O}ur observations therefore show that, whatever the fault on which they initiate, large earthquakes face the same number of major segments to potentially break. {T}he number of segments that they eventually break seems to depend on the slip history (structural maturity) of the fault.},
  keywords = {fault segmentation ; earthquakes ; fault ; earthquake mechanics},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}arth and {P}lanetary {S}cience {L}etters},
  volume = {288},
  numero = {3-4},
  pages = {370--381},
  ISSN = {0012-821{X}},
  year = {2009},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.epsl.2009.09.040},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00004517},
}