Rate-and-state friction and fault stability
Research context
research method · conditional · As of 2026-10-10
Rate-and-state friction distinguishes instantaneous velocity response from state evolution.
Key knowledge
Rate-and-state friction distinguishes instantaneous velocity response from state evolution. Velocity-weakening friction can destabilize a sufficiently compliant loading system; the spring-slider critical stiffness is a local stability result, not an earthquake-prediction formula.
Values and equations
μ = μ0 + a ln(V/V0) + b ln(V0 θ/Dc); dθ/dt = 1 - Vθ/Dc; k_c = σ_eff (b-a)/Dc
- μ, μ0
- Friction coefficients 1
- a, b
- Dimensionless rate/state coefficients 1
- V, V0
- Slip and reference velocity m s^-1
- θ
- State time s
- Dc
- Characteristic slip distance m
- σ_eff
- Effective compressive normal stress Pa
- k_c
- Critical quasi-static stiffness per area Pa m^-1
Conditions and scope
- State-law choice, effective normal stress, temperature, slip speed and laboratory scaling need calibration.
- Fault nucleation and crack-tip fracture energy have different boundary and dynamical assumptions.
- Aging-law spring-slider, steady sliding, constant effective normal stress and negligible inertia; instability criterion requires b>a and loading stiffness below k_c.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Afterslip and aftershocks in the rate-and-state friction law: Sections 2.1–2.2: aging law and quasi-static critical stiffness (selected source body inspected).
2026-10-10 · Bounded source check of the recorded statement and conditions. This does not certify a unique physical model, reproduce the cited study or replace independent branch review.
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- research-earth-rate-state-stability
- Revision
- research.1
- Structured reference record
- Postgraduate & research reference