Stress, Strain and EQ Generation

Stress = Force/Unit Area

Strain = Deformation of Solid in Response to Stress

Elastic Materials

    1. Linear Stress - strain relation
    2. Recoverable Strain
    3. Brittle Failure (Yield Point)

Plastic Materials

    1. Non-Linear Stress-Strain
    2. Non-Recoverable
    3. No Yield Point (Plastic Flow)

 

Elastic Rebound Theory

  1. Slow Strain Accumulation (plate tectonics)
  2. Accumulation of Stress at Fault Zone
  3. Stress exceeds yield point
  4. Sudden Breakage à Release of Elastic Strain
  5. EARTHQUAKE!!