We present a model for fault dynamics consisting of a uniform chain of blocks and springs pulled slowly across a rough surface. The only nonlinear element of our model is a slip-stick friction force between the blocks and the surface. We find that this model gives rise to events of all sizes. Our numerical evaluation of the distribution of earthquake magnitudes results in power-law spectrum similar to what is observed in nature. Like certain other dissipative dynamical systems, the observed large fluctuations in earthquake magnitude persist because the system is in a state of marginal stability.
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Carlson et al. (1989) studied this question.
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