A two-dimensional analysis of surface deformation due to dip-slip faulting

abstract A two-dimensional model of dip-slip faulting is developed on the basis of elastic dislocation theory. General relationships among the fault-slip distribution, the stress-drop distribution, and the crustal surface deformation are derived for this model for arbitrary dip angle. The relationships are valid for arbitrary distribution of slip on the fault plane, except for the requirement that all stress components be finite at the boundaries of the slip zone. In order to illustrate some of the features of the derived relationships, a sample calculation based on surface deformation data obtained following the 1964 Alaska earthquake is performed, and the calculated values of various fault parameters appear to fall within accepted limits. For purposes of direct comparison, the same calculations are performed assuming the slip distribution to be uniform over the slip zone.