Time interval of earthquake recurrence for strike - slip fault

On the basis of fault’s dynamic model of Knopoffet al. (1973), this paper has finally obtained a simple approximate formula to be able to estimate the recurrence time intervalT _R of earthquake on strike-slip fault. Preliminary result holds thatμ andδ _s — δ _f have not much effect onT _R . Leta is the ratio of the coseismic displacementD _s to the total displacementD _t in whole event course, i.e.,a =D _s /D _t , thena = 1/3 may represent the standard theoretical state in whichT _R is independent onμ andδ _s — δ _f . At this time,T _R is the arithmetic average ofs ₀/v andkd/β, wheres ₀ is the long-term preseismic accumulated slippage,v is fault’s average displacement rate,d is the fracture length on the fault of seismic focal region andβ is shear wave velocity. In addition,k =υ ₀/aυ, whereυ ₀ is the initial fracture velocity of actual structure at the coseismic instant. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,14, 187–194, 1992. This paper is a part of contracted item of State Seismological Bureau — Tectonic Physical Study of Earthquake Recurrence Period and Characteristic Magnitude.