Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in fault zones during rapid slip

During the rupture of a fault, an earthquake occurs because the frictional resistance to slip on the fault walls decreases with increasing slip, causing an acceleration of sliding. To quantify the energy dissipated by an earthquake and assess the hazard of future ruptures, it is critical to understand the mechanics of slip weakening, i.e. how and how much fault friction drops in due course of the rupture.