Abstract
Geological and geophysical evidence suggests that some crustal
faults are weak1–6 compared to laboratory measurements of frictional
strength7. Explanations for fault weakness include the presence
of weak minerals4, high fluid pressures within the fault core8,9
and dynamic processes such as normal stress reduction10, acoustic
fluidization11 or extreme weakening at high slip velocity12–14.
Dynamic weakening mechanisms can
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