When one tectonic passes under another, the amount of friction determines how severe an earthquake may be in the region. If there is little friction then there is little risk of an earthquake. If there is significant friction so that no sublimation occurs, then any sudden release of pent-up movement can result in an earthquake with deformation.
Parameters:
(1) number of years since a major earthquake
(2) average number of mm that the plate should move per year
(3) distance moved in cm since the last earthquate
distance the plate may shift in an earthquake in meters =
= (((number of years) * (average number of mm)) - (10 * (distance moved))) / 1000
If an earthquake occurs, then not all of the pentup energy may be dissipated.
distance of possible slippage still pentup in meters =
= (total distance of pentup stress in meters) - (distance moved in earthquake in meters)
Limitations:
• Measurements taken away from the main fault may underestimate the real distances involved.
• An assumption is that the last major earthquake released all of the pent-up energy.
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