Effect of local stress on the interface response to dynamic loading in faulted crust

The effect of local stress on the interface response to dynamic loading in faulted crust has been studied through MCA (movable cell automata) simulation. Knowing the strain response of a fault block boundary to test impacts, one can estimate the proximity of the fault to critical stress that allows an unstable slip. The computing results are consistent with data of field experiments in fault fragments (vibration, water injection, explosions). The reported analysis makes the basis for a new approach to estimating stress and strain in active faults.