Wave and rupture propagation at frictional bimaterial sliding interfaces: From local to global dynamics, from stick-slip to continuous sliding

► Different phases in the tangential force are related to a specific local dynamics. ► Isolated micro-slips start to occur at the interface before the onset of the sliding. ► As the micro-slips increase they cause a detectable wave propagation (precursor). ► Precursors increase their distance of propagation until trigger the main slip event. ► Wave generation at the contact (local dynamics) excites the global system dynamics.