Development of a self-similar strike-slip duplex system in the Atacama Fault system, Chile

► Lower strain faults show distributed shear in smaller duplex arranged fractures. ► Strike-slip duplex pattern is repetitive in the internal structures of faults. ► This pattern at all scales form a self-similar strike-slip duplex system. ► Mean length to width ratios for the duplexes is constant and linear. ► The system evolved through the progressive linking of sub-parallel main faults.