Rotational energy and angular momentum of earthquakes

Abstract

Motions in the earthquake source can be translational, rotational, rolling, vibrational, and rocking. The importance of the study of rotational motions occurring in the earthquake source stems from the fact that these motions may provide information regarding the structure as well as energy states of the source. This chapter estimates a rotational energy generated by rotational motions in the earthquake sources. We derived here general expressions for rotational energy of an earthquake in terms of dimensions of the earthquake source and of the total slip on the fault. In addition, the angular momentum generated in the earthquake source was considered. © 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.