Interactive Earthquake Cycle Visualization

Harvard EPS55

Explore the complete earthquake cycle from stress accumulation to seismic release and recovery

Interseismic Phase - Stress Accumulation
Year 0 | Elapsed: 0 years since last earthquake

Stress Level

Low → High

Features

GPS Stations
Aftershocks

Interseismic Phase

Duration: 50-300+ years

Process: Tectonic plates move continuously, but the fault is locked due to friction. Elastic strain energy accumulates in the surrounding rocks.

Observable Effects:

  • Gradual GPS displacement away from fault
  • Increasing stress concentration
  • Background seismicity
  • Slow deformation of surface features

Key Concepts: Elastic loading, stick-slip behavior, stress shadow effects

5x

Display Options