Elementary Theory of Earthquake Source Relaxation

The elementary theory of relaxation of the source “cooling down” after the main shock of an earthquake is presented axiomatically. The names of the objects under study are given and the relationships between them are determined. A new basic concept of “earthquake source deactivation” is introduced and a procedure for calculating the deactivation coefficient from aftershock frequency measurement data is indicated. An important property of the system is that the axioms do not contain statements regarding the actual process of source relaxation. From two simple axioms a number of meaningful statements (theorems) logically follow. A two-stage mode of source relaxation was discovered. The sharp transition between stages has the character of a bifurcation. It is shown that the classical Omori law has limited applicability. It describes the evolution of aftershocks only at the first stage of relaxation. The well-known Hirano-Utsu law is not applicable to describe aftershocks either at the first or second stages of relaxation. The conclusions of the elementary theory allow for interesting generalizations that expand the possibilities of experimental and theoretical study of the source.