Abstract - Displacement profiles (normalised displacement vs
normalised distance from the point of maximum displacement) have been plotted
from 34 horizontal radii from 25 normal faults within maximum displacements
ranging from 0.1 to 37.5m. The composite displacement profile for these
faults, when corrected for systematic inaccuracies of the data, is significantly
different from the theoretical slip profile for a single seismic slip event.
The integration of slip displacement profiles of many slip events on a
growing fault shows that a steady-state displacement profile will be established.
This theoretical displacement profile is similar to the composite profile
derived from the fault data. Analysis of displacement data from 488 fault
traces, which do not necessarily pass through the point of maximum displacement
of their respective faults, shows that although displacement measurements
are strongly influenced by ductile drag, the theoretical distribution can
still be identified in the data. Although the slip distribution on a fault
during a single slip event, or during a period of stable sliding, is not
simply related to the distribution of cumulative displacement on the fault,
a knowledge of both characteristics places firm constraints on fault growth
models.
Journal of Structural Geology 9, 1039-1046, 1987.