Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Science

'Boomerang' earthquake simulations suggest ricocheting ruptures may be more common than previously thought

An earthquake typically sets off ruptures that ripple out from its underground origins. But on rare occasions, seismologists have observed quakes that reverse course, further shaking up areas that they passed through only seconds before. These "boomerang" earthquakes often occur in regions with comp...

'Boomerang' earthquake simulations suggest ricocheting ruptures may be more common than previously thought
Image: Phys.org
An earthquake typically sets off ruptures that ripple out from its underground origins. But on rare occasions, seismologists have observed quakes that reverse course, further shaking up areas that they passed through only seconds before. These "boomerang" earthquakes often occur in regions with complex fault systems. But a new study by MIT researchers predicts that such ricochet ruptures can occur even along simple faults.

Originally published at Phys.org

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