STOCHASTIC EXTENSION OF THE BURRIDGE KNOPOFF MODEL FOR EARTHQUAKE

Abstract

The Burridge Knopoff model has been frequently investigated for the prediction of the occurrence of earthquakes. It consists of a vibration chain, driven by a band that moves with constant velocity. Non-linearity is introduced by the friction forces that act on the masses which form the vibration chain. The objective of the thesis is to investigate the behavior of the Burridge Knopoff model by introducing a stochastic friction coefficient. It will be necessary to modify the model equations, but also to adapt the numerical integration algorithm to stochastic differential equations. The results are to be analyzed by statistical methods and the influence of the stochastic friction coefficient on the prediction of Gutenberg-Richter's law should be pointed