ELASTOSTATIC MODEL OF STRESS ACCUMULATION ON SAN-ANDREAS FAULT

Studies were conducted of the lateral motions, building stresses, sliding and locking of the Pacific and Americas plates. The problem was modelled assuming that two semi-infinite plates are sliding pass each other. Near the fault an inner solution in the vertical cross-plane is obtained. If the length of the locked sections is large compared with the thickness of the plates an outer solution exists in which the stress and strain components are constant across the plates. It was concluded it may be expected that the next major earthquake will occur on the section between San Bernardino and Cholame.