Earthquake stress drop and laboratory-inferred interseismic strength recovery

We determine the scaling relationships between earthquake stress drop and recurrence interval t_r that are implied by laboratory-measured fault strength. We assume that repeating earthquakes can be simulated by stick-slip sliding using a spring and slider block model. Simulations with static/kinetic strength, time-dependent strength, and rate- and state-variable-dependent strength indicate that the relationship between loading velocity and recurrence interval can be adequately described by the power law V_L∝t_rⁿ where n≈−1. Deviations from n=−1 arise from second order effects on strength, with n>−1 corresponding to apparent time-dependent strengthening and n