Climatic influence on the expression of strike-slip faulting

Abstract Earthquakes on strike-slip faults are preserved in the geomorphic record by offset land-forms that span a range of displacements, from small offsets created most recent earthquake (MRE) to large cumulative slip multiple prior events. An exponential decay number has been observed many faults, and leading hypothesis is climate controls rate decay. We present measurements compiled 31 studies with evidence paleoearthquakes corresponding climatic tectonic information test this hypothesis. Both global compilation numerical landscape evolution modeling reveal negatively correlated mean annual precipitation. Faults dry regions high drainage density more commonly preserve MRE offsets, wet lower mix offsets. Geomorphology different climates supports result illustrates precipitation's effect development preservation off-set channels. Our findings imply current past affect how displacement recorded interpreted inform history.