Stress relaxation arrested the mainshock rupture of the 2016 Central Tottori earthquake

Abstract After a large earthquake, many small earthquakes, called aftershocks, ensue. Additional earthquakes typically do not occur, despite the fact that static stress near edges of fault is expected to trigger further at these locations. Here we analyse ~10,000 highly accurate focal mechanism solutions aftershocks 2016 Mw 6.2 Central Tottori earthquake in Japan. We determine location horizontal mainshock relative aftershock hypocentres, with an accuracy approximately 200 m. find rarely occur and extensions fault. propose rupture was arrested within areas characterised by substantial relaxation prior main earthquake. This along could explain why mainshocks are followed earthquakes.