SUMMARY
This study is focused on the inertial effect on slip of and interaction between two earthquake faults based on a two-body slider-slider model in the presence of thermal-pressurized slip-weakening friction and viscosity. The ratio m=m2/m1, where m2 and m1 are the masses of sliders 1 and 2, respectively, is the model parameter to represent the inertial effect. Other model parameters are s (the stiffness ratio), f= fo2/fo1 (where foi is the normalized static friction force on the i-th slider, i=1, 2), y=Uc2/Uc1 (where Uci is the normalized characteristic displacement of friction law on the i-th slider), and g=h2/h1 (where hi is the normalized viscosity coefficient between the i-th slider and the background plate). Simulation results show that m is important on interaction between the two sliders. Foreshocks and aftershocks/afterslip can be generated on slider 1 or slider 2 when m?1. Slider 2 behaves like a slow event when m=50. The f, y, and g are the major factors and s is minor one in causing time delay between the two sliders. Slider 2 cannot move when f is higher than a critical value which depends on other model parameters. Interaction and the patterns of motions of the two sliders are different between y<1 and y>1. The presence of viscosity may increase the predominant period of a slider.