Effects of gouge fragment shape on fault friction: New 3d modelling results

[1] The friction of granular fault gouge plays an important 8 role in governing the mechanical behavior and hence 9 earthquake potential of faults. Using numerical modelling, 10 significant progress has recently been made towards 11 understanding the micro-mechanics that drive fault gouge 12 evolution. Despite these insights, many previous numerical 13 models have predicted unrealistically low macroscopic 14 frictional strength. Here we describe modified 3D discrete 15 element simulations of fault gouge evolution