Fig. 10From: Streak and hierarchical structures of the Tohoku–Hokkaido subduction zone plate boundaryConceptual hierarchical patch model. The hierarchical structure, which is defined by the different patch sizes in the figure, controls the overall earthquake behavior. A large earthquake can be interpreted as the result of a cascade-up process that initiated from a small-patch rupture. The patches are elliptical and elongate in the slip directionBack to article page