Fig. 2

Spatial variation in frictional parameters \(a\) and \(b\) in the rate- and state-dependent friction (RSF) law. \(a\) is uniform and \(b\) is given by a smoothed boxcar function (e.g., Noda and Lapusta 2010). In the central part of the rate-weakening patch, \(a/b = 0.8\)