Summary:
- Researchers have discovered a hidden mechanism that may explain how earthquakes ignite and spread. This mechanism involves the rapid expansion of tiny pockets of water trapped within earthquake faults.
- When these water pockets rapidly expand, they can create a shear zone that allows the fault to slip and the earthquake to propagate. This process may happen much faster than previously thought, potentially explaining the sudden and unpredictable nature of some earthquakes.
- Understanding this hidden mechanism could help scientists better predict and prepare for future earthquakes, as well as improve our understanding of the complex processes that drive these powerful natural events.