Mysterious Earthquakes Strike Like Clockwork – We May Finally Know Why

A new study of the Gofar transform fault suggests nearby barrier zones help cap earthquake size and make ruptures recur more regularly.

Using seafloor seismic data from two major quakes, researchers found fractured, fluid-filled rock around the fault likely stabilizes it.

As seawater enters cracks, pressure rises and the rock strengthens through dilatancy, acting like a natural brake on larger ruptures.

The findings could improve earthquake models and help explain why some faults limit quake growth, with broader relevance for hazard-prone systems.