Earthquake source process governs seismic wave radiation and resultant ground shaking. The peak fault slip velocity and acceleration (Vpeak and apeak) are important source kinematic inputs for ground-motion prediction and seismic hazard assessment for future earthquakes. However, there are different ideas about the relationship between source kinematics and earthquake magnitude. Here, through integrated analysis of earthquakes ranging from Mw -4.6 to Mw 7.8, we demonstrate that both Vpeak and apeak do not increase with earthquake magnitude. Furthermore, by invoking dynamic shear rupture model coupled with cohesive force, we unify Vpeak and apeak of laboratory and natural earthquakes. Our results show that Vpeak increases with the product of breakdown stress drop and rupture speed, and apeak is related to breakdown stress drop, rupture speed, and critical slip distance. This study confirms fundamental self-similarity in earthquake source processes, with direct implications for physics-based seismic hazard assessment.
Article link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119576
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