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Andrew J. Michael coauthored a comparison of stress-orientation measurements with competing strength models for the San Andreas Fault. The study combines earlier observations with new inversions of focal mechanisms, finding that similar measured orientations can support different interpretations.^[ref]

Fault geometry and the distribution of available slipping surfaces affect how orientation is translated into strength. Measuring a stress direction therefore does not by itself determine an absolute friction coefficient.

Authors: Jeanne L. Hardebeck, Andrew J. Michael.

Journal of Geophysical Research 109, B11303. Tests stress-orientation evidence for strong and weak fault models, discussing limits of frictional heating and borehole observations.