Hi John and Chris. Have a $64.00 stupid question for you. When a fault breaks, lets say with an M>7.0 quake and the fault ruptures for 40 miles. At the epicenter seismic waves start moving outward.

Now lets say the majority of the fault ruptures toward the north. Are there seismic waves being generated along the rupture and if they are now are they interacting with the waves from the epicenter of the quake? Do they interfere in some fashion with the waves from the epicenter? Do they enhance the waves from the epicenter? Can they be recorded and are they a part of the motion we feel?

I know the waves moving out from the epicenter are not in a perfect circle as seen on newscasts. I know there is to a certain degree directivity of the waves usually in the direction of the rupture. It may be even for both sides of the epicenter, or maybe a little more directive in the direction of the rupture, or is it lopsided with most of activity in the direction of the rupture. Sure hope you can understand the question. Take Care…Don in creepy town