Earthquake :how it happens: Friction

Earthquake faults may rupture faster than previously thought, seismologists say, possibly meaning more potential destruction in certain quake-prone zones.Earthquake physics has undergone a revolution during the past decade, thanks to new insights from lab experiments, field studies of exhumed faults and better theories.
But the nature and behavior of the forces that keep faults from moving and then suddenly fail are still unknown.
And when faults do move, something is missing —What happens inside an earthquake ?
There is little to no evidence of the extremely high levels of friction and melting that would be expected to follow above ground when two giant rocks slid against each other.Unfortunately the same as in a Man's brain....."There are many reasons to believe that something exotic is happening"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20322243/
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