Interfacial instability of density-stratified two-layer systems under initial stress (Q1204812)

The onset of interfacial instability in two coherent semi-infinite layers of different properties and the corresponding critical wavelength are found by solving a static bifurcation problem in finite plane strain. Subsequently, the stability of perturbations of any wavelength is determined from the appropriate linearized equations of motion. The very large wavelength that is predicted for the gravitational instability of a semi-infinite elastic solid on a buoyant fluid substratum brings forward the essential role of pre-stress and associated stiffness reduction as well as that of a finite layer thickness in destabilizing geological and geophysical two-layer systems.