Interseismic Coupling, Megathrust Earthquakes and Seismic Swarms Along the Chilean Subduction Zone (38°–18°S)

2017 ◽  
pp. 45-63
Author(s):  
M. Métois ◽  
C. Vigny ◽  
A. Socquet
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Interseismic Coupling ◽  
Seismic Swarms

Seismogenic behaviour in the Lesser Antilles: Insights from geodetic observations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elenora van Rijsingen ◽  
Eric Calais ◽  
Romain Jolivet ◽  
Jean-Bernard de Chabalier ◽  
Jorge Jara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Historical Earthquakes ◽  
Lesser Antilles ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Interseismic Coupling ◽  
Actual Degree ◽  
Block Models ◽  
Gps Time Series

<p>The Lesser Antilles subduction zone is a challenging region when it comes to unravelling its seismogenic behaviour. Over the last century, it has been seismically quiet, with no large thrust events recorded, leading to the question whether this subduction zone is able to produce large interplate earthquakes or not. The slow subduction velocity of ~20 mm/yr complicates this even further, as mega-earthquake recurrence times would be up to many hundreds of years in the case of a fully locked subduction interface, and up to several thousands of years for a partially locked interface. The record of two large historical earthquakes, a M ~8 in 1839 and M ~8.5 in 1843, is often referred to as evidence supporting the seismic character of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone. It remains, however, questionable whether these events actually occurred along the subduction interface.</p><p>Here we use GPS data acquired on various islands within the Antilles to infer interseismic coupling along the Lesser Antilles Arc. Previous block models have suggested low coupling of the subduction interface, making the occurrence of large megathrust earthquakes less likely. However, the non-uniqueness of these inversions, as well as uncertainties related to the distance between GPS stations and the subduction trench, cast doubts on how well the inferred coupling represents the actual degree of locking along the subduction interface. In this study, we attempt to improve these estimates, by using a Bayesian approach to derive a meaningful set of uncertainties on the distribution of interseismic coupling. By exploring the entire range of model parameters, we are able to provide a probabilistic estimate of interseismic coupling. To further improve our analysis with respect to previous models, we incorporate a layered elastic structure, as well as a more realistic fault geometry, testing two different slab models.</p><p>Our results suggest that the subduction interface of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone is most likely to be uncoupled. A sensitivity analysis highlights the deeper part of the interface (i.e., 30-60 km depth) as the region with higher sensitivity, since the GPS stations are distributed mostly above that portion of the subduction. A test regarding the proposed 1843 rupture contour reveals that this area is very unlikely to be locked. This apparent aseismic character of the Lesser Antilles raises questions about the role of slow slip along the interface. We therefore also analyse GPS time series to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of transient deformation signals in the region.</p>

scholarly journals Seismic and Aseismic Cycle of the Ecuador–Colombia Subduction Zone

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Chlieh ◽  
C. Beauval ◽  
H. Yepes ◽  
J. Marinière ◽  
M. Saillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Seismic Moment ◽  
Recurrence Time ◽  
Maximum Magnitude ◽  
Magnitude Distribution ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Rupture Area ◽  
Interseismic Coupling ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Frequency Magnitude Distribution

The Colombia–Ecuador subduction zone is an exceptional natural laboratory to study the seismic cycle associated with large and great subduction earthquakes. Since the great 1906 Mw = 8.6 Colombia–Ecuador earthquake, four large Mw > 7.5 megathrust earthquakes occurred within the 1906 rupture area, releasing altogether a cumulative seismic moment of ∼35% of the 1906 seismic moment. We take advantage of newly released seismic catalogs and global positioning system (GPS) data at the scale of the Colombia–Ecuador subduction zone to balance the moment deficit that is building up on the megathrust interface during the interseismic period with the seismic and aseismic moments released by transient slip episodes. Assuming a steady-state interseismic loading, we found that the seismic moment released by the 2016 Mw = 7.8 Pedernales earthquake is about half of the moment deficit buildup since 1942, suggesting that the Pedernales segment was mature to host that seismic event and its postseismic afterslip. In the aftermath of the 2016 event, the asperities that broke in 1958 and 1979 both appears to be mature to host a large Mw > 7.5 earthquakes if they break in two individual seismic events, or an Mw∼7.8–8.0 earthquake if they break simultaneously. The analysis of our interseismic-coupling map suggests that the great 1906 Colombia–Ecuador earthquake could have ruptured a segment of 400 km-long bounded by two 80 km wide creeping segments that coincide with the entrance into the subduction of the Carnegie ridge in Ecuador and the Yaquina Graben in Colombia. These creeping segments share similar frictional properties and may both behave as strong seismic barriers able to stop ruptures associated with great events like in 1906. Smaller creeping segments are imaged within the 1906 rupture area and are located at the extremities of the large 1942, 1958, 1979, and 2016 seismic ruptures. Finally, assuming that the frequency–magnitude distribution of megathrust seismicity follows the Gutenberg–Richter law and considering that 50% of the transient slip on the megathrust is aseismic, we found that the maximum magnitude subduction earthquake that can affect this subduction zone has a moment magnitude equivalent to Mw ∼8.8 with a recurrence time of 1,400 years. No similar magnitude event has yet been observed in that region.

scholarly journals A maximum rupture model for the central and southern Cascadia subduction zone—reassessing ages for coastal evidence of megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis

2021 ◽  
Vol 261 ◽  
pp. 106922
Author(s):  
Alan R. Nelson ◽  
Christopher B. DuRoss ◽  
Robert C. Witter ◽  
Harvey M. Kelsey ◽  
Simon E. Engelhart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Cascadia Subduction Zone ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Rupture Model

Subduction zone heterogeneity observed across the magnitude spectrum for megathrust earthquakes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Bilek ◽  
Emily Morton
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Stress Drop ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Cascadia Subduction Zone ◽  
Ocean Bottom ◽  
Small Earthquake ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Seismic Slip ◽  
Subduction Zone Earthquakes

<p>Observations from recent great subduction zone earthquakes highlight the influence of spatial geologic heterogeneity on overall rupture characteristics, such as areas of high co-seismic slip, and resulting tsunami generation.  Defining the relevant spatial heterogeneity is thus important to understanding potential hazards associated with the megathrust. The more frequent, smaller magnitude earthquakes that commonly occur in subduction zones are often used to help delineate the spatial heterogeneity.  Here we provide an overview of several subduction zones, including Costa Rica, Mexico, and Cascadia, highlighting connections between the small earthquake source characteristics and rupture behavior of larger earthquakes.  Estimates of small earthquake locations and stress drop are presented in each location, utilizing data from coastal and/or ocean bottom seismic stations.  These seismicity characteristics are then compared with other geologic and geophysical parameters, such as upper and lower plate characteristics, geodetic locking, and asperity locations from past large earthquakes.  For example, in the Cascadia subduction zone, we find clusters of small earthquakes located in regions of previous seamount subduction, with variations in earthquake stress drop reflecting potentially disrupted upper plate material deformed as a seamount passed.  Other variations in earthquake location and stress drop can be correlated with observed geodetic locking variations. </p>

scholarly journals Dating and morpho-stratigraphy of uplifted marine terraces in the Makran subduction zone (Iran)

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 321-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphaël Normand ◽  
Guy Simpson ◽  
Frédéric Herman ◽  
Rabiul Haque Biswas ◽  
Abbas Bahroudi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Active Surface ◽  
Optically Stimulated Luminescence ◽  
Uplift Rate ◽  
Makran Subduction Zone ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Surface Uplift ◽  
Marine Terraces ◽  
Uplift Rates ◽  
East West

Abstract. The western part of the Makran subduction zone (Iran) is currently experiencing active surface uplift, as attested by the presence of emerged marine terraces along the coast. To better understand the uplift recorded by these terraces, we investigated seven localities along the Iranian Makran and we performed radiocarbon, 230Th∕U and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of the layers of marine sediments deposited on top of the terraces. This enabled us to correlate the terraces regionally and to assign them to different Quaternary sea-level highstands. Our results show east–west variations in surface uplift rates mostly between 0.05 and 1.2 mm yr−1. We detected a region of anomalously high uplift rate, where two MIS 3 terraces are emerged, but we are uncertain how to interpret these results in a geologically coherent context. Although it is presently not clear whether the uplift of the terraces is linked to the occurrence of large megathrust earthquakes, our results highlight rapid surface uplift for a subduction zone context and heterogeneous accumulation of deformation in the overriding plate.

scholarly journals Dating and morphostratigraphy of uplifted marine terraces in the Makran subduction zone (Iran)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphaël Normand ◽  
Guy Simpson ◽  
Frédéric Herman ◽  
Rabiul Haque Biswas ◽  
Abbas Bahroudi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Surface Deformation ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Makran Subduction Zone ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Surface Uplift ◽  
Marine Terraces ◽  
Uplift Rates ◽  
Tectonically Active ◽  
East West

Abstract. The western part of the Makran subduction zone (Iran) has not experienced a great megathrust earthquake in recent human history, yet, the presence of emerged marine terraces along the coast indicates that the margin has been tectonically active during at least the late Quaternary. To better understand the surface deformation of this region, we mapped the terraces sequences of seven localities along the Iranian Makran. Additionnaly, we performed radiocarbon, 230Th/U and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of the layers of marine sediments deposited on top of the terraces. This enabled us to correlate the terraces regionally and to assign them to different Quaternary sea level highstands. Our results show east-west variations in surface uplift rates mostly between 0.05 and 1.2 mm y−1. We detected a region of anomalously high uplift rate, where two MIS 3 terraces are emerged, yet we are uncertain how to insert these results in a geologically coherent context. Although it is presently not clear whether the uplift of the terraces is linked with the occurrence of large megathrust earthquakes, our results highlight heterogeneous accumulation of deformation in the overriding plate.

Stress Drop Mapping in the Northern Chilean Subduction Zone

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Folesky ◽  
Joern Kummerow ◽  
Serge A. Shapiro
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Stress Drop ◽  
Observation Interval ◽  
Spectral Ratio ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Stress Drops

<p>The Northern Chilean subduction zone has been monitored by the IPOC network for more than ten years. During this time period two very large earthquakes occurred, the 2007 M<sub>W</sub>7.7  Tocopilla earthquake and the 2014 M<sub>W</sub>8.1 Iquique earthquake. Over the entire subduction zone a vast amount of seismic activity has been recorded and a huge catalog was compiled including over 100000 events (Sippl et al. 2018). With this exceptional data base we attempt a systematic analysis of the stress drops of as many events from the catalog as possible. We apply different estimation techniques, namely the spectral ratio type, the spectral stacking approach, and the lower bound method. A goal of our research is a comparison and possibly a combination of the techniques to obtain reliable and well constrained results.</p><p>The data set covers events at the interface, within the subducting plate, crustal events, and intermediate depth events. It therefore bears a great potential to better understand the stress drop distribution within a subduction zone. Also, the long observation interval allows to analyze temporal variations according to pre-, inter-, and post-seismic phases of megathrust earthquakes.   </p><p>We present preliminary results where a subset of 730 events with a magnitude range of M<sub>L</sub>2.7 - M<sub>L</sub>4.8  was used for analysis with the spectral ratio technique. For these events we show maps of spatial stress drop variation, and we analyze the time dependent stress drop variance. </p>

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