What Can Surface-Slip Distributions Tell Us about Fault Connectivity at Depth?

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 1025-1036
Author(s):  
David D. Oglesby
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Alternative Explanation ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Seismogenic Zone ◽  
Dynamic Rupture ◽  
Fault Segment ◽  
Surface Slip ◽  
Fault Systems ◽  
Earthquake Size ◽  
Different Sources

ABSTRACT Fault systems with stepovers and gaps along strike are ubiquitous in nature, and many modern earthquakes (e.g., 1992 Landers, 1999 Hector Mine, 2016 Kaikōura, and 2019 Ridgecrest) have shown that ruptures can readily propagate across some disconnections, while being halted by others. It is quite possible, however, that many faults that appear discontinuous at the surface are in fact connected at depth, facilitating throughgoing rupture, and potentially increasing earthquake size. The present work explores whether the mapped surface slip in an earthquake is indicative of the connectivity of the fault system at depth. If there is a signal of subsurface connectivity in the surface-slip pattern, then the connectivity of the system could potentially be inferred. Through 3D dynamic rupture modeling of faults with along-strike gaps of various depths, I explore whether the amplitude or the spatial distribution of slip after an earthquake could be used to diagnose fault connectivity at depth. I find that, in general, fault segments that are connected up to shallow depths of 1–2 km and are relatively long along strike compared to the seismogenic depth tend to have higher slip gradients at their edges than faults that are connected at greater depth, or that are disconnected to the bottom of the seismogenic zone. Systematic slip gradient differences at fault segment edges have been recorded in past earthquakes, giving hope that the modeled effect can be detected in many cases, even though mapped surface slip is affected by a number of different sources of heterogeneity. The results provide an alternative explanation for observations that stepovers that allow throughgoing rupture tend to have higher slip gradients than those at which rupture terminates: perhaps many such stepovers are connected at depth, which could persistently favor throughgoing rupture. There may be implications for interpretation of apparent fault discontinuities worldwide.

scholarly journals Magnitude-Dependent Transient Increase of Seismogenic Depth

2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 2182-2191
Author(s):  
Olaf Zielke ◽  
Danijel Schorlemmer ◽  
Sigurjon Jónsson ◽  
Paul Martin Mai
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Seismogenic Zone ◽  
Tectonic Deformation ◽  
Rupture Length ◽  
Strain And Strain Rate ◽  
Background Seismicity ◽  
Earthquake Size ◽  
Large Earthquakes

Abstract The thickness of the seismogenic zone in the Earth’s crust plays an important role in seismotectonics, affecting fault-system architecture and relative fault activity, earthquake size and distribution within a fault system, as well as long-term accumulation of tectonic deformation. Within the last two decades, several studies have revealed that aftershocks of large continental earthquakes may occur below the background depth of the seismogenic zone, that is, below the seismic–aseismic transition zone. This observation may be explained with a strain- and strain-rate-induced shift in rheological behavior that follows large mainshocks, transiently changing the deformation style below the seismogenic zone from incipient ductile to seismically brittle failure. As large earthquakes transiently deepen the seismic–aseismic transition zone, it is plausible to assume that larger mainshocks may cause stronger deepening than smaller mainshocks. Corresponding observations, however, have not yet been reported. Here, we use well-located seismic catalogs from Alaska, California, Japan, and Turkey to analyze if mainshock size positively correlates with the amount of transient deepening of the seismic–aseismic transition zone. We compare the depths of background seismicity with aftershock depths of 16 continental strike-slip earthquakes (6≤M≤7.8) and find that large mainshocks do cause stronger transient deepening than moderate-size mainshocks. We further suggest that this deepening effect also applies to the mainshocks themselves, with larger mainshock coseismic ruptures being capable of extending deeper into the normally aseismic zone. This understanding may help address fundamental questions of earthquake-source physics such as the assumed scale invariance of earthquake stress drop and whether fault-slip scales with rupture length or rupture width.

scholarly journals On the depth-dependent stress accumulation for earthquake generation process

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideo Aochi ◽  
Kenichi Tsuda
Keyword(s):  
Ground Surface ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Seismogenic Zone ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
Generation Process ◽  
Dynamic Rupture ◽  
Earthquake Generation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Dynamic Rupture Simulation ◽  
Stress Accumulation

<p>Dynamic rupture simulation of an earthquake mostly aims at a characteristic event, which may rupture the entire seismogenic zone of a fault system, perhaps reaching the ground surface. However, hazardous earthquakes sometimes occur along a part of the depths of a fault. Many questions arise why only this particular depth does rupture and whether the surrounding part remains hazardous. Previously, Aochi (GJI, 2018) has considered a depth-dependent stress accumulation for emphasizing the difference of reverse and normal faults under the hypothesis that stress is sufficiently and uniformly charged at all depths. We probably need to revise this hypothesis and the partially charged fault along depth would be more suitable for explaining the given question. By developing the previous simulations by Aochi (GJI, 2018), we carry out numerical simulations for demonstrating the importance of the depth-dependent stress accumulation.   </p>

scholarly journals The Role of Faults in Groundwater Circulation before and after Seismic Events: Insights from Tracers, Water Isotopes and Geochemistry

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1499
Author(s):  
Davide Fronzi ◽  
Francesco Mirabella ◽  
Carlo Cardellini ◽  
Stefano Caliro ◽  
Stefano Palpacelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Tracer Tests ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Tectonic Structures ◽  
Fault Systems ◽  
Isotopic Analyses ◽  
Before And After

The interaction between fluids and tectonic structures such as fault systems is a much-discussed issue. Many scientific works are aimed at understanding what the role of fault systems in the displacement of deep fluids is, by investigating the interaction between the upper mantle, the lower crustal portion and the upraising of gasses carried by liquids. Many other scientific works try to explore the interaction between the recharge processes, i.e., precipitation, and the fault zones, aiming to recognize the function of the abovementioned structures and their capability to direct groundwater flow towards preferential drainage areas. Understanding the role of faults in the recharge processes of punctual and linear springs, meant as gaining streams, is a key point in hydrogeology, as it is known that faults can act either as flow barriers or as preferential flow paths. In this work an investigation of a fault system located in the Nera River catchment (Italy), based on geo-structural investigations, tracer tests, geochemical and isotopic recharge modelling, allows to identify the role of the normal fault system before and after the 2016–2017 central Italy seismic sequence (Mmax = 6.5). The outcome was achieved by an integrated approach consisting of a structural geology field work, combined with GIS-based analysis, and of a hydrogeological investigation based on artificial tracer tests and geochemical and isotopic analyses.

scholarly journals Seismic characteristics of polygonal fault systems in the Great South Basin, New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 851-865
Author(s):  
Sukonmeth Jitmahantakul ◽  
Piyaphong Chenrai ◽  
Pitsanupong Kanjanapayont ◽  
Waruntorn Kanitpanyacharoen
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Late Eocene ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
South Basin ◽  
Fault Systems ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Polygonal Fault

AbstractA well-developed multi-tier polygonal fault system is located in the Great South Basin offshore New Zealand’s South Island. The system has been characterised using a high-quality three-dimensional seismic survey tied to available exploration boreholes using regional two-dimensional seismic data. In this study area, two polygonal fault intervals are identified and analysed, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 coincides with the Tucker Cove Formation (Late Eocene) with small polygonal faults. Tier 2 is restricted to the Paleocene-to-Late Eocene interval with a great number of large faults. In map view, polygonal fault cells are outlined by a series of conjugate pairs of normal faults. The polygonal faults are demonstrated to be controlled by depositional facies, specifically offshore bathyal deposits characterised by fine-grained clays, marls and muds. Fault throw analysis is used to understand the propagation history of the polygonal faults in this area. Tier 1 and Tier 2 initiate at about Late Eocene and Early Eocene, respectively, based on their maximum fault throws. A set of three-dimensional fault throw images within Tier 2 shows that maximum fault throws of the inner polygonal fault cell occurs at the same age, while the outer polygonal fault cell exhibits maximum fault throws at shallower levels of different ages. The polygonal fault systems are believed to be related to the dewatering of sedimentary formation during the diagenesis process. Interpretation of the polygonal fault in this area is useful in assessing the migration pathway and seal ability of the Eocene mudstone sequence in the Great South Basin.

Mapping the regional tectonic asset of the Discovery quadrangle of Mercury

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Galluzzi ◽  
Luigi Ferranti ◽  
Lorenza Giacomini ◽  
Pasquale Palumbo
Keyword(s):  
Imaging System ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Geophysical Research ◽  
Fault Systems ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Regional Tectonic ◽  
Italian Space Agency ◽  
Dual Imaging ◽  
Map Series

<p>The Discovery quadrangle of Mercury (H-11) located in the area between 22.5°S–65°S and 270°E–360°E encompasses structures of paramount importance for understanding Mercury’s tectonics. The quadrangle is named after Discovery Rupes, a NE-SW trending lobate scarp, which is one of the longest and highest on Mercury (600 km in length and 2 km high). By examining the existing maps of this area (Trask and Dzurisin, 1984; Byrne et al., 2014), several other oblique trending structures are visible. More mapping detail could be achieved by using the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) imagery.</p> <p>We aim at mapping the structures of H-11 at high-resolution by using MESSENGER/MDIS basemaps, in order to understand its regional tectonic history by following the work done in the Victoria quadrangle (H-2) (Galluzzi et al., 2019). Differently from H-2, located in the same longitudinal range but at opposite latitudes, this area lacks in N-S trending scarps, such as the Victoria-Endeavour-Antoniadi fault system, which dominates the northern hemisphere structural framework. The existing tectonic theories predict either an isotropic pattern of faults (global contraction) or an ordered distribution and orientation of faults (tidal despinning) for Mercury. If we expect that the existing tectonic patterns were governed by only one of the two processes or both together, it is difficult to understand how such different trends formed within these two complementary areas. The structural study done for H-2 reveals that the geochemical discontinuities present in Mercury’s crust may have guided and influenced the trend and kinematics of faults in that area (Galluzzi et al., 2019). In particular, the high-magnesium region seems to be associated with fault systems that either follow its boundary or are located within it. These fault systems show distinct kinematics and trends. The south-eastern border of the HMR is located within H-11. Hence, with this study, we aim at complementing the previous one to better describe the tectonics linked to the presence of the HMR. Furthermore, this geostructural map will complement the future geomorphological map of the area and will be part of the 1:3M quadrangle geological map series which are being prepared in view of the BepiColombo mission (Galluzzi, 2019). <em>Acknowledgments: We gratefully acknowledge funding from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) under ASI-INAF agreement 2017-47-H.0.</em></p> <p>Byrne et al. (2014). Nature Geoscience, 7(4), 301-307.<br />Galluzzi, V. (2019). In: Planetary Cartography and GIS, Springer, Cham, 207-218.<br />Galluzzi et al. (2019). Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 124(10), 2543-2562.<br />Trask and Dzurisin (1984). USGS, IMAP 1658.</p>

Spatial distribution and evolution of fault-segment boundary types in rift systems: observations from experimental clay models

2016 ◽  
Vol 439 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. S. Whipp ◽  
C. A.-L. Jackson ◽  
R. W. Schlische ◽  
M. O. Withjack ◽  
R. L. Gawthorpe
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Fault Segment ◽  
Segment Boundary

scholarly journals Μorphometric Analysis for the Assessment of Relative Tectonic Activity in Evia Island, Greece

Geosciences ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 264
Author(s):  
Kanella Valkanou ◽  
Efthimios Karymbalis ◽  
Dimitris Papanastassiou ◽  
Mauro Soldati ◽  
Christos Chalkias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Fault Zone ◽  
Normal Fault ◽  
Morphometric Parameters ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Asymmetry Factor ◽  
Drainage Basins ◽  
Fault Systems ◽  
The North ◽  
Integrated Index

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relative tectonic activity in the north part of the Evia Island, located in Central Greece, and to investigate the contribution of neotectonic processes in the development of the fluvial landscape. Five morphometric parameters, including Drainage Basin Slope (Sb), Hypsometric Integral (Hi), Asymmetry Factor (Af), Relief Ratio (Rh), and Melton’s Ruggedness Number (M), were estimated for a total of 189 drainage basins. The catchments were classified into two groups, according to the estimated values of each morphometric parameter, and maps showing their spatial distribution were produced. The combination of the calculated morphometric parameters led to a new single integrated Index of relative tectonic activity (named Irta). Following this indexing, the basins were characterized as of low, moderate, or high relative tectonic activity. The quantitative analysis showed that the development of the present drainage systems and the geometry of the basins of the study area have been influenced by the tectonic uplift caused by the activity of two NW-SE trending offshore active normal fault systems: the north Gulf of Evia fault zone (Kandili-Telethrion) and the Aegean Sea fault zone (Dirfis), respectively. The spatial distribution of the values of the new integrated index Irta showed significant differences among the drainage basins that reflect differences in relative tectonic activity related to their location with regard to the normal fault systems of the study area.

Synthetic analysis of seismic back-projection using 3D dynamic rupture simulations of the 2018, Palu Sulawesi earthquake

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Ulrich ◽  
Bo Li ◽  
Alice-Agnes Gabriel
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Energy ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Beam Power ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Back Projection ◽  
Secondary Phases ◽  
Dynamic Rupture ◽  
Rupture Dynamics ◽  
Projection Techniques ◽  
Spatio Temporal

<p>Back-projection uses the time-reversal property of the seismic wavefield recorded at large aperture dense seismic arrays. Seismic energy radiation is imaged by applying array beam-forming techniques. The spatio-temporal rupture complexity of large earthquakes can be imaged simply and rapidly with a limited number of assumptions, which makes back-projection techniques an important tool of modern seismology. However, back-projection analyses exhibit frequency and array dependency (e.g. Wu et al., AGU19). In addition, the method relies on station network geometry and data quality and can suffer from imaging artifacts (e.g., Fan and Shearer, 2017) and back-projection results may not be consistently interpreted.</p><p>The Mw7.5 Palu, Sulawesi earthquake that occurred on September 28, 2018, ruptured a 180 km long section of the Palu-Koro fault. The earthquake triggered a localized but powerful tsunami within Palu Bay, which swept away houses and buildings. The supershear earthquake and unexpected tsunami led to more than 4000 fatalities. Ulrich et al. (2019) propose a physics-based, coupled earthquake-tsunami scenario of the event, tightly constrained by observations. The model matches key observed earthquake characteristics, including moment magnitude, rupture duration, fault plane solution, teleseismic waveforms, and inferred horizontal ground displacements. It suggests that time-dependent earthquake-induced uplift and subsidence could have sourced the observed tsunami within Palu Bay.</p><p>Back-projection has been used to track the rupture propagation of the Palu earthquake. Bao et al. (2019) image unilateral rupture traveling at a supershear rupture speed. Their results show array dependent ruptures, from a rather relatively linear rupture using the Australian array, to a spatio-temporally more scattered image using the seismic array in Turkey. In addition, they do not resolve any portion of the rupture as traveling at sub-Rayleigh speeds, while Wei et al. (AGU19) suggest a gradually accelerating rupture.</p><p>In this study, we build upon the dynamic rupture model of Ulrich et al. (2019) to investigate the reliability of standard back-projection techniques using a realistic and perfectly known earthquake model. In particular, we investigate whether or not rupture transfers across the segmented fault system, and the effect of specific geometric features of the fault system, such as fault bends, on rupture dynamics, leave a clear signal on the inferred beam power. Also, we investigate the effect of secondary phases, such as reflections from the free-surface or from fault segment boundaries, naturally captured by dynamic rupture modeling. In addition, we study the effect of small-scale source heterogeneities on the back-projection results by including different levels of fault roughness in the dynamic rupture simulations. Finally, we investigate the array dependence of back-projection results.</p><p>Overall, this study should help to better understand which features of rupture dynamics back-projection can capture. Our results are a first step towards fundamental analysis to better understand which features can be captured by back-projection and to provide guidelines for back-projection interpretation.</p>

Investigation of Dynamic and Static Effects on Earthquake Triggering Using Different Rate and State Friction Laws and Marmara Simulation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eyup Sopaci ◽  
Atilla Arda Özacar
Keyword(s):  
Onset Time ◽  
Static Stress ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Dynamic Effects ◽  
Earthquake Triggering ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
System Parameters ◽  
Fault Segment ◽  
Stress Changes ◽  
Rate And State Friction

<p>The clock of an earthquake can be advanced due to dynamic and static changes when a triggering signal is applied to a stress-loading fault. While static effects decrease rapidly with distance, dynamic effects can reach thousands of kilometers away. Therefore, earthquake triggering is traditionally associated to static stress changes at local distances and to dynamic effects at greater scales. However, static and dynamic effects near the triggering signal are often nested, thus identifying which effect dominates, becomes unclear. So far, earthquake triggering has been tested using different rate-and-state friction (RSF) laws utilizing alternative views of friction without much comparison. In this study, the analogy of an earthquake is simulated using single degree of freedom spring-block systems governed with three different RSF laws, namely “Dieterich”, “Ruina” and “Perrin”. First, the fault systems are evolved until they reach a stable limit cycle and then static, dynamic and their combination are applied as triggering signals. During synthetic simulations, effects of the triggering signal parameters (onset time, size, duration and frequency) and the fault system parameters (fault stiffness, characteristic slip distance, direct velocity and time dependent state effects) are tested separately. Our results indicate that earthquake triggering is controlled mainly by the onset time, size and duration of the triggering signal but not much sensitive to the signal frequency. In terms of fault system parameters, the fault stiffness and the direct velocity effect are the critical parameters in triggering processes. Among the tested RSF laws, “Ruina” law is more sensitive than “Dieterich” law to both static and dynamic changes and “Perrin” is apparently the most sensitive law to dynamic changes. Especially, when the triggering onset time is close to an unperturbed failure time (future earthquake), dynamic changes result the largest clock advancement, otherwise, static stress changes are substantially more effective. In the next step, realistic models will be established to simulate the effect of the recent (26 September 2019) Marmara earthquake with Mw=5.7 on the locked Kumburgaz fault segment of the North Anatolian Fault Zone. The triggering earthquake will be simulated by combining the static stress change computed via Coulomb law and the dynamic effects using ground motions recorded at broadband seismic stations within similar distances. Outcomes will help us to better understand the effects of static and dynamic changes on the seismic cycle of the Kumburgaz fault segment, which is expected to break soon with a possibly big earthquake causing damage at the metropolitan area of Istanbul in Turkey.</p>

Fault slip envelope: A new parametric investigation tool for fault system strength and slip

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Soliva ◽  
Frantz Maerten ◽  
Laurent Maerten ◽  
Jussi Mattila
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Fault Slip ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
Computation Method ◽  
Strength Anisotropy ◽  
Stress Regime ◽  
Fault Systems ◽  
Geological Conditions ◽  
Wide Range

<p>The fact that inherited fault systems show strong variability in their 3D shape provides good reasons to consider the strength of the Earth’s brittle crust as variably anisotropic. In this work we quantify this strength anisotropy as a function of fault system complexity by combining 3D boundary element model, frictional slip theory and fast iterative computation method. This method allows to analyze together a very large number of scenarios of stress and fault mechanical properties variations through space and time. Using both synthetic and real fault system geometries we analyze a very large number of numerical simulations (125,000) to define for the first time macroscopic rupture envelopes for fault systems, referred to as “fault slip envelopes”. Fault slip envelopes are defined using variable friction, cohesion and stress state, and their shape is directly related to the fault system 3D geometry and the friction coefficient on fault surfaces. The obtained fault slip envelopes shows that very complex fault geometry implies low and isotropic strength of the fault system compared to geometry having limited fault orientations relative to the remote stresses, providing strong strength anisotropy. This technique is applied to the realistic geological conditions of the Olkiluoto high-level nuclear waste repository (Finland). The model results suggests that Olkiluoto fault system has a better probability to slip under the present day Andersonian thrust stress regime, than for the strike-slip and normal stress regimes expected in the future due to the probable presence of an ice sheet. This new tool allows to quantify the anisotropy of strength and probability of slip of 3D real fault networks as a function of a wide range of possible geological conditions an mechanical properties. This significantly helps to define the most conservative fault slip hazard case or to account for potential uncertainties in the input data for slip. This technique therefore applies to earthquakes hazard studies, geological storage, geothermal resources along faults and fault leaks/seals in geological reservoirs.</p>

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