scholarly journals Characterization of seismogenic crustal faults in the Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kervin Chunga ◽  
Felipe Ochoa-Cornejo ◽  
Maurizio Mulas ◽  
Theofilos Toulkeridis ◽  
Edgar Menéndez

Few moderate-to-strong earthquakes associated with active and capable geological faults have been documented for the southern coastal region of Ecuador. The seismic record of Ecuador initiates with the Guayaquil earthquake in 1787 (Mw 6.5), followed by the 1943 (Mw 6.2), and the most recent one in 1980 (Mw 6.1). The available data is insufficient to evaluate the seismic hazards associated with faults capable of generating seismic events of magnitude Mw≥6.0 in the region. Also, earthquakes of minor magnitudes can be disregarded as they do not induce significant ground coseismic effects. In this context, this study presents a catalog of geological faults, delineating 40 segments of capable and active faults on the sea floor of the Gulf of Guayaquil and inland segments of Guayas, Santa Elena, and El Oro provinces. This methodological approach estimates a variety of seismicity levels ranging between Mw 6.2 and Mw 7.2, with rock peak ground accelerations between 0.24 g and 0.41 g. These values have been obtained from empirical regression equations applied to the length of capable geological faults. The F-40 seismogenic structure located in the accretionary prism, close to the subduction zone, is capable of generating Mw 8.2 earthquakes and potentially causing coseismic ground damage to the city of Guayaquil located ca. 177 km to the NE. Furthermore, local tsunami hazards may affect severely areas that are densely populated, with developing industrial areas, on the coast of the Gulf of Guayaquil. This structural geological analysis provides useful new data for seismic hazard assessment.

Climate ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Abdullah Al-Maruf ◽  
J. Craig Jenkins ◽  
Amelie Bernzen ◽  
Boris Braun

The main objective of this paper is to measure the level of household resilience to cyclone and storm surges in the coastal area of Bangladesh. We draw on four general disaster frameworks in terms of addressing household-level resilience to cyclones and storm surges. We use a composite indicator approach organized around four components: (1) household infrastructure (HI); (2) household economic capacity (HEC); (3) household self-organization and learning (HSoL), and; (4) social safety nets (SSN). Drawing on a household survey (N = 1188) in nine coastal union parishads in coastal Bangladesh purposively selected as among the most vulnerable places in the world, we use principal components analysis applied to a standardized form of the survey data that identifies key household resilience features. These household index scores can be used for the assessment and monitoring of household capacities, training, and other efforts to improve household cyclone resilience. Our innovative methodological approach allows us to (a) identify patterns and reveal the underlying factors that accurately describe the variation in the data; (b) reduce a large number of variables to a much smaller number of core dimensions of household resilience, and (c) to detect spatial variations in resilience among communities. Aggregated to the community level, our new index reveals significant differences in community cyclone resilience in different areas of the coastal region. In this way, we can show that shoreline and island communities, in particular, have significant deficits in terms of household resilience, which seem to be mutually reinforcing one another and making for lower resilience.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abeer Al-Ashkar ◽  
Antoine Schlupp ◽  
Matthieu Ferry ◽  
Ulziibat Munkhuu

Abstract. We present new constraints from tectonic geomorphology and paleoseismology along the newly discovered Sharkhai fault near the capital city of Mongolia. Detailed observations from high resolution Pleiades satellite images and field investigations allowed us to map the fault in detail, describe its geometry and segmentation, characterize its kinematics, and document its recent activity and seismic behavior (cumulative displacements and paleoseismicity). The Sharkhai fault displays a surface length of ~40 km with a slightly arcuate geometry, and a strike ranging from N42° E to N72° E. It affects numerous drainages that show left-lateral cumulative displacements reaching 57 m. Paleoseismic investigations document the faulting and deposition record for the last ~3000 yr and reveal that the penultimate earthquake (PE) occurred between 1515 ± 90 BC and 945 ± 110 BC and the most recent event (MRE) occurred after 860 ± 85 AD. The resulting time interval of 2080 ± 470 years is the first constraint on the Sharkhai fault for large earthquakes. On the basis of our mapping of the surface rupture and the resulting segmentation analysis, we propose two possible scenarios for large earthquakes with likely magnitudes between 6.4 ± 0.2 and 7.1 ± 0.2. Furthermore, we apply scaling laws to infer coseismic slip values and derive preliminary estimates of long-term slip rates between 0.2 ± 0.2 and 1.0 ± 0.5 mm/y. Finally, we propose that these original observations and results from a newly discovered fault should be taken into account for the seismic hazard assessment for the city of Ulaanbaatar and help build a comprehensive model of active faults in that region.


2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis G. Fountoulis ◽  
Spyridon D. Mavroulis

On September 13, 1986, a shallow earthquake (Ms=6.2) struck the city of Kalamata and the surrounding areas (SW Peloponnese, Greece) resulting in 20 fatalities, over 300 injuries, extensive structural damage and many earthquake environmental effects (EEE). The main shock was followed by several aftershocks, the strongest of which occurred two days later (Ms=5.4). The EEE induced by the 1986 Kalamata earthquake sequence include ground subsidence, seismic faults, seismic fractures, rockfalls and hydrological anomalies. The maximum ESI 2007 intensity for the main shock has been evaluated as IX<sub>ESI 2007</sub>, strongly related to the active fault zones and the reactivated faults observed in the area as well as to the intense morphology of the activated Dimiova-Perivolakia graben, which is a 2nd order neotectonic structure located in the SE margin of the Kalamata-Kyparissia mega-graben and bounded by active fault zones. The major structural damage of the main shock was selective and limited to villages founded on the activated Dimiova-Perivolakia graben (IX<sub>EMS-98</sub>) and to the Kalamata city (IX<sub>EMS-98</sub>) and its eastern suburbs (IX<sub>EMS-98</sub>) located at the crossing of the prolongation of two major active fault zones of the affected area. On the contrary, damage of this size was not observed in the surrounding neotectonic structures, which were not activated during this earthquake sequence. It is concluded that both intensity scales fit in with the neotectonic regime of the area. The ESI 2007 scale complemented the EMS-98 seismic intensities and provided a completed picture of the strength and the effects of the September 13, 1986, Kalamata earthquake on the natural and the manmade environment. Moreover, it contributed to a better picture of the earthquake scenario and represents a useful and reliable tool for seismic hazard assessment.


Author(s):  
Thomas Chartier ◽  
Oona Scotti ◽  
Hélène Lyon-Caen ◽  
Aurélien Boiselet

Abstract. Modelling the seismic potential of active faults is a fundamental step of probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA). An accurate estimation of the rate of earthquakes on the faults is necessary in order to obtain the probability of exceedance of a given ground motion. Most PSHA studies consider faults as independent structures and neglect the possibility of multiple faults or fault segments rupturing simultaneously (Fault to Fault -FtF- ruptures). The latest Californian model (UCERF-3) takes into account this possibility by considering a system level approach rather than an individual fault level approach using the geological , seismological and geodetical information to invert the earthquake rates. In many places of the world seismological and geodetical information long fault networks are often not well constrained. There is therefore a need to propose a methodology relying only on geological information to compute earthquake rate of the faults in the network. In this methodology, similarly to UCERF-3, a simple distance criteria is used to define FtF ruptures and consider single faults or FtF ruptures as an aleatory uncertainty. Rates of earthquakes on faults are then computed following two constraints: the magnitude frequency distribution (MFD) of earthquakes in the fault system as a whole must follow an imposed shape and the rate of earthquakes on each fault is determined by the specific slip-rate of each segment depending on the possible FtF ruptures. The modelled earthquake rates are then confronted to the available independent data (geodetical, seismological and paleoseismological data) in order to weigh different hypothesis explored in a logic tree. The methodology is tested on the Western Corinth Rift, Greece (WCR) where recent advancements have been made in the understanding of the geological slip rates of the complex network of normal faults which are accommodating the ~15 mm/yr North-South extension. Modelling results show that geological, seismological extension rates and paleoseismological rates of earthquakes cannot be reconciled with only single fault rupture scenarios and require hypothesising a large spectrum of possible FtF rupture sets. Furthermore, in order to fit the imposed regional Gutenberg-Richter MFD target, some of the slip along certain faults needs to be accommodated either with interseismic creep or as post-seismic processes. Furthermore, individual fault’s MFDs differ depending on the position of each fault in the system and the possible FtF ruptures associated with the fault. Finally, a comparison of modelled earthquake rupture rates with those deduced from the regional and local earthquake catalogue statistics and local paleosismological data indicates a better fit with the FtF rupture set constructed with a distance criteria based on a 5 km rather than 3 km, suggesting, a high connectivity of faults in the WCR fault system.


2015 ◽  
pp. 5-19
Author(s):  
Albeiro De Jesús Rendón-Rivera ◽  
John Jairo Gallego-Montoya ◽  
Jenny Paola Jaramillo-Rendón ◽  
Adrián González-Patiño ◽  
José Humberto Caballero-Acosta ◽  
...  

The aim of this investigation was the paleoseismological characterization of eastern Antioquia, using trenches analysis and detailed study of indicators of neotectonic activity, some of which had been reported in previous seismic hazard assessment studies of the Aburra Valley.Through techniques of neotectonic, paleoseismology and also age correlation of Quaternary deposits obtained by several authors, it was found at Alcaravanes site (Marinilla Town), evidences of three seismic events with magnitudes Mw 6.4, 6.6 and 6.5 which displaced recent deposits with maximum ages of 440,000, 37,000 and 8,000 years respectively. Likewise, two prehistoric earthquakes, both with magnitude Mw 6.5 were recognized at the Hamburgo site (Guarne Town), dated between 880,000 and 37,000 years respectively, which proves the existence and activity of La Mosca fault. Finally, the Manantiales site (Rionegro Town) revealed a couple of seismic events with magnitude Mw 6.7 and 6.6 that displaced alluvial terraces in Rio Negro basin with a maximum age of onset of neotectonic deformation of 880,000 years.Latest neotectonic findings change the perspective of seismic hazard in Medellin city and surroundings. Prehistoric earthquakes have occurred in the last million years and created small surface rupture and faulting not related with active mountain fronts. Furthermore, the evidence shows obliterated active faults and efficiency of erosion factors in modeling relief and alluvial fill in the basins of Rionegro Erosion Surface.


1996 ◽  
Vol 139 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 485-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gretchen Zwart ◽  
J. Casey Moore ◽  
Guy R. Cochrane

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrej Gosar

A recent slip-rate of an active fault is a very important seismotectonic parameter, but not easy to determine. Idrija fault, 120 km long, is a prominent geomorphologic feature with large seismogenic potential, still needed to be researched. Measurements of tectonic micro-displacements can provide insight into its recent activity. The Učja valley extends transversally to the Idrija fault and was therefore selected for the installation of TM 71 extensometer. Measurements on the crack within its inner fault zone are conducted from the year 2004. In 14 years of observations a systematic horizontal displacements with average rate of 0.21 mm/year and subordinate vertical displacements of 0.06 mm/year were established, proving the activity of this fault. An overview of methods of displacement measurements related to active faults and of newer interdisciplinary investigations of the Idrija fault is given. Displacement rates are beside for geodynamic interpretations important for improvement of seismotectonic models and thus for better seismic hazard assessment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Bollinger ◽  
Yann Klinger ◽  
Steven Forman ◽  
Odonbaatar Chimed ◽  
Amgalan Bayasgalan ◽  
...  

Abstract The spatial distribution of large earthquakes in Slowly Deforming Continental Regions (SDCR) is poorly documented and, thus, has often been deemed to be random. Unlike in high strain regions, where seismic activity concentrates cyclically along major active faults, earthquakes in SDCR may seem to occur more erratically in space and time. This questions classical fault behavior models, posing paramount issues for seismic hazard assessment. Here, we investigate the M7, 1967, Mogod earthquake in Mongolia, a region recognized as a SDCR. Despite the absence of visible cumulative deformation at the ground surface, we found evidence for at least 3 surface rupturing earthquakes during the last 50,000 years, associated to a slip-rate of 0,06 ± 0,01 mm/yr. These results show that in SDCR, like in faster deforming regions, deformation localizes on specific structures. However, the excessive length of return time for large earthquakes along these structures makes it more difficult to recognize earthquake series, and could conversely lead to the misconception that in SDCR earthquakes would be randomly located. Thus, our result emphasizes the need for systematic appraisal of the potential seismogenic structures in SDCR in order to lower the uncertainties associated with the seismogenic sources in seismic hazard models.


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