scholarly journals Measuring the seismic risk along the Nazca-Southamerican subduction front: Shannon entropy and mutability

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio E. Vogel ◽  
Felipe G. Brevis ◽  
Denisse Pastén ◽  
Víctor Muñoz ◽  
Rodrigo A. Miranda ◽  
...  

Abstract. Four geographical zones are defined along the trench that is formed due to the subduction of the Nazca Plate underneath the South American plate; they are denoted A, B, C and D from North to South; zones A, B, and D had a major earthquake after 2010 (Magnitude over 8.0), while zone C has not, thus offering a contrast for comparison. For each zone a sequence of intervals between consecutive seisms with magnitudes ≥ 3.0 is set up and then characterized by Shannon entropy and mutability. These methods show correlation after a major earthquake in what is known as the aftershock regime, but show independence otherwise. Exponential adjustments for these parameters reveal that mutability offers a wider range for the parameters characterizing the recovery compared to the values of the parameters defining the background activity for each zone before a large earthquake. It is found that the background activity is particularly high for zone A, still recovering for zone B, reaching values similar to those of zone A in the case of zone C (without recent major earthquake) and oscillating around moderate values for zone D. It is discussed how this can be an indication for more risk for an important future seism in the cases of zones A and C. The similarities and differences between Shannon entropy and mutability are discussed and explained.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 2943-2960
Author(s):  
Eugenio E. Vogel ◽  
Felipe G. Brevis ◽  
Denisse Pastén ◽  
Víctor Muñoz ◽  
Rodrigo A. Miranda ◽  
...  

Abstract. Four geographical zones are defined along the trench that is formed due to the subduction of the Nazca plate underneath the South American plate; they are denoted A, B, C and D from north to south; zones A, B and D had a major earthquake after 2010 (magnitude over 8.0), while zone C has not, thus offering a contrast for comparison. For each zone, a sequence of intervals between consecutive seisms with magnitudes greater than or equal to 3.0 is set up and then characterized by Shannon entropy and mutability. These methods show a correlation after a major earthquake in what is known as the aftershock regime but show independence otherwise. Exponential adjustments to these parameters reveal that mutability offers a wider range for the parameters to characterize the recovery compared to the values of the parameters defining the background activity for each zone before a large earthquake. It is found that the background activity is particularly high for zone A, still recovering for zone B, reaching values similar to those of zone A in the case of zone C (without recent major earthquake) and oscillating around moderate values for zone D. It is discussed how this can be an indication of more risk of an important future seism in the cases of zones A and C. The similarities and differences between Shannon entropy and mutability are discussed and explained.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio E. Vogel ◽  
Felipe G. Brevis ◽  
Denisse Pastén ◽  
Víctor Muñoz ◽  
Rodrigo A. Miranda ◽  
...  

Abstract. Four geographical zones are defined along the trench that is formed due to the subduction of the Nazca Plate underneath the South American plate; they are denoted A, B, C and D from North to South; zones A, B and D have had a major earthquake after 2010 (8.0), while zone C has not, thus offering a contrast for comparison. For each zone a sequence of intervals between consecutive seisms with magnitudes ≥ 3.0 is formed and then characterized by Shannon entropy and mutability. These methods show correlation after a major earthquake in what is known as the aftershock regime but they show independence otherwise. Exponential adjustments for these parameters reveal that mutability offers a wider range for the parameters characterizing the recovery to the values of the parameters defining the background activity for each zone before a large earthquake. It is found that the background activity is particularly high for zone A, still recovering for Zone B, reaching values similar to those of Zone A in the case of Zone C (without recent major earthquake) and oscillating around moderate values for Zone D. It is discussed how this can be an indication for more risk of an important future seism in the cases of Zones A and C. The similarities and differences between Shannon entropy and mutability are discussed and explained.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 1640003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Tomita ◽  
Kentaro Kumagai ◽  
Cyril Mokrani ◽  
Rodrigo Cienfuegos ◽  
Hisashi Matsui

On Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 8:46 p.m. local time in Chile, a subduction earthquake of Mw 8.2 occurred about 100[Formula: see text]km northwest of the city of Iquique, where the Nazca plate subducts beneath the South American plate. This earthquake triggered a tsunami, which hit coastal areas in northern Chile. A joint Japan–Chile team conducted a post-tsunami field survey to measure the height of the tsunami traces and to investigate the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami. Based on measurements of the tsunami traces, it is estimated that a tsunami 3–4[Formula: see text]m in height hit the coast from Arica, which is near the border between Chile and Peru, to Patache, south of Iquique, a straight-line distance of approximately 260[Formula: see text]km. The tsunami caused only minor inundations near shorelines, and caused no damage to buildings because living spaces were higher than the tsunami run-up height. Seismic damage was more extensive than that caused by the tsunami, especially in Iquique, and included the destruction of houses, buildings, and other infrastructure. It also ignited fires. In the Port of Iquique, a wharf, before earthquake-resistant improvements were implemented, was destroyed by the strong ground motions that resulted from the earthquake.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaël Pons ◽  
Stephan Sobolev

<p><span>The Andean orogeny is a subduction-type orogeny, the oceanic Nazca Plate sinks under the continental South American Plate. While the subduction has been active since ~180 Ma, the shortening of the Andes initiated at ~50 Ma or less.</span></p><p><span>In a oceanic-continental subduction system, the absolute velocity of the overriding-plate (OP) largely controls the style of subduction (stable, advancing, retreating), the geometry of the slab (dipping angle, curvature) and the style of deformation (shortening or spreading) within the OP. In the case of the Central Peru-Chile subduction, the South American plate is advancing westwards whereas the Nazca plate is anchored into the transition zone (~660 km). As a consequence, the trench is forced to retreat and the Nazca plate to roll-back. The dip of the slab decreases meanwhile the Andes experienced a maximum shortening of ~300 km at ~19-21°S latitudes.</span></p><p><span>Previous study have shown that the strain localizes within areas of low strength and low gravitational potential of energy. In central Andes, weakening mechanisms of the OP such as lithospheric delamination have intensified the magnitude of tectonic shortening and contributed to formation of the Altiplano-Puna plateau. The deformation between the plateau and the foreland occurs in the form of pure shear or simple shear and is expressed in terms of different tectonic styles in the foreland basin, thick-skinned (e.g the Puna) and thin-skinned (e.g the Altiplano), respectively. Nevertheless, the influence of the strength variations of the OP on the subduction dynamics in the case of the central Andes has been </span><span>poorly</span><span> explored so far. Our hypothesis is that lateral variations of OP strength result in variable rates of trench roll-back. To test it, we have built 2D high-resolution E-W cross sections along the Altiplano and Puna latitudes (12-27°S) including the subduction of the Nazca plate. For that purpose, we used the FEM geodynamic code ASPECT. Our model includes visco-plastic rheology in addition to gabbro-eclogite phase transition. These preliminary results contribute to the discussion on the nature of the magnitude of shortening in a subduction system. They are also a first step to derive a 3D model of the entire region and to consider additional surface processes such as erosion, transportation and sedimentation. </span></p>


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 4003
Author(s):  
José Tamay ◽  
Jesús Galindo-Zaldivar ◽  
John Soto ◽  
Antonio J. Gil

GNSS observations constitute the main tool to reveal Earth’s crustal deformations in order to improve the identification of geological hazards. The Ecuadorian Andes were formed by Nazca Plate subduction below the Pacific margin of the South American Plate. Active tectonic-related deformation continues to present, and it is constrained by 135 GPS stations of the RENAGE and REGME deployed by the IGM in Ecuador (1995.4–2011.0). They show a regional ENE displacement, increasing towards the N, of the deformed North Andean Sliver in respect to the South American Plate and Inca Sliver relatively stable areas. The heterogeneous displacements towards the NNE of the North Andean Sliver are interpreted as consequences of the coupling of the Carnegie Ridge in the subduction zone. The Dolores–Guayaquil megashear constitutes its southeastern boundary and includes the dextral to normal transfer Pallatanga fault, that develops the Guayaquil Gulf. This fault extends northeastward along the central part of the Cordillera Real, in relay with the reverse dextral Cosanga–Chingual fault and finally followed by the reverse dextral Sub-Andean fault zone. While the Ecuadorian margin and Andes is affected by ENE–WSW shortening, the easternmost Manabí Basin located in between the Cordillera Costanera and the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes, underwent moderate ENE–WSW extension and constitutes an active fore-arc basin of the Nazca plate subduction. The integration of the GPS and seismic data evidences that highest rates of deformation and the highest tectonic hazards in Ecuador are linked: to the subduction zone located in the coastal area; to the Pallatanga transfer fault; and to the Eastern Andes Sub-Andean faults.


Geology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 617-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.V. Sobolev ◽  
A.Y. Babeyko

Abstract The Andes, the world's second highest orogenic belt, were generated by the Cenozoic tectonic shortening of the South American plate margin overriding the subducting Nazca plate. We use a coupled thermomechanical numerical modeling technique to identify factors controlling the intensity of the tectonic shortening. From the modeling, we infer that the most important factor was accelerated westward drift of the South American plate; changes in the subduction rate were less important. Other important factors are crustal structure of the overriding plate and shear coupling at the plates' interface. The model with a thick (40–45 km at 30 Ma) South American crust and relatively high friction coefficient (0.05) at the Nazca–South American interface generates >300 km of tectonic shortening during 30–35 m.y. and replicates the crustal structure and evolution of the high central Andes. The model with an initially thinner (<40 km) continental crust and lower friction coefficient (<0.015) results in <40 km of South American plate shortening, replicating the situation in the southern Andes. Our modeling also demonstrates the important role of the processes leading to mechanical weakening of the overriding plate during tectonic shortening, such as lithospheric delamination, triggered by the gabbro-eclogite transformation in the thickened continental lower crust, and mechanical failure of the sediment cover at the shield margin.


Author(s):  
Julian Javier Corrales ◽  
Hugo Alberto García ◽  
Mauricio Gallego Silva ◽  
Elkin Gerardo Avila

The Andes mountain range crosses South America from South to North, is created by the subduction of the Nazca plate beneath the South American plate, this situation generates a high seismic and volcanic activity which have been decisive in shaping the relief of the continent. The OCENSA pipeline crosses the Andes Mountains on its way to transport crude from the oil fields of the eastern plains to the port of Coveñas on the Caribbean Sea. Therefore for the integrity department of Ocensa the assessment of seismic hazard is among one of its priorities. In this paper the results of the study in Ocensa for determination of seismic hazard for the pipeline and its major facilities are presented.


2021 ◽  
pp. 263300242110244
Author(s):  
Alice M. Greenwald ◽  
Clifford Chanin ◽  
Henry Rousso ◽  
Michel Wieviorka ◽  
Mohamed-Ali Adraoui

How do societies and states represent the historical, moral, and political weight of the terrorist attacks they have had to face? Having suffered in recent years from numerous terrorist attacks on their soil originating from jihadist movements, and often led by actors who were also their own citizens, France and the United States have set up—or seek to do so—places of memory whose functions, conditions of creation, modes of operation, and nature of the messages sent may vary. Three of the main protagonists and initiators of two museum-memorial projects linked to terrorist attacks have agreed to deliver their visions of the role and of the political, social, and historical context in which these projects have emerged. Allowing to observe similarities and differences between the American and French approach, this interview sheds light on the place of memory and feeling in societies struck by tragic events and seeking to cure their ills through memory and commemoration.


1960 ◽  
Vol 106 (442) ◽  
pp. 281-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Martin

Any particular system which is being conditioned is likely to maintain a certain level of background activity throughout the experimental procedure; either of a discontinuous nature, as, for example, with eyeblink, heart rate and respiratory cycle, or continuously, as in the case of basal skin resistance and muscle tonus. This background activity or level of arousal does not remain constant but usually varies in time, presumably as a result of underlying neural excitation or inhibition. It may increase throughout an experiment if the subject becomes highly motivated, as with the gradients of muscle action potentials observed by Bartoshuk (1955), or decrease, if the subject becomes more relaxed and familiar with the set-up, as Duffy and Lacey (1946) found with level of skin conductance.


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