Earthquake source parameter estimation using synthetic waveform modelling

Fault plane solutions and focal depths for three crustal events occurring in the Himalayan collision zone have been obtained using synthetic waveform modelling. Two crustal events with their epicenters in the Tibetan plateau show large component of normal faulting with east-west trading T-axes. The third event with It’s epicenter north of Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) shows reverse faulting with the nodal planes paralleling the local structural trend. All the three crustal events studied have occurred at shallow focal depths of less than 15 km. The Inferred source parameters of these events are discussed In the light of active tectonics of the region.

Eocene to Miocene tectonostratigraphic evolution of northwest New Zealand

<p>Reinga Basin is located northwest of New Zealand, along strike structurally from Northland and has a surface area of ~150,000 km². The basin contains deformed Cretaceous and Cenozoic strata, flat unconformities interpreted as sea level-modulated erosion surfaces and is intruded by volcanics. Persistent submarine conditions and moderate water depths has led to preservation of fossil-rich bathyal sedimentary records. This thesis presents the first seismic-stratigraphic analysis tied to dredged rock samples and recent International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) drilling. The Cenozoic tectonic evolution of Reinga Basin comprises four main phases. (1) Folding and uplift from lower bathyal water depths occurred at 56-43 Ma along West Norfolk Ridge to produce wave ravinement surfaces. This phase of deformation in Reinga Basin pre-dates tectonic events onshore New Zealand. (2) Basin-wide 39-34 Ma compression and reverse faulting exposed early to middle Eocene strata at the seabed. This phase of deformation is also observed farther south in Taranaki. (3) Oligocene uplift is recorded by late Oligocene shallow-water fauna at Site U1508, and led to a 6 Myr hiatus (34-28 Ma) associated with flat wave ravinement surfaces nearby. The unconformity is temporally associated with: normal faulting near West Norfolk Ridge that created topography of Wanganella Ridge; onset of Reinga Basin volcanism; and emplacement of South Maria Allochthon. Thin-skinned deformation and volcanism post-date thick-skinned reverse faulting and folding. The end of reverse faulting near South Maria Ridge is determined from undeformed Oligocene strata that have subsided 1500-2000 m since 36-30 Ma. (4) During the final phase of Reinga Basin deformation, South Maria Ridge subsided ~900-1900 m from middle shelf to bathyal depths from 23-19 Ma. Deformation migrated southeastwards, culminating in Northland Allochthon emplacement (23-20 Ma) and onshore arc volcanism at 23-12 Ma. Eocene onset of tectonic activity in northern New Zealand is shown to be older than previously recognised and it was broadly synchronous with other events related to subduction initiation and plate motion change elsewhere in the western Pacific.</p>

Eocene to Miocene tectonostratigraphic evolution of northwest New Zealand

<p>Reinga Basin is located northwest of New Zealand, along strike structurally from Northland and has a surface area of ~150,000 km². The basin contains deformed Cretaceous and Cenozoic strata, flat unconformities interpreted as sea level-modulated erosion surfaces and is intruded by volcanics. Persistent submarine conditions and moderate water depths has led to preservation of fossil-rich bathyal sedimentary records. This thesis presents the first seismic-stratigraphic analysis tied to dredged rock samples and recent International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) drilling. The Cenozoic tectonic evolution of Reinga Basin comprises four main phases. (1) Folding and uplift from lower bathyal water depths occurred at 56-43 Ma along West Norfolk Ridge to produce wave ravinement surfaces. This phase of deformation in Reinga Basin pre-dates tectonic events onshore New Zealand. (2) Basin-wide 39-34 Ma compression and reverse faulting exposed early to middle Eocene strata at the seabed. This phase of deformation is also observed farther south in Taranaki. (3) Oligocene uplift is recorded by late Oligocene shallow-water fauna at Site U1508, and led to a 6 Myr hiatus (34-28 Ma) associated with flat wave ravinement surfaces nearby. The unconformity is temporally associated with: normal faulting near West Norfolk Ridge that created topography of Wanganella Ridge; onset of Reinga Basin volcanism; and emplacement of South Maria Allochthon. Thin-skinned deformation and volcanism post-date thick-skinned reverse faulting and folding. The end of reverse faulting near South Maria Ridge is determined from undeformed Oligocene strata that have subsided 1500-2000 m since 36-30 Ma. (4) During the final phase of Reinga Basin deformation, South Maria Ridge subsided ~900-1900 m from middle shelf to bathyal depths from 23-19 Ma. Deformation migrated southeastwards, culminating in Northland Allochthon emplacement (23-20 Ma) and onshore arc volcanism at 23-12 Ma. Eocene onset of tectonic activity in northern New Zealand is shown to be older than previously recognised and it was broadly synchronous with other events related to subduction initiation and plate motion change elsewhere in the western Pacific.</p>

Characteristics of Foreshocks Occurrence of Onshore Earthquakes In Japan For Mj3.0 To 7.2 Mainshocks

We use the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) earthquake catalogue from 2001 to 2021 to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of foreshocks for shallow mainshocks (Mj3.0–7.2) that are located onshore of Japan. We find clear peaks for the earlier small earthquakes within 10 days and 3 km prior to the mainshocks, which are considered as our definition of foreshocks. After removing the aftershocks, earthquake swarms and possible earthquakes triggered by the 2011 Mw9.0 Tohoku-oki earthquake, we find that for the 2,066 independent earthquakes, 783 (37.9%) have one or more foreshocks. There is a decreasing trend of foreshock occurrence with mainshock depth. Also, normal faulting earthquakes have higher foreshock occurrence than reverse faulting earthquakes. We calculate the rates of foreshock occurrence as a function of the magnitudes of foreshocks and mainshocks, and we have found no clear trend between the magnitudes of foreshocks and mainshocks.

A holistic seismotectonic model of Delhi region

Delhi region in northern India experiences frequent shaking due to both far-field and near-field earthquakes from the Himalayan and local sources, respectively. The recent M3.5 and M3.4 earthquakes of 12th April 2020 and 10th May 2020 respectively in northeast Delhi and M4.4 earthquake of 29th May 2020 near Rohtak (~ 50 km west of Delhi), followed by more than a dozen aftershocks, created panic in this densely populated habitat. The past seismic history and the current activity emphasize the need to revisit the subsurface structural setting and its association with the seismicity of the region. Fault plane solutions are determined using data collected from a dense network in Delhi region. The strain energy released in the last two decades is also estimated to understand the subsurface structural environment. Based on fault plane solutions, together with information obtained from strain energy estimates and the available geophysical and geological studies, it is inferred that the Delhi region is sitting on two contrasting structural environments: reverse faulting in the west and normal faulting in the east, separated by the NE-SW trending Delhi Hardwar Ridge/Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault (DHR-MDF). The WNW-ESE trending Delhi Sargoda Ridge (DSR), which intersects DHR-MDF in the west, is inferred as a thrust fault. The transfer of stress from the interaction zone of DHR-MDF and DSR to nearby smaller faults could further contribute to the scattered shallow seismicity in Delhi region.

Evaluation of the reservoir architectural elements in deepwater turbidites of Niger Delta – a case study from the “AFUN” Field

3D post-stack time migrated seismic data and a suite of composite well log data from six wells drilled within the “AFUN” field Niger delta were used to effect a detailed interpretation of the field. This was with a view to delineating architectural elements that control reservoir quality of a deepwater turbidite reservoir. The data analyses were done using the Petrel software. LAS file of logs were imported into the Petrel software as well as SEG.Y. seismic data. Fault interpretation and horizon mapping were based on the well-seismic tie from the generated seismogram. Time and depth structure maps were created. Thirty faults which include growth faults, reverse faults, collapsed crest structure and as well as faults that are synthetic and antithetic to the growth faults were mapped. The growth faults are believed to act as pathways for the updip movement of hydrocarbon from the Akata Formation to Agbada Formation. The structural interpretation showed that the area has been subjected to compressional deformation which resulted in reverse faulting system in toe thrust zone influenced by shale diapirs. The maps revealed contour closures that belong to an anticlinal structure which is forming traps in the reservoirs. The structures are faulted North-South trending rollover anticlines. It has also been shown that the distribution and type of architectural elements i.e. fractures within the fan system have major impact upon the reservoir distribution, continuity and connectivity of sand/shale bodies. The study concluded that structural style and facies architecture are the two fundamental elements that defined the reservoir heterogeneity of the “AFUN” Field.