Practical implications of the geometrical sensitivity of elastic dislocation models for field geologic surveys
- Creators
- Kanda, Ravi V. S.
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Simons, Mark
Abstract
Geodetic observations of both coseismic and interseismic surface deformation fields in the vicinity of subduction zones are frequently interpreted using simple elastic dislocation models (EDMs). The geometry of the megathrust interface used in these models has a first order effect on their predicted surface deformation. Here, we systematically explore the sensitivity of the surface velocity field predicted by EDMs both early and late in the seismic cycle, to parameterizations of megathrust interface geometry, effective subducting plate thickness, and gradual transitions in apparent plate coupling. We focus on how these parameterizations affect the hingeline – the location where vertical velocities switch from subsidence to uplift – as well as the location of the peak uplift rates. We find that these surface observables are much less sensitive to uncertainties in dip at the downdip end of the seismogenic zone for realistic curved faults in comparison to planar faults. For realistic megathrust geometries (planar or curved) having gradual transitions in apparent plate coupling, we find that the extent of locking is best approximated at the surface by the location of peak uplift rates. Therefore, the common notion – based on shallow-dipping planar faults – that the hingeline is located directly above the maximum depth extent of the locked plate interface is generally incorrect. Using the hingeline as the basis for coupling may lead to a significant underestimation of seismic hazard early in the cycle, as well as during the interseismic period. This analysis also demonstrates the importance of considering both vertical and horizontal velocities for determining seismic source extents, as well as interseismic coupling, on the megathrust. The tradeoffs presented here between the geometry of the megathrust and fault coupling along its surface can assist in the planning of campaign-GPS or field geologic surveys, and help improve seismic hazard estimates in active subduction zones.
Additional Information
© 2012 Elsevier B.V. Received 27 November 2011. Received in revised form 15 May 2012. Accepted 20 June 2012. Available online 4 July 2012. We thank Yuri Fialko and Eric Hetland for insightful discussions. We also thank Charles Williams and an anonymous reviewer, whose constructive critiques helped improve the overall clarity of this paper. All plots in this paper were generated using Matplotlib, a Python based open-source package for 2D and 3D data visualization. This research was supported in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. This is Caltech Tectonic Observatory Contribution #186, and Caltech Seismological Laboratory publication 10065.Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 34721
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.tecto.2012.06.040
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20121005-150822542
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- Created
-
2012-10-10Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-09Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Caltech Tectonics Observatory, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
- Other Numbering System Name
- Caltech Seismological Laboratory
- Other Numbering System Identifier
- 10065