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Triggering of earthquake aftershocks by dynamic stresses
1Center for Earthquake Research and Information, The University of Memphis, Tennessee 38152, USA.
Transient seismic waves, or dynamic stresses, can trigger earthquakes nearby by altering fault properties. This contrasts with static stress changes, which have a less direct impact on earthquake triggering patterns.
Area of Science:
- Earth Sciences
- Seismology
- Geophysics
Background:
- Earthquake triggering is often attributed to static stress changes from fault displacement.
- Previous studies focused on static stress changes and their impact on nearby fault activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the influence of static and dynamic stress changes on earthquake aftershock patterns.
- To investigate the role of seismic wave propagation in earthquake triggering.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the aftershock pattern following the moment magnitude (Mw) 7.3 Landers earthquake.
- Comparison of observed aftershock distribution with calculated static and dynamic stress changes.
Main Results:
- Dynamic stress patterns, influenced by rupture propagation, showed asymmetries similar to the aftershock distribution.
- Static stress changes did not exhibit the same asymmetry as the aftershock pattern.
- Evidence suggests dynamic stresses can trigger earthquakes in both near and remote locations.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic stresses, not just static ones, play a significant role in triggering earthquakes, even in close proximity.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering seismic wave effects in earthquake forecasting and hazard assessment.
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