Slow earthquakes triggered by typhoons

Area of Science:

• Geophysics
• Seismology
• Tectonics

Background:

• Slow earthquakes, characterized by gradual seismic slip, have been documented globally.
• The potential for slow earthquakes to trigger ordinary earthquakes is an area of ongoing research.
• Understanding earthquake triggering mechanisms is crucial for seismic hazard assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the triggering of slow earthquakes by typhoons in eastern Taiwan.
• To model the physical processes governing typhoon-induced slow earthquakes.
• To assess the role of slow earthquakes in modulating seismic activity in compressional tectonic settings.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of seismic data from eastern Taiwan.
• Numerical modeling of slow slip events on a reverse fault.
• Investigation of fault mechanics under varying pressure conditions.

Main Results:

• Slow earthquakes in eastern Taiwan were found to be triggered by typhoons.
• Modeling indicated that reduced fault pressure, caused by typhoons, can initiate slow slip.
• The studied slow earthquakes occurred as repeated episodes of slow slip on a west-dipping reverse fault.

Conclusions:

• Typhoons can act as triggers for slow earthquakes by reducing fault pressure.
• Repeating slow earthquakes may play a role in segmenting seismically active areas.
• This segmentation could inhibit the occurrence of large earthquakes in regions with high compressional deformation.