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Crustal Strain Patterns Associated With Normal, Drought, and Heavy Precipitation Years in California
Jeonghyeop Kim1, Alireza Bahadori1, William E Holt1
1Department of Geosciences Stony Brook University Stony Brook NY USA.
Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth
|July 21, 2022
Summary
Seasonal precipitation drives significant horizontal strain changes in California, impacting the San Andreas Fault and Sierra Nevada. These hydrologic loads cause measurable crustal deformation, revealing complex elastic and poroelastic responses.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Tectonics
- Geodesy
Background:
- Plate boundary zones exhibit complex strain patterns.
- Seasonal variations in Earth's crustal deformation are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify non-steady-state horizontal strain anomalies in California using continuously operating Global Positioning System (cGPS) data.
- To identify the primary drivers of observed seasonal and multiannual strain variations.
Main Methods:
- Inversion of cGPS data from 2007-2019.
- Development of a long-wavelength transient strain model.
- Analysis of hydrologic loading models and their elastic responses.
Main Results:
- Seasonal extensional and contractional strain anomalies observed along major fault zones and mountain ranges.
- Strong correlation between precipitation intensity and the magnitude of seasonal strain anomalies.
- Hydrologic water mass loading identified as the major source of transient horizontal strains.
- Amplified strain signals in the Sierra Nevada, San Andreas Fault region, and Eastern California Shear Zone.
Conclusions:
- Surface water mass loading from precipitation is the dominant cause of seasonal horizontal strain in California.
- Poroelastic or thermoelastic effects may contribute to larger-than-expected strain amplitudes.
- A sharp strain boundary exists between the High Sierra and Basin and Range Province due to hydrologic loading gradients.
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