Delayed dynamic triggering of deep tremor along the Parkfield‐Cholame section of the San Andreas Fault following the 2014 M6.0 South Napa earthquake

Abstract

AbstractLarge, distant earthquakes are known to trigger deep tectonic tremor along the San Andreas Fault and in subduction zones. However, there are relatively few observations of triggering from regional distance earthquakes. Here we show that a small tremor episode about 12–18 km NW of Parkfield was triggered during and immediately following the passage of surface waves from the 2014 Mw 6.0 South Napa main shock. More notably, a major tremor episode followed, beginning about 12 h later, and centered SE of Parkfield near Cholame. This major episode is one of the largest seen over the past several years, containing intense activity for ~3 days and taking more than 3 weeks to return to background levels. This episode showed systematic along‐strike migration at ~5 km/d, suggesting that it was driven by a slow‐slip event. Our results suggest that moderate‐size earthquakes are capable of triggering major tremor and deep slow slip at regional distances.