Earthquake data analysis: An example from Sweden

Abstract

Methods and results of earthquake data analysis are illustrated by the seismicity of Sweden in the period 1951–1976, summarizing a comprehensive research project for the past five years. Starting from the regional structural properties, methods are given for the evaluation of instrumental and macroseismic observations, including error analysis and source identification. The resulting earthquake distribution is investigated in relation to space (various types of seismicity mapping), time (periodicities) and magnitude (frequency-magnitude and energy-magnitude relations). The tectonophysical explanations of the earthquake origin are still subject to considerable uncertainty and can be treated only by way of discussions. The engineering applications, stimulated recently by the nuclear power industry, can be placed on much more reliable ground. They include calculations of seismic risk and fracture risk as well as investigations of certain phenomena of practical consequences, especially rockbursts. This review is primarily addressed to those who have use for seismological data in their work, especially geologists, tectonophysicists and engineers. It is important for them to realize how the seismological data are obtained, their reliability and their range of application. Sweden is here mainly used as an example, but the developed methods have a general applicability to any earthquake region, with proper modifications. In short, our purpose is two-fold: (1) to summarize recent research on the seismicity of Sweden: (2) to introduce all users of seismological data into methods and results.