Earthquake hotspot and coldspot: Where, why and how?

Abstract

• Global earthquake hotspot and coldspot were identified. • Statistical methods of hotspot analysis and optimized hotspot analysis. • Benioff/subduction zones are the most potential hotspot zone. • Optimized hotspot analysis emerges as the most probabilistic method. Global tectonic activities are playing an important role in the occurrences of devastating earthquakes and related long-term changes in the earth's system surface. However, the plate tectonics processes and their interaction with the earth's crust are very much complex, and it is a subject of unending debate. Therefore, tectonism-induced landslide, tsunami, liquefaction, and fire are significant earthquake-related hazards, which have a larger potential and overwhelming impact on life and infrastructural properties throughout the world. In this study, we have emphasized the identification of earthquake hotspot and coldspot zones considering historical earthquake data across the plate boundary of the world. Here, a total of 7773 historical earthquake points were collected as input parameters with three-moment magnitude (M w ) classes (<4.5, 4.5-6.0, and >6.0). Two statistical methods namely hotspot analysis (Getis-Ord GI*) and optimized hotspot analysis were used in the detection of global earthquake hotspot and coldspot zones using the geographic information system (GIS) platform. Hotspot and coldspot zone are identified under 99%, 95%, and 90% confidence levels. Alongside, here we have also discussed the paradigm, evidence of tectonic, and historical earthquakes, and how and why they are formed with the help of the existing theoretical constraints. The result indicates that the Pacific ring of fire, Peru-Chile Trench, and the mid-Atlantic oceanic ridge is fall in the hotspot zones of 99%, 95%, and 90% confidence levels.