Earthquake Trend Around Sumatra Indicated by a New Implementation of LURR Method

Abstract

The current implementation of LURR (Load/Unload Response Ratio) theory has shown promise in intermediate to short-term earthquake forecasting through past practice, but has also met difficulties at the same time. In this paper a new implementation of LURR method is presented to address one of the problems. The major change in the new implementation is that LURR values will result from a calculated maximum faulting orientation (MFO) instead of any focal mechanism selected by users. After comparison with the world stress map, the calculated MFO has been found to be in good agreement with the observation from the regional tectonic stress regime. The MFO pattern in the Indonesia region has a special feature which may be related to the unique subduction complexity. The MFO pattern in the Sumatra region in general is different from that in the Java region after the 2004 M 9.0 Sumatra Andaman Islands earthquake. This phenomenon may be supported by the evidence of the recent observation that a section in the southern part of the Sumatran arc is locked. Furthermore, the MFO pattern before the 2004 main shock is different from that after the event. Retrospective examination of the Indonesia region by means of this implementation can produce significant LURR anomaly not only prior to the 2004 main shock but also before the 2006 M 7.7 South Java earthquake. Therefore future great earthquakes might favorably be forecasted if the LURR anomaly detected by MFO method could be considered a precursor.