Moment tensor inversion of microearthquakes along the Santorini-Amorgos zone: Tensile faulting and emerging volcanism in an extensional setting

Abstract

The Santorini-Amorgos zone is an area rich in microseismicity at the center of the Hellenic volcanic arc. The microseismicity of the zone is distributed along the Santorini-Amorgos ridge and Kolumbo submarine volcano. In this study, we utilized crustal events that were recorded by temporary networks during September 2002 to July 2004 and October 2005 to March 2007, and also by the permanent network from 2011 to 2020. These events were inverted for their moment tensors by using P-wave polarities as well as SV/P and SH/P amplitude ratios, yielding 74 well-constrained moment tensor solutions. Most of these moment tensors have significant CLVD and isotropic components that are positively correlated to each other (R2 = 0.68). Tensile faulting due to high pore pressure is considered as the most likely cause of the observed non-DC components. The positive and negative non-DC components observed in Kolumbo may be generated by the opening and closing of cracks beneath the shallow (6–7 km) magma chamber due to a steady migration of magmatic fluids from the deep reservoir into the chamber. In Anydros, most of the microearthquakes have positive non-DC components associated with the opening of cracks. It is possible that the extensional deformation and high pore fluid pressure in the area opens subvertical cracks that become pathways for upward migrating fluids. The upward migration of magmatic fluids in an extensional regime such as the Santorini-Amorgos zone can also be viewed as an indication of emerging volcanic activity in this area.