Near-realtime source analysis of the 20 March 2012 Ometepec-Pinotepa Nacional, Mexico earthquake

Abstract

We apply a single-step, finite-fault analysis procedure to derive a coseismic slip model for the large MW 7.4 Ometepec-Pinotepa Nacional, Mexico earthquake of 20 March 2012, using teleseismic P waveforms recorded by the Global Seismographic Network. The inversion is conducted in near-realtime using source parameters available from the USGS/NEIC and the Global Centroid Moment Tensor (gCMT) project. The fault orientation and slip angle are obtained from the gCMT mechanism assuming that the fault coincides with the shallow-dipping nodal plane. The fault dimensions and maximum rise time are based on the magnitude reported for the event. Teleseismic data from the USGS/NEIC Continuous Waveform Buffer database are used in the inversion with record start times set to the P-wave arrivals used to compute the earthquake hypocenter. The inversion is stabilized by requiring a smooth transition of slip across the fault while minimizing the seismic moment. These constraints are applied using a smoothing weight that is estimated from the inverse problem, allowing the recovery of the least-complicated rupture history in a single step. Inversion of the deconvolved, ground-displacement waveforms reveals a simple, circular rupture similar in extent to the source identified by the USGS/NEIC using body-and surface-wave data, indicating that the teleseismic P waves can provide a first-order source model for the event in near-realtime. Additional inversions conducted using velocity records identify a more-detailed rupture model characterized by an elliptical 2500km2 source region extending updip and downdip from the hypocenter. This elliptical source preserves the orientation and overall dimensions of a dual-source slip model obtained recently by other investigators using local strong motions and global seismic waveforms. The results indicate that velocity waveforms could provide additional details of the earthquake rupture in near-realtime, finite-fault inversions using teleseismic P waves.