Revisiting the 1978 ML 5.2 Mt.Sokri earthquake, Korea

Abstract

The ML 5.2 earthquake occurred in Mt.Sokri (September 16, 1978), the center of South Korea. It was the fourth largest earthquake in South Korea since the modern seismic observation began. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the International Seismological Centre (ISC) announced the location of the hypocenter respectively, but they were different. In this study, we analyzed the subsurface fault structure using current micro-earthquakes. We have used data collected by temporary seismic stations installed in the Mt.Sokri area by Pusan National University since May 2019 and the permanent seismic stations installed by KMA since 1978. KMA reported 188 earthquakes from 2007 to 2021 in the study area. We detected additional 280 micro-earthquakes using STA/LTA and template matching methods. The initial result of earthquake locations using HYPOELLIPSE was scattered across the study area. To obtain reliable locations, we relocated earthquakes using HypoDD. As a result, 468 earthquakes were relocated, about twice as many as those reported by KMA. We recognized earthquakes have occurred along WNW-ESE subsurface faults at the depth of 14 to 18km. We determined the focal mechanisms of 15 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 2. The location of the Mt.Sokri earthquake was reviewed by comparing these results with the locations announced by the three institutions. Joint analysis of the focal mechanisms, distribution of earthquakes, and geological setting, the WNW-ESE plane was interpreted as the major fault plane. Apparently, the micro-seismicity locations in this study better correlated with the epicenter announced by USGS. However, it is difficult to confidently specify the location of the 1978 earthquake only to the current earthquakes.