Intraplate Seismicity Research Articles

Crustal structure and intraplate seismicity in Nordland, Northern Norway: Insight from Seismic Tomography

Crustal structure and intraplate seismicity in Nordland, Northern Norway: Insight from Seismic Tomography

Crustal structure and intraplate seismicity in Nordland, Northern Norway: Insight from Seismic Tomography

Crustal structure and intraplate seismicity in Nordland, Northern Norway: Insight from Seismic Tomography

Deterministic Seismic Hazard Analysis for the Northwestern Part of Haryana State, India, Considering Various Seismicity Levels

This study quantifies seismic hazard using a deterministic framework for the northwestern part of India, where a new nuclear power plant (NPP) is going to be built in the near future. The region of interest is situated about 200 km from the Himalayan thrust, home of many great earthquakes including the 1897 Shillong, 1905 Kangra, 1934 Bihar–Nepal, 1950 Arunachal Pradesh, and 2011 Sikkim events. This region has also witnessed six intraplate earthquakes of magnitude greater than 6 in the past two centuries. Therefore, considering the past seismicity and importance of the facility, seismic investigation is performed in the seismic control region over a radius of 300 km from the boundary of the NPP to identify active faults and lineaments. Then the seismotectonic map is prepared by compiling the earthquake data of magnitude ≥ 3 and dividing the source region into regions I and II to represent the interplate and intraplate seismicity. Eight well-recognized attenuation models are considered to estimate the ground motion characteristics at the bedrock level. The captured earthquake hazard for three earthquake scenarios reveals different seismicity levels of sources from low to high using the logic tree approach. The developed hazard maps show spatial variation of 50th and 84th percentile peak ground acceleration (PGA) for three scenarios. The maximum PGA for the three respective scenarios is obtained as 0.088 g, 0.110 g, and 0.151 g. The corresponding deterministic response spectra are also presented for all cases, and the present hazard values are found to be higher than those quoted by previous researchers. The results obtained in this article will be very useful for preparing hazard index maps of the study area.

Seismic gaps and intraplate seismicity around Rodrigues Ridge (Indian Ocean) from time domain array analysis

Abstract. Rodrigues Ridge connects the Réunion hotspot track with the Central Indian Ridge (CIR) and has been suggested to represent the surface expression of a sub-lithospheric flow channel. From global earthquake catalogues, the seismicity in the region has been associated mainly with events related to the fracture zones at the CIR. However, some segments of the CIR appear void of seismic events. Here, we report on the seismicity recorded at a temporary array of 10 seismic stations operating on Rodrigues Island from September 2014 to June 2016. The array analysis was performed in the time domain by time shifting and stacking the complete waveforms. Event distances were estimated based on a 1-D velocity model and the travel time differences between S and P wave arrivals. We detected and located 63 new events that were not reported by the global networks. Most of the events (51) are located off the CIR and can be classified as intraplate earthquakes. Local magnitudes varied between 1.6 and 3.7. Four seismic clusters were observed that occurred to the west of the spreading segment of the CIR. The Rodrigues Ridge appeared to be aseismic during the period of operation. The lack of seismic activity along both Rodrigues Ridge and the sections of the CIR to the east of Rodrigues may be explained by partially molten upper-mantle material, possibly in relation to the proposed material flow between the Réunion plume and the CIR.

Borehole research in New York State can advance utilization of low-enthalpy geothermal energy, management of potential risks, and understanding of deep sedimentary and crystalline geologic systems

Abstract. In January 2020, a scientific borehole planning workshop sponsored by the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program was convened at Cornell University in the northeastern United States. Cornell is planning to drill test wells to evaluate the potential to use geothermal heat from depths in the range of 2700–4500 m and rock temperatures of about 60 to 120 ∘C to heat its campus buildings. Cornell encourages the Earth sciences community to envision how these boreholes can also be used to advance high-priority subsurface research questions. Because nearly all scientific boreholes on the continents are targeted to examine iconic situations, there are large gaps in understanding of the “average” intraplate continental crust. Hence, there is uncommon and widely applicable value to boring and investigating a “boring” location. The workshop focused on designing projects to investigate the coupled thermal–chemical–hydrological–mechanical workings of continental crust. Connecting the practical and scientific goals of the boreholes are a set of currently unanswered questions that have a common root: the complex relationships among pore pressure, stress, and strain in a heterogeneous and discontinuous rock mass across conditions spanning from natural to human perturbations and short to long timescales. The need for data and subsurface characterization vital for decision-making around the prospective Cornell geothermal system provides opportunities for experimentation, measurement, and sampling that might lead to major advances in the understanding of hydrogeology, intraplate seismicity, and fluid/chemical cycling. Subsurface samples could also enable regional geological studies and geobiology research. Following the workshop, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded funds for a first exploratory borehole, whose proposed design and research plan rely extensively on the ICDP workshop recommendations.

Lithospheric resistivity structure of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake aftershock zone

SUMMARY The Bhuj area, in the Kutch region of western India, is a unique intraplate seismic zone in the world where aftershock activity associated with a large magnitude earthquake (7.7 Mw Bhuj earthquake on 26 January 2001) has persisted over a decade and up till today. We studied the lithospheric resistivity structure of the Bhuj earthquake aftershock zone to gain more insight into the structure and processes influencing the generation of intraplate seismicity in broad and, in particular, to detect the deep origin and upward migration channels of fluids linked to the crustal seismicity in the area. A lithospheric resistivity model deduced from 2-D and 3-D inversions of long-period magnetotelluric (MT) data shows low resistive lithospheric mantle, which can be best explained by a combination of a small amount of interconnected melts and aqueous fluid in the upper mantle. The MT model also shows a subvertical modestly conductive channel, spatially coinciding with the Kutch Mainland Fault, which we interpret to transport fluids from the deep lithosphere to shallow crust. We infer that pore pressure buildup aids to achieve the critical stress conditions for rock failure in the weak zones, which are pre-stressed by the compressive stress regime generated by ongoing India–Eurasia collision. The fluidized zone in the upper mantle beneath the area perhaps provides continuous fluid supply, which is required to maintain the critical stress conditions within the seismogenic crust for continued seismicity.

Atmospheric Precipitation and Anomalous Upper Mantle in Relation to Intraplate Seismicity in Norway

AbstractTwo enigmatic regions of high intraplate seismicity in Norway (Western Norway and the Nordland area) show a temporal correlation between the number of earthquakes within the upper crystalline crust and intensity of rain and snowmelt at the Earth's surface. This correlation is obvious in the Nordland area where detailed and reliable data on seismicity are available, whereas the correlation is weaker in Western Norway where detailed data on seismicity are missing. Moreover, these discrete zones of high seismic activity coincide spatially with prominent, low‐velocity, and, most likely, thermally anomalous zones in the upper mantle. We propose that in addition to other causes, the high seismicity may be controlled by the anomalous upper mantle, along with topographically induced gravitational potential energy and crustal density variations. Precipitation‐induced, seasonal increases in pore‐fluid pressure within the fractured crystalline bedrock and changes in water loads may modulate the tectonically controlled seismicity.

Olivine-induced viscous anisotropy in fossil strike-slip mantle shear zones and associated strain localization in the crust

SUMMARYWe propose that strain localization in plate interiors, such as linear belts of intraplate seismicity, may arise from spatial variations in viscous anisotropy produced by preferred orientation of olivine crystals (CPO or texture) inherited from previous deformation episodes in the lithospheric mantle. To quantify this effect, we model the deformation of a plate containing a fossil strike-slip mantle shear zone at different orientations relative to an imposed horizontal shortening, but no initial heterogeneity in the crust. The fossil shear zone is characterized by different orientation and intensity of the olivine CPO relatively to the surrounding mantle, which is isotropic in most simulations. The anisotropy in viscosity produced by the CPO, which remains fixed throughout the simulations, is described by an anisotropic (Hill) yield function parametrized based on second-order viscoplastic self-consistent (SO-VPSC) models. The results indicate that lateral variations in viscous anisotropy in the mantle affect the strain distribution in the entire lithosphere. Reactivation of the strike-slip mantle shear zone and strain localization in the crust above it occur for horizontal compression at 35–55° to the fossil shear plane, with a maximum at 45°. The magnitude of strain localization depends on (i) the contrast in viscous anisotropy and, hence, on the variations in CPO orientation and intensity in the mantle, (ii) the boundary conditions and (iii) the feedbacks between mantle and crustal deformation. For a strong olivine CPO, when the boundary conditions do not hinder shear parallel to the fossil mantle shear zone, strain rates within it are up to a factor 30 higher than in an isotropic surrounding mantle or up to a factor 200 when the surrounding mantle is anisotropic, which results in strain rates up to a factor 10 or up to a factor 100 higher in the crust right above the fossil shear zone. Frictional weakening in the crust faults increases strain localization in the entire lithospheric column. High strength contrasts between the mantle and the ductile crust result in less efficient mechanical coupling, with strong localization in the mantle and lower crust, but weak in the brittle upper crust. Decrease in the crust–mantle strength contrast enhances the coupling and produces more homogenous strain distribution with depth, as well as a time-dependent evolution of strain localization, which reaches a peak and decreases before attaining steady-state. Comparison of seismic anisotropy, regional stress and focal mechanism data in linear arrays of intraplate seismicity, like the New Madrid and South Armorican seismic zones, to our models' predictions corroborates that olivine CPO preserved in fossil lithospheric-scale shear zones may be key for the development of such structures.

Analysis of Time Dynamical Features in Intraplate Versus Interplate Seismicity: The Case Study of Iquique Area (Chile)

The intraplate and interplate seismic catalogues of Iquique (Chile) area were investigated by using seismological (b value of the Gutenberg–Richter law), fractal (Allan Factor and detrended fluctuation analysis) and topological (Horizontal Visibility Graph) methods. The two catalogues show different stress state indicated by the different b value, larger for the intraplate seismicity. The interplate seismicity shows significant time-clustering behavior of the earthquake occurrence times at large time scales, while the time distribution of the intraplate earthquakes seems to be featured by random fluctuations without any significant sign of time-clustering. Different role seems to be played by aftershocks in the two investigated seismic zones, revealed by the different time distribution of the aftershock-depleted catalogue of the intraplate zone, which remains Poissonian for most of the time scales, and the interplate zone that still keeps its clustering phenomenon but at higher timescales, thus shortening its clustering time scale range. Furthermore, the interevent times of the interplate catalogue are characterized by persistent dynamics even after removing the aftershocks, while uncorrelated fluctuations characterize the behavior of interevent intervals of the whole as well as aftershock-depleted intraplate catalogue. Additionally, the magnitudes of both catalogues are characterized by time-reversibility before and after the aftershock removal; while the interevent times of intraplate catalogue change their status from time-irreversibility to time-reversibility after removing the aftershocks. The obtained results seem to evidence a different role played by the aftershocks in the intraplate and interplate zones, that needs to be further explored.

Sismicidad somera de intraplaca en la provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina) y áreas adyacentes: ¿están relacionadas con la Fosa de Quilmes?

In the light of the November 30th, 2018 (N30) earthquake activity, some neighborhoods of the city of Buenos Aires were shaken by a 3.8 mb earthquake (4.53 km estimated depth). We examined the historical and recent seismic records in order to analyze possible mechanisms related to the distribution of tectonic stresses as responsible for such unusual earthquakes in a region where only very little seismic activity is reported. According to this, at list one historical event occurred on June 5th, 1888 and other small magnitude earthquakes are mentioned since 1848 interpreted as being associated with the Rio de la Plata faulting. But there is, still no consensus about the role of this structure compared to other structures with orientation SW-NE. The lack of evidence to support one over the other structures makes it difficult to analyze these earthquakes. The presence of the Quilmes Trough connecting the Santa Lucía Basin in Uruguay and the Salado Basin in Argentina was recently proposed to play a tectonic role by a system of ENE-WSW trending controlled by extensional faulting related to the beginning of the Gondwana breakup. This depocenter with a thickness of almost 2,000 m of Mesozoic and Tertiary sequences could be acting as a zone of weakness in the crust and therefore responsible for the mentioned earthquake activity. The orientation of this structure correlates well with the present convergence vector between the Nazca and the South American plates and could therefore be propitious for strain release triggering shallow intraplate seismicity. We propose that most of the epicenters from historical and recent earthquakes might be aligned sub-parallel to the principal axis of the Quilmes Trough. Nevertheless, more data is needed to produce a reliable earthquake monitoring system in order to elucidate the tectonic stress regime and the existence of such structures at depth

The 1922 Peninsula Malaysia Earthquakes: Rare Intraplate Seismicity within the Sundaland Block in Southeast Asia

AbstractSeismic hazard in the southern Malay Peninsula located within the Sundaland block in Southeast Asia is poorly understood. The paucity of historical earthquakes and low-magnitude instrumented seismicity has led to the assumption that this region is largely aseismic. We question this point of view by reassessing historical seismicity in this region and, in particular, a pair of moderate earthquakes in the 1920s. The first of these struck on 31 January 1922 at ≈9:10 a.m. local time (LT) for which we estimate an intensity magnitude (MI) ≈5.4, and for the second earthquake on 7 February 1922 at ≈12:15 p.m. LT, we estimate MI≈5.0. We also identify at least 34 felt earthquakes between 1803 and 1950 that were potentially local within the Sundaland block. These include a very widely felt shock (or set of shocks) on 26 June 1874 that was felt in parts of Borneo, Java, and Sumatra. The discovery of these earthquakes challenges the tectonic stability of the Malay Peninsula and the stable interior of the Sundaland block. The record of historical seismicity in this region relies heavily on European sources, and we recommend locating and consulting indigenous sources to improve the current understanding of regional seismic hazard. We also underscore the need to evaluate the impact of ground motions from rare local earthquakes on the extant building stock and on transportation infrastructure that are otherwise relatively immune to the long-period effects of distant earthquakes commonly felt in the Malay Peninsula.

Seismicity characterization of oceanic earthquakes in the Mexican territory

Abstract. We analyzed the seismicity of oceanic earthquakes in the Pacific oceanic regime of Mexico. We used data from the earthquake catalogues of the Mexican National Service (SSN) and the International Seismological Centre (ISC) from 1967 to 2017. Events were classified into two different categories: intraplate oceanic (INT) and transform fault zone and mid-ocean ridges (TF-MOR) events, respectively. For each category, we determined statistical characteristics such as magnitude frequency distributions, the aftershocks decay rate, the nonextensivity parameters, and the regional stress field. We obtained b values of 1.17 and 0.82 for the INT and TF-MOR events, respectively. TF-MOR events also exhibit local b-value variations in the range of 0.72–1.30. TF-MOR events follow a tapered Gutenberg–Richter distribution. We also obtained a p value of 0.67 for the 1 May 1997 (Mw=6.9) earthquake. By analyzing the nonextensivity parameters, we obtained similar q values in the range of 1.39–1.60 for both types of earthquakes. On the other hand, the parameter a showed a clear differentiation, being higher for TF-MOR events than for INT events. An important implication is that more energy is released for TF-MOR events than for INT events. Stress orientations are in agreement with geodynamical models for transform fault zone and mid-ocean ridge zones. In the case of intraplate seismicity, stresses are mostly related to a normal fault regime.

Seismogenic structure in the source zone of the 1918 M7.5 NanAo earthquake in the northern South China Sea

As a typical rifted margin, the coastal region of the northern South China Sea has experienced many large crustal earthquakes in the past 400 years. For example, two destructive earthquakes with ~M7.0 in 1600 and ~M7.5 in 1918 occurred close to the NanAo Island. However, the mechanism of these earthquakes and seismotectonics of the region are still unclear. In this work we make the first study of the detailed three-dimensional crustal structure in the source zone of the 1918 NanAo earthquake (M7.5) using newly acquired wide-angle seismic reflection data. Our results show that current seismicity mostly occurred in a midcrustal low-velocity zone or its nearby high-to-low velocity transitional areas. We ascertain locations of the ENE-strike Littoral fault zone and the NW-strike Huanggangshui fault based on the seismic reflection profiles. These faults have caused a large-scale vertical dislocation of the sedimentary basement. The structure of the upper crust is very heterogeneous, containing many high or low velocity anomalies. However, the lower crustal structure is less heterogeneous, mainly characterized by low velocity mostly in the northern part of the study area and high velocity mainly in the southern part. The crust in the seismicity zone shows strong heterogeneity, reflecting highly cracked structural features possibly caused by destructive earthquakes. We infer that the midcrustal low-velocity zone and the intersection between the Littoral fault zone and the Huanggangshui fault could reflect weak structures in the crust and form a local stress buildup, which strongly affected or controlled the generation of intraplate seismicity. The 1918 NanAo earthquake very likely occurred within the current seismicity zone with a depth range of 15–25 km estimated from our tomographic images and previous geological and geophysical results.

Three-dimensional seismic velocity imaging of the Kachchh rift zone, Gujarat, India: Implications toward the crustal mafic pluton induced intraplate seismicity

Three-dimensional tomographic images of seismic velocities have been constructed for the 2001 Mw7.7 Bhuj earthquake region using data from a dense 58-station seismograph network, during 2001–16. Two distinct, prominent high-velocity anomalies (10–14% increase in Vp and Vs, and 10–11% decrease in Vp/Vs) have been mapped at 2–40 km depths below the Banni and Wagad uplift regions, which could be attributed to mafic plutons. We also image several high-velocity zones (intrusive mafic rocks) and some low-velocity patches (meteoric water/metamorphic fluids/volatile CO2) within the main rupture zone of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake, where maximum confinement of seismicity is noticed. We propose that stresses induced by mafic plutons in response to the N-S compression of the Indian plate might have resulted in a stress regime near to critical for thesub-parallel rift associated fault system within the main rupture zone, thereby, generating small to large earthquakes through small stress perturbations caused by crustal fluid flows and stress transfer.

Mechanical strength and physical properties of Oklahoma's igneous basement

From 2009 to 2016, a drastic increase in seismic activity occurred in the Central and Eastern US (CEUS), particularly in the Oklahoma-Kansas region. The majority of hypocenters were focused in the crystalline basement rock. Information regarding the physical properties (elastic wave velocity, peak strength, etc.) of rocks in the CEUS basement to date is sparse. Forecasting future seismic hazard and predicting the in situ response of the crystalline basement requires their geomechanical parameters be adequately constrained. This work assesses the mechanical and petrophysical properties of several sets of basement rocks from Oklahoma to provide a better framework for understanding intraplate seismicity and overall basement deformation in the continental United States. Laboratory experiments were conducted with granite, rhyolite and diabase basement rock samples collected from southern Oklahoma. Evolution of compressional and shear wave velocity with increasing confinement was measured through a series of ultrasonic velocity tests. A suite of uniaxial and triaxial tests were conducted to measure the elastic and inelastic deformation behavior of the basement rocks. Deformation data was evaluated using the Mohr-Coulomb criterion and compared with additional preexisting deformation data of igneous basement rocks. Dynamic and static elastic properties compare favorably with available field measurements and demonstrate the role physical properties can play in varying mechanical behavior. Granitic samples demonstrate moderate variation of intrinsic physical properties can alter elastic properties and failure behavior significantly. Water-weakening in the basement rocks may indicate fluid-assisted processes such as stress corrosion cracking enhance deformation in the crystalline basement.

Neotectonic fault movement and intraplate seismicity in the central Indian shield: A review and reappraisal

Neotectonic fault movement and intraplate seismicity in the central Indian shield: A review and reappraisal

Tracking triggering mechanisms for soft-sediment deformation structures in the Late Cretaceous Uberaba Formation, Bauru Basin, Brazil

Abstract Soft-sediment deformation (SSD) structures are widespread in the sedimentary record, and numerous triggering mechanisms can induce its development, including glaciation, earthquakes, overloading, ground-water fluctuations, and wave movement. The Late Cretaceous Uberaba Formation preserves SSD structures as small- and large-scale load casts and associated flame structures, pseudonodules, and convolute laminations observed in the contact of three well-defined intervals among fine- to coarse-grained lithic and conglomeratic sandstone with fine-grained arkose and mudstone beds. Based on the morphology of the SSD structures, sedimentary facies of the Uberaba Formation, and similarities with previous observations in the geological record and laboratory models, these features are assigned to liquefaction-fluidization processes as the major deformational mechanism triggered by seismic and aseismic agents. We propose that a deformation occurred just after the sedimentation triggered by seismic shock waves and overloading, induced by the sudden deposition of coarse-grained sandy debris on fine-grained sediments. Some of these structures can be classified as seismites, providing evidence of intraplate seismicity within the inner part of the South American Platform during the Late Cretaceous. This seismic activity is likely related to the uplift of the Alto Paranaiba High along reactivations of regional structures inherited from Proterozoic crustal discontinuities and coeval explosive magmatism of the Minas-Goias Alkaline Province.

The depth geodynamic state and its correlation with the surface geological and geophysical parameters along the sublatitudinal profile of Eurasia

A cross‐sections of longitudinal (P) and transverse (S) wave anomalies (attribute δ(VP/VS)) is constructed along the sublatitudinal profile from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean across the regions of the latest Eurasian volcanism. It is correlated with surface geophysical parameters interpretable in terms of geodynamics: heat flow, seismicity and integrated conductivity of the lithosphere. All the volcanic groups are related to the negative anomalies of S‐ and P‐wave velocity variations at depths, which are observed in the eastern part of the profile from Central Asia to the Pacific Ocean to depths of 1000 km. Such anomalies correlate with the heat flow anomalies and are thus indica‐ tive of a deep source. The absence of deep roots in the western part of the profile from the Caspian to the Western Mediterranean suggests lateral extension of the anomalously ‘hot’ mantle from the Afar branch of the African super‐ plume. The groups of volcanic formations in the Baikal region and the Far East are spatially associated with heat flow anomalies that are three times higher than the background values. A correlation between intraplate volcanism and the lithosphere conductivity suggests the presence of positive anomalies in all volcanic clusters, despite the fact that their background values are considerably different. In the continental part, velocity anomalies are typical of all volcanic groups with positive conductivity anomalies. It is evidenced by seismic tomography that all the volcanic groups (ex‐ cept the Alpine‐Caucasian) have ‘hot’ roots in the upper mantle to depths of 1200 km. The highest maximum conduc‐ tivity values are typical of the zones wherein high intraplate seismicity is absent. Along the profile, there are several zones of high intraplate seismicity, which are separated by aseismic zones or plate boundaries. This suggest the influ‐ ence of the heated state of the mantle and the occurrence of zones of increased conductivity in the lithosphere.

Why Are There No Earthquakes in the Intracratonic Paris Basin? Insights from Flexural Models

Comparing nearby areas with contrasted seismicity distributions like the French Variscan Armorican Massif (AM) and the surrounding intracratonic Paris Basin (PB) can help deciphering which parameters control the occurrence or absence of diffuse, intraplate seismicity. In this paper, we examine how lithosphere temperature, fluid pressure, and frictional strength variations, combined with horizontal and bending stresses, may condition brittle, ductile or elastic behaviours of the crust in the AM and PB. We compute yield stress envelopes (YSE) and lithospheric flexure across a 1000 km-long SW–NE profile crossing the AM and PB approximately parallel to the direction of the minimum horizontal stress. Flexural models slightly better fit measured Bouguer gravity data if we apply two vertical loads on the AM and PB, with values (positive downward) ranging between −3 and −2.1012, and between 4 and 6.1012 N·m−2, respectively, depending on the chosen crustal composition. Our results evidence that whatever the crustal composition, bending stresses and heat flow variations alone are not sufficient to explain the difference in seismogenic behaviour between the AM and the PB. Variations in friction coefficient, in the range of standard values, are not totally satisfying either, since they do not restrain the brittle crustal thickness in the PB to less than 10 km, which is still large enough to be the locus of shallow earthquakes. Oppositely, increasing the cohesion from 10 to 80 MPa has a stronger effect on the thickness of the brittle upper crust, decreasing it from 10 to 15 km beneath the AM to 0–5 km beneath the PB. This suggests that the Mesozoic sedimentary pile can act as a sticky layer holding together basement rocks of the PB, which is equivalent to an increase in cohesion, and protects them from failure.

Lateral Variations in Lithospheric Mantle Structure Control the Location of Intracontinental Seismicity in Australia

AbstractDespite decades of study, the mechanisms that lead to the localization of intracontinental seismicity remain vigorously debated. We find a very strong correlation between the attenuation of teleseismic P waves and the occurrence of intraplate seismicity in Australia. The regions with the highest attenuation host ~2 orders of magnitude more earthquakes per unit of area than the least attenuating regions. We argue that the attenuation we observe is produced by lateral variations in the thickness and/or viscosity of the lithospheric mantle and further suggest that the correlation we document implies that lithospheric mantle structure exerts first‐order controls on the localization of intraplate seismicity.