Large Magnitude Earthquakes Research Articles

Cosmogenic age constraints on rock avalanches in the Qinling Range associated with paleoearthquake activity, central China

Although it is generally assumed that understanding the trigger factor leading to the transition from a progressive rock failure toward sudden and rapid events is better to risk management, the ability to identify triggering factors responsible for prehistoric catastrophic rock avalanches is still debated. Here we describe two rock avalanches (Ganqiu and Shuiqiu) in the Cuihua Mountain area of the Qinling Range, China, providing new mapping of rock avalanche source areas and deposits and absolute age constraint from cosmogenic 10Be surface exposure dating. Results reveal that the Ganqiu rock avalanche is controlled by three sets of joints, causing the 380 m high ridge to collapse. Debris filled roughly the entire V-shaped valley and has a width ranging from 250 to 470 m, extending ~1260 m from the base of the cliff. The Shuiqiu rock avalanche was sourced near the summit of Cuihua Mountain from a cliff above 60° that is mainly controlled by inherited fault and joints. The rock mass fell ~250 m as a giant blocky stream across the width of the valley floor, with the deposit extending ~300 m from the base of the cliff. Both events caused the large-scale collapse of ridge crests and developed into high-mobility rock avalanches with long runout. Cosmogenic 10Be surface exposure dating from seven different parts of the deposits revealed nearly coincident ages for both rock avalanches, 10.0 ± 0.9 ka for the Ganqiu rock avalanche and 9.5 ± 1.2 ka for the Shuiqiu rock avalanche. Because this region was not affected by valley glaciation, rock avalanches triggering by paraglacial stress release can be excluded. Moreover, without clear evidence for specific climatic conditions in the Qinling area circa 9–10 ka, a climatic trigger for the Cuihua Mountain rock avalanches is equivocal. Instead, we find coincidence between the concurrent exposure ages and paleoseismic records from the nearby Qinling North Piedmont fault (QNF). This coincidence of ages, combined with the fact that the Mw 8.0 1556 CE Huaxian earthquake triggered numerous large rock falls in the Huashan Mountains at the eastern end of the Qinling Range, suggest that a large-magnitude earthquake centered in the middle-east section of QNF at ca. 8–11 ka may have triggered the Ganqiu and Shuiqiu rock avalanches.

Monitoring Earthquakes at the Speed of Light

New research uses gravity and a machine learning model to instantaneously estimate the magnitude and location of large earthquakes.

Instantaneous tracking of earthquake growth with elastogravity signals.

Rapid and reliable estimation of large earthquake magnitude (above 8) is key to mitigating the risks associated with strong shaking and tsunamis1. Standard early warning systems based on seismic waves fail to rapidly estimate the size of such large earthquakes2–5. Geodesy-based approaches provide better estimations, but are also subject to large uncertainties and latency associated with the slowness of seismic waves. Recently discovered speed-of-light prompt elastogravity signals (PEGS) have raised hopes that these limitations may be overcome6,7, but have not been tested for operational early warning. Here we show that PEGS can be used in real time to track earthquake growth instantaneously after the event reaches a certain magnitude. We develop a deep learning model that leverages the information carried by PEGS recorded by regional broadband seismometers in Japan before the arrival of seismic waves. After training on a database of synthetic waveforms augmented with empirical noise, we show that the algorithm can instantaneously track an earthquake source time function on real data. Our model unlocks ‘true real-time’ access to the rupture evolution of large earthquakes using a portion of seismograms that is routinely treated as noise, and can be immediately transformative for tsunami early warning.

Evaluation of site effects using horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan

The destruction experienced by an area due to tremors is commonly related to the size of magnitude and the distance of the source to the site where it is well known that larger magnitude earthquakes cause greater damage. Similarly, the closest area to the source will experience much devastating damage compared to the area further away. In addition to that, the local site effect also plays a significant role in the impact of earthquake hazards for specific sites despite the site being hundreds of kilometers away from the epicenter. This had been proven by the Michoacán earthquake in 1985 where the situation is similar to Peninsular Malaysia located approximately 400 km away from one of the most active plate tectonics in the world, the Sumatra Subduction Zone. This paper aims to evaluate the local site effects to improve the result of seismic hazard assessment by applying the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) method. The recorded microtremors data are processed to get two parameters that are closely related to the local site condition which is the resonant frequency and the amplification factor. The overall values extracted from the H/V curves are intermediate for both parameters. Overall, Kuala Pilah is divided into two zones; the western region associated with a thin, well-compacted soil layer and the eastern region associated with loose and unconsolidated deposits.

Amplification Behaviour of Compressional Waves in Unconsolidated Sediments

Similar to horizontal earthquake motions, vertical motions are amplified depedent on the local site conditions which can be critical for the safety of certain structures. Production of natural gas in Groningen, the Netherlands, results in reservoir compaction causing low magnitude, shallow earthquakes which are recorded with a borehole seismic network. These recordings form an excellent data set to understand how shallow unconsolidated subsurface geology influences the amplification behaviour of compressional waves (P-waves). First, we present borehole and single-station techniques (amplification factors, empirical transfer functions (ETF) and V/H spectral ratio implementations) to quantify vertical amplification. We show that vertical-wave incidence is a reasonable assumption. All techniques are capable of emphasising the sites with strong amplification of vertical ground motion during an earthquake. Subsequently, we compare ETF with single-station methods with the aim to develop proxies for vertical site-response using spectral ratios. In a second step, we link vertical site-response with shallow subsurface conditions, like the P-wave velocity and peat content. To better understand the amplification mechanisms, we analytically simulate P-wave propagation. In the simulations, we compute synthetic transfer functions using realistic subsurface conditions and make a comparison with the ETF. The simulations support the hypothesis that thin layers of shallow gas, originating from the Holocene peat, result in wave amplification. We observe strong vertical site-response in particular in the eastern part of Groningen, with industrial facilities and pipeline infrastructure in the region. Here, if high vertical amplifications are persistent at large earthquake magnitudes, appreciable levels of vertical loading may be expected. This study demonstrates that vertical motions should be assessed separately from horizontal motions, given that the amplification behaviour of P-waves is affected by distinctive mechanisms.

Surface ruptures and off-fault deformation of the October 2016 central Italy earthquakes from DInSAR data

Large magnitude earthquakes produce complex surface deformations, which are typically mapped by field geologists within the months following the mainshock. We present detailed maps of the surface deformation pattern produced by the M. Vettore Fault System during the October 2016 earthquakes in central Italy, derived from ALOS-2 SAR data, via DInSAR technique. On these maps, we trace a set of cross-sections to analyse the coseismic vertical displacement, essential to identify both surface fault ruptures and off-fault deformations. At a local scale, we identify a large number of surface ruptures, in agreement with those observed in the field. At a larger scale, the inferred coseismic deformation shows a typical long-wavelength convex curvature of the subsiding block, not directly recognizable in the field. The detection of deformation patterns from DInSAR technique can furnish important constraints on the activated fault segments, their spatial distribution and interaction soon after the seismic events. Thanks to the large availability of satellite SAR acquisitions, the proposed methodological approach can be potentially applied to worldwide earthquakes (according to the environmental characteristics of the sensed scene) to provide a wider and faster picture of surface ruptures. Thus, the derived information can be crucial for emergency management by civil protection and helpful to drive and support the geological field surveys during an ongoing seismic crisis.

Quaternary tectonic history of seismically active intraplate Kachchh Rift Basin, western India: A review

Since the recorded historical period, the Kachchh Rift Basin (KRB) has encountered numerous moderate to large magnitude earthquakes. According to the series of seismicity research so far, there are several important points of debate regarding the tectonic history and evolution of the KRB, especially during the Quaternary period. Therefore, the main objective of the present research is to inspect and perceive the association amongst the strain build-up, earthquake provenance, landform evolution and progression as archived by the Quaternary deposits of the KRB. The previous studies demonstrated the evolutions of various landforms, such as the uplifted fluvial terraces, formation of the gorges, uplifted alluvial fan sequences, which can be ideally used to reconstruct the neotectonic history along active faults of KRB. Considering this, the analysis of the accessible and supportive data, including geochronology provided by earlier studies along with some new dataset for a superior knowledge on the Quaternary tectonic forces prevailing in the KRB, have been carried out. Furthermore, we also emphasized the differences and directions for future potential research issues. The observations of variability in uplift rates across the various active faults in the KRB suggest a complex geological history during the Quaternary period. The results show that the vertical uplift rate along the significant active faults range from 0.8 to 2.8 mm/yr, demonstrating the variable tectonic stress regime prevailing in the KRB. The uplift rates constricted from geomorphic and chronological aspects suggest that the tectonic movements within the Kachchh intraplate region is regulated by the fault segments and the present tectonic stress field is in accordance with the encompassing tectonic stress field associated with the northward movement of the Indian plate corresponding to the Eurasian plate.

Analyzing the 2020 Mw 6.4 Puerto Rico Earthquake Sequence Based on the Epidemic-Type Aftershock Sequence Model

Abstract On 7 January 2020, an Mw 6.4 earthquake occurred on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, causing severe infrastructure damage and economic property losses. Accompanied with the mainshock, a large number of aftershocks occurred. For investigating the seismological activities, the earthquake sequence is fitted using the ETAS (epidemic-type aftershock sequence) model, based on a seismic catalog with 360 days in the region. The background intensity and the triggered intensity of the sequence are compared, and the variation trend of the parameters of the seismic catalog under different cut-off times are analyzed. Results show that the seismicity has been significantly enhanced during this event. Within 40 days after the mainshock, the background intensity reached the maximum value of 7.26 events/day, while the value is 0.013 events/day before the mainshock. The sequence may be clustered. Both large-magnitude earthquakes and small-magnitude earthquakes are likely to trigger secondary aftershocks. The spatial attenuation of the triggered intensity gradually becomes faster.

An Appraisal of Ground Failure and Hydrogeological Changes Associated with the 28 April 2021 Mw 6 Sonitpur Earthquake, Assam, India, Using Field Evidences and InSAR Measurements

Abstract Widespread damage and coseismic ground disturbances are generally associated with large magnitude and/or shallow focus earthquakes. Surprisingly, a deep focus (34 km), moderate magnitude earthquake (Mw 6) occurred near the Kopili fault zone in Sonitpur district, Assam, India, on 28 April 2021 and created intense ground shaking and extensive damage along the Brahmaputra Valley. We undertook a field survey within a day after the earthquake and carried out Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) analysis to map any coseismic ground deformation features. Our field survey revealed extensive liquefaction features and several coseismic secondary ground cracks along the alluvial tracts of the Brahmaputra River system. InSAR analysis revealed a sinistral slip up to ∼60 mm along a north-northwest–south-southeast-oriented previously unmapped lineament or fault. Field investigations revealed coseismic hydrological changes including a sudden rise and fall in the water level by 0.3–0.5 m followed by the injection of sand materials up to a thickness of 1.25 m in dug wells and the appearance of water in seasonally dried river channels and ponds. Interferometric coherence analysis during pre-, co-, and postseismic periods further confirmed the coseismic surge in water at five major tributary rivers of the Brahmaputra River. We speculate that the pressure difference at the shallow unconfined aquifer system of the mountain-front alluvial fan induced by coseismic stresses must have caused channeling of groundwater to the rivers and the contemporaneous water level fluctuations in wells. Amplification of seismic waves at the thick, unconsolidated sedimentary strata of the Brahmaputra Valley could have enhanced the extensive damage due to the 2021 Sonitpur earthquake. The present study has implications in estimating damage potential along the Brahmaputra Valley for future earthquakes.

Characteristics of the North Anatolian Fault at the eastern end of Marmara seismic gap based on multidisciplinary field evidence

SUMMARYThe northern branch of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) is the primary source of the greatest natural hazard for the Marmara Megapolis and specifically the İstanbul Metropolitan area. The Sea of Marmara section of the NAF is a ∼125-km-long seismic gap bound by the M7.4 1912 Mürefte earthquake rupture in the west and M7.4 1999 İzmit earthquake rupture in the east. Terminations of these ruptures define the length of the seismic gap in the Marmara Sea and consequently the magnitude and rupture extent of the expected large magnitude earthquake. The Hersek Peninsula is the last location where the NAF can be studied on land before it enters the Sea of Marmara. In addition, it is a geologically key location for the western termination of the M7.4 İzmit surface rupture. This study integrates high-resolution onshore and offshore data from Hersek Peninsula and its vicinity in İzmit Bay to assess the seismic hazard for the Marmara region. Detailed geological and geomorphic mapping, palaeoseismic trenching, geophysical and geotechnical subsurface data and archeoseismologic investigations demonstrate that the 1999 İzmit earthquake surface rupture died off east of the Hersek Peninsula due to structural complexity of the NAF at this location and the most recent earthquake to rupture the surface at Hersek Peninsula was the historical 1509 CE event. A restraining bend and bifurcation of the NAF at Hersek Peninsula suggests that this location might be a persistent asperity forming a surface rupture segmentation point at least since Pleistocene. Surface ruptures documented in palaeoseismic trenches north of the Hersek Lagoon and an offset 6th century East Roman aqueduct; however, suggests that this section of the NAF has ruptured the surface multiple times in the past and is highly likely to rupture again during the expected Marmara earthquake. The aqueduct; which crosses the surface trace of the NAF, is offset 14 ± 1 m and yields 13.6 ± 1 mm yr–1 dextral slip rate indicating that the northern branch of the NAF accrues and releases the majority of the stress between Eurasia and Anatolian block in the Marmara region. If the ∼125-km-long seismic gap between the 1912 and 1999 ruptures fail during a single event the expected Marmara earthquake can reach M7.4.

Remote triggering of high magnitude earthquakes along plate boundaries

It has been shown that large magnitude earthquakes can remotely trigger other large magnitude earthquakes within three days. Such triggering of high magnitude earthquakes is potentially indicative of fault systems at the end of their seismic cycles. Here a method is developed to examine local earthquake history to determine how susceptible a given area is to remote triggering of high magnitude earthquakes. The method is applied to all plate boundaries. Only 14% of global tectonic boundaries are not susceptible to remote triggering, while 86% show susceptibility to varying degrees. The most highly susceptible locations begin triggering at lower magnitudes, dependent on the type of plate boundary. Varying patterns in susceptibility to remote triggering are observed around individual plates. Finite element modeling of the Cocos Plate reveals normal modes which appear consistent with its spatial patterns of high susceptibility. Many of the natural frequencies of the Cocos Plate are closely associated with the frequencies of free oscillations of the earth and could be induced by large earthquakes. Analysis of the stress tensors generated by the normal modes supports a delayed triggering mechanism involving one-sided negative (compressive) stress normal to the plane of the fault.

Vertical ground-motion prediction equation and the vertical-to-horizontal spectral ratio for crustal earthquakes in Taiwan

We develop a ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) for estimating the vertical ground motion amplitudes for crustal earthquakes in Taiwan. The data set used for the development includes strong-motion recordings mainly from Taiwan earthquakes (M3.5–7.6) and supplemented with large-magnitude earthquakes (M6.5–7.9) from other regions in the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) next generation attenuation (NGA)-West2 database. The functional form of the GMPE is similar to that of Phung et al. developed for the horizontal component (P20). The GMPE provides median and standard deviations of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 5% damped pseudo spectral acceleration response ordinates of the orientation-independent average horizontal component of ground motion (RotD50) for the spectral period of 0.01–10 s. The vertical ground motion developed in this study can be paired with the P20 horizontal component model to estimate a vertical-to-horizontal (V/H) ratio that is unbiased. In the vertical component, we observe significant nonlinear site effects in the period of about 0.2–0.5 s, moderate nonlinear site effects in the period of about 0.01–0.04 s, and small nonlinear site effects in the period of about 0.05–0.075 s. Compared to our horizontal GMPE, anelastic attenuation is faster, VS30-scaling is reduced, and nonlinear site response is weaker for the vertical component.

Anthropogenic activity at the Leyte geothermal field promoted the 2017 Mw 6.5 earthquake

Recent studies of anthropogenic seismicity have improved our understanding of the causal relationships between earthquakes and industrial activity. Whether larger-magnitude earthquakes can be triggered and how human injection and production of fluids interact with active faults remain poorly understood. The 2017 Mw 6.5 Leyte earthquake nucleated at a depth close to the production zone and within 2 km of an actively producing geothermal field in Philippines. Here we use satellite radar data to constrain the pre-earthquake ground deformation across the field and the Leyte fault and to determine the coseismic source parameters. From consideration of regional historical seismicity and fluid extraction model constrained by fluid injection and extraction rates, we find evidence suggesting that the mainshock is directly associated with the geothermal production efforts. Our findings demonstrate that the extraction of geothermal power close to active fault zones is capable of triggering damaging earthquakes, a hazard that was previously underappreciated

Numerical estimation of maximum possible sizes of paleo-earthquakes and tsunamis from storm-derived boulders

Estimating the magnitudes of potential large earthquakes and associated tsunami hazards along a subduction zone is important for risk evaluation. Coastal boulder deposits can serve as valuable geological indicators in intertidal zones with high wave velocity, even though finer sediments are generally washed away. This report presents a new method to constrain the maximum possible sizes of paleo-earthquakes and tsunamis using boulders of storm wave origin as a constraint in numerical simulations. The fundamental assumption is that presently observed storm-derived boulders have not moved a great distance by past tsunami waves. This illustrative case study uses the sizes and spatial distributions of storm wave boulders on the reef at Kudaka Island, Okinawa Prefecture, which faces the Ryukyu Trench. In all, 47 tsunami scenarios with different locations and fault parameters were assumed. Results show that tsunami waves with a maximum water level of 2.2 m and maximum flow speed of 1.5 m/s at a beach of Kudaka Island did not strike the island. Under this condition, earthquakes of Mw≥8.3 are unlikely to have occurred in the central Ryukyu Trench if one obeys an empirical scaling law for subduction earthquakes or ≥2 m of maximum possible slip near the trench if the fault size is fixed as 100 km × 50 km. Those tsunami and earthquake sizes could not have been generated during this period if one assumes that the reef of Kudaka Island and emplacement of storm boulders began more than 3500 years ago. This finding implies that the seismogenic mechanism of the Ryukyu Trench and the risk of a giant earthquake differ from those of other trenches such as the Japan Trench and the Chilean Trench, where giant earthquakes of Mw≥9.0 have occurred repeatedly during the past. The proposed method would enable researchers to estimate the maximum possible sizes of the paleo-earthquakes and tsunami waves in any region, even in regions with a vague or unknown history of past events because of a lack of sandy tsunami deposits or seismic records.

Selected Crater and Small Caldera Lakes in Alaska: Characteristics and Hazards

This study addresses the characteristics, potential hazards, and both eruptive and non-eruptive role of water at selected volcanic crater lakes in Alaska. Crater lakes are an important feature of some stratovolcanoes in Alaska. Of the volcanoes in the state with known Holocene eruptive activity, about one third have summit crater lakes. Also included are two volcanoes with small caldera lakes (Katmai, Kaguyak). The lakes play an important but not well studied role in influencing eruptive behavior and pose some significant hydrologic hazards. Floods from crater lakes in Alaska are evaluated by estimating maximum potential crater lake water volumes and peak outflow discharge with a dam-break model. Some recent eruptions and hydrologic events that involved crater lakes also are reviewed. The large volumes of water potentially hosted by crater lakes in Alaska indicate that significant flowage hazards resulting from catastrophic breaching of crater rims are possible. Estimates of maximum peak flood discharge associated with breaching of lake-filled craters derived from dam-break modeling indicate that flood magnitudes could be as large as 103–106 m3/s if summit crater lakes drain rapidly when at maximum volume. Many of the Alaska crater lakes discussed are situated in hydrothermally altered craters characterized by complex assemblages of stratified unconsolidated volcaniclastic deposits, in a region known for large magnitude (>M7) earthquakes. Although there are only a few historical examples of eruptions involving crater lakes in Alaska, these provide noteworthy examples of the role of external water in cooling pyroclastic deposits, acidic crater-lake drainage, and water-related hazards such as lahars and base surge.

Sudden soil subsidence due to large magnitude earthquakes: the case of Mexico City

Sudden soil subsidence due to large magnitude earthquakes: the case of Mexico City

Sudden soil subsidence due to large magnitude earthquakes: the case of Mexico City

Sudden soil subsidence due to large magnitude earthquakes: the case of Mexico City

Velocity changes around the Kaikōura earthquake ruptures from ambient noise cross-correlations

SUMMARYSeismic velocity changes before and after large-magnitude earthquakes carry information about damage present in the surrounding region. This study presents temporal velocity changes detected prior to and following the 2016 November Mw 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake in Canterbury, New Zealand. We use continuous waveform data from 11 short-period seismometers within the Kaikōura region with an average interstation distance of 83 km. Nine-component day-long empirical Green’s functions were computed for frequencies between 0.1 and 0.9 Hz for continuous seismic records from 2012 January 1 to 2018 February 28, which also include the 2013 Cook Strait and Lake Grassmere earthquakes. Using the moving-window cross-spectral method, seismic velocity changes were calculated. Immediately following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, a decrease in seismic velocity averaged across all component pairs of approximately 0.2 per cent was observed. An increase in seismic velocity of approximately 0.1 per cent after the earthquake was visible over a 1.5 yr period averaged across all component pairs. A depth sensitivity analysis suggests that observed velocity changes were confined to the uppermost 5 km of the subsurface. We consider strong ground motions a likely candidate for the seismic velocity decrease, followed by post-seismic relaxation via crack healing of the faults that ruptured in the Kaikōura region. Fault-zone damage may also have contributed to observed decreases in the vicinity of ruptured faults.

Structural performance of buildings during the 30 November 2018 M7.1 Anchorage, Alaska earthquake

Southcentral Alaska, the most populous region in Alaska, was violently shaken by a Mw 7.1 earthquake on 30 November 2018 at 8:29 am Alaska Standard Time. This was the largest magnitude earthquake in the United States close to a population center in over 50 years. The earthquake was 46 km deep, and the epicenter was 12 km north of Anchorage and 19 km west of Eagle River. The event affected some 400,000 residents, causing widespread damage in highways, nonstructural components, non-engineered and older buildings, and structures on poorly compacted fills. A few isolated serious injuries and partial collapses took place. Minor structural damage to code-conforming buildings was observed. A significant percentage of the structural damage was due to geotechnical failures. Building stock diversity allows use of the region as a large test bed to observe how local building practices affected earthquake damage levels. The prevailing peak ground acceleration (PGA) was 0.2–0.32 g, causing shaking intensity at most sites of 50%–60% of the ASCE 7-16 design basis earthquake acceleration. Thus, the seismic vulnerability of building stock in the region was not truly tested. Reinforced concrete buildings had minor structural damage, except in a few cases of shear wall and transfer girder shear cracking. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-retrofitted buildings performed satisfactorily. Concrete-masonry-unit (CMU) masonry buildings experienced serious structural damage in many cases, including relatively newer buildings. The earthquake caused widespread structural damage in non-engineered buildings (primarily wood and CMU masonry) that exist widely in the region, especially in Eagle River. Of these, non-engineered single-family wood buildings had the heaviest structural damage. No structural damage could be observed in steel buildings. The aftershock sequence, which included 7 M5+ and 50 M4+ events, exacerbated structural damage in all types of buildings. The present study is based on the EERI field reconnaissance mission conducted by the authors following the earthquake. Based on the observed damage and structural performance, seismic risk mitigation recommendations are suggested.

Atmospheric and ionospheric precursors associated with Mw ≥ 6.5 earthquakes from multiple satellites

The ionospheric monitoring satellites aid in correlating the lithospheric variation in ionosphere through Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere coupling (LAIC) over the epicenter of future earthquake (EQ). In the present paper, we studied variations in ionosphere associated to two large magnitude EQs (Mw ≥ 6.5) and low epicentral depth EQs of less than 12 km in Plasma Density (PD), Slant Total Electron Content (STEC) and Electron Temperature (ET) of European Space Agency's (ESA) Swarm-three satellites (Swarm-A, -B, and –C). These anomalies are investigated in the Swarm data for 60 days before/after each main shock. The anomalies are detected by statistically implemented median (M) and standard deviation (σ) method within the Dobrovolsky's area. In order to exclude the geomagnetic perturbations, we have selected the ionospheric data in quiet geomagnetic conditions. Anomalous variations in Swarm-A data occur in ET and STEC for the USA event, and similarly, significant perturbation is clear in STEC of Swarm-B before the Mw 6.5, USA. In case of Swarm-C, no clear anomalies associated with the USA event. Furthermore, Swarm-A, -B and –C have abnormal post-seismic PD, STEC and ET responses to the Mw 6.7 Turkey EQ in the form intensive perturbations beyond the upper bound. We also study the atmospheric data over the epicenters in the form of Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR), Relative Humidity (RH), Surface Temperature (ST), and Air Temperature (AT) to support the Swarm observations. RH and ST show pre-seismic atmospheric anomalies before the USA EQ in the same anomalous time period as Swarm satellites. While, OLR, ST and AT have post-seismic atmospheric anomalies after the Turkey EQ within 15–20-day period. The precursors chain from the lithosphere to the atmosphere, followed by the ionosphere are highlighted at different altitudes. The variations window for Swarm satellites and atmospheric indices are 5 days prior to USA main shock and one month after the Turkish EQ. Moreover, this study also aims to study the caliber of Swarm satellites for indicating seismo-ionospheric irregularities, which need more studies to delineate the LAIC hypothesis for future EQ.