Relations between properties of seismicity and regional heat flow in California
Abstract
We develop quantitative connections between the existence and productivity of different types of seismicity (foreshocks, aftershocks, background activity, swarms) and regional heat flow in California. We first represent the seismicity as a sequence of statistically significant clusters using the approach of [Zaliapin et al., PRL, 2008]. The multi-event clusters largely correspond to individual foreshock-mainshock-aftershock sequences or swarms. Within each cluster we compute the number, total seismic moment, and rupture area of events. We demonstrate that the heat flow is positively correlated with (i) total offspring number, seismic moment, and rupture area, (ii) foreshock production relative to that of aftershocks, measured by number, moment, or rupture area, and (iii) average duration of foreshock and aftershock series (absolute as well as normalized by the mainshock magnitude). In addition, the heat flow is (iv) negatively correlated with average distance between offsprings and the respective mainshock (absolute as well as normalized by the mainshock magnitude), and (v) the local b-value is negatively correlated with the heat flow. The presented methodology and results contribute to better understanding of detailed non-universal relations between time-space-size varying features of seismicity and physical properties of a region. The results can be used to develop improved region-specific estimates of earthquake hazard assessment.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011AGUFM.S34A..04B
- Keywords:
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- 4460 NONLINEAR GEOPHYSICS / Pattern formation;
- 7223 SEISMOLOGY / Earthquake interaction;
- forecasting;
- and prediction