Postseismic investigation of the February 2010 Chile earthquake: Relaxation processes and the relationship of seismic and aseismic activity.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Earth Surface Dynamics
Abstract
The magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Chile on 27 February 2010 is the fifth largest megathrust earthquake ever to be recorded and provides unprecedented opportunities to further our understanding of megathrust earthquakes and associated processes. We propose to co-locate 12 continuous GPS stations and broadband seismometers to measure postseismic activity following the 27 February 2010 Chile earthquake, in order to evaluate (1) the relative contributions of localised afterslip and mantle flow to postseismic stress relaxation, (2) whether there is any temporal/spatial interrelationship of seismic and aseismic activity on the plate interface, and (3) whether seismic properties in the subducting slab or overriding plate have changed or are changing on account of the rupture. Very few studies of postseismic deformation for large subduction zone earthquakes exist, and this event affords an excellent opportunity to investigate the time-dependent state of stress on and near the plate interface and the associated effects on the seismic properties. Our study complements a multinational effort (Chile, US, France, Germany, UK) in data collection and research into the source processes of such a large subduction thrust earthquake. The results of this study are likely to inform earthquake hazard assessment in this and other areas of the world.
Organisations
Publications
Agurto H
(2012)
Seismic-afterslip characterization of the 2010 M W 8.8 Maule, Chile, earthquake based on moment tensor inversion
in Geophysical Research Letters
Beck S
(2014)
Advancing Subduction Zone Science After a Big Quake
in Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union
Bedford J
(2013)
A high-resolution, time-variable afterslip model for the 2010 Maule Mw = 8.8, Chile megathrust earthquake
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Blake O
(2012)
The Effect of Varying Damage History in Crystalline Rocks on the P- and S-Wave Velocity under Hydrostatic Confining Pressure
in Pure and Applied Geophysics
Collings R
(2013)
Seismic anisotropy in the Sumatra subduction zone
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
Garth T
(2014)
Downdip velocity changes in subducted oceanic crust beneath Northern Japan-insights from guided waves
in Geophysical Journal International
Harmon N
(2012)
Infragravity wave source regions determined from ambient noise correlation
in Geophysical Research Letters
Henstock T
(2011)
Exploring Structural Controls on Sumatran Earthquakes
in Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union
Hicks S
(2014)
Anatomy of a megathrust: The 2010 M8.8 Maule, Chile earthquake rupture zone imaged using seismic tomography
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Hicks S
(2015)
Seismic slip on an upper-plate normal fault during a large subduction megathrust rupture
in Nature Geoscience
Hicks S
(2012)
Sub-slab mantle anisotropy beneath south-central Chile
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Hicks S
(2012)
The 2010 M w 8.8 Maule, Chile earthquake: Nucleation and rupture propagation controlled by a subducted topographic high
in Geophysical Research Letters
Lin Y
(2013)
Coseismic and postseismic slip associated with the 2010 Maule Earthquake, Chile: Characterizing the Arauco Peninsula barrier effect
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
Moreno M
(2014)
Locking of the Chile subduction zone controlled by fluid pressure before the 2010 earthquake
in Nature Geoscience
Nippress S
(2010)
Optimized automatic pickers: application to the ANCORP data set
in Geophysical Journal International
Place J
(2014)
Wet Fault or Dry Fault? A Laboratory Approach to Remotely Monitor the Hydro-Mechanical State of a Discontinuity Using Controlled-Source Seismics
in Pure and Applied Geophysics
Rietbrock A
(2012)
Aftershock seismicity of the 2010 Maule Mw=8.8, Chile, earthquake: Correlation between co-seismic slip models and aftershock distribution?
in Geophysical Research Letters
Ryder I
(2014)
Geodetic imaging of late postseismic lower crustal flow in Tibet
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Ryder I
(2012)
Large extensional aftershocks in the continental forearc triggered by the 2010 Maule earthquake, Chile Maule extensional aftershocks
in Geophysical Journal International
| Description | We have now published the first high resolution seismic image of the rupture area of the 2010 Maule earthquake. We conclude that structures in the overriding plate are influencing the earthquake rupture significantly.We now also published a paper on closely spaced seismic doublets (Nat. Goes.) which was highlighted in the News and Views section. Such doublets are significantly increasing the tsunamogenic potential in the region. |
| Exploitation Route | Our images are form the basis of more detailed studies of the rupture mechanics of large mega-thrust earthquakes. |
| Sectors | Environment |
| Description | Our findings are building the base for many subsequent analysis of the rupture process of the 2010 Maule earthquake and its associated consequences for seismic hazard in this region. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
| Sector | Environment |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |