A regional surface wave magnitude scale for the earthquakes of Russia’s Far East

The modified scale M _s(20R) is developed for the magnitude classification of the earthquakes of Russia’s Far East based on the surface wave amplitudes at regional distances. It extends the applicability of the classical Gutenberg scale M _s(20) towards small epicentral distances (0.7°–20°). The magnitude is determined from the amplitude of the signal that is preliminarily bandpassed to extract the components with periods close to 20 s. The amplitude is measured either for the surface waves or, at fairly short distances of 0.7°–3°, for the inseparable wave group of the surface and shear waves. The main difference of the M _s(20R) scale with the traditional M _s(BB) Soloviev–Vanek scale is its firm spectral anchoring. This approach practically eliminated the problem of the significant (up to–0.5) regional and station anomalies characteristic of the M _s(BB) scale in the conditions of the Far East. The absence of significant station and regional anomalies, as well as the strict spectral anchoring, make the M _s(20R) scale advantageous when used for prompt decision making in tsunami warnings for the coasts of Russia’s Far East.     

Yield Estimation from Surface-wave Amplitudes

— Surface-wave amplitudes from explosion sources show less variation for a given event han body wave amplitudes, so it is natural to expect that yield estimates derived from surface waves will be more accurate than yield estimates derived from body waves. However, yield estimation from surface waves is complicated by the presence of tectonic strain release, which acts like one or more earthquake sources superimposed on top of the explosion. Moment-tensor inversion can be used to remove the tectonic component of the surface waves, however moment-tensor inversion for shallow sources is inherently non-unique so the explosion isotropic moment cannot be determined with the necessary accuracy by this means. Explosions on an island or near a mountain slope can exhibit anomalous surface waves similar to those caused by tectonic strain release. These complications cause yield estimates derived from surface waves to be less accurate than yield estimates from body waves recorded on a well-calibrated network with good coverage. Surface-wave amplitudes can be expressed as a surface-wave magnitude M _s , which is defined as the logarithm of the amplitude plus a distance correction, or as a path corrected spectral magnitude, log $M^{\prime}_0$ , which is derived from the surface-wave spectrum. We derive relations for M _s vs. yield and log $M^{\prime}_0$ vs. yield for a large data set and estimate the accuracy of these estimates.     

Regional coda magnitudes of underground nuclear explosions

The concept of determining magnitudes, M_τ, of regional events (Δ < 1000 km) by means of coda-duration measurements is re-examined by using short-period vertical-component seismograms from Nevada Test Site explosions. The duration is specified as the time interval between the expected arrival of the S-wave and the time when coda waves fall and stay below 80 μm peak-to-peak ground displacement. The suggested procedure requires that for M_τ = 4.0 the coda duration at a distance of 100 km is 120 s. The adaptivity of the method is examined in terms of the single-station magnitude scatter, and with respect to the potential accuracy of the yield estimation of the explosions.The derived magnitude formula for underground nuclear explosions in granite is of the form: M_τ =0.18+0.001Δ+1.79 log τ+C_s, where C_s is a station correction coefficient for non-WWNSS stations.     

M m: A variable-period mantle magnitude for intermediate and deep earthquakes

We extend to the case of intermediate and deep earthquakes the mantle magnitude developed for shallow shocks byokal andTalandier (1989). Specifically, from the measurement of the spectral amplitude of Rayleigh waves at a single station, we obtain a mantle magnitude,M _m, theoretically related to the seismic moment of the event through $$M_m = \log _{10} M_0 - 20.$$ The computation ofM _minvolves two corrections. The distance correction is the same as for shallow shocks. For the purpose of computing the frequency-dependent source correction, we define three depth windows: Intermediate (A) (75 to 200 km); Intermediate (B) (200–400 km) and Deep (over 400 km). In each window, the source correctionC _S is modeled by a cubic spline of log₁₀ T. Analysis of a dataset of 200 measurements (mostly from GEOSCOPE stations) shows that the seismic moment of the earthquakes is recovered with a standard deviation of 0.23 units of magnitude, and a mean bias of only 0.14 unit. These figures are basically similar to those for shallow events. Our method successfully recognizes truly large deep events, such as the 1970 Colombia shock, and errors due to the potential misclassification of events into the wrong depth window are minimal.     

Physical size of tsunamigenic earthquakes of the northwestern Pacific

The new scale M_t of tsunami magnitude is a reliable measure of the seismic moment of a tsunamigenic earthquake as well as the overall strength of a tsunami source. This M_t scale was originally defined by Abe (1979) in terms of maximum tsunami amplitudes at large distances from the source. A method is developed whereby it is possible to determine M_t at small distances on the basis of the regional tsunami data obtained at 30 tide stations in Japan. The relation between log H, maximum amplitude (m) and log Δ, a distance of not less than 100 km away from the source (km) is found to be linear, with a slope close to 1.0. Using three tsunamigenic earthquakes with known moment magnitudes M_w, for calibration, the relation, M_t = log H + log Δ + D, is obtained, where D is 5.80 for single-amplitude (crest or trough) data and 5.55 for double-amplitude (crest-to-trough) data. Using a number of tsunami amplitude data, M_t is assigned to 80 tsunamigenic earthquakes that occurred in the northwestern Pacific, mostly in Japan, during the period from 1894 to 1981. The M_t values are found to be essentially equivalent to M_w for 25 events with known M_w. The 1952 Kamchatka earthquake has the largest M_t, 9.0. Of all the 80 events listed, at least seven unusual earthquakes which generated disproportionately-large tsunamis for their surface-wave magnitude M_s are identified from the relation. From the viewpoint of tsunami hazard reduction, the present results provide a quantitative basis for predicting maximum tsunami amplitudes at a particular site.     

Coseismic Slip from the 6 October 2008, M w6.3 Damxung Earthquake, Tibetan Plateau, Constrained by InSAR Observations

Coseismic deformation fields of the 6 October 2008 M _w6.3 Damxung earthquake were obtained from interferometric synthetic aperture radar by using three descending and two ascending Envisat images. Significant coseismic surface deformation occurred within 20?km?×?20?km of the epicenter with a maximum displacement of ~0.3?m along the satellite line of sight. We model a linear elastic dislocation in a homogeneous half space and use a nonlinear constraint optimized algorithm to estimate the fault location, geometry and slip distribution. The results indicate a moment magnitude M _w6.3, and the earthquake is dominated by oblique normal and right-lateral slip with a maximum slip of 2.86?m at depth of 8?km. The rupture plane is about 15?km?×?14?km with strike S190°W and dip 55° to NW, located at a secondary fault of the Southeastern Piedmont of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains. Slip on normal faults in the Tibetan Plateau contributes to the rift evolution.     

Characteristics of coseismic water level changes at Tangshan well for the Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake and its larger aftershocks

Coseismic water level changes which may have been induced by the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake and its 15 larger aftershocks (M_S≥?5.4) have been observed at Tangshan well. We analyze the correlation between coseismic parameters (maximum amplitude, duration, coseismic step and the time when the coseismic reach its maximum amplitude) and earthquake parameters (magnitude, well-epicenter distance and depth), and then compare the time when the coseismic oscillation reaches its maximum amplitude with the seismogram from Douhe seismic station which is about 16.3 km away from Tangshan well. The analysis indicates that magnitude is the main factor influencing the induced coseismic water level changes, and that the well-epicenter distance and depth have less influence. M_S magnitude has the strongest correlation with the coseismic water level changes comparing to M_W and M_L magnitudes. There exists strong correlation between the maximum amplitude, step size and the oscillation duration. The water level oscillation and step are both caused by dynamic strain sourcing from seismic waves. Most of the times when the oscillations reach their maximum amplitudes are between S and Rayleigh waves. The coseismic water level changes are due to the co-effect of seismic waves and hydro-geological environments.     

Rayleigh wave magnitude scaleM s

Summary TheM _s Rayleigh wave magnitude formula is revised for purposes of eliminating the variable effects of near distances and propagation pats on the values computed from standard long period seismograms. The improved formulation employs a revised distance correction function and period dependent path correction that normalisesM _s to large teleseismic distance, 20 second values. The method for computing the path corrections is described. The magnitude scale presented here givesM _s values which are within ±0.1 magnitude units of the Gutenberg and Prague magnitude formulae.     

Quantification relations between the sourc eparameters

The various useful source-parameter relations between seismic moment and common use magnitude lg(M ₀) andM _s,M _L,m _b; between magnitudesMs andM _L,M _s andm _b,M _L andm _b; and between magnitudeM _s and lg(L) (fault length), lg (W) (fault width), lg(S) (fault area), lg(D) (average dislocation);M _L and lg(f _c) (corner frequency) have been derived from the scaling law which is based on an “average” two-dimensional faulting model of a rectangular fault. A set of source-parameters can be estimated from only one magnitude by using these relations. The average rupture velocity of the faultV _r=2.65 km/s, the total time of ruptureT(s)=0.35L (km) and the average dislocation slip rateD=11.4 m/s are also obtained. There are four strong points to measure earthquake size with the seismic moment magnitudeM _w.

1. The seismic moment magnitude shows the strain and rupture size. It is the best scale for the measurement of earthquake size.
2. It is a quantity of absolute mechanics, and has clear physical meaning. Any size of earthquake can be measured. There is no saturation. It can be used to quantify both shallow and deep earthquakes on the basis of the waves radiated.
3. It can link up the previous magnitude scales.
4. It is a uniform scale of measurement of earthquake size. It is suitable for statistics covering a broad range of magnitudes. So the seismic moment magnitude is a promising magnitude and worth popularization.

     

The ground motion excited by the Olyutorskii earthquake of April 20, 2006 and by its aftershocks based on digital recordings

We studied broadband digital records of the M _W = 7.6 Olyutorskii earthquake of April 20, 2006 and its aftershocks at local and regional distances. We have made a detailed analysis of data on peak ground motion velocities and accelerations due to aftershocks based on records of two digital seismic stations, Tilichiki (TLC) and Kamenskoe (KAM). The first step in this analysis was to find the station correction for soil effects at TLC station using coda spectra. The correction was applied to the data to convert them to the reference bedrock beneath the Kamenskoe station. The second step involved multiple linear regression to derive average relationshis of peak amplitude to local magnitude M_L and distance R for the Koryak Upland conditions. The data scatter about the average relationshis is comparatively low (0.22–0.25 log units). The acceleration amplitudes for M _L = 5, R = 25 km are lower by factors of 2–3 compared with those for eastern Kamchatka, the western US, or Japan. A likely cause of this anomaly could be lower stress drops for the aftershocks.     

Long-term earthquake prediction in the Marmara region based on the regional time- and magnitude-predictable model

In order to estimate the recurrence intervals for large earthquakes that occurred in the Marmara region, this region, limited with the coordinates of 39°–42°N, 25°–32°E, has been separated into seven seismogenic sources on the basis of certain seismological criteria, and regional time- and magnitude-predictable model has been applied for these sources. Considering the interevent time between successive mainshocks, the following two predictive relations were computed: log T _t = 0.26 M _min + 0.06 M _p –0.56 log M ₀ + 13.79 and M _f = 0.63 M _min ? 0.07 M _p + 0.43 log M ₀ ? 7.56. Multiple correlation coefficient and standard deviation have been computed as 0.53 and 0.35 for the first relation and 0.66 and 0.39 for the second relation, respectively. On the basis of these relations and using the occurrence time and magnitude of the last mainshocks in each seismogenic source, the probabilities of occurrence P(Δt) of the next mainshocks during the next five decades and the magnitude of the expected mainshocks were determined.     

Magnitudes of large shallow earthquakes from 1904 to 1980

In order to obtain a uniform magnitude catalogue, surface-wave magnitudes M_s and broad-band body-wave magnitudes m_B have been determined for large shallow earthquakes from 1904 to 1980. In making the catalogue homogeneous, the author consistently adheres to the original definitions of M_s and m_B given by Gutenberg (1945) and Gutenberg and Richter (1956). The determinations of M_s and m_B are all based on the amplitude and period data listed in Gutenberg and Richter's unpublished notes, bulletins from stations worldwide, and other basic information. m_B is measured on broad-band instruments in periods of ～8 s. Consistency of the magnitude determinations from these different sources is carefully checked in detail. More than 900 shallow shocks of magnitude 7 and over are catalogued. The meaning of the magnitude scales in various catalogues is examined in terms of M_s and m_B. Most of the magnitudes listed by Gutenberg and Richter (1954) in their “Seismicity of the Earth” are basically M_s for large shocks shallower than 40 km, but are basically m_B for large shocks at depths of 40–60 km. The surface-wave magnitudes given by “Earthquake Data Reports” are higher than M_s by 0.2 unit whether the combined horizontal amplitude or the vertical amplitude is used. m_B and the currently used 1 s body-wave magnitude are measured at different periods and should not be directly compared.     

Teleseismic Lg of Semipalatinsk and Novaya Zemlya Nuclear Explosions Recorded by the GRF (Gräfenberg) Array: Comparison with Regional Lg (BRV) and their Potential for Accurate Yield Estimation

—?A comparison of regional and teleseismic log rms (root-mean-square) L g amplitude measurements have been made for 14 underground nuclear explosions from the East Kazakh test site recorded both by the BRV (Borovoye) station in Kazakhstan and the GRF (Gräfenberg) array in Germany. The log rms L g amplitudes observed at the BRV regional station at a distance of 690?km and at the teleseismic GRF array at a distance exceeding 4700?km show very similar relative values (standard deviation 0.048 magnitude units) for underground explosions of different sizes at the Shagan River test site. This result as well as the comparison of BRV rms L g magnitudes (which were calculated from the log rms amplitudes using an appropriate calibration) with magnitude determinations for P waves of global seismic networks (standard deviation 0.054 magnitude units) point to a high precision in estimating the relative source sizes of explosions from L g-based single station data. Similar results were also obtained by other investigators (Patton, 1988; Ringdal et?al., 1992) using L g data from different stations at different distances.¶Additionally, GRF log rms L g and P-coda amplitude measurements were made for a larger data set from Novaya Zemlya and East Kazakh explosions, which were supplemented with m _b (L g) amplitude measurements using a modified version of Nuttli's (1973, 1986a) method. From this test of the relative performance of the three different magnitude scales, it was found that the L g and P-coda based magnitudes performed equally well, whereas the modified Nuttli m _b (L g) magnitudes show greater scatter when compared to the worldwide m _b reference magnitudes. Whether this result indicates that the rms amplitude measurements are superior to the zero-to-peak amplitude measurement of a single cycle used for the modified Nuttli method, however, cannot be finally assessed, since the calculated m _b (L g) magnitudes are only preliminary until appropriate attenuation corrections are available for the specific path to GRF.     

Probabilistic Appraisal of Earthquake Hazard Parameters Deduced from a Bayesian Approach in the Northwest Frontier of the Himalayas

A straightforward Bayesian statistic is applied in five broad seismogenic source zones of the northwest frontier of the Himalayas to estimate the earthquake hazard parameters (maximum regional magnitude M _max, β value of G–R relationship and seismic activity rate or intensity λ). For this purpose, a reliable earthquake catalogue which is homogeneous for M _W ≥ 5.0 and complete during the period 1900 to 2010 is compiled. The Hindukush–Pamir Himalaya zone has been further divided into two seismic zones of shallow (h ≤ 70 km) and intermediate depth (h > 70 km) according to the variation of seismicity with depth in the subduction zone. The estimated earthquake hazard parameters by Bayesian approach are more stable and reliable with low standard deviations than other approaches, but the technique is more time consuming. In this study, quantiles of functions of distributions of true and apparent magnitudes for future time intervals of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 years are calculated with confidence limits for probability levels of 50, 70 and 90 % in all seismogenic source zones. The zones of estimated M _max greater than 8.0 are related to the Sulaiman–Kirthar ranges, Hindukush–Pamir Himalaya and Himalayan Frontal Thrusts belt; suggesting more seismically hazardous regions in the examined area. The lowest value of M _max (6.44) has been calculated in Northern-Pakistan and Hazara syntaxis zone which have estimated lowest activity rate 0.0023 events/day as compared to other zones. The Himalayan Frontal Thrusts belt exhibits higher earthquake magnitude (8.01) in next 100-years with 90 % probability level as compared to other zones, which reveals that this zone is more vulnerable to occurrence of a great earthquake. The obtained results in this study are directly useful for the probabilistic seismic hazard assessment in the examined region of Himalaya.     

A large normal-fault earthquake at the junction of the Tonga trench and the Louisville ridge

The source mechanism of a large (M_s ? 7.2) earthquake that occurred in the oceanic plate at the junction of the Tonga—Kermadec trench systems with the aseismic Louisville ridge is found by inverting long-period vertical-component Rayleigh waves recorded by the IDA network. The solution is an almost-pure normal fault, on a plane striking roughly parallel to the trench axis, with seismic moment of 1.7 × 10²⁷ dyn cm, and thus is among the ten largest documented shallow normal-fault earthquakes. A point-source depth of 20 km for the event is resolved by modeling teleseismic body waves; the actual rupture may have extended deeper, to 30 or 40 km. The earthquake was a multiple event, consisting of two sources separated by 16 s. A rupture velocity of 3.5 km s^?1 is inferred. The earthquake can be interpreted as tensional failure in the shallow portion of the downgoing plate caused by the gravitational pull of the slab. The Louisville ridge may be creating a local degree of decoupling of the oceanic plate from the overriding plate, and/or a zone of extension within the slab, which could enhance the effect of the gravitational forces in the shallower part of the downgoing plate. In particular, the earthquake could be associated with the break-up of the leading seamount of the ridge, which is currently right at the trench. Alternatively, the earthquake may have been caused by stresses associated with the bending of the plate prior to subduction.     

Earthquake parameters and spatial distribution of coseismic effects in Southern Siberia and Mongolia

In this work we review earthquakes that happened in Southern Siberia and Mongolia within the coordinates of 42°–62° N and 80°–124° E and first propose relationships between earthquake parameters (a surface-wave earthquake magnitude M _s and an epicentral intensity(I ₀) based on the MSK-64 scale) and maximal distances from an earthquake epicenter (R _{e max}), hypocenter (R _{h max}), and a seismogenic fault (R _{f max}) to the localities of secondary coseismic effects. Special attention was paid to the study of these relationships for the effects of soil liquefaction. Hence, it was shown that secondary deformations from an earthquake were distributed in space away from an earthquake epicenter, than from an associating seismogenic fault. The effects of soil liquefaction are manifested by several times closer to a seismogenic fault, than all other effects, regardless of the type of tectonic movement in a seismic focus. Within the 40 km zone from an earthquake epicenter 44% of the known manifestations of liquefaction process occurred; within the 40 km zone from a seismogenic fault—90%. We propose the next relationship for effects of soil liquefaction: M _s = 0.007 × R _{e max} + 5.168 that increases the limits of the maximum epicentral distance at an earthquake magnitude of 5.2 ≤ M _s ≤ 8.1 as compared to the corresponding relationships for different regions of the world.     

Magnitude–intensity and intensity–attenuation relationships for atlas region and Algerian earthquakes

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the magnitude–intensity and intensity–attenuation relationships for earthquakes in the Atlas block and Algeria using macroseismic data. This work is based on a selected sample of isoseismal maps from 32 events which were recently revised. Surface-wave magnitudes, M_s, are recalculated using the Prague formula and range from 4·2 to 7·45. Because the Atlas mountains block is in a collision zone, earthquakes occur in general within a layer 15 km deep. Expressions of general form for the magnitude–intensity and intensity–attenuation correlations are adopted and are, respectively, and where R² = d² + h², d the source distance in km, h the focal depth in km, M_s the revised surface-wave magnitude, M_sc the predicted surface-wave magnitude, I_i the intensity at isoseismal i, I the predicted intensity, σ the standard deviation and P is zero for 50-percentile values and one for 84-percentile, and the coefficients A's and B's are determined by regression analysis. The results of this study show that the intensity–attenuation models are adequate to predict quite well the die-out of intensity with distance in the Atlas zone and coastal Algeria; it is also found that magnitude can be predicted accurately by calibrating isoseismal radii against revised instrumental surface-wave magnitude. Such magnitude–intensity relationships may be used to evaluate the magnitude of historical earthquakes in the region under survey, with no instrumental data, for which isoseismal radii and intensities are available.     

Aftershock Activity and Frequency-dependent Low Coda Qc in the Epicentral Region of the 1999 Chamoli Earthquake of Mw 6.4

— On 28 March, 1999 (19:05:10.09, UT) a significant earthquake of M _w 6.4 occurred in the Garhwal Himalaya (30.555°N, 79.424°E). One hundred and ten well-recorded aftershocks show a WNW-ESE trending northeasterly dipping seismic zone extending from a depth of 2 to 20?km. As the main shock hypocenter occurred at the northern end of this seismic zone and aftershocks extended updip, it is inferred that the main-shock rupture nucleated on the detachment plane at a depth of 15?km and then propagated updip along a NE-dipping thrust plane. Further, the epicentral distribution of aftershocks defines a marked concentration near a zone where main central thrust (MCT) takes a significant turn towards the north, which might be acting as an asperity in response to the NNE compression due to the underthrusting of Himalayan orogenic process prevalent in the entire region. Presence of high seismicity including five earthquakes of magnitude exceeding 6 and twelve earthquakes of magnitude exceeding 5 in the 20th century is presumed to have caused a higher level of shallow crustal heterogeneity in the Garhwal Himalaya, a site lying in the central gap zone of the Himalayan frontal arc. Attenuation property of the medium around the epicentral area of the 1999 Chamoli earthquake, covering a circular area of 61,500?km² with a radius of 140?km, is studied by estimating the coda Q _c from 48 local earthquakes of magnitudes varying from 2.5–4.8. These earthquakes were recorded at nine 24-bit REFTEK digital stations; two of which were equipped with three-component CMG40T broadband seismometers and others with three-component L4-3D short-period seismometers. The estimated Q _o values at different stations suggest on average a low value of the order of (30?±?0.8), indicating an attenuating crust beneath the entire region. The frequency-dependent relation indicates a relatively low Q _c at lower frequencies (1–3?Hz) that can be attributed to the loss of energy due to scattering on heterogeneities and/or the presence of faults and cracks. The large Q _c at higher frequencies may be related to the propagation of backscattered body waves through deeper parts of the lithosphere where less heterogeneities are expected. An important observation is that the region north of MCT (more rigid highly metamorphosed crystalline rocks) is less attenuative in comparison to the region south of MCT (less rigid slightly metamorphosed rocks (sedimentary wedge)). The acceleration decays to 50% at 20?km distance and to 7% at 100?km. Hence, even 1g acceleration at the source may not cause significant damage beyond 100?km in this region.     

Earthquake doublets in the Solomon Islands

Large, shallow, thrust earthquakes in the Solomon Islands region tend to occur in closely related pairs. Two recent sequences are July 14, 1971 (M_S = 7.9) and July 26, 1971 M(_S = 7.9) and 14^h37^m, July 20, 1975 (M_S = 7.9) and 19^h54^m, July 20, 1975 (M_S = 7.7). The mechanism of these seismic doublets has important bearing on the triggering mechanism of earthquakes in subduction zones. Detailed analysis of the seismic body waves and surface waves were performed on the 1971, 1974, and 1975 doublets, providing a better understanding of: (1) the mechanics of seismic triggering, (2) the state of stress on the fault plane, and (3) the nature of subduction between the Pacific and Indian plates. The results indicate that although the geometry of the subduction zone in the Solomon Islands is complicated by the presence of several sub-plates, the slip direction of the Indian plate with respect to the Pacific plate is relatively uniform over the entire region. The large seismic moments of the 1971 sequence (1.2 · 10²⁸ and 1.8 · 10²⁸ dyne cm) indicate that these events directly represent the underthrusting of the Indian and Solomon plates beneath the Pacific plate. The body waves from these doublets, recorded on the WWSSN long-period seismograms, are remarkably impulsive and simple compared with those from events of comparable seismic moment in other subduction zones. In addition, the source dimensions of the body waves are 30–70 km in length, substantially smaller than the overall rupture surfaces radiating the surface waves which are 100–300 km in length. These facts suggest the existence of relatively large, isolated high-stress zones on the fault plane. This type of stress distribution is distinct from other regions which have more heterogeneous stress distribution on the fault plane, and this is proposed as the principal characteristic of this region responsible for the occurrence of the doublets and for the apparent efficiency of triggering in the Solomon trench. Prior to the 1971 sequence, similar sequences have occurred in the same area in 1919–1920 and 1945–1946. From the amount of slip (1.3 m) determined for the 1971 sequence and the apparent recurrence interval of 25 years, a seismic slip rate of 5 cm yr^?1 is determined. This value is a significant portion of the convergence rate between the Indian and Pacific plates indicating that the plate motion here is taken up largely by seismic slip.