The seismic catastrophe of December 26, 2004, in the Indian Ocean as a tsunamigenic earthquake in island arc structures

An interpretation of the occurrence conditions and source parameters is proposed for the catastrophic earthquake of December 26, 2004, in the northwestern part of the Sunda island arc. The interpretation is based on the analysis of spatial distributions of aftershock epicenters and regions subjected to destructive tsunamis, seismicity manifestations in the NW part of the Sunda island arc in the past century, and locations of large tsunami sources of historical earthquakes off the Sumatra Island coast. The source parameters of the December 26, 2004, earthquake are compared with the reliably established main characteristics of sources of the largest tsunamigenic earthquakes in island arcs of the Pacific Ocean. According to the proposed interpretation, the December 26, 2004, earthquake source is a steep reverse fault striking NW and dipping toward the Indian Ocean. The source, ～450 km long, is located in front of the NW termination of Sumatra Island, in the southern part of the Nicobar Islands. Possible positions and sizes of large potential seismic sources in the NW part of the Sunda island arc are suggested.     

The identification and diagnostics of active and potentially active volcanic features in the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc and the Commander Islands link of the Aleutian arc

We consider the identification and diagnostics of active and potentially active volcanic features (regional zones of cinder cones, fields sheet volcanism, fields of concentrated multivent extrusive volcanism, calderas, and underwater eruption centers in the sea) in the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc and in the Commander Islands link of the Aleutian island arc, as well as the condition of this region as of late 2007. We have identified and examined three periods in the research of active and potentially active volcanic features in the region: the early (1697–1934), the new (1935–1962), and the most recent, still in progress (1963 until today). We provide a new definition of the term “active volcano,” which is scientifically well-grounded, for the first time here. We present modified (compared with those available until now) catalogs of active and potentially active volcanic forms in Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. For typical multieruption volcanoes now in phase I (the active) and II (the passive) of their evolution, we provide long-term forecasts of the character and parameters of future eruptions and the associated volcanic hazard.     

Characterization of the seismogenic process in the Aleutian island arc: II. The large earthquakes of February 4, 1965, and November 17, 2003, in the Rat Islands

An interpretation of the parameters of earthquake sources is proposed for the two large earthquakes in the Rat Islands of February 4, 1965 (M _W = 8.7), and November 17, 2003 (M _W = 7.7–7.8), based on the analysis of focal mechanisms, the manifestation of aftershocks, and the specific features of the geological structure of the island slope of the Rat Islands. The source of the earthquake of 1965 is a reverse fault of longitudinal strike, with a length of ～350 km. It is located in the lower part of the Aleutian Terrace and probably is genetically connected with the development of the Rat submarine ridge. The westward boundary of the earthquake source is determined by the Heck Canyon structures, and the eastward boundary is determined by the end of Rat Ridge in the region of λ ～ 179°E–179.5°E. The source of the earthquake of 2003 is a steep E-W reverse fault extending for about 100 km. It is located in the eastern part of the Rat Islands, higher on the slope than the source of the earthquake of 1965. The westward end of the earthquake source is determined by Rat Canyon structures, and the eastward end is an abrupt change in isobaths in the region of λ ～ 179°E. According to the aftershock hypocenters, the depth of occurrence of the reverse fault could reach ～60 km. According to our interpretation, on the southern slope of the Rat and Near islands, there is a complex system of seismogenic faults that is caused by tectonic development of different structural elements. The dominant types of faults here are reverse faults, as in other island arcs. During earthquakes, reverse faults oriented along the island arc and also faults that intersect it exhibit themselves. The reverse faults of northeastern strike that intersect the arc characterize the type of tectonic motions in a series of canyons of the western part of the Aleutian Islands.     

Characterization of the seismogenic process in the Aleutian island arc: I. Source relations of the large earthquakes of 1957, 1986, and 1996 in the Andreanof Islands

An interpretation of the type, size, and interrelations of sources is proposed for the three large Aleutian earthquakes of March 9, 1957, May 7, 1986, and June 10, 1996, which occurred in structures of the Andreanof Islands. According to our interpretation, the earthquakes were caused by steep reverse faults confined to different structural units of the southern slope of the Andreanof Islands and oriented along the strike of these structures. An E-W reverse fault that generated the largest earthquake of 1957 is located within the Aleutian Terrace and genetically appears to be associated with the development of the submarine Hawley Ridge. The western and eastern boundaries of this source are structurally well expressed by the Adak Canyon in the west (～177°W) and an abrupt change in isobaths in the east (～173°W). The character of the boundaries is reflected in the focal mechanisms. The source of the earthquake of 1957 extends for about 300 km, which agrees well with modern estimates of its magnitude (M _w = 8.6). Because the earthquake of 1957 caused, due to its high strength, seismic activation of adjacent areas of the Aleutian island arc, its aftershock zone appreciably exceeded in size the earthquake source. Reverse faults that activated the seismic sources of the earthquakes of 1986 and 1996 were located within the southern slope of the Andreanof Islands, higher than the Aleutian Terrace, outside the seismic source of the 1957 earthquake. The boundaries of these sources are also well expressed in structures and focal mechanisms. According to our estimate, the length of the 1986 earthquake source does not exceed 130–140 km, which does not contradict its magnitude (M _w = 8). The length of the 1996 earthquake source is ～100 km, which also agrees with the magnitude of the earthquake (M _w = 7.8).     

Characterization of the seismogenic process in the Aleutian island arc: III. Earthquakes at the western and eastern margins of the arc

Parameters of the focal mechanisms of earthquakes, as well as their relations to the characteristics of seismicity and geological structure are analyzed in the regions of the Komandorskie Islands in the west of the Aleutian arc, the Fox Islands, and the Alaska Peninsula coast in the east of the arc. Different types of ruptures are revealed in the western and eastern parts of the Aleutian arc. The leading type of ruptures at the southern slope of the Komandorskie Islands is steep reverse faults crossing the arc at azimuths from submeridional to northeastern. A similar type of rupture occurs in abundance on the Rat Islands and is predominant on the Near Islands. Steep strike-slips with small components of the normal or reverse fault manifest themselves at the northern side of the block uplift of the Komandorskie Islands. Seismogenic ruptures in the region of the Komandorskie Islands do not contradict geological data on the rupture tectonics on Medny and Bering islands. At the southern slope of the Fox Islands, as well as in the Andreanof Islands, steep reverse faults striking longitudinally (along the arc) with the dip toward the deep-sea trench are the predominant type of seismogenic ruptures. This type of seismogenic ruptures is the leading type for the structures of island arcs with present-day volcanism; an example is the Kurile-Kamchatka island. Different types of predominant seismogenic ruptures in the western and eastern parts of the Aleutian island arc probably reflect different stages of the tectonic development of these regions of the arc. Possible positions and sizes of sources of the largest historical earthquakes in the eastern part of the Aleutian island arc are considered     

Groundwater behaviour in Tenerife,volcanic island (Canary Islands,Spain)

Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands, encompassing an area of 2,058 km². It is situated in the Atlantic Ocean between 16–17°W longitude and 28–29°N latitude. The topography of the island is characterized by generally steep slopes. The Teide Volcano has an elevation of 3,718 m. Precipitation is caused mainly by invasions of maritime polar air. Maximum mean precipitation recorded for 25-year period (1940–1965) is 1,000 mm.The fractured volcanic aquifer of the Old Basaltic Series is the main supplier of groundwater in Tenerife. Smaller quantities of groundwater are supplied by the Cañadas Series and minor amounts by alluvial sediments. Groundwater compartments develop in areas of dikes and contacts between permeable and impermeable zones. These compartments are irregular in volume, shape, and structure. The groundwater system forms a tortuous chain of compartments. Water circulates from one groundwater compartment to another through secondary fractures and other permeable elements which branch and intersect. Fractures which extend to the surface play an important role in recharge.The hydrologic system at Tenerife is characterized by three zones: the upper vadose, the lower vadose, and the saturated zone. In both the upper and lower vadose zones the dominant direction of flow is vertical, while in the saturated zone flow is generally oblique toward the sea.     

Andaman-Sumatra island arc: II. The December 26, 2004 earthquake as one of the key episodes in seismogenic activation of the arc in the beginning of XXI century

The interpretation of the nature and parameters of the source for the earthquake that occurred in Sumatra on December 26, 2004 is suggested. Our study relies on a variety of data on the geological structure of the region, long-term seismicity, spatial distribution of the foreshocks and aftershocks, and focal mechanisms; and the pattern of shaking and tsunami, regularities in the occurrence of the earthquakes, and the genetic relationship between the seismic and geological parameters inherent in various types of seismogenic zones including island arcs. The source of the Sumatran earthquake is a steep reverse fault striking parallel to the island arc and dipping towards the ocean. The length of the fault is ～450 km, and its probable bedding depth is ～70–100 km. The magnitude of this seismic event corresponding to the length of its source is 8.9–9.0. The vertical displacement in the source probably reached 9–13 m. The fault is located near the inner boundary of the Aceh Depression between the epicenter of the earthquake and the northern tip of the depression. The strike-slip and strike-slip reverse the faults cutting the island arc form the northern and southern borders of the source. The location and source parameters in the suggested interpretation account quite well for the observed pattern of shaking and tsunami. The Aceh Depression and its environs probably also host other seismic sources in the form of large reverse faults. The Sumatran earthquake, which was the culmination of the seismogenic activation of the Andaman-Sumatra island arc in the beginning of XXI century, is a typical tsunamigenic island-arc earthquake. By its characteristics, this event is an analogue to the M _W = 9 Kamchatka earthquake of November 4, 1952. The spatial distribution of the epicenters and the focal mechanisms of the aftershocks indicate that the repeated shocks during the Sumatran event were caused by the activation of a complex system of geological structures in various parts of the island arc and Andaman Sea instead of the slips on a single rupture (a subduction thrust about 1200–1300 km in length).     

The 23 April 1909 Benavente earthquake (Portugal): macroseismic field revision

The 23 April 1909 earthquake, with epicentre near Benavente (Portugal), was the largest crustal earthquake in the Iberian Peninsula during the twentieth century (M _w = 6.0). Due to its importance, several studies were developed soon after its occurrence, in Portugal and in Spain. A perusal of the different studies on the macroseismic field of this earthquake showed some discrepancies, in particular on the abnormal patterns of the isoseismal curves in Spain. Besides, a complete list of intensity data points for the event is unavailable at present. Seismic moment, focal mechanism and other earthquake parameters obtained from the instrumental records have been recently reviewed and recalculated. Revision of the macroseismic field of this earthquake poses a unique opportunity to study macroseismic propagation and local effects in central Iberian Peninsula. For this reasons, a search to collect new macroseismic data for this earthquake has been carried out, and a re-evaluation of the whole set has been performed and it is presented here. Special attention is paid to the observed low attenuation of the macroseismic effects, heterogeneous propagation and the distortion introduced by local amplifications. Results of this study indicate, in general, an overestimation of the intensity degrees previously assigned to this earthquake in Spain; also it illustrates how difficult it is to assign an intensity degree to a large town, where local effects play an important role, and confirms the low attenuation of seismic propagation inside the Iberian Peninsula from west and southwest to east and northeast.     

The Gilbert Islands (Republic of Kiribati) earthquake swarm of 1981–1983

A major swarm of intraplate earthquakes at the southeastern end of the Gilbert Islands Chain (3.5°S, 177.5°E) commenced in December 1981 and lasted through March 1983. No seismicity had been reported in the historical record in this region prior to 1981, but during the swarm 217 events with m_b ? 4.0 were located by the NEIS, with 86 events having m_b ? 5.0. The source region is quite remote, and the uniform detection level for the NEIS is for m_b ? 4.8. A b-value of 1.35 is found for the swarm using the maximum likelihood method. Four events in the sequence were large enough (m_b = 5.6?5.9) to determine focal mechanisms teleseismically using body- and surface-wave analysis. These events are found to have a range of mechanisms, from predominantly thrust with a significant oblique component, to purely strike-slip. The compression axes are consistent for all four events, with horizontal orientation trending NNE-SSW. This orientation is perpendicular to the direction of plate motion. The events are located at depths between 15 and 20 km placing them deep in the oceanic crust or in the upper mantle. No obvious bathymetric feature can be related to the fault plane orientations, though there is an offset in the island chain near the epicenters. While some characteristics of the swarm suggest a magmatic origin, the nature of the focal mechanisms, the location of the swarm, and the large accumulated moment release of the sequence favor a tectonic origin.     

A petrologic re-investigation of the Adak volcanic center, central Aleutian arc, Alaska

The Adak volcanic center is located in the central part of the Aleutian arc and consists of three main volcanic vents. Andrew Bay Volcano, the oldest center, has been mostly removed by erosion. The next youngest vent, Mount Adagdak, was built in three major volcanic stages whereas Mount Moffett, the largest volcanic edifice, consists of a main cone and a parasitic cone each with several magmatic phases. Adak is unique compared to other modern Aleutian volcanic centers in that it contains two xenolith suites (Conrad and Kay, 1984; Debari et al., 1987). One suite consisting predominantly of mafic xenoliths occurs on Mount Moffett whereas an assemblage of ultramafic and mafic xenoliths is found on Mount Adagdak. Lavas erupted at Adak span the compositional range from 48.4 to 65.0 wt.% SiO₂ and are characterized by significant variations in Al₂O₃, MgO, Sr, Ni and Cr. On Harker diagrams, this variability produces compositional trends with significant scatter. The Adak suite has total REE contents that vary from 32 to 154 ppm but do not correlate systematically with silica. ( )_n ratios range from 2.41 to 21.72 with the majority of lavas between 2.41 and 6.06. On process identification diagrams, the Adak suite plots as steeply sloping trends that contrast with the horizontal patterns of most other Aleutian centers. Measured isotopic ranges are large and nearly equal to those for the entire arc. Although they span similar silica ranges, subtle geochemical and isotopic differences distinguish the different volcanic vents of Adak. On Mount Moffett, a geochemically and isotopically distinct group of andesites (55.5–57.9 SiO₂), the mafic andesites, occur on its NE flank. These lavas have elevated MgO, Ni and Cr but are depleted in Al₂O₃ relative to other Mount Moffett andesites with similar silica. They also have more heterogeneous REE abundances and isotopic ratios than most of the other andesites. Significant compositional differences exist between Adak and the other volcanic centers of the central Aleutian arc. Although these differences are characteristic of all geochemical systems, they are greatest for major and rare-earth elements and isotopic ratios. The lack of coherent relationships on major- and trace-element Harker diagrams, the isotopic variability, as well as the steeply sloping trends on REE process identification diagrams suggest that the Adak volcanic suite was not formed predominantly by closed-system crystal fractionation, but must be the product of a complex open-system process(es). The significant isotopic variability displayed by the suite suggests that contamination by an isotopically distinct contaminant must also have been an important petrologic component in the evolution of the suite. REE data are also suggestive of a role for magma mixing. Such a complex petrologic evolution is consistent with an immature lithospheric plumbing system. Based on REE systematics, the xenolith suites of Adak cannot, as previously proposed, be related to the host lavas or the rest of the Adak suite through crystal fractionation schemes. Rather they are probably accidental fragments derived from various depths along lithospheric conduits. In light of their relation to xenolith-bearing units, the mafic andesites of Adak presumably represent hybrid magmas formed during the interaction of ascending magmas with lithospheric wall rock. They are, therefore, characteristic of immature volcanic centers and unlikely to be related directly to the magmatic processes responsible for the generation of primary arc magmas. Because of the close proximity of the vents and the subtle compositional differences between their lavas, the Adak volcanic center was probably supplied by a single, deep lithospheric plumbing system that fed separate crustal magma chambers. The absence of historic volcanic activity on Adak suggests this plumbing system was abandoned before complete conduit development. This decline in magmatism may reflect a re-adjustment of volcano spacing within this part of the Aleutian arc.     

Petrology,geochemistry, and age of the Spurr volcanic complex,eastern Aleutian arc

The Spurr volcanic complex (SVC) is a calc-alkaline, medium-K, sequence of andesites erupted over the last 250000 years by the eastern-most currently active volcanic center in the Aleutian arc. The ancestral Mt. Spurr was built mostly of andesites of uniform composition (58%–60% SiO₂), although andesite production was episodically interrupted by the introduction of new batches of more mafic magma. Near the end of the Pleistocene the ancestral Mt. Spurr underwent avalanche caldera formation, resulting in the production of a volcanic debris avalanche with overlying ashflows. Immediately afterward, a large dome (the present Mt. Spurr) formed in the caldera. Both the ash flows and dome are made of acid andesite more silicic (60%–63% SiO₂) than any analyzed lavas from the ancestral Mt. Spurr, yet contain olivine and amphibole xenocrysts derived from more mafic magma. The mafic magma (53%–57% SiO₂) erupted during and after dome emplacement from a separate vent only 3 km away. Hybrid block-and-ash flows and lavas were also produced. The vents for the silicic and mafic lavas are in the center and in the breach of the 5-by-6-km horseshoe-shaped caldera, respectively, and are less than 4 km apart. Late Holocene eruptive activity is restricted to Crater Peak, and magmas continue to be relatively mafic. SVC lavas are plag ±ol+cpx±opx+mt bearing. All postcaldera units contain small amounts of high-Al₂O₃, high-alkali amphibole, and proto-Crater Peak and Crater Peak lavas contain abundant pyroxenite and anorthosite clots presumably derived from an immediately preexisting magma chamber. Ranges of mineral chemistries within individual samples are often nearly as large as ranges of mineral chemistries throughout the SVC suite, suggesting that magma mixing is common. Elevated Sr, Pb, and O isotope ratios and trace-element systematics incompatible with fractional crystallization suggest that a significant amount of continental crust from the upper plate has been assimilated by SVC magmas during their evolution.     

K-Ar geochronology of the South Shetland Islands,Lesser Antarctica: apparent lateral migration of Jurassic to Quaternary island arc volcanism

Approximately 70 K-Ar whole-rock ages for low-K tholeiitic and andesitic volcanic and intrusive rocks from the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, including about 50 not previously published, are reviewed. Activity mainly spanned the range 130 to 30 Ma (Jurassic/Cretaceous to Oligocene/Miocene) with a very recent (～ 2 Ma), more alkaline, renewal. Throughout the main period of activity magmatism (or, perhaps, its cessation) migrated continuously northeastwards along the length of the island chain.     

Strong earthquake activity all over the world and strong-moderate earthquake activity within and near China （April, 2006～May, 2006）

Illustration All the data in this catalog are chosen from the ＂Preliminary Seismological Report of Chinese Seismic Stations＂ （Its abbreviation is ＂Monthly Report＂）. The catalog includes the events of M≥4.7 in and near China and M≥6 all over the world. The ＂Monthly Report＂ is monthly compiled bv the Ninth Section of Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration.     

Strong earthquake activity all over the world and strong-moderate earthquake activity within and near China (April, 2005～May, 2005)

Illustration All the data in this catalog are chosen from the ″Preliminary Seismological Report of Chi- nese Seismic Stations″ (Its abbreviation is ″Monthly Report″). The catalog includes the events of M≥4.7 in and near China and M≥6 all over the world. The ″Monthly Report″ is monthly compiled by the Ninth Section of Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration. The origin times of earthquakes in the catalog adopt coordinated universal time (UTC) in accordance wit…     

Strong earthquake activity all over the world andstrong-moderate earthquake activity within and near China (April,2001~May,2001)

~~Strong earthquake activity all over the world andstrong-moderate earthquake activity within and near China (April,2001~May,2001)@陈培善     

Strong earthquake activity all over the world and strong-moderate earthquake activity within and near China (April, 2003 ~ May, 2003)

Illustration All the data in this catalog are chosen from the "Preliminary Seismological Report of Chinese Seismic Stations" (Its abbreviation is "Monthly Report"). The catalog includes the events of M≥4.7 in and near China and M≥6 all over the world. The "Monthly Report" is monthly compiled by the Ninth Section of Institute of Geophysics, CSB.