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.