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Geometric Regulators of the Seismic Cycle and Fault Dynamics

By: Dr. Christodoulos Kyriakopoulos, Researcher, Department of Earth Sciences, University of California, Riverside

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Abstract
Understanding the evolution of the seismic cycle requires both the ability to accurately observe and to model different styles of tectonic deformation in different time scales. The challenge here is not only to break down this complex puzzle of events into discrete time periods, but most importantly to analyze the prevailing factors that control the accumulation (interseismic locking), release (earthquake), and restoration (postseismic and next interseismic phase) of stresses throughout the seismic cycle. Another important factor is the tectonic setting, which generally determines the quality and density of the observations and consequently our efficiency in resolving model parameters. In particular, I will talk about two case studies: first, the seismic cycle around the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. I will show how this was imaged during the last 20 years by permanent and campaign GPS, measuring late-interseismic coupling, slow-slip events, a M7.6 earthquake in 2012, and its associated afterslip. Furthermore, I will show how interface topography controls the interseismic locking distribution (Kyriakopoulos et al., 2015, JGR; Kyriakopoulos and Newman, 2016, JGR).

In the second part of my talk, I will present an investigation of the M7.2 2010 El Mayor Cucapah Earthquake. Here I combine a 3D finite element model of fault slip fitted to InSAR data of the event, with multi-segment dynamic rupture models that are designed to match this inverted slip distribution. By combining InSAR observations with dynamic rupture modeling, we are able to generate physically-reasonable models that match primary observations of this event.

Host: Jake Walter, UTIG

When: Fri Sep 23, 2016 10:30am – 11:30am Central Time