Study of Chile earthquake finds new rock structure that affects earthquake rupture

Study of Chile earthquake finds new rock structure that affects earthquake rupture
Scientists have generated complex 3-D images showing the inner workings of one of Earth's most dangerous plate boundaries. Credit: Stephen Hicks, University of Liverpool

Researchers from the University of Liverpool have found an unusual mass of rock deep in the active fault line beneath Chile which influenced the rupture size of a massive earthquake that struck the region in 2010.

The , which was not previously known about, is unusually dense and large for this depth in the Earth's crust. The body was revealed using 3-D seismic images of Earth's interior based on the monitoring of vibrations on the Pacific seafloor caused by aftershocks from the magnitude 8.8 Chile . This imaging works in a similar way to CT scans that are used in hospitals.

Analysis of the 2010 earthquake also revealed that this structure played a key role in the movement of the fault, causing the rupture to suddenly slow down.

Seismologists think that the block of rock was once part of Earth's mantle and may have formed around 220 million years ago, during the period of time known as the Triassic.

Liverpool Seismologist, Stephen Hicks from the School of Environmental Sciences, who led the research, said: "It was previously thought that dense geological bodies in an active fault zone may cause more movement of the fault during an earthquake."

"However, our research suggests that these blocks of rock may in fact cause the earthquake rupture to suddenly slow down. But this slowing down can generate stronger shaking at the surface, which is more damaging to man-made structures."

"It is now clear that ancient geology plays a big role in the generation of future earthquakes and their subsequent aftershocks."

Study of Chile earthquake finds new rock structure that affects earthquake rupture
Scientists used computer models to track the path of seismic waves through the Earth and generate 3-D images, These images revealed a new and previously jknknown rock structure in the Chile fault line. Credit: Stephen Hicks, University of Liverpool

Professor Andreas Rietbrock, head of the Earthquake Seismology and Geodynamics research group added: "This work has clearly shown the potential of 3D 'seismic' images to further our understanding of the process.

We are currently establishing the Liverpool Earth Observatory (LEO), which will allow us together with our international partners, to carry out similar studies in other tectonically active regions such as northern Chile, Indonesia, New Zealand and the northwest coast United States. This work is vital for understanding risk exposure in these countries from both ground shaking and tsunamis."

Study of Chile earthquake finds new rock structure that affects earthquake rupture
University of Liverpool Seismologists monitored aftershocks from the 2010 quake using networks of sensitive recording instruments located on the Pacific seabed and in Chile. These measurements were used to generate the 3-D images of the deep subsurface. Credit: Stephen Hicks, University of Liverpool

Chile is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the sinking of tectonic plates generates many of the world's largest earthquakes.

The 2010 magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Chile is one of the best-recorded earthquakes, giving seismologists the best insight to date into the ruptures of mega-quakes.

The research is published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.

More information: Anatomy of a megathrust: The 2010 M8.8 Maule, Chile earthquake rupture zone imaged using seismic tomography, Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Volume 405, 1 November 2014, Pages 142–155 DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2014.08.028 . dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2014.08.028

Citation: Study of Chile earthquake finds new rock structure that affects earthquake rupture (2014, October 31) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2014-10-chile-earthquake-affects-rupture.html
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