scholarly journals Why blind thrust faults do not propagate to the Earth's surface: Numerical modeling of coseismic deformation associated with thrust-related anticlines

1997 ◽  
Vol 102 (B6) ◽  
pp. 11901-11912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua J. Roering ◽  
Michele L. Cooke ◽  
David D. Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Coseismic Deformation ◽  
Thrust Faults ◽  
Blind Thrust

The role of bed-parallel slip in the formation of blind thrust faults

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 503-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Niño ◽  
Hervé Philip ◽  
Jean Chéry
Keyword(s):  
Thrust Faults ◽  
Blind Thrust

Empirical observations regarding reverse earthquakes, blind thrust faults, and quaternary deformation: Are blind thrust faults truly blind?

1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 1171-1198
Author(s):  
William R. Lettis ◽  
Donald L. Wells ◽  
John N. Baldwin
Keyword(s):  
Surface Deformation ◽  
Reverse Fault ◽  
Thrust Faults ◽  
Geologic Mapping ◽  
Earthquake Hazards ◽  
Geomorphic Mapping ◽  
Blind Thrust ◽  
Quaternary Deformation ◽  
Mapping Techniques ◽  
Blind Thrust Fault

Abstract Active thrust faults pose a significant seismic hazard worldwide. Many of these faults include “blind” thrusts, where the propagating fault tip does not reach the Earth's surface, and “buried” faults, where the geomorphic expression of the fault is obscured by subsequent sedimentation and/or erosion. This raises the issue of whether conventional geologic, geomorphic, and paleoseismic methods can be used to identify and characterize thrust faults for the assessment of seismic hazards or whether these faults sometimes are truly “blind.” We compiled a data base of 148 worldwide moderate- to large-magnitude thrust/reverse earthquakes to evaluate whether or not the event occurred on a fault that could have been identified prior to the earthquake on the basis of recognizable Quaternary surface deformation (i.e., a pre-existing fault or fold). Analysis of the data shows that interplate reverse earthquakes almost always are associated with pre-existing Quaternary deformation that was or could have been recognized prior to the earthquake. In particular, most interplate reverse earthquakes are associated with an active reverse fault at the surface and/or an active anticline. In contrast, intraplate reverse earthquakes seldom occur on faults associated with pre-existing recognizable surface deformation. We conclude that thrust faults can be detected in interplate regions with careful Quaternary geologic and geomorphic mapping; furthermore, the absence of Quaternary surface deformation can be used to infer the absence of an underlying active blind thrust fault in interplate tectonic settings. However, the data show that Quaternary geologic mapping techniques alone likely are insufficient to characterize blind thrusts in intraplate regions. In these areas, inclusion of a floating or random earthquake may be necessary to assess earthquake hazards.

scholarly journals DInSAR coseismic deformation of the May 2011 M<sub>w</sub> 5.1 Lorca earthquake, (Southern Spain)

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 963-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Frontera ◽  
A. Concha ◽  
P. Blanco ◽  
A. Echeverria ◽  
X. Goula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Coseismic Deformation ◽  
Vertical Deformation ◽  
Groundwater Extraction ◽  
Sar Images ◽  
Lorca Earthquake ◽  
Modeling Techniques ◽  
Interferometric Study ◽  
Moderate Magnitude

Abstract. The coseismic superficial deformation at the region of Lorca (Murcia, southeastern Spain) due to the Mw 5.1 earthquake occurred on 11 May 2011 was studied by a multidisciplinary team, integrating information from DInSAR, GPS and numerical modeling techniques. Despite the moderate magnitude of the event, quantitative information was obtained from the interferometric study of a pair of SAR images. Coseismic vertical deformation was differentiated from subsidence related to groundwater extraction at the footwall block through a numerical modeling deformation estimation based on elastic rupture dislocations. On the other hand, horizontal crustal deformation rates obtained from the analysis of a GPS network existent in the area are also coherent with the mechanism calculated for the earthquake.

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