Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM Introduction to Seismology

http://www.learninggeoscience.net/free/00071/index.html

Fault Mechanism
Ali Oncel
oncel@kfupm.edu.sa
Department of Earth Sciences
KFUPM
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM Previous Lecture

•Faulting Stresses
•Radiation Patterns
•First Motions and Azimuth
•Compiling Data: Example from 2004 Sumatra
Earthquake
•What types of Earthquake Software for solutions of
Focal Mechanisms?
•What are the sources of Seismic Data?
•Downloading Seismological Data: Example from IRISH
Channel
•Problem in Defining Fault Strike
•What is the Focal Sphere and how it is projected?
•Fault-Plane Solution derived Cross sections of Dip-
Slip Faults
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
What type of faulting?
A normal faulting
mechanism.
Which plane do you think
is the fault plane ?
A reverse faulting
mechanism. Which plane
do you think is the fault
plane ?

Strike-slip faulting.
Which strike?
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Select your data of Focal Mechanism
via the Interactive Database
Select your area by cursor
Then, click on button “submit”
Then, click on “Show Data Set”
From Geophysics, select “CMT Focal Mechanism”
Then, Click on “Submit Data Set”
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Focal Mechanism Map
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM

Now, you can download the map under different options.

JPG is easy to download but *.PS is good if making up
for picture is needed.

Now, just click on the option “JPG” and see the map of
focal mechanisms.
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
What is CMT?
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Homework due March, 28

Through the Interactive Data Module which is

explained so far
http://atlas.geo.cornell.edu/ima.html
Prepare the focal mechanism map of the area
for your term project as file *.jpg, send it to me
via e-mail due next lecture. Also, try to provide
a discussion about one paragraph on types of the
faulting deformation through the region.
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM

Plate Zones

Parks and Plates

a) Shallow earthquakes at divergent and transform

©2005 Robert J. Lillie

boundaries are present;

b) Shallow, intermediate, and deep earthquakes occur where plates converge.
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM Large Earthquakes (5 yr)

Earth Dynamic Systems Parks and Plates

©2005 Robert J. Lillie
1995, Hamblin and Christiansen

The boundaries of plates are evident from the pattern

of earthquake activity.
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM Active vs. Passive Continental Margins

Parks and Plates

©2005 Robert J. Lillie

Earthquakes lie mostly along the boundaries of moving plates.

Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM Active vs. Passive Continental Margins

Parks and Plates

The nearest plate boundary to the U. S. East Coast

©2005 Robert J. Lillie

is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM Active vs. Passive Continental Margins

Parks and Plates

©2005 Robert J. Lillie

The U. S. West Coast lies along a convergent plate

boundary, and is thus an ACTIVE CONTINENTAL
MARGIN.
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM Active vs. Passive Continental Margins

Parks and Plates

©2005 Robert J. Lillie

The U. S. East Coast is far from a plate boundary,

and is thus a PASSIVE CONTINENTAL MARGIN.
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Earthquakes at Mid-Ocean Ridge System

Axis of the oceanic ridge is offset by transform (strike-

slip) faults which produce lateral displacement. Ridges
and rifts indicate movement.
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM Transcurrent Fault Model

1. Strike-lip earthquakes occur between the ridges and on

the fracture zones extending beyond the ridge
2. No earthquakes occur on the ridge axes
3. For the specific example, earthquake on the
transcurrent fault have right-lateral
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM Transform Fault Model

1. Strike-slip earthquakes occur only between the ridge

segments; not on the fracture zones beyond the ridge
segments;
2. Normal fault earthquakes occur on the ridges axes;
3. For the specific example, the strike-slip earthquakes
on the transform fault have left-lateral motions.
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM

Fig 7.22 of Lillie

Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM
Introduction to Seismology-KFUPM