Preprints
Filtering by Subject: Earth Sciences
Bayesian Dynamic Finite-Fault Inversion: 2. Application to the 2016 Mw6.2 Amatrice, Italy, Earthquake
Published: 2019-02-19
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
In 2016 Central Italy was struck by a sequence of three normal faulting earthquakes with moment magnitude (Mw) larger than 6. The Mw 6.2 Amatrice event (08/24) was the first one, causing building collapse and about 300 casualties. The event was recorded by a uniquely dense network of seismic stations. Here we perform its dynamic source inversion to infer the fault friction parameters and stress [...]
The influence of base-salt relief, rift topography and regional events on salt tectonics offshore Morocco
Published: 2019-02-19
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Tectonics and Structure
This study integrates borehole-calibrated 2D and 3D seismic interpretation with numerical models to provide a regional analysis of the complex salt tectonics offshore central Morocco. We investigate the mechanisms controlling along-margin structural variations, the effects of thick-skinned shortening and the sequential evolution of allochthonous sheets. Additionally, we analyse how base-salt [...]
Minibasin depocentre migration during diachronous salt welding, offshore Angola
Published: 2019-02-16
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Other Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Tectonics and Structure
Salt tectonics is an important part of the geological evolution of many continental margins, yet the four-dimensional evolution of the minibasins, the fundamental building block of these and many other salt basins, remains poorly understood. Using high-quality 3D seismic data from the Lower Congo Basin, offshore Angola we document the long-term (>70 Myr) dynamics of minibasin subsidence. We [...]
Coupled, Physics-based Modeling Reveals Earthquake Displacements are Critical to the 2018 Palu, Sulawesi Tsunami
Published: 2019-02-16
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The September 2018, Mw 7.5 Sulawesi earthquake occurring on the Palu-Koro strike-slip fault system was followed by an unexpected localized tsunami. We show that direct earthquake-induced uplift and subsidence could have sourced the observed tsunami within Palu Bay. To this end, we use a physics-based, coupled earthquake-tsunami modeling framework tightly constrained by observations. The model [...]
Modeling megathrust earthquakes across scales: one-way coupling from geodynamics and seismic cycles to dynamic rupture
Published: 2019-02-15
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Taking the full complexity of subduction zones into account is important for realistic modelling and hazard assessment of subduction zone seismicity and associated tsunamis. Studying seismicity requires numerical methods that span a large range of spatial and temporal scales. We present the first coupled framework that resolves subduction dynamics over millions of years and earthquake dynamics [...]
Reconstructing the Anak Krakatau flank collapse that caused the December 2018 Indonesian tsunami
Published: 2019-02-15
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Volcanology
Volcanogenic tsunamis are one of the deadliest volcanic phenomena. Understanding their triggering processes and mitigating their effect remains a major challenge. On 22 December 2018, flank failure of the Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia generated a tsunami which killed more than 400 people. This event was captured in unprecedented detail by high-resolution satellite imagery and eyewitness [...]
McHargue et al Architectural Diversity of Submarine Lobes
Published: 2019-02-14
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Geomorphology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy
The most popular model for submarine unconfined lobate deposits has the following attributes: (1) a single feeder channel that delivers sediment, (2) a set of distributary channels present only in the proximal part of the lobate body, and (3) unchannelized tabular deposits present in the middle and distal part of the lobate deposit. This model has become a standard to guide interpretation of [...]
The Stratigraphic Record of Minibasin Subsidence, Precaspian Basin, Kazakhstan
Published: 2019-02-14
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Other Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Stratigraphy, Tectonics and Structure
Minibasins are fundamental components of many salt-bearing sedimentary basins, where they may host large volumes of hydrocarbons. Although we understand the basic mechanics governing their subsidence, we know surprisingly little of how minibasins subside in three-dimensions over geological timescales, or what controls such variability. Such knowledge would improve our ability to constrain initial [...]
Current Problems of Water Supply and Usage in Central Asia, Tian Shan Basin
Published: 2019-02-13
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Geomorphology, Glaciology, Hydrology, Life Sciences, Other Geography, Physical and Environmental Geography, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Spatial Science
The paper focuses on analysis of Central Asian hydro-energetic system and water usage in Tian Shan region. Tian Shan system is an important water resource in Central Asia: river waters are intensely taken for hydropower energy, urban systems, irrigation. But geopolitics in Tian Shan is difficult: it crosses five densely populated countries. The problem consists in water delivery between countries [...]
Structural architecture and composition of crystalline basement offshore west Norway
Published: 2019-02-13
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Tectonics and Structure
Numerous studies have investigated the geodynamic history and lithological composition of the Proterozoic basement, Caledonian nappes, and Devonian extensional basins and shear zones onshore west Norway. However, the offshore continuation of these structures, into the northern North Sea, where they are suspected to have influenced the structural evolution of the North Sea rift, is largely [...]
Bayesian Dynamic Finite-Fault Inversion: 1. Method and Synthetic Test
Published: 2019-02-12
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Dynamic earthquake source inversions aim to determine the spatial distribution of initial stress and friction parameters leading to dynamic rupture models that reproduce observed ground motion data. Such inversions are challenging, particularly due to their high computational burden, thus so far only few attempts have been made. Using a highly efficient rupture simulation code, we introduce a [...]
Gap Filling of High-Resolution Soil Moisture for SMAP/Sentinel-1: A Two-Layer Machine Learning-Based Framework
Published: 2019-02-11
Subjects: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Computer Sciences, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Hydrology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Water Resource Management
As the most recent 3 km soil moisture product from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission, the SMAP/Sentinel-1 L2_SM_SP product has a unique capability to provide global-scale 3 km soil moisture estimates through the fusion of radar and radiometer microwave observations. The spatial and temporal availability of this high-resolution soil moisture product depends on concurrent radar and [...]
Further evidence for magmatic bias in 14C dating of the Taupo and other major eruptions: response to Hogg et al. https://eartharxiv.org/7r5jp/
Published: 2019-02-11
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Volcanology
We appreciate the opportunity to respond to Hogg et al.’s critique of HDK182. We consider that neither the arguments nor the additional data presented by Hogg et al. provides a basis for rejecting our hypothesis of magmatic carbon bias in proximal 14C ages for the Taupo eruption. Hogg et al. focus on the wiggle match and Kaipo Bog dates out of > 40 data points, whereas our paper focused on the [...]
Heavy rainfall in Paraguay during the 2015-2016 austral summer: causes and sub-seasonal-to-seasonal predictive skill
Published: 2019-02-11
Subjects: Atmospheric Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Climate, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Hydrology, Meteorology, Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Water Resource Management
During the austral summer 2015/16, severe flooding displaced over 170 000 people on the Paraguay River system in Paraguay, Argentina, and southern Brazil. These floods were driven by repeated heavy rainfall events in the lower Paraguay River basin. Alternating sequences of enhanced moisture inflow from the South American low-level jet and local convergence associated with baroclinic systems were [...]
Surface Wave Imaging using Distributed Acoustic Sensing Deployed on Dark Fiber: Moving Beyond High Frequency Noise
Published: 2019-02-08
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Several recent studies have demonstrated that Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) can utilize existing subsurface telecom fiber (i.e. dark fiber) for high quality seismic measurements. Researchers to date have shown that this sensing combination, coupled to ambient noise interferometry techniques, can effectively image the shallow subsurface (< 30 m) using vehicle and infrastructure noise (f = [...]