Preprints
Search for earthquake (517 results)
A SEISMIC MOMENT MAGNITUDE SCALE
Published: 2025-06-24
Subjects: Engineering, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Theaimofobtaininga single scale for earthquake magnitudes has led many studies in the past to either develop relationships among various existing scales or develop an altogether new scale to represent a wide range of magnitudes on a single scale. Although a reliable and standardized estimation of earthquake size is a basic requirement for all tectonophysical and engineering applications, [...]
Curved fault slip captured by CCTV video during the 2025 Mw 7.7 Mandalay earthquake
Published: 2025-06-16
Subjects: Geophysics and Seismology
On-fault geological observations from surface breaking earthquakes typically contain curved slickenlines, suggesting fault slip is curved. However, slickenlines commonly record only a fraction of coseismic slip, making it difficult to reconstruct the full slip trajectory. Near-fault seismic records, though capable of capturing ground motions associated with rupture, are limited in their ability [...]
Hellenic Arc tsunami generation from Mw8+ 3D margin-wide dynamic rupture earthquake scenarios
Published: 2025-06-16
Subjects: Geophysics and Seismology
The Hellenic Arc subduction zone is the most seismically active region in the Mediterranean, capable of generating large earthquakes and tsunami. Given the proximity of densely populated coastlines, understanding the characteristics of potential future large tsunamigenic earthquakes is crucial for assessing tsunami hazard. We present non-linear shallow water tsunami simulations sourced from the [...]
Limitations of Mw and M Scales: Compelling Evidence Advocating for the Das Magnitude Scale (Mwg)—A Critical Review and Analysis
Published: 2025-06-12
Subjects: Engineering, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Abstract Precise determination of earthquake size is cru cial for various geoscientific and engineering applications. The Moment Magnitude (Mw) scale, introduced by Kan amori in 1977, was a significant advancement. Kanamori (1977) advocated use of Mw for large earthquakes (≥ 7.5). (Hanks and Kanamori in J. Geophys. Res. 84:2348–2350) later extended the Mw scale named as M scale by [...]
Supershear source model of the 2025 M7.8 Myanmar earthquake and paleoseismology of the Sagaing Fault: regions of significant overlap with past earthquakes
Published: 2025-06-06
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The 2025 Mw 7.8 earthquake on the central Sagaing Fault is one of the most destructive seismic events in Myanmar's recorded history, producing near-fault shaking exceeding Modified Mercalli Intensity X and impacting tens of millions of people across Southeast Asia. We present a detailed kinematic rupture model of the event based on joint inversion of regional strong motion waveforms and [...]
Mainshock Rupture Properties, Aftershock Activities and Remotely Triggered Seismicity Associated with the 2025 Mw7.7 Sagaing Fault earthquake in Myanmar
Published: 2025-05-27
Subjects: Physical Sciences and Mathematics
A devastating Mw 7.7 earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025, causing extensive damage and casualties across Myanmar and neighboring regions. The 2025 event occurred in a well-recognized seismic gap along the Sagaing Fault. Here we present preliminary results on the mainshock rupture properties based on back-projection of teleseismic P waves and early aftershock locations, [...]
The OpenQuake Model Building Toolkit: A suite of tools for building components of a seismic hazard model
Published: 2025-05-16
Subjects: Earth Sciences
Building a probabilistic seismic hazard model is a complex task, requiring the integration of disparate datasets into one cohesive and comprehensive model. To facilitate this process, we have developed the OpenQuake Model Building Toolkit (OQ-MBTK), a collection of functions for constructing probabilistic seismic hazard models. This toolkit encompasses a wide array of functions essential for [...]
Pliocene to Holocene deformation and earthquake potential of the Mesamávida fault, West Andean Thrust System of central-southern Chile (36ºS)
Published: 2025-05-08
Subjects: Earth Sciences
Crustal reverse faults are recognized for their potential to generate devastating earthquakes, making them a focus of seismic hazard assessment. Along the Chilean Andes, the Western Andean Thrust System (WATS)—a structure marking the Central Valley-Principal Cordillera border—includes several probable late Quaternary faults. However, evidence for large Holocene earthquakes (M~7) has only been [...]
The complex rupture dynamics of an oceanic transform fault: supershear rupture and deep slip during the 2024 Mw7.0 Cape Mendocino Earthquake
Published: 2025-05-08
Subjects: Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The December 5, 2024, Mw7.0 Cape Mendocino earthquake ruptured an oceanic transform fault within the tectonically complex Mendocino Triple Junction (MTJ), the most seismically active region of California and caused a soon-lifted tsunami evacuation alert. Its offshore location renders accurate analysis of source characteristics challenging. We integrate back-projection, geodetic and kinematic slip [...]
Earthquake Swarm in Santorini - Greece: Recurrence Quantification Analysis and Investigation of Causal Relationship with Tidal Forces
Published: 2025-05-06
Subjects: Physical Sciences and Mathematics
In early 2025, an unusual earthquake swarm initiated in the sea area of the small uninhabited islet Anydros between Santorini and Amorgos islands in Greece. The unusual nature of this seismic activity and its subsequent seismic follow-up, motivated us to study its dynamical and statistical features. Namely, we investigated for a potential causal relationship between a simple model of [...]
Marine Geohazards and Geo-Engineering Constraints on the Glaciated European Margins
Published: 2025-05-05
Subjects: Engineering, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The glaciated European continental margins (spanning 49-82°N and 16°W-36°E) are home to a thriving offshore energy sector and densely inhabited coastal areas. These regions face numerous marine geohazards and geo-engineering challenges due to complex subsurface conditions shaped by large-scale geological and climate processes. The geological complexity of this area is among the highest globally, [...]
Predictable and Unpredictable Aspects of Earthquakes from P wave Onsets: Vigorous Ruptures Finish Quickly
Published: 2025-05-02
Subjects: Physical Sciences and Mathematics
It is widely acknowledged that predicting the final size of an earthquake from the P-wave onset in seismograms is nearly impossible. However, this study explores whether there are any predictable aspects of the rupture process from the initial P-wave. We propose that the moment-normalized duration of an earthquake negatively correlates with its initial stress drop, which is measured from the [...]
Earthquake faults recorded in the near-shore bathymetry of Japan's back-arc
Published: 2025-04-27
Subjects: Geology, Geomorphology, Geophysics and Seismology, Tectonics and Structure
The eastern margin of the Sea of Japan is a zone of great seismic and tsunami hazard due to multiple offshore and nearshore reverse faults as shown by the 2024 Mw 7.5 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Here we compare coseismic deformation of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake with 4767 individual marine terraces spanning the last Myr. This reveals that the earthquake faults started slipping between 326 [...]
A multiple asymmetric bilateral rupture sequence derived from the peculiar tele-seismic P-waves of the 2025 Myanmar earthquake
Published: 2025-04-10
Subjects: Geophysics and Seismology
A large strike-slip earthquake occurred in central Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The aftershock distribution suggests that the rupture of the mainshock propagated mainly to the south. However, a large-amplitude phase lasting 20 s, followed by a short-period pulse-like phase, were observed at the stations on the north side of the source, while on the south side tremor-like phases with multiple peaks [...]
A New Fault Model for the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake, Long Beach Area, Southern California
Published: 2025-04-05
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Newly identified thrust faults and their corresponding thrust sheets, combined with recent micro-earthquake epicenters, better explain anomalous rupture data observed during the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake than previous models based exclusively on Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone strike-slip faulting. A high-quality 45 km2 3D seismic dataset was recorded in 2017, centered along the Seal Beach [...]