Characteristics on fault coupling along the Solomon megathrust based on GPS observations from 2011 to 2014. Issue 16 (30th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuo, Yu‐Ting; Ku, Chin‐Shang; Chen, Yue‐Gau; Wang, Yu; Lin, Yu‐Nung Nina; Chuang, Ray Y.; Hsu, Ya‐Ju; Taylor, Frederick W.; Huang, Bor‐Shouh; Tung, Hsin
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 43:Issue 16(2016)
• Page Start: 8519
• Page End: 8526
• Publication Date: 2016-08-30
• Subjects: Solomon Islands earthquake -- back slip model -- interseismic coupling; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2016GL070188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: The Solomon megathrust along the western Solomon arc generated two megathrust earthquakes in the past decade ( Mw 8.1 in 2007 and Mw 7.1 in 2010). To investigate the interseismic deformation and inferred coupling on the megathrust, we deployed the first continuous GPS network in the Western Solomon Islands. Our 2011–2014 GPS data and the back slip inversion model show coupling ratio as high as 73% along the southeastern 2007 rupture segment but only 10% on average along the segment of 2010 event. Based on the spatial distribution of coseismic slip, aftershock clusters, derived coupling pattern, and paleogeodetic records, we discovered the former as a semipermanent asperity and the latter as a potential megathrust barrier. We propose that a characteristic earthquake of magnitude not less than Mw 8 will recur in an interval of 100 or more years by either single or doublet earthquake. Key Points: We deployed the first continuous GPS network at the Western Solomon Islands since 2011 GPS record reveals significantly different interseismic coupling ratios between two adjacent segments on the Solomon megathrust We identify a semipermanent asperity and a potential barrier to rupture, each corresponding to the subduction of geological features