Observation‐Constrained Multicycle Dynamic Models of the Southern San Andreas and the Northern San Jacinto Faults: Addressing Complexity in Paleoearthquake Extent and Recurrence With Realistic 2D Fault Geometry. Issue 2 (20th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Dunyu; Duan, Benchun; Scharer, Katherine; Yule, Doug
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 127:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-02-20
• Subjects: earthquake cycle -- dynamic rupture -- complex fault geometry -- paleoearthquake -- rupture segmentation -- San Andreas fault; Geomagnetism -- Periodicals; Geochemistry -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; 551.1
• DOI: 10.1029/2021JB023420
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9313

Abstract

Abstract: Understanding mechanical conditions that lead to complexity in earthquakes is important to seismic hazard analysis. In this study, we simulate physics‐based multicycle dynamic models of the San Andreas fault (Carrizo through San Bernardino sections) and the San Jacinto fault (Claremont and Clark strands). We focus on a complex fault geometry based on the Southern California Earthquake Center Community Fault Model and its effect over multiple earthquake cycles. Using geodetically derived strain rates, we validate the models against geologic slip rates and recurrence intervals at various paleoseismic sites. We find that the interactions among fault geometry, dynamic rupture and interseismic stress accumulation produce stress heterogeneities, leading to rupture segmentation and variability in earthquake recurrence. Our models produce earthquakes with rupture extents similar to a recent comprehensive paleoseismic catalog. The "earthquake gates" of the Big Bend and the Cajon Pass occasionally impede dynamic ruptures. The angle of compression, which is the subtraction of the maximum shear strain rate direction from the local fault strike, can better determine the likelihood of the impedance of restraining bends to dynamic ruptures. Because the Big Bend has an angle of compression of ∼20°, ruptures that traverse the Big Bend, like the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake, are more frequent than expected based on empirical relations which predict the ∼40° restraining bend to terminate most ruptures. Our models indicate that large ruptures tend to initiate north of the Big Bend and propagate southwards, similar to the 1857 earthquake, providing critical information for ground shaking assessment in the region. Plain Language Summary: The historical and prehistoric earthquake record from the southern San Andreas and San Jacinto faults contains ruptures that have both variable lengths and recurrence times. Understanding the causes behind the complexity would advance our knowledge of earthquake dynamics and could improve earthquake forecasts. To achieve this, we need numerical models to integrate various datasets from geodesy, structural geology, seismology, and paleoseismology. In this study, we simulate earthquake cycles using a complex 2D fault geometry. We find that fault geometry interacts with other mechanical factors to produce heterogeneous stresses, leading to simulated earthquakes with various rupture extents and irregular return times that mimic quakes known from the geologic record. In our model we find that the Big Bend on the San Andreas fault controls rupture extent and large ruptures tend to initiate north of the Big Bend and propagate southwards, similar to the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake. Continued research is needed to understand rupture extent variability near Cajon Pass and we identify promising research possibilities. Key Points: Multicycle dynamic models with realistic 2D fault geometry of the southern San Andreas and the northern San Jacinto faults are simulated Stress heterogeneity from interactions between fault geometry and dynamic ruptures produces diverse rupture extent and recurrence Large ruptures tend to initiate north of the Big Bend and propagate southwards, similar to the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake