Repeating seismicity in the shallow crust modulated by transient stress perturbations


Title

Repeating seismicity in the shallow crust modulated by transient stress perturbations

Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2016
Journal
Tectonophysics
Volume
687
Pagination
105 – 110
Date Published
Jan-09-2016
Publication Language
eng
Citation Key
2835
ISSN
00401951
Abstract

Recent studies have reported seismic phenomena that are modulated by small stress perturbations (∼10 kPa), revealing their critically stressed nature. Such observations have been principally limited to plate interfaces with their occurrence linked to high fluid pore-pressure. In this study, we report observations of nine repeating seismic sources in the shallow crust in Guerrero, Mexico that emit events at rates comparable to other seismic phenomena in low stress environments. Testing their susceptibility to small stress perturbations, we find that all nine sources appear to be modulated by mining activity, tides, and a large slow slip event (Mw 7.5). Our results suggest that the fault conditions necessary for low effective stress seismicity can occur away from plate interfaces.

Short Title
Tectonophysics