Plate-boundary deformation associated with the great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake

Nature
C SubaryaRobert McCaffrey

Abstract

The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake of 26 December 2004 is the first giant earthquake (moment magnitude M(w) > 9.0) to have occurred since the advent of modern space-based geodesy and broadband seismology. It therefore provides an unprecedented opportunity to investigate the characteristics of one of these enormous and rare events. Here we report estimates of the ground displacement associated with this event, using near-field Global Positioning System (GPS) surveys in northwestern Sumatra combined with in situ and remote observations of the vertical motion of coral reefs. These data show that the earthquake was generated by rupture of the Sunda subduction megathrust over a distance of >1,500 kilometres and a width of <150 kilometres. Megathrust slip exceeded 20 metres offshore northern Sumatra, mostly at depths shallower than 30 kilometres. Comparison of the geodetically and seismically inferred slip distribution indicates that approximately 30 per cent additional fault slip accrued in the 1.5 months following the 500-second-long seismic rupture. Both seismic and aseismic slip before our re-occupation of GPS sites occurred on the shallow portion of the megathrust, where the large Aceh tsunami originated. Slip tapers off abruptly al...Continue Reading

References

Apr 1, 2005·Nature·Sidao NiDon Helmberger
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Citations

Jul 18, 2006·Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences·Kerry Sieh
Dec 16, 2006·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·José C BorreroCostas E Synolakis
Sep 24, 2015·Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences·Emile A Okal
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Aug 24, 2016·Reports on Progress in Physics·Yehuda Bock, Diego Melgar
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Aug 5, 2006·Science·Fred F Pollitz

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