Precise tremor source locations and amplitude variations along the lower-crustal central San Andreas Fault

Geophysical Research Letters
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Abstract

We precisely locate 88 tremor families along the central San Andreas Fault using a 3D velocity model and numerous P and S wave arrival times estimated from seismogram stacks of up to 400 events per tremor family. Maximum tremor amplitudes vary along the fault by at least a factor of 7, with by far the strongest sources along a 25 km section of the fault southeast of Parkfield. We also identify many weaker tremor families, which have largely escaped prior detection. Together, these sources extend 150 km along the fault, beneath creeping, transitional, and locked sections of the upper crustal fault. Depths are mostly between 18 and 28 km, in the lower crust. Epicenters are concentrated within 3 km of the surface trace, implying a nearly vertical fault. A prominent gap in detectible activity is located directly beneath the region of maximum slip in the 2004 magnitude 6.0 Parkfield earthquake.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Precise tremor source locations and amplitude variations along the lower-crustal central San Andreas Fault
Series title Geophysical Research Letters
DOI 10.1029/2010GL043672
Volume 37
Issue 14
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher AGU
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Contributing office(s) Earthquake Science Center
Description L14301
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Geophysical Research Letters
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial San Andreas Fault
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