Seismic and aseismic deformation processes associated with the 2010 Maule earthquake

• Applicant: Professor Marcos Moreno, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Geophysics
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 197069195

Spatial and temporal variations of surface deformation along subduction zones provide primary information for understanding the process of great earthquake cycles. The Mw 8.8 Maule earthquake of 27th FEB 2010 in South-Central Chile was the largest earthquake that ruptured a mature seismic gap in a subduction zone, which has been pre-seismically monitored with a dense space-geodetic network and state-of-the-art seismic experiments. This together with the deployment of additional geodetic and seismic networks as well as geological field observations provide a unique dataset to study deformation processes related to the final few years of one subduction earthquake cycle and the beginning of the next. In this study we will obtain: 1) Time series of surface deformation based on preco and postseismic GPS observations; 2) kinematic numerical models to derive the coseismic slip of the main rupture, simulate postseismic processes, and analyze variations in the degree of plate locking in space and time. With this 4D quantitative information, we will investigate the mechanisms controlling seismic and aseismic slip in subduction zones. This will include the pattern of asperities and barriers on the interface and the evolution of recovery of the megathrust fault as observable from the change of rate of postseismic surface displacement. In addition, we will compare the pre- and postseismic spatial patterns of kinematics that will provide key information on the temporal persistence of asperities and barriers, key elements to assess future rupture patterns and magnitudes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Dr. Matthias Rosenau