Load/Unload Mechanisms of the Seismically Active Mt. Hochstaufen, Bad Reichenhall (Germany) - Identified by Seismological, Geodetic and Meteorological Aspects

• Applicant: Dr. Antje Schlömer
• Subject Area: Geophysics ; Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, Cartography
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 442576393

The Mt. Hochstaufen region is one of the few microseismically active areas in Germany and the Northern Alps. Earthquakes with magnitudes up to M3.2 (historically M4.2) occur as single events or in irregularly swarm type sequences (in the following called swarm). They are felt and reported by the inhabitants of the nearby cities Bad Reichenhall and Inzell. The oldest reported earthquake can be dated back to the 14th century. Most of the swarms occur during summer, often accompanied by strong precipitation, suggesting a direct correlation of seismicity and rainfall. However, the behaviour over time of the seismicity in the Mt. Hochstaufen/Bad Reichenhall region seems to be variable and more complex. Models that only take tectonic loading and over-average rainfall into account are often over-predicted with respect to rain-earthquake interaction. Consequently, precipitation and tectonic background stress cannot be the sole explanation for the local seismicity. Our current lack of understanding regarding the complete loading mechanism of the fault system at Mt. Hochstaufen as well as possible other ways for releasing stress more slowly (i.e., creeping) leads to incomplete and therefore wrong models and forecast estimates.To identify the complete set of possible forces, I propose a trans-disciplinary study that combines seismological analysis, meteorological and geodetic observations of the last years. This enables me to monitor the prevailing stress field and eventual deformation of the Mt. Hochstaufen and the adjacent basin of Bad Reichenhall before and after swarm and earthquake occurrence. As a result, I can identify the coupled and cascading processes for possible loading and unloading mechanisms.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2017: Mountain Building Process in Four Dimensions (4D-MB)
• Co-Investigators: Dr. Sabrina Metzger; Dr. Joachim Wassermann