Intraplate seismicity on bathymetric features: the 1968 Emperor Trough earthquake.

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23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The April 28, 1968 (mb = 5.5, Ms = 5.2), earthquake in the Emperor Trough, a long linear deep east of the Emperor Seamounts in the North Pacific, is the only recorded seismic event in this region. The focal mechanism, determined using body and surface waves shows faulting striking along the trough with the east side thrust upward. This mechanism is consistent with bathymetry showing the east flank 500m higher than the west and suggests that the earthquake represents part of continuing deformation at the trough. This earthquake is one of a large number of intraoceanic plate events that occur on major bathymetric features probably represent the reactivation of already present faults or weak zones. The orientations of intraplate stresses inferred from the focal mechanisms may differ signficantly from the true stress directions. -Author

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4763-4768
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research
Volume84
Issue numberB9
StatePublished - 1979
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • Forestry
  • Oceanography
  • Aquatic Science
  • Ecology
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Soil Science
  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Earth-Surface Processes
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Palaeontology

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