289 research outputs found
Longer aftershocks duration in extensional tectonic settings
Aftershocks number decay through time, depending on several parameters peculiar to each seismogenic regions, including mainshock magnitude, crustal rheology, and stress changes along
the fault. However, the exact role of these parameters in controlling the duration of the aftershock sequence is still unknown. Here, using two methodologies, we show that the tectonic setting primarily controls the duration of aftershocks. On average and for a given mainshock magnitude (1) aftershock sequences are longer and (2) the number of earthquakes is greater in extensional tectonic settings than in contractional ones. We interpret this difference as related to the different type of energy dissipated during earthquakes. In detail, (1) a joint effect of gravitational forces and pure elastic stress release governs extensional earthquakes, whereas (2) pure elastic stress release controls contractional earthquakes. Accordingly, normal faults operate in favour of gravity, preserving inertia for a longer period and seismicity lasts until gravitational equilibrium is reached. Vice versa, thrusts act against gravity, exhaust their inertia faster and the elastic energy dissipation is buffered by the gravitational force. Hence, for seismic sequences of comparable magnitude and rheological parameters, aftershocks last longer in extensional settings because gravity favours the collapse of the hangingwall volumes
Magma and fluid migration at Yellowstone Caldera in the last three decades inferred from InSAR, leveling and gravity measurements
We studied the Yellowstone caldera geological unrest between 1977 and 2010 by investigating
temporal changes in differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), precise spirit leveling and
gravity measurements. The analysis of the 1992–2010 displacement time series, retrieved by applying the SBAS
InSAR technique, allowed the identification of three areas of deformation: (i) the Mallard Lake (ML) and Sour
Creek (SC) resurgent domes, (ii) a region close to the Northern Caldera Rim (NCR), and (iii) the eastern Snake
River Plain (SRP). While the eastern SRP shows a signal related to tectonic deformation, the other two regions
are influenced by the caldera unrest. We removed the tectonic signal from the InSAR displacements, and we
modeled the InSAR, leveling, and gravity measurements to retrieve the best fitting source parameters. Our
findings confirmed the existence of different distinct sources, beneath the brittle-ductile transition zone, which
have been intermittently active during the last three decades. Moreover, we interpreted our results in the light
of existing seismic tomography studies. Concerning the SC dome, we highlighted the role of hydrothermal
fluids as the driving force behind the 1977–1983 uplift; since 1983–1993 the deformation source transformed
into a deeper one with a higher magmatic component. Furthermore, our results support the magmatic nature
of the deformation source beneath ML dome for the overall investigated period. Finally, the uplift at NCR is
interpreted as magma accumulation, while its subsidence could either be the result of fluids migration outside
the caldera or the gravitational adjustment of the source from a spherical to a sill-like geometr
Impact of the fat dormouse (Glis glis Linnaeus 1766) on hazel orchards in the area of Alta Langa and Belbo, Bormida, Uzzone Valleys (province of Cuneo, Italy): a preliminary assessment of agricultural damage
Ghirardi, M., Tizzani, P., Dematteis, A
- …