Characterization of Active Faults in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

Van Arsdale, Roy; Ellis, Michael

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/9179 Copy

Description

Title

Characterization of Active Faults in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

Author(s)

• Van Arsdale, Roy
• Ellis, Michael

Issue Date

2004-02

Keyword(s)

• Mid-America Earthquake (MAE) Center
• New Madrid Seismic Zone
• NMSZ
• Faults

Abstract

This is a final report that discusses the results of the Mid America Earthquake Center study SG-4 entitled, Characterization of Active Faults in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Part one is entitled Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic Geology of the New Madrid seismic zone and Part two is entitled Forward Modeling of the Rupture Scenario of the 1811-1812 New Madrid Earthquakes. Part one discusses the geology of the New Madrid seismic zone and provides a geologic framework within which seismological, fault, and engineering characteristics are constrained. Part one also presents a tectonic model for the New Madrid seismic zone wherein the upper Mississippi Embayment is undergoing regional differential uplift. This differential uplift appears to be responsible for different faults becoming active and deactivated through time and thus provides us with a better understanding of fault behavior through time and space. Part two of this report illustrates potential rupture scenarios for the 1811-1812 earthquake sequence. Scenarios are based on the numerical modeling of a combination of historical and geological descriptions of ground deformation after the three main earthquakes. The preferred rupture scenarios suggest to us that the currently aseismic Bootheel lineament was the location of the first main rupture, and that subsequent ruptures involved the currently seismic portions of the New Madrid seismic zone. These two studies contribute significantly towards our MAE Center goal of characterizing active faults in the New Madrid seismic zone.

Series/Report Name or Number

Mid-America Earthquake Center CD Release 04-02

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/9179

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

National Science Foundation EEC-9701785

Owning Collections