Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007geoji.169..490s&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Journal International, Volume 169, Issue 2, pp. 490-501.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
2
Earthquake Locations, Ionian Sea (Off-Shore Eastern Sicily), Local Seismicity, Seafloor Observatory, Wave Polarization
Scientific paper
Seismicity in Eastern Sicily as recorded by the Submarine Network-1 seafloor observatory (SN-1) in the period from 2002 October to 2003 May is examined with the aim of identifying the as yet poorly known seismogenic zones placed in the Ionian basin, where some of the strongest earthquakes have occurred. A comparison between the seismic recordings of land networks and the seafloor station has allowed us to focus on low-magnitude seismicity only recorded by SN-1. We have analysed 239 high-quality events from among a total of 485 seismic signals not included in the land-based network bulletins. The waveform features and the possible source zones for those events are investigated by means of polarization and particle motion techniques. Most of the 239 events (213) are characterized by high values of rectilinearity typical of P- and S-arrival particle motions, while the remaining 26 events have different polarization features, with an emergent first phase and prevalently planar polarization. We have interpreted the latter signals as being associated to submarine landslides. From particle motion analysis, we have determined the azimuthal distribution of the events and the incidence angles of P waves in respect to the Observatory with the aim of determining their distribution in relation to the active but scarcely known structural setting of the off-shore area. Moreover, the integrated locations of some earthquakes occurring in the study area and recorded by SN-1 and land stations was performed to determine the apparent P-wave velocity necessary to calculate source-station distances. As an additional result of the integration, we have obtained more accurate locations of earthquakes occurring in the coastal and off-shore areas of Eastern Sicily, associated with reduced horizontal and vertical errors and significantly lower values of azimuthal gaps. Lastly, a location distribution of the 213 analysed events was obtained by setting two conditions: (1) a maximum epicentral distance to a fixed depth coinciding with the depth of the seafloor station and (2) a minimum epicentral distance associated to the maximum depth of events. Accordingly, two patterns of seismicity were determined for the maximum and the minimum expected spread of the hypocentres. The main features of both patterns are a diffuse seismicity in the Western Ionian basin with a major epicentre density SE of SN-1 and a depth of most of the events within 60 km. Local magnitude determination was also performed, taking into account an attenuation law proposed for Southeastern Sicily. Despite the uncertainties in the location distribution using single-station recordings, the results show diffuse seismicity all around SN-1 and, in particular, in the off-shore area.
Beranzoli Laura
Di Grazia Giuseppe
Favali Paolo
Sgroi Tiziana
Ursino Andrea
No associations
LandOfFree
New observations of local seismicity by the SN-1 seafloor observatory in the Ionian Sea, off-shore Eastern Sicily (Italy) does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with New observations of local seismicity by the SN-1 seafloor observatory in the Ionian Sea, off-shore Eastern Sicily (Italy), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and New observations of local seismicity by the SN-1 seafloor observatory in the Ionian Sea, off-shore Eastern Sicily (Italy) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-767736