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Heterogeneous Seismic Swarm Activity in Central Utah: Triggering Mechanisms and Their Complex Interactions

Description: 

The complex geo-tectonic transition zone between the Basin and Range province and the Colorado Plateau results in a remarkable diversity of temporal and spatial characteristics of seismic swarms in central Utah. E-W extension, high heat flow, past volcanic activity, and hydrothermal processes form an exciting background to study forty years of seismic swarm activity based on the regional catalog of the University of Utah Seismograph Stations (e.g., duration, moment release over time, spatial variations). Alternating phases of very high and low activity are observed, as well as comparably continuous moment release, repeated activation of the same source areas as well as large swarms in previously seismically inactive areas. Subsequent in-depth analyses of exemplary, most recent swarm sequences, including event detections, relocations, MT inversions, waveform-based clustering, and repeater analysis, provide unique insights into the diverse faulting processes. We observe the following examples of diverse swarm activation processes: (1) swarm activity on a normal fault related to the regional Basin and Range extension but also (2) the activation of a local fault deviating from the recent regional tectonic regime. (3) The complex triggering of swarm activity by a mainshock and (4) years-long repeated activation of another swarm area. Combining the observations of the exemplary sequences and the catalog characteristics of the 40 years of swarm activity, we aim to expand the overall discussion on swarm activity and its relation to geothermal and tectonic processes.

Session: Advances in Operational and Research Analysis of Earthquake Swarms [Poster Session]

Type: Poster

Date: 5/3/2024

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Kristine

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Authors