A Review of Geological Evidence for Recurrence Times of Large Earthquakes

摘要: The geological record of the past several thousand years contains valuable information for evaluating earthquake potential earth's major fault systems. Geologists have begun to characterize and, presumably, future behavior active faults and recurrence intervals large earthquakes by studying 1) uplifted marine terraces, 2) fault‐scarp morphology, 3) physiographic features offset along faults, 4) faulted or otherwise deformed young sediments. Along convergent plate margins Alaska Japan, example, studies terraces aided in likelihood imminent rupture two seismic gaps. In Nevada, Utah, eastern California, detailed scarp morphology normal Basin Range Province are beginning reveal intervals, sizes, patterns prehistoric earthquakes. Studies stream channels San Andreas shown that right‐lateral events as much 10 m occurred repeatedly with an average frequency about hundred years. Elsewhere on other California sediments enabled dating specific or, at least, a determination minimum number during deposition strata. In western U.S. Japan perhaps seismically regions well, there is good reason believe within decade we will know regularity, sizes localities. Hopefully, this enable forecasts some uncertainties measured decades rather than centuries provide sound basis hazard mitigation directing short‐term predictive efforts those segments danger rupture.