A Mechanical Model for Intraplate Earthquakes: Application to the New Madrid Seismic Zone

摘要: We present a time-dependent model for the generation of repeated intraplate earthquakes that incorporates weak lower crustal zone within an elastic lithosphere. Relaxation this after tectonic perturbations transfers stress to overlying crust, generating sequence continues until fully relaxes. Simulations predict large (5 10 meters) slip events with recurrence intervals 250 4000 years and cumulative offsets about 100 meters, depending on material parameters far-field magnitude. Most are consistent earthquake magnitude, coseismic slip, intervals, offset, surface deformation rates in New Madrid Seismic Zone. Computed interseismic strain may not be detectable available geodetic data, implying low observed accumulation cannot used rule out future damaging earthquakes.