Monitoring Seismic Velocity Changes Across the San Jacinto Fault Using Train‐Generated Seismic Tremors

Sheng, Y.; Mordret, A.; Sager, K.; Brenguier, F.; Boué, P.; Rousset, B.; Vernon, F.; Higueret, Q.; Ben‐Zion, Y.

doi:10.1029/2022GL098509

Monitoring Seismic Velocity Changes Across the San Jacinto Fault Using Train‐Generated Seismic Tremors

Journal Article · Fri Sep 30 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL098509· OSTI ID:1890564

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University Grenoble Alpes University Savoie Mont Blanc CNRS IRD University Gustave Eiffel Grenoble France
Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences Brown University Providence RI USA
University Grenoble Alpes University Savoie Mont Blanc CNRS IRD University Gustave Eiffel Grenoble France, Institut Terre et Environnement de Strasbourg Université de Strasbourg Strasbourg France
Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA USA
Department of Earth Sciences and Southern California Earthquake Center University of Southern California Los Angeles CA USA

Abstract

Microseismic noise has been used for seismic velocity monitoring. However, such signals are dominated by low‐frequency surface waves that are not ideal for detecting changes associated with small tectonic processes. Here we show that it is possible to extract stable, high‐frequency body waves using seismic tremors generated by freight trains. Such body waves allow us to focus on small velocity perturbations in the crust with high spatial resolution. We report on 10 years of seismic velocity temporal changes at the San Jacinto Fault. We observe and map a two‐month‐long episode of velocity changes with complex spatial distribution and interpret the velocity perturbation as produced by a previously undocumented slow‐slip event. We verify the hypothesis through numerical simulations and locate this event along a fault segment believed to be locked. Such a slow‐slip event stresses its surroundings and may trigger a major earthquake on a fault section approaching failure.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0016520

OSTI ID:: 1890564

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2420528
OSTI ID: 1890566

Journal Information:: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 19 Vol. 49; ISSN 0094-8276

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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