Review of recent research on the seismotectonic of the Southeastern Seaboard and an evaluation of hypotheses on the source of the 1886 Charleston, SC, earthquake
Technical Report
·
OSTI ID:5376458
In spite of extensive research on the source of the 1886 Charleston, SC, earthquke, there is not yet a consensus among earth scientists on the characteristics of the fault that produced the earthquake or on the likelihood of future large earthquakes at other locations of the Southeastern Seaboard. This report reviews the evidence from recent research on three categories of hypothesis: (1) hypotheses on the specific geologic structures that might cause large earthquakes in the Southeastern Seaboard; (2) hypotheses on the seismotectonic zones in which large earthquakes might occur; and (3) hypotheses on temporal variations of seismicity in the Southeastern Seaboard. Hypotheses that are representative of each category are summarized, and evidence for and against each hypothesis is given, if such evidence is available. When data are interpreted in the ways that currently seem to be the most straightforward, the hypotheses that are supported by one kind of evidence are usually opposed by another kind of evidence. Reaching a consensus on the cause of the Charleston earthquake, and on the likelihood of such an earthquake occurring at other locations of the Southeastern Seaboard, will therefore probably require the reconciliation of what currently appear to be contrary pieces of evidence. In addition, most of the individual hypotheses do not predict that large Southeastern Seaboard earthquakes will occur only in a small region near Charleston. The ability to define small source regions in the Southeastern Seaboard may require simultaneous consensus on the specific geologic structures capable of causing large earthquakes, on the broader seismotectonic zone within which conditions are favorably for eventual activation of the specific structures, and on the temporal variations of seismicity in small source regions. 73 refs., 10 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Geological Survey, Denver, CO (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5376458
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG/CR-4339; ON: TI85902149
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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