Geodynamic aspects of the Loma Prieta earthquake

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL017i009p01457· OSTI ID:5980887

Furlong, K P; Langston, C A ^[1]

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1. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA)

The Loma Prieta earthquake differs from most of the observed seismicity along the San Andreas in northern California in its depth and style of rupture. The combination of crustal and thermal structure in the Loma Prieta region allowed strain accumulation to 18-20 km in the crust, leading to rupture at that depth during the event. A discrepancy in displacement direction of crust and mantle components of the Pacific plate near Loma Prieta led to a decoupling of the crust from the mantle within the ductile lower crust. This played a key part in the rupture initiation at the base of the seismogenic layer.

• OSTI ID: 5980887
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA) Vol. 17:9; ISSN 0094-8276; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CALIFORNIA
CONTINENTAL CRUST
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
DUCTILITY
EARTH CRUST
EARTH MANTLE
EARTHQUAKES
FAILURES
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICS
NORTH AMERICA
ROCK MECHANICS
RUPTURES
SEISMIC EVENTS
STRAINS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
USA