Title: Seasonal modulation of deep slow-slip and earthquakes on the Main Himalayan Thrust

Abstract

The interaction between seasonally-induced non-tectonic and tectonic deformation along the Himalayan plate boundary remains debated. Here, we propose that tectonic deformation along this plate boundary can be significantly influenced by the deformation induced by the non-tectonic hydrological loading cycles. We explore seasonal mass oscillations by continental water storage in Southeast Asia and Himalayan arc region using continuous Global Positioning System measurements and satellite data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment. We suggest that the substantially higher transient displacements above the base of the seismogenic zone indicate a role of changes in aseismic slip rate on the deep megathrust that may be controlled by seasonal hydrological loading. We invoke modulation of aseismic slip on the megathrust down-dip of the seismogenic zone due to a fault resonance process induced by the seasonal stress changes. This process modulates mid-crustal ramp associated micro-seismicity and influences the timing of Central Himalayan earthquakes.

Authors:

Panda, Dibyashakti  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-3190-9693"

Kundu, Bhaskar ^[1]; Gahalaut, Vineet K. ^[2]; Bürgmann, Roland  ^[3];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Bürgmann, Roland"
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-3560-044X"

Jha, Birendra ^[4]; Asaithambi, Renuhaa ^[4]; Yadav, Rajeev Kumar ^[5]; Vissa, Naresh Krishna ^[1]; Bansal, Amit Kumar ^[6]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela (India)
2. National Centre for Seismology, New Delhi (India)
3. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
4. Univ. of South California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
5. Indian Inst. of Technology, Kanpur (India)
6. CSIR-National Geophysical Research Inst., Hyderabad (India)

Publication Date:

Mon Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 2018

Research Org.:

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC)

OSTI Identifier:

1567134

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC02-05CH11231

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Nature Communications

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 9; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:

Nature Publishing Group

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

58 GEOSCIENCES