Surface deformation associated with fractures near the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence

Xu, Xiaohua, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1213-3017

Sandwell, David T., Scripps Institution of Oceanography, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5657-8707

Ward, Lauren A., University of Hawaii at Manoa, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9449-8855

Milliner, Chris W. D., Jet Propulsion Lab

Smith-Konter, Bridget R., University of Hawaii at Manoa, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6004-1005

Fang, Peng, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Bock, Yehuda, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

sddyxxh@gmail.com

Published Jun 08, 2021 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.18931zcxg

Cite this dataset

Xu, Xiaohua et al. (2021). Surface deformation associated with fractures near the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.18931zcxg

Abstract

Contemporary earthquake hazard models hinge on an understanding of how strain is distributed in the crust and the ability to precisely detect millimeter-scale deformation over broad regions of active faulting. Satellite radar observations revealed hundreds of previously unmapped linear strain concentrations (or fractures) surrounding the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence. We documented and analyzed displacements and widths of 169 of these fractures. Although most fractures are displaced in the direction of the prevailing tectonic stress (prograde), a large number of them are displaced in the opposite (retrograde) direction. We developed a model to explain the existence and behavior of these displacements. A major implication is that much of the prograde tectonic strain is accommodated by frictional slip on many preexisting faults.

Funding

National Science Foundation, Award: OAC-1834807

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Award: NNH17ZDA001N-MEASURES

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Award: 80NSSC19K1043

Southern California Earthquake Center, Award: 19083