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Tonga trench earthquake in 2009

Detailed Description

Multibeam bathymetric map of the Tonga trench near the September 29, 2009, earthquake epicenter. Detailed shaded-relief bathymetry (in shades of blue and purple) generated from multibeam data available from the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC, survey KIWI11RR, chief scientist Nancy Kanjorski) and Oregon State University (Dawn Wright); lower resolution bathymetry (in shades of gray) generated from ETOPO-1 bathymetric data available from NGDC. Curved ridges above the word "EPICENTER" are interpreted as normal-fault scarps. Depths in this view range from approximately 5 km below sea level (light blue) to 8 km below sea level (reddish purple).

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.