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Effect of clay content and mineralogy on frictional sliding behavior of simulated gouges: binary and ternary mixtures of quartz, illite, and montmorillonite

We investigated the frictional sliding behavior of simulated quartz-clay gouges under stress conditions relevant to seismogenic depths. Conventional triaxial compression tests were conducted at 40 MPa effective normal stress on saturated saw cut samples containing binary and ternary mixtures of quartz, montmorillonite, and illite. In all cases, frictional strengths of mixtures fall between the end
Authors
Sheryl Tembe, David A. Lockner, Teng-Fong Wong

Rupture directivity of moderate earthquakes in northern California

We invert peak ground velocity and acceleration (PGV and PGA) to estimate rupture direction and rupture velocity for 47 moderate earthquakes (3.5≥M≥5.4) in northern California. We correct sets of PGAs and PGVs recorded at stations less than 55–125 km, depending on source depth, for site amplification and source–receiver distance, then fit the residual peak motions to the unilateral directivity fun
Authors
Linda C. Seekins, John Boatwright

The effect of error in theoretical Earth tide on calibration of borehole strainmeters

Since the installation of borehole strainmeters into the ground locally distorts the strain in the rock, these strainmeters require calibration from a known source which typically is the Earth tide. Consequently, the accuracy of the observed strain changes from borehole strainmeters depends upon the calibration derived from modeling the Earth tide. Previous work from the mid-1970s, which is replic
Authors
John Langbein

Low-altitude aerial color digital photographic survey of the San Andreas Fault

Ever since 1858, when Gaspard-Félix Tournachon (pen name Félix Nadar) took the first aerial photograph (Professional Aerial Photographers Association 2009), the scientific value and popular appeal of such pictures have been widely recognized. Indeed, Nadar patented the idea of using aerial photographs in mapmaking and surveying. Since then, aerial imagery has flourished, eventually making the leap
Authors
David K. Lynch, Kenneth W. Hudnut, David S.P. Dearborn

230Th/U dating of a late Pleistocene alluvial fan along the southern San Andreas fault

U-series dating of pedogenic carbonate-clast coatings provides a reliable, precise minimum age of 45.1 ± 0.6 ka (2σ) for the T2 geomorphic surface of the Biskra Palms alluvial fan, Coachella Valley, California. Concordant ages for multiple subsamples from individual carbonate coatings provide evidence that the 238U-234U-230Th system has remained closed since carbonate formation. The U-series minim
Authors
Kathryn E.K. Fletcher, Warren D. Sharp, Katherine J. Kendrick, Whitney M. Behr, Kenneth W. Hudnut, Thomas C. Hanks

Precise tremor source locations and amplitude variations along the lower-crustal central San Andreas Fault

We precisely locate 88 tremor families along the central San Andreas Fault using a 3D velocity model and numerous P and S wave arrival times estimated from seismogram stacks of up to 400 events per tremor family. Maximum tremor amplitudes vary along the fault by at least a factor of 7, with by far the strongest sources along a 25 km section of the fault southeast of Parkfield. We also identify man
Authors
David R. Shelly, Jeanne L. Hardebeck

Documentation for assessment of modal pushover-based scaling procedure for nonlinear response history analysis of "ordinary standard" bridges

The earthquake engineering profession is increasingly utilizing nonlinear response history analyses (RHA) to evaluate seismic performance of existing structures and proposed designs of new structures. One of the main ingredients of nonlinear RHA is a set of ground-motion records representing the expected hazard environment for the structure. When recorded motions do not exist (as is the case for t
Authors
Erol Kalkan, Neal S. Kwong

İhtimaller Hesabına Dayalı İstanbul ve Çevresindeki Deprem Tehlikesi (Seismic hazard assessment of Istanbul and its surroundings)

Bu yazının amacı, İstanbul ve yakın çevresinin maruz olduğu deprem tehlikesine dair 1999 depremlerinden bu yana devam eden tartışmalara bilimsel verilere ve hesaplara dayanan ve mümkün olduğu ölçüde kolay anlaşılır bir açıklama getirmektir. Depremlerin bir bölgede yaratabileceği tehlike, yani yerin sarsılması yüzünden yapılar üzerinde doğacak deprem etkileri, bölgenin deprem riskine, yani o bölged
Authors
Polat Gülkan, E. Kalkan

The GSN and large earthquakes

No abstract available.
Authors
Gavin P. Hayes, Hiroo Kanamori, Thorne Lay, Charles J. Ammon

Anomalously low strength of serpentinite sheared against granite and implications for creep on the Hayward and Calaveras Faults

Serpentinized ophiolitic rocks are juxtaposed against quartzofeldspathic rocks at depth across considerable portions of the Hayward and Calaveras Faults. The marked compositional contrast between these rock types may contribute to fault creep that has been observed along these faults. To investigate this possibility, we are conducting hydrothermal shearing experiments to look for changes in fricti
Authors
Diane E. Moore, David A. Lockner, David A. Ponce

Global earthquake casualties due to secondary effects: A quantitative analysis for improving PAGER losses

This study presents a quantitative and geospatial description of global losses due to earthquake-induced secondary effects, including landslide, liquefaction, tsunami, and fire for events during the past 40 years. These processes are of great importance to the US Geological Survey’s (USGS) Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) system, which is currently being developed to del
Authors
Kristin Marano, David J. Wald, Trevor Allen

Tidal calibration of Plate Boundary Observatory borehole strainmeters: Roles of vertical and shear coupling

A multicomponent borehole strainmeter directly measures changes in the diameter of its cylindrical housing at several azimuths. To transform these measurements to formation strains requires a calibration matrix, which must be estimated by analyzing the installed strainmeter's response to known strains. Typically, theoretical calculations of Earth tidal strains serve as the known strains. This pape
Authors
Evelyn Roeloffs