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Mantle fault zone beneath Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

January 1, 2003

Relocations and focal mechanism analyses of deep earthquakes (???13 kilometers) at Kilauea volcano demonstrate that seismicity is focused on an active fault zone at 30-kilometer depth, with seaward slip on a low-angle plane, and other smaller, distinct fault zones. The earthquakes we have analyzed predominantly reflect tectonic faulting in the brittle lithosphere rather than magma movement associated with volcanic activity. The tectonic earthquakes may be induced on preexisting faults by stresses of magmatic origin, although background stresses from volcano loading and lithospheric flexure may also contribute.

Publication Year 2003
Title Mantle fault zone beneath Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
DOI 10.1126/science.1082205
Authors C.J. Wolfe, P. G. Okubo, P.M. Shearer
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Science
Index ID 70025641
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse