Journal
GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
Volume 205, Issue 2, Pages 776-784Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/gji/ggw046
Keywords
Satellite geodesy; Transient deformation; Creep and deformation
Categories
Funding
- Generali Group in the framework of the ICTP-Generali Earthquake Hazard programme
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Slow-slip events (SSEs) are common at subduction zone faults where large mega earthquakes occur. We report here that one of the best-recorded moderate size continental earthquake, the 2009 April 6 moment magnitude (Mw) 6.3 L'Aquila (Italy) earthquake, was preceded by a 5.9 Mw SSE that originated from the decollement beneath the reactivated normal faulting system. The SSE is identified from a rigorous analysis of continuous GPS stations and occurred on the 12 February and lasted for almost two weeks. It coincided with a burst in the foreshock activity with small repeating earthquakes migrating towards the main-shock hypocentre as well as with a change in the elastic properties of rocks in the fault region. The SSE has caused substantial stress loading at seismogenic depths where the magnitude 4.0 foreshock and Mw 6.3 main shock nucleated. This stress loading is also spatially correlated with the lateral extent of the aftershock sequence.
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