Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD AGU and the Geochemical Society
Résumé : International audience
The Ganos fault is the westernmost segment of the North Anatolian Fault that experienced the Mw = 7.4 earthquake of 9 August 1912. The earthquake revealed 45-km-long of surface ruptures inland, trending N70 E, and 5.5 m of maximum right lateral offset near Güzelköy. The long-term deformation of the fault is clearly expressed by several pull-apart basins and sag ponds, pressure and shutter ridges and offset streams. In parallel with detailed geomorphologic investigations, we measured co-seismic and cumulative displacements along the fault, and selected the Güzelköy site for paleoseismology. A microtopographic survey at the site yields 10.5 0.5 m and 35.4 1.5 m cumulative lateral offsets of stream channels and geomorphologic features. Seven paleoseismic parallel and cross-fault trenches document successive faulting events and provide the timing of past earthquakes on the Ganos fault segment. Radiocarbon dating of successive colluvial wedges in trench T1, and the fresh scarplet above (probably 1912 surface rupture) indicate the occurrence of three faulting events since the 14th century. Parallel trenches (3, 5, 6 and 7) expose paleo-channels and show a cumulative right-lateral offset of 16.5 1.5 m next to the fault, and 21.3 1.5 m total channel deflection. Radiocarbon dating of past channel units and fault scarp-related colluvial deposits imply an average 17 +/ 5 mm/year slip rate and 323 142 years recurrence interval of large earthquakes during the last 1000 years on the Ganos fault. The succession of past faulting events and inferred slip rate west of the Marmara Sea provide more constraint on the long-term faulting behavior in the seismic gap of the North Anatolian Fault and may contribute to a better seismic hazard assessment in the Istanbul region.
ISSN: 1525-2027

hal-00748218
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00748218
DOI : 10.1029/2011GC003960

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : The purpose of this work is to specify the deformation offshore East of Taiwan by characterizing major active faults in particular at the level of the Ryukyu forearc. The major problem associated with the study of this region is that earthquakes are located outside the permanent networks. Consequently, this led to some unprecise earthquake locations limiting tectonic and statistical analyses, and therefore the correct estimation of the seismic hazard. This work is included in the project ANR ACTS (Active Tectonics and Seismic Hazard in Taiwan). To achieve this goal, we worked on three different timescales for which a different localization method has been proposed to obtain a clear image of seismic deformation and highlight major faults offhore East of Taiwan. First, at the scale of the century (from the analysis of a seismicity catalogue with homogeneous magnitude), the instrumental historical earthquakes (1897-2007) show that the Ryukyu margin was affected by 6 earthquakes of magnitude greater than 7 with 4 of them for which the responsible fault is unknown. We propose a method of relative location to relocate the historic events from the time difference of P and S arrival times (Ts-Tp) at each station. The location is obtained by searching for "analogue" earthquakes in the recent instrumental catalogue (1991-2008) for which Ts-Tp at each station is close. This method has been applied to the largest (in terms of magnitude) earthquake ever recorded in Taiwan, the earthquake of June 5, 1920 (M7.7 +/- 0.2). A rupture along the interplate of the Ryukyu subduction with a possible nucleation at the downdip limit of a splay-fault is certainly responsible of this earthquake. Then, at the scale of the decade, the improvement of the method of absolute location based on MAXimum of Intersection of EDT (MAXI, EDT: Equal Differential Time) allows to better extract the erroneous arrival times and prevents the "trade-off" between depth and origin time, and between depth and epicentral position when the azimuthal coverage is low (gap Azimuthal > 180degre). Synthetic tests show the effectiveness of MAXI (using P-wave only) to determine the parameters x, y and z even when the azimuthal gap is important. In the latter case, the quality of the results is dependent on the velocity model to represent the 3D structure of the Earth. We propose an approach involving the use of a 3D a priori P-wave velocity model to locate earthquakes which are lateral and remote to the seismic network. An application to the case of Taiwan and Ecuador validates this approach. Finally, at the level of a few months, the marine geophysical campaign RATS (Ryukyu Arc: Tectonics and Seismology) was conducted in two stages. A passive seismology experiment from July to October, 2008 (RATS1) has been conducted over the forearc of the Ryukyus and then active seismic experiment (refraction and reflection) was conducted in May 2009 in a NNE - SSW line through the Ryukyu margin. These two combined experiments allow improving our knowledge about the crustal structure of the margin. At the level of the forearc, the basement of the forearc is characterized by vertical backstop and a very deformed basis certainly associated with a significant out of sequence deformation. In depth, the downgoing plate is certainly affected by a tear that controls the seismicity in the region of transition between the subduction and collision.
Le but de ce travail est de préciser la déformation en mer à l'est de Taïwan et de notamment caractériser les failles actives majeures en particulier au niveau de l'avant-arc des Ryukyus. Le problème majeur associé à l'étude de cette région est que les séismes sont localisés en dehors des réseaux permanents et que cela conduit à des localisations peu précises limitant les analyses statistiques, tectoniques et donc l'estimation correcte de l'aléa sismique. Ce travail est inclus dans le projet ANR ACTS (Active Tectonics and Seismic Hazard in Taiwan). Pour atteindre cet objectif, nous travaillons à trois échelles de temps différentes pour lesquelles une méthode de localisation différente a été proposée pour obtenir une image précise de la déformation sismique et mettre en évidence les failles majeures en mer à l'est de Taïwan. D'abord, à l'échelle du siècle (à partir de l'analyse d'un catalogue de sismicité homogène en magnitude), les séismes historiques instrumentaux (1897-2007) montrent que la marge des Ryukyus a été affectée par 6 séismes de magnitude supérieure à 7 dont 4 pour lesquels la faille responsable n'est pas connue. Nous proposons une méthode de localisation relative qui permet de relocaliser les évènements historiques à partir des différences de temps d'arrivées P et S (Ts-Tp) à chaque station. La localisation est obtenue en recherchant les séismes analogues dans le catalogue instrumental récent (1991-2008) pour lesquels Ts-Tp à chaque station est proche. Cette méthode a été appliquée au plus gros séisme (en terme de magnitude) jamais enregistré à Taïwan, le séisme du 5 juin 1920 (M7.7 $pm$ 0.2). Ce séisme a certainement pour origine une rupture sur l'interplaque sismogène de la subduction des Ryukyus avec une possible nucléation à la base d'une faille hors-séquence. Ensuite, à l'échelle de la dizaine d'années, l'amélioration de la méthode de localisation absolue du MAXimum d'Intersection EDT (MAXI, EDT: Equal Differential Time) permet de mieux extraire les temps d'arrivées erronés et empêche les "trade-off" entre profondeur et temps d'origine et, entre profondeur et position épicentrale lorsque la couverture azimutale est faible (gap azimutal > 180°). Des tests synthétiques montrent l'efficacité de MAXI (en utilisant les ondes P uniquement) à déterminer les paramètres x, y et z même lorsque le gap azimutal est important. Dans ce dernier cas, la qualité des résultats reste dépendant du modèle de vitesse à représenter la structure 3D de la Terre. Nous proposons une démarche associant l'utilisation d'un modèle de vitesse des ondes P 3D a priori avec la méthode MAXI pour localiser les séismes qui sont latéraux et éloignés du réseau. Une application au cas de Taïwan et en Équateur valide cette approche. Enfin, à l'échelle de quelques mois, la campagne de géophysique marine RATS (Ryukyu Arc: Tectonics and Seismology) a été menée en deux temps. Une expérience de sismologie passive de juillet à octobre 2008 (RATS1) a été menée au-dessus de l'avant-arc des Ryukyus puis une expérience de sismique active (réfraction et réflexion) a été menée en mai 2009 sur une ligne NNE-SSW à travers la marge des Ryukyus. Ces deux expériences combinées permettent d'améliorer notre connaissance de la structure crustale de la marge. Au niveau de l'avant-arc, le socle de l'avant-arc est caractérisé par une extrémité formant un butoir vertical et une base très déformée certainement associée à une importante déformation hors-séquence. En profondeur, la plaque plongeante est certainement affectée par une déchirure qui contrôle la sismicité dans cette région de transition entre la subduction et la collision.
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00660737

tel-00660737
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00660737
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00660737/document
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00660737/file/Thesis_small.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Several major earthquakes have struck the 2500 km long Himalayan range during the past century. However, both the maximum size of such earthquakes and the probability of occurrence of a magnitude 9 megaquake are still a mater of debate. In this framework it is of key importance to investigate the lateral segmentation of the Himalayan arc in order to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms that control such events as well as their extents. Besides the remarkably uniform tectonic set-up and the fact that most studies on the Himalayas have focused on Central Nepal, several indications of along strike changes can be gathered.This thesis brings new constraints on lateral variations of crustal structure and of deformation between western Nepal (~80°E) and eastern Bhutan (~92°E).The first part of this thesis focuses on the lateral variations of crustal structure. In the past three years we have carried out four land gravity campaigns. We have established 366 new gravity measurement points to fill the data gaps in central and western Nepal as well as in Bhutan. This new dataset, together with available seismological data, is used to constrain thermo-mechanical models of the bending of the India plate underneath the Himalayas. While the inferred crustal geometry does not exhibit major along-strike variations over central and eastern Nepal, the shorter wavelength flexure of the lithosphere in Bhutan is associated with a weaker upper mantle rheology.The second part focuses on the lateral variations of recent deformation in the Himalayas. Fifteen years of paleoseismological investigations have extended the catalogue of major Himalayan events over the last millennium. Combining these information with secular loading, we assess the spatial and temporal stress changes on the Main Himalayan Thrust along the orogen over the last nine centuries. Our calculations indicate that inter-seismic loading has now nearly overcome the Coulomb stress decrease caused by the great ~1100 medieval earthquake. Our results also point out that the 1897 Shillong plateau earthquake does not have a major influence on the stress accumulated on the Main Himalayan Thrust since then. In order to better characterize active tectonics in the Bhutan Himalayas where no studies were done so far, we carried out a morphotectonic analysis in the south-central part of the kingdom. We show that the same amount of Holocene deformation is accommodated on the frontal thrust in Bhutan as on the neighbouring portions of the Himalayan arc. We also find evidences for two major (M>8) earthquakes on this thrust in the Bhutan Himalayas during the last millennium. Our results therefore show that Bhutan cannot be considered as a seismic gap. They also challenge the interpretation of one single ~1100 medieval mega-event that would have ruptured the Main Frontal Thrust from central Nepal to eastern Bhutan.
Au cours du dernier siècle, plusieurs séismes majeurs ont affecté l'Himalaya. Cependant, la taille maximale de ces événements et la probabilité d'occurrence de méga-séismes avec des magnitudes proches de 9 sont toujours matière à débat. L'étude de la segmentation de l'arc Himalayen est donc primordiale afin de comprendre les mécanismes qui contrôlent ces séismes ainsi que leur extension spatiale. La compréhension du cycle sismique en Himalaya est aujourd'hui essentiellement basée sur des études menées au Népal central, ce qui limite notre connaissance de son fonctionnement tri-dimensionnel. Ce travail de thèse permet d'apporter de nouvelles contraintes sur les variations latérales de la déformation crustale dans la zone comprise entre l'ouest Népal (~80°E) et l'est Bhoutan (~92°E). La première partie de cette thèse est consacrée à l'étude des variations latérales de la structure lithosphérique. Quatre campagnes gravimétriques ont été réalisées entre 2010 et 2012. Elles ont permis d'étendre le réseau gravimétrique Népalais jusqu'à l'ouest Népal et d'établir le premier réseau gravimétrique Bhoutanais. Ce nouveau jeu de données, combiné avec les données sismologiques disponibles, permet de contraindre des modèles thermo-mécaniques de la flexure de la plaque Indienne sous l'Himalaya. Les résultats suggèrent qu'il n'existe pas de variations latérales majeures du comportement mécanique de la lithosphère Indienne entre le centre et l'est Népal contrairement au Bhoutan où une rigidité flexurale plus faible est nécessaire pour expliquer les données.La deuxième partie de cette thèse est consacrée à l'étude des variations latérales des déformations récentes dans le prisme Himalayen. Les études paléosismologiques menées depuis 15 ans en Himalaya ont permis d'étendre le catalogue des événements majeurs sur le dernier millénaire. En intégrant à la fois les contraintes disponibles sur ces séismes majeurs et le chargement séculaire, nous étudions les variations spatiales et temporelles de l'état de contrainte du chevauchemlent Himalayen principal le long de l'arc. Nos calculs montrent que même dans la cas où un méga-séisme se serait produit en ~1100 en Himalaya, le chargement séculaire a quasiment compensé la chute de contrainte associée. Les modèles montrent aussi que le séisme du Shillong ne joue pas un rôle majeur sur les contraintes accumulées sur le chevauchement Himalayen depuis 1897 au niveau du Bhoutan. Enfin, nous présentons les premières contraintes sur la tectonique active au Bhoutan. L'étude morphotectonique réalisée au centre du Sud-Bhoutan a permis de montrer que la majeure partie de la déformation Holocène est accommodée au niveau du front Himalayen, comme au Népal. Nous montrons aussi des évidences de ruptures de surface avec des décalages verticaux de plusieurs mètres associés à deux séismes majeurs sur le dernier millénaire. Ces évidences remettent en cause l'interprétation d'un méga-séisme en ~1100.
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01002381

NNT : 2013MON20074
tel-01002381
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01002381
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01002381/document
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01002381/file/35970_BERTHET_2013_archivage_cor.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Karstic aquifers represent the most important fresh water reservoirs in many regions of the world like the Mediterranean Basin. However, because of complex processes of karstification, those aquifers are highly heterogeneous at all spatial scales and vulnerable to contamination. In this dissertation, we studied the potential of gravimetry and ambient seismic noise for hydrological modeling in karstic areas.The dolomitic area surrounding the “GEK” observatory in the Durzon catchment on the Larzac plateau, in France, is the preferred site for these studies. Inside the observatory, a superconducting gravimeter dedicated to hydrology has continuously measured gravity changes since 2011 with high precision, undertaken for the first time on a karst. From this gravity monitoring, we made conceptual hydrological models which laid the foundation of 1-D flow physical models. Indeed, gravimetry is an integrative hydro-geophysical method which allows 1) to consider the epikarst, locally heterogeneous as an equivalent tabular medium and 2) to define the types of transfer (fast & slow) occurring at the site. Especially, the lack of fast transfer through the GEK epikarst was precisely quantified for the first time at the field scale (~100m). Gravity-driven water mass balance with local meteorological data (evapotranspiration from a flux tower and precipitation) allowed setting the bottom outlet of the model to 1 mm.day-1. This flow has proved to be representative of the low-flow discharge at the only spring which represents all groundwater outflows from the catchment. This result supposes the homogeneity of the dolomitic epikarst almost at the basin scale. Model parameters were next calibrated using one year of ambient seismic noise monitored at two stations. Phase velocity changes obtained by cross-correlating the noise between 6 and 8 Hz were used as a ”timer” to follow the water infiltration between a depth of 30 and 60 meters. Thus, monitoring seismic velocity changes using ambient seismic noise demonstrates great potential for the study of deep and complex critical zones and could fill the instrumental gap currently existing in hydrology.Time-lapse gravity measurements with a spring-based portable gravimeter have also demonstrated the different behavior of two epikarsts and their variability at the scale of a few hundred meters. Monthly measurements around the observatory revealed the spatial homogeneity of this dolomitic epikarst: all the stations showed the same water storage changes. On the contrary, seasonal surface to depth gravity measurements along the underground passage of the Saint-Ferréol sinkhole, in limestone, have shown fast transfer and strong spatial variability of water storage. Lithology is then expected to play a part in the epikarst capacity to retain water. The precision needed to measure the weak hydrological induced signals during those surveys required robust methodology and an ambient temperature effect on measurements with spring-based gravimeter was observed in the field and quantified in the laboratory.
Les aquifères karstiques représentent des ressources en eau essentielles dans de nombreuses régions du monde comme le bassin Méditerranéen. Cependant, de par les processus complexes de karstification, ces aquifères sont hétérogènes à de nombreuses échelles et vulnérables. Dans cette thèse, nous étudions le potentiel de la gravimétrie et du bruit sismique ambiant pour la modélisation hydrologique en milieu karstique.Le site dolomitique de l’observatoire « GEK », sur le bassin du Durzon dans le Larzac, est le site d’étude privilégié de ces travaux. Dans l’observatoire, un gravimètre supraconducteur dédié à l’hydrologie mesure depuis 2011 les variations de gravité en continu et à une très haute précision, pour la première fois sur un karst. Des modèles hydrologiques conceptuels ont été réalisés à partir de cette surveillance gravimétrique et ont permis de poser les bases de modèles physiques d’écoulements 1-D. En effet la gravimétrie, intégratrice, permet 1) de considérer l’épikarst localement hétérogène comme un milieu tabulaire équivalent et 2) de définir les types de transfert à l’œuvre sur le site. En particulier, l’absence de transfert rapide dans l’épikarst a été quantifiée avec précision pour la première fois à l’échelle du terrain (~100m). A l’aide de données météorologiques locales, un bilan de masse précis a permis de définir le flux en limite inférieure du modèle à 1 mm.jour-1. Ce flux s’est montré représentatif du débit de basses-eaux de la source drainant l’ensemble du bassin. Ce résultat suppose une homogénéité de l’épikarst dolomitique quasiment à l’échelle du bassin. Les paramètres des modèles physiques ont ensuite pu être calibrés à l’aide d’un an d’intercorrélation du bruit sismique ambiant entre deux stations. Les variations de vitesses de phase obtenues entre 6 et 8Hz nous ont servi de « chronomètre » pour suivre l’infiltration entre 30 et 60m de profondeur. La surveillance passive des variations de vitesses sismiques par intercorrélation du bruit sismique ambiant montre ainsi un fort potentiel pour l’étude des zones critiques profondes et complexes à l’échelle du terrain et peut combler la lacune instrumentale qui existe actuellement en hydrologie.Des campagnes répétées de mesures avec un gravimètre portable à ressort ont également mis en évidence le fonctionnement différent de deux épikarsts et leur variabilité à l’échelle de la centaine de mètres. Des mesures mensuelles autour de l’observatoire ont mis en évidence l’homogénéité spatiale de cet épikarst dolomitique : toutes les stations ont les mêmes variations temporelles de stock d’eau. Au contraire, des mesures saisonnières en surface et en profondeur le long de la galerie souterraine calcaire de l’abîme de Saint-Ferréol ont montré une variabilité spatiale forte du stockage ainsi que du transfert rapide. La lithologie de l’épikarst est donc suspectée de jouer un rôle dans sa capacité de stockage. Lors de ces campagnes, la faiblesse du signal recherché a nécessité une méthodologie précautionneuse et un effet de température sur les mesures des gravimètres relatifs à ressort a été observé sur le terrain et quantifié en laboratoire.
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01649606

NNT : 2016MONTT128
tel-01649606
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01649606
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01649606/document
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01649606/file/2016_FORES_archivage.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The Zandjan province is situated in the NW of Iran, at the junction between the southern termination of the Tabriz right-lateral strike-slip fault and the western end of the Alborz active mountain range. Despite this key location, in terms of active tectonics, there is no destructive earthquake reported in available historical seismicity catalogues. Even if a few low magnitude instrumental earthquakes have been recorded indicating that this area is actively deforming, the Zandjan region can be considered as a seismic gap. Based on detailed field investigations, digital elevation models (DEMs), satellite image and aerial photo interpretations, we have identified a major active fault network affecting this regions. It is mainly constituted by several west and est verging thrust faults, trending NW-SE to N-S, that clearly cut Late Quaternary to Holocene deposits. Evidences in the morphology indicate also that they accommodate some right-lateral slip component. This fault network can be divided into four major fault zones affecting Zandjan city (present day population over 500,000) and part of the Zandjan-Mianeh basin more to the west. Based on fault geometrical characteristics (fault length, segmentation ... ) and kinematics, the Zandjan fault system is certainly capable to produce moderate to large earthquakes (Mw = 6.5-7.0) and serious damages in the Zandjan city and surrounding areas. The study of these faults is, then, of major interest for seismic hazard assessment in Zandjan province where total population exceed 1.5 million but also to better understand present day geodynamic of NW Iran.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-00617526
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00617526
DOI : 10.1016/j.tecto.2011.04.012

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Oxford University Press (OUP)
Résumé : International audience
No major earthquake occurred in North Chile since the 1877 Mw 8.6 subduction earthquake that produced a huge tsunami. However, geodetic measurements conducted over the last decade in this area show that the upper plate is actually deforming, which reveals some degree of locking on the subduction interface. This accumulation of elastic deformation is likely to be released in a future earthquake. Because of the long elapsed time since 1877 and the rapid accumulation of deformation (thought to be 6-7 cm yr−1), many consider this area is a mature seismic gap where a major earthquake is due and seismic hazard is high. We present a new Global Positioning System (GPS) velocity field, acquired between 2008 and 2012, that describes in some detail the interseismic deformation between 18°S and 24°S. We invert for coupling distribution on the Nazca-South America subduction interface using elastic modelling. Our measurements require that, at these latitudes, 10 to 12 mm yr−1 (i.e. 15 per cent of the whole convergence rate) are accommodated by the clockwise rotation of an Andean block bounded to the East by the subandean fold-and-thrust belt. This reduces the accumulation rate on the subduction interface to 56 mm yr−1 in this area. Coupling variations on the subduction interface both along-strike and along-dip are described. We find that the North Chile seismic gap is segmented in at least two highly locked segments bounded by narrow areas of weak coupling. This coupling segmentation is consistent with our knowledge of the historical ruptures and of the instrumental seismicity of the region. Intersegment zones (Iquique, Mejillones) correlate with high background seismic rate and local tectonic complexities on the upper or downgoing plates. The rupture of either the Paranal or the Loa segment alone could easily produce a Mw 8.0-8.3 rupture, and we propose that the Loa segment (from 22.5°S to 20.8°S) may be the one that ruptured in 1877.
ISSN: 0956-540X

hal-00941279
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00941279
DOI : 10.1093/gji/ggt183

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Oxford University Press (OUP)
Résumé : International audience
To improve earthquake location, we create a 3-D a priori P-wave velocity model (3-DVM) that approximates the large velocity variations of the Ecuadorian subduction system. The 3-DVM is constructed from the integration of geophysical and geological data that depend on the structural geometry and velocity properties of the crust and the upper mantle. In addition, specific station selection is carried out to compensate for the high station density on the Andean Chain. 3-D synthetic experiments are then designed to evaluate the network capacity to recover the event position using only P arrivals and the MAXI technique. Three synthetic earthquake location experiments are proposed: (1) noise-free and (2) noisy arrivals used in the 3-DVM, and (3) noise-free arrivals used in a 1-DVM. Synthetic results indicate that, under the best conditions (exact arrival data set and 3-DVM), the spatiotemporal configuration of the Ecuadorian network can accurately locate 70 per cent of events in the frontal part of the subduction zone (average azimuthal gap is 289° ± 44°). Noisy P arrivals (up to ± 0.3 s) can accurately located 50 per cent of earthquakes. Processing earthquake location within a 1-DVM almost never allows accurate hypocentre position for offshore earthquakes (15 per cent), which highlights the role of using a 3-DVM in subduction zone. For the application to real data, the seismicity distribution from the 3-D-MAXI catalogue is also compared to the determinations obtained in a 1-D-layered VM. In addition to good-quality location uncertainties, the clustering and the depth distribution confirm the 3-D-MAXI catalogue reliability. The pattern of the seismicity distribution (a 13 yr record during the inter-seismic period of the seismic cycle) is compared to the pattern of rupture zone and asperity of the Mw = 7.9 1942 and the Mw = 7.7 1958 events (the Mw = 8.8 1906 asperity patch is not defined). We observe that the nucleation of 1942, 1958 and 1906 events coincides with areas of positive Simple Bouguer anomalies and areas where marine terraces are still preserved on the coastal morphology. From north to south: (1) the 1958 rupture zone is almost aseismic and is attributed to a zone of high coupling; (2) south of the Galera alignment (perpendicular to the trench), the 1942 rupture zone presents moderate seismicity, deeper on the seismogenic interplate zone, and abutting on the Jama cluster (to the south). This cluster is facing the Cabo Pasado cap and positive Bouguer anomalies on the overriding margin. We suspect that this cluster reflects a zone of local asperity (partial coupling). South of the Jama cluster, the spherical aseismic zone in the Bahia area is interpreted as having a low seismic coupling (steady creep motion or slow slip events). We suspect that the site that generated the three M > 7 events (1896, 1956 and 1998) correspond to a small patch of strong coupling. To the south, in the Manta-Puerto Lopez zone, the seismicity is mainly organized in earthquake swarms (1998, 2002, 2005). Although slow slip events have been observed in the area (Vallée et al. submitted), we infer from the coastline shape, the marine terraces and the high positive Bouguer anomalies that the seismicity here might reveal a significant amount of seismic coupling.
ISSN: 0956-540X

hal-00873478
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00873478
DOI : 10.1093/gji/ggs083

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union
Résumé : International audience
The region of Bhutan is thought to be the only segment of the Himalayas not having experienced a major earthquake over the past half millennium. A proposed explanation for this apparent seismic gap is partial accommodation of the India-Asia convergence further south across the Shillong Plateau, yet the seismic behavior of the Himalayan megathrust in Bhutan is unknown. Here we present historical documents from the region reporting on an earthquake in 1714 A.D. and geological evidence of surface rupture to constrain the latest large event in this area. We compute various earthquake scenarios using empirical scaling relationships relating magnitude with intensity, source location and rupture geometry. Our results constrain the 1714 A.D. earthquake to have ruptured the megathrust in Bhutan, most likely during a M7.5–8.5 event. This finding reclassifies the apparent seismic gap to a former information gap and implies that the entire Himalayan arc has a high level of earthquake potential.
ISSN: 0094-8276

hal-01467822
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01467822
DOI : 10.1002/2016GL071033

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley-Blackwell
Résumé : We use InSAR to measure deformation and kinematics of the Mw = 4.9 Borujerd (2005/05/03) and Mw = 6.1 Chalan-Chulan (2006/03/31) earthquakes that occurred in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt. The focal mechanism of the 2006 event is consistent with right lateral strike-slip motion and the event ruptured the Dorud-Borujerd segment of the Main Recent Fault. An Envisat interferogram spanning the 2006 event shows peak ground deformation of 9 cm in the satellite line-of-sight along a 10 km long fault portion. The interferogram spanning the 2005 earthquake is rather related to atmospheric artefact than to ground deformation. Dislocation models of the 2006 Chalan-Chulan event indicate dextral slip amounting to a maximum of 90 cm at a depth of 4 km. The predicted vertical displacements are in good agreement with differential levelling data. The 2006 event filled only a small part of the seismic gap located between large M = 7 events that occurred in 1909 and 1957.
ISSN: 0954-4879

hal-00411313
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00411313
DOI : 10.1111/j.1365-3121.2008.00797.x

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Geological Society of America
Résumé : International audience
Porous sandstones tend to deform by the formation of low-permeability deformation bands that influence fluid flow in reservoir settings. The bands may be distributed or localized into clusters, and limited recent data suggest that tectonic regime may exert control on their distribution and clustering. In order to explore this suggestion, we performed a synthetic analysis based of 73 sets of bands, including 22 new sets measured for a reverse Andersonian regime that fill the important gap in data for this context. We find a surprisingly strong correlation between clustering and tectonic regime, where bands clearly are more distributed in the reverse regime compared to the normal regime. Together with the observed band distributions, capillary pressure data show evidence that efficient membrane seals are expected for extension, whereas pervasive permeability anisotropy is expected for contraction. Such a basic new rule concerning tectonic regime is very useful for assessment of reservoir properties where deformation bands are common but below seismic resolution.
ISSN: 0091-7613

hal-01355925
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01355925
DOI : 10.1130/G37585.1