EAPS Geophysics Seminar (12.571) – Eric Beaucé (Columbia)

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When:
November 13, 2023 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
2023-11-13T10:00:00-05:00
2023-11-13T11:00:00-05:00
Where:
54-209 and Zoom https://mit.zoom.us/j/93916937384
Categories
Department Lecture Series

Title: Detecting the preparation phase of large earthquakes: the example of enhanced tidal sensitivity before the 2019 M7.1 Ridgecrest earthquake

Abstract: Are (large) earthquakes unpredictable ? Laboratory experiments show that large failure events are preceded by a preparation phase marked by non-linear phenomena. Detecting the preparation phase therefore informs of the upcoming event. Modern techniques and data are revolutionizing observational seismology, opening the door to revisiting long, outstanding questions surrounding earthquake predictability.
In this presentation, I delve into the case study of the 2019 M7.1 Ridgecrest, CA earthquake. I show how using an enhanced earthquake catalog capturing 10 years of microseismicity preceding the mainshock we could measure the seismic response of the crust to tidal stresses. By carefully monitoring this response, we could detect the preparation phase of the Ridgecrest earthquake.

About this series: The EAPS Geophysics Seminar is a class for EAPS geophysics graduate students with a guest speaker approximately every two weeks. All members of the MIT community are welcome to attend the guest talks which are generally on Tuesdays at 10am in 54-209 and on Zoom. Titles and abstracts will be posted here when available. Contact Josh at jkastorf@mit.edu with any questions.