(Re)Discovering the seismicity of Antarctica: A new seismic catalog for the southernmost continent

Seismological Research Letters
By: , and 

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Abstract

We apply a machine learning (ML) earthquake detection technique on over 21 yr of seismic data from on‐continent temporary and long‐term networks to obtain the most complete catalog of seismicity in Antarctica to date. The new catalog contains 60,006 seismic events within the Antarctic continent for 1 January 2000–1 January 2021, with estimated moment magnitudes (⁠Mw ⁠) between −1.0 and 4.5. Most detected seismicity occurs near Ross Island, large ice shelves, ice streams, ice‐covered volcanoes, or in distinct and isolated areas within the continental interior. The event locations and waveform characteristics indicate volcanic, tectonic, and cryospheric sources. The catalog shows that Antarctica is more seismically active than prior catalogs would indicate, examples include new tectonic events in East Antarctica, seismic events near and around the vicinity of David Glacier, and many thousands of events in the Mount Erebus region. This catalog provides a resource for more specific studies using other detection and analysis methods such as template matching or transfer learning to further discriminate source types and investigate diverse seismogenic processes across the continent.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title (Re)Discovering the seismicity of Antarctica: A new seismic catalog for the southernmost continent
Series title Seismological Research Letters
DOI 10.1785/0220240076
Edition Online First
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Geological Society of America
Contributing office(s) Volcano Science Center
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