Timescales of surface faulting preservation in low-strain intraplate regions from landscape evolution modeling and the geomorphic and historical record

Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth
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Abstract

Large surface-rupturing intraplate earthquakes in stable continental regions (SCRs) are uncommon globally and have recurrence intervals of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years based on the paleoseismic and geomorphic record, challenging accurate active fault identification in these regions. To constrain the timescales of preservation for scarps created by surface ruptures from dip-slip earthquakes, we use a two-dimensional scarp diffusion model for typical intraplate settings and explore which parameters influence fault scarp preservation. These parameters include the coseismic vertical surface offset, the recurrence interval of similar magnitude earthquakes, diffusivity (as a proxy for mean annual precipitation rate), and the erodibility of the surficial material. We constrain parameter ranges from a compilation of historical surface ruptures in intraplate settings in a variety of climates, including the Central and Eastern United States, Australia, Europe, Central Asia (Mongolia, China), India, and West Africa. The timescales of scarp preservation from landscape evolution modeling agree well with observations of scarp preservation in low-strain SCR and intraplate tectonic settings, with some notable exceptions for Australian scarps. We find that the erodibility of the surficial material and earthquake recurrence interval have a stronger effect on the timescales of scarp preservation than diffusivity or coseismic vertical surface offset. Our model results may aid in identifying and characterizing subtle, slow-moving active faults in low-strain SCR and intraplate tectonic settings for different tectonic, geomorphic, and climatic characteristics. Accurate fault locations and characterization from the landscape record has implications for both probabilistic seismic and fault displacement hazard analyses.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Timescales of surface faulting preservation in low-strain intraplate regions from landscape evolution modeling and the geomorphic and historical record
Series title Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth
DOI 10.1029/2024JB029966
Volume 130
Issue 6
Publication Date June 14, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s) Geologic Hazards Science Center - Landslides / Earthquake Geology
Description e2024JB029966, 26 p.
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