The Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of October 17, 1989: Aftershocks and postseismic effects
Professional Paper
1550-D
Prepared in cooperation with the National Science Foundation
By: Paul A. Reasenberg, Lynn D. Dietz, William L. Ellsworth, Robert W. Simpson, John W. Gephart, Susan Y. Schwartz, Glenn D. Nelson, H. Guo, A. Lerner-Lam, William Menke, Susan E. Hough, Leif Wennerberg, K.S. Breckenridge, Jeff Behr, Roger G. Bilham, Paul Bodin, Arthur G. Sylvester, Jon S. Galehouse, R. Burgmann, Paul Segall, Michael Lisowski, Jerry L. Svarc, John Langbein, Mark F. Linker, J.R. Rice, M. T. Gladwin, R. L. Gwyther, R.H.G. Hart, Randall Mackie, Theodore R. Madden, and Edward A. Nichols
Edited by: Paul A. Reasenberg
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Abstract
While the damaging effects of the earthquake represent a significant social setback and economic loss, the geophysical effects have produced a wealth of data that have provided important insights into the structure and mechanics of the San Andreas Fault system. Generally, the period after a large earthquake is vitally important to monitor. During this part of the seismic cycle, the primary fault and the surrounding faults, rock bodies, and crustal fluids rapidly readjust in response to the earthquake's sudden movement. Geophysical measurements made at this time can provide unique information about fundamental properties of the fault zone, including its state of stress and the geometry and frictional/rheological properties of the faults within it. Because postseismic readjustments are rapid compared with corresponding changes occurring in the preseismic period, the amount and rate of information that is available during the postseismic period is relatively high. From a geophysical viewpoint, the occurrence of the Loma Prieta earthquake in a section of the San Andreas fault zone that is surrounded by multiple and extensive geophysical monitoring networks has produced nothing less than a scientific bonanza.
The reports assembled in this chapter collectively examine available geophysical observations made before and after the earthquake and model the earthquake's principal postseismic effects. The chapter covers four broad categories of postseismic effect: (1) aftershocks; (2) postseismic fault movements; (3) postseismic surface deformation; and (4) changes in electrical conductivity and crustal fluids.
Suggested Citation
Reasenberg, P.A., Dietz, L.D., Ellsworth, W.L., Simpson, R.W., Gephart, J.W., Schwartz, S.Y., Nelson, G.D., Guo, H., Lerner-Lam, A., Menke, W., Hough, S.E., Wennerberg, L., Breckenridge, K., Behr, J., Bilham, R.G., Bodin, P., Sylvester, A.G., Galehouse, J.S., Burgmann, R., Segall, P., Lisowski, M., Svarc, J.L., Langbein, J., Linker, M.F., Rice, J., Gladwin, M.T., Gwyther, R.L., Hart, R., Mackie, R., Madden, T.R., Nichols, E.A., 1997, The Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of October 17, 1989: Aftershocks and postseismic effects: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1550, 312 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1550D.
ISSN: 2330-7102 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | The Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of October 17, 1989: Aftershocks and postseismic effects |
| Series title | Professional Paper |
| Series number | 1550 |
| Chapter | D |
| DOI | 10.3133/pp1550D |
| Year Published | 1997 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Volcano Science Center |
| Description | 312 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |