Application of Spatial Point Process Theory to Probe Fault Zone Properties

Rajani Shrestha, & Zachary E. Ross

Published September 8, 2024, SCEC Contribution #13595, 2024 SCEC Annual Meeting Poster #014

Fault zones are three-dimensional features with multiple slip surfaces. Fault zone architecture influences rupture dynamics and is important for seismic hazard assessment. Analysis of spatial patterns of seismicity provides valuable information about the fault zone structure in addition to improving earthquake forecasting models. We use spatial point process theory to study the geometrical properties of seismicity for different fault zones in California without requiring any prior assumptions about the fault itself. Our method is especially useful in regions where multiple faults are present close to each other, such as in immature fault zones. In agreement with previous studies, we find that seismicity is more localized and anisotropic for faults in northern California whereas the faults in southern California have more distributed seismicity. Our approach can serve as a complement to other measures that characterize the three-dimensional geometrical properties of seismicity and quantify how localized it is in different regions.

Key Words
fault zone structure, point process theory, localization

Citation
Shrestha, R., & Ross, Z. E. (2024, 09). Application of Spatial Point Process Theory to Probe Fault Zone Properties. Poster Presentation at 2024 SCEC Annual Meeting.

Related Projects & Working Groups
Seismology