FastFind »   Lastname: doi:10.1029/ Year: Advanced Search  

AGU: Journal of Geophysical Research, Solid Earth

 

Keywords

  • Kachchh
  • Paleoliquefaction
  • secondary faulting

Index Terms

  • Seismology: Paleoseismology
  • Seismology: Earthquake dynamics
  • Seismology: Seismicity and tectonics
  • Seismology: General or miscellaneous
  • Seismology: Earthquake source observations
Abstract
Cited By (0)
 

Abstract

Assessing the previous activity at the source zone of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake based on the near-source and distant paleoseismological indicators

C. P. Rajendran

Centre for Earth Science Studies, Geosciences Division, Trivandrum, India

Kusala Rajendran

Centre for Earth Science Studies, Geosciences Division, Trivandrum, India

M. Thakkar

Department of Geology, Lalan College, Bhuj, India

Bhanu Goyal

Department of Geology, Lalan College, Bhuj, India

The Mw 7.7 2001 Bhuj (Kachchh) earthquake was not associated with any primary surface rupture, but it produced secondary faulting, folding and liquefaction. This study highlights the potential of a secondary rupture and proxies like lateral spreads and sandblows in unraveling the past activity related to the 2001 source. Chronological constraints of an older lateral spread and far-field paleoliquefaction features, combined with archeological data, provide evidence for occurrences of two previous earthquakes at the 2001 source zone about 4000 and 9000 years, ago. Distinct stratigraphic evidence for at least one previous offset dated at 4424 ± 656 years could be detected at a stepover zone associated with a dextral secondary fault, reactivated during the 2001 earthquake. The studies imply longer interseismic intervals for the 2001 source zone, in comparison with the source zone of the 1819 earthquake located toward the northwestern part of the Rann of Kachchh. The spatial and temporal correlation of previous events derived on the basis of the available paleoseismic data from the region suggest not only repeated activity at the 2001 source, but possibility for additional potential sources in parts of Kachchh and Cambay basins. Although we infer a longer recurrence interval for the 2001 Bhuj earthquake source, our study points to the fact that these additional sources may have the potential to rupture in the future, considering the long elapsed time.

Received 8 November 2006; accepted 17 January 2008; published 28 May 2008.

Citation: Rajendran, C. P., K. Rajendran, M. Thakkar, and B. Goyal (2008), Assessing the previous activity at the source zone of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake based on the near-source and distant paleoseismological indicators, J. Geophys. Res., 113, B05311, doi:10.1029/2006JB004845.

Cited By

Please wait one moment ...