On the preparatory processes of the M6.6 earthquake of June 17th, 2000, in Iceland

A model is proposed to explain the spatial distribution of foreshocks of the June 17th 2000, M s 6.6 earthquake in the South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ) and the high stress drop of the mainshock. Fluids of magmatic origin, ascending at near-lithostatic pressure through a low permeability layer pertu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical Research Letters
Main Authors: Bonafede, Maurizio, Ferrari, C., Maccaferri, Francesco, Stefánsson, R
Other Authors: #PLACEHOLDER_PARENT_METADATA_VALUE#
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: AGU 2007
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/2122/13781
https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL031391
Description
Summary:A model is proposed to explain the spatial distribution of foreshocks of the June 17th 2000, M s 6.6 earthquake in the South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ) and the high stress drop of the mainshock. Fluids of magmatic origin, ascending at near-lithostatic pressure through a low permeability layer perturb the regional stress field, inhibiting fluid flow laterally, where a high strength asperity is left. The asperity is modeled as elastic, embedded within a medium with low effective rigidity. Regional stresses due to tectonic motions are perturbed by the presence of the asperity, enhancing the production of hydrofractures and foreshocks in the NW and SE quadrants and increasing considerably the shear stress within the asperity, leading to the NS striking mainshock. Published L24305 7T. Variazioni delle caratteristiche crostali e precursori sismici JCR Journal