USGS Science⌕ Search

USGS · 70263561

Rupture directivity of the 25 October 2022 Mw 5.1 Alum Rock earthquake

Abstract

The 25 October 2022 M w 5.1 Alum Rock earthquake shows strong evidence for southeast rupture directivity along the central Calaveras fault (CCF), as indicated by observed ground motions and simulated kinematic ruptures. Peak ground accelerations (PGAs) and peak ground velocities (PGVs) are notably higher to the southeast, with an order of magnitude difference for stations at the same distance but different azimuths. In addition, PGAs are lower than that predicted by ground‐motion models by a factor of 3 on average in all the directions, indicating a low stress drop (∼1.57 MPa). Directivity function modeling and ground‐motion simulations both indicate rupture propagation to the southeast with rupture velocity between 2.3 and 2.5 km/s. We suggest that the southward rupture propagation and relatively low stress drop may be typical of M ∼5 earthquakes on this portion of the CCF.

Explore related subjects

90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 37° to 37.5° latitude; -122° to -121.4° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Evan Tyler Hirakawa, Grace Alexandra Parker, Annemarie S. Baltay, Thomas C. Hanks. 2023-05-19. Rupture directivity of the 25 October 2022 Mw 5.1 Alum Rock earthquake. https://doi.org/10.1785/0320230013

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

Investigating high‐resolution spatial variability of site response in the Los Angeles Basin using a dense sensor network

We characterize seismic site response across a densely instrumented region of the Los Angeles Basin by combining data from the Community Seismic Network (CSN) and regional networks in the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). Mixed-effects regression is used to partition ground-motion model residuals and compute pseudo-spectral acceleration site residuals (η s ) from the NGA-West2 ground motion database and a CSN dataset. For short periods ( T < 0.3 s), CSN and ANSS site residuals agree closely, while observed differences at longer periods are likely related to signal-to-noise limitations of the CSN sensors rather than sensor accuracy. Correlations between CSN and ANSS site residuals are high, and the dense CSN network reveals localized amplification not resolved by the ANSS network. Along the northeastern basin margin, PSA at 1 second reaches amplitudes up to approximately twice those predicted for reference rock conditions, consistent with basin-edge amplification effects. Systematic variations in site response are observed across major fault zones, particularly between [BSAS1.1]areas north of the Lower Elysian Park fault and between [BSAS2.1]the Lower Elysian Park and Puente Hills faults. These findings demonstrate the value of dense seismic networks, such as the CSN, for resolving localized amplification and improving seismic hazard assessment in urban sedimentary basins.

California↗

Only very strong shaking can break a tree

A handful of credible accounts, both recent and historical, describe trees being broken during earthquakes. Apart from landslides and tsunamis, such accounts are uncommon, suggesting that trees break only when ground acceleration is extreme or when trees are especially vulnerable to breakage. Here, I consider the question: what ground acceleration is required to break a living tree? I present simplified first‐principles calculations, considering the properties of common trees, focusing on tall, thin trees that can be approximated as uniform vertical cantilevers. The results suggest that, possibly excepting tall trees with heavy canopies, standing trees can only be broken by shaking approaching or exceeding 1 g , as anticipated by the rarity of documented accounts of snapped trees. I briefly consider several well‐documented instances of tree damage during strong earthquakes, drawing inferences about local ground motions.

The Seismic Record↗

Earthquake rupture arrest from depth‐dependent frictional stability on the Pütürge segment of the East Anatolian Fault Zone, Türkiye (Turkey)

Determining why earthquake ruptures stop is a central challenge in earthquake science and seismic hazard assessment. The Pütürge segment of the East Anatolian Fault Zone, Türkiye, exhibits shallow creep (<∼3 km depth) yet hosts M > 6.5 earthquake ruptures at greater depth. Here, we evaluate whether variations in frictional stability along this segment aided arrest of the 2020 M 6.7 Elaziğ and 2023 M 7.8 Pazarcık earthquake ruptures. Analysis of Sentinel‐1 Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery indicates the 2023 M 7.8 rupture propagated laterally into a metamorphic massif within the Pütürge segment, where slip rapidly decayed below detection limits. Creepmeters along this segment recorded no significant surface afterslip (<3 mm) in the following year. To investigate this fault‐slip behavior, we conducted triaxial friction experiments on Pütürge fault gouge sampled from an outcrop exposure. The gouge, composed primarily of muscovite, quartz, and calcite, is velocity strengthening at conditions approximating 0–2.5 km depth and velocity weakening at 4–5 km depth. This transition to velocity‐weakening friction is associated with enhanced comminution and shear localization observed microstructurally. Our results suggest that depth‐dependent frictional stability of the Pütürge fault segment facilitates rupture nucleation and propagation at depth while maintaining rupture‐arresting behavior near Earth’s surface.

Pütürge segment of the East Anatolian Fault Zone↗