Frequency-magnitude relationships of southern African seismicity

A. Shapira; L. M. Fernandez; A. Du Plessis

doi:10.1016/0040-1951(89)90077-2

Frequency-magnitude relationships of southern African seismicity

A. Shapira, L. M. Fernandez, A. Du Plessis

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The seismicity of southern Africa is discussed in terms of seismicity maps, the completeness of the existing catalogue of seismic events for the region and frequency-magnitude relationships. The present catalogue of earthquakes seems to be complete for events of M_L ≥ 4.6 since 1950, for events of M_L ≥ 4.9 since 1910 and for events of M_L ≥ 5.3 since 1906. Analysis of earthquake statistics reveals a b-value for natural earthquakes of 1.1, increasing to 1.5 for mine tremors. It is suggested that the maximum expected magnitude of an earthquake in the region is in the order of M = 7.5 and that mine tremors as high as M ~ 5 1 2 may occur. It is concluded that much more high quality data from more seismograph stations are required to sensibly investigate the seismotectonic characteristics of the region.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	261-271
Number of pages	11
Journal	Tectonophysics
Volume	167
Issue number	2-4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(89)90077-2
State	Published - 10 Oct 1989
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geophysics
Earth-Surface Processes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/0040-1951(89)90077-2

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abstract = "The seismicity of southern Africa is discussed in terms of seismicity maps, the completeness of the existing catalogue of seismic events for the region and frequency-magnitude relationships. The present catalogue of earthquakes seems to be complete for events of ML ≥ 4.6 since 1950, for events of ML ≥ 4.9 since 1910 and for events of ML ≥ 5.3 since 1906. Analysis of earthquake statistics reveals a b-value for natural earthquakes of 1.1, increasing to 1.5 for mine tremors. It is suggested that the maximum expected magnitude of an earthquake in the region is in the order of M = 7.5 and that mine tremors as high as M ~ 5 1 2 may occur. It is concluded that much more high quality data from more seismograph stations are required to sensibly investigate the seismotectonic characteristics of the region.",

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AU - Shapira, A.

AU - Fernandez, L. M.

AU - Du Plessis, A.

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N2 - The seismicity of southern Africa is discussed in terms of seismicity maps, the completeness of the existing catalogue of seismic events for the region and frequency-magnitude relationships. The present catalogue of earthquakes seems to be complete for events of ML ≥ 4.6 since 1950, for events of ML ≥ 4.9 since 1910 and for events of ML ≥ 5.3 since 1906. Analysis of earthquake statistics reveals a b-value for natural earthquakes of 1.1, increasing to 1.5 for mine tremors. It is suggested that the maximum expected magnitude of an earthquake in the region is in the order of M = 7.5 and that mine tremors as high as M ~ 5 1 2 may occur. It is concluded that much more high quality data from more seismograph stations are required to sensibly investigate the seismotectonic characteristics of the region.

AB - The seismicity of southern Africa is discussed in terms of seismicity maps, the completeness of the existing catalogue of seismic events for the region and frequency-magnitude relationships. The present catalogue of earthquakes seems to be complete for events of ML ≥ 4.6 since 1950, for events of ML ≥ 4.9 since 1910 and for events of ML ≥ 5.3 since 1906. Analysis of earthquake statistics reveals a b-value for natural earthquakes of 1.1, increasing to 1.5 for mine tremors. It is suggested that the maximum expected magnitude of an earthquake in the region is in the order of M = 7.5 and that mine tremors as high as M ~ 5 1 2 may occur. It is concluded that much more high quality data from more seismograph stations are required to sensibly investigate the seismotectonic characteristics of the region.

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Frequency-magnitude relationships of southern African seismicity

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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