First-order regional seismotectonic model for South Africa
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Date
Authors
Singh, Mayshree
Kijko, Andrzej
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
A first-order seismotectonic model was created for South Africa. This was done
using four logical steps: geoscientific data collection, characterisation, assimilation and
zonation. Through the definition of subunits of concentrations of earthquake foci and large
neotectonic and structural domains, seismotectonic structures, systems and domains were
created. Relatively larger controls of seismicity exist between the Great Escarpment and
the coast. In the south, this region is characterised by large aeromagnetic anomalies and
large EW trending faults. In the west, it is characterised by the NW–SE trending Wegener
stress anomaly, radial-trending dykes and earthquake clusters. In the east, it is characterised
by a large neotectonic domain where several large historical earthquakes occurred. In
the centre of South Africa, several clusters of earthquake activity are found, often related to
mining activity. Further north, seismicity is related to both mining activity and neotectonic
deformation. This work contributes to the development of a seismotectonic model for
South Africa by (1) bringing together, digitally, several data sets in a common GIS platform
(geology, geophysics, stress, seismicity, neotectonics, topography, crustal and mantle
structure and anisotropy), (2) understanding the significance of data sets for seismotectonic
zonation and limitations thereof and (3) obtaining a reasonable regional model for use in
seismic hazard assessments.
Description
Keywords
Seismotectonic model, Seismicity, Zonation
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Singh, M,& Kijko, A 2011, 'First-order regional seismotectonic model for South Africa', Natural Hazards, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 383-400.