The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt is an active continental volcanic arc characterized by several arc-parallel Miocene-Holocene tectonic lake basins, such as the Cuitzeo, Zacapu, Chapala, and Zacoalco. Normal faults and related continental seismicity shape these basins. In the central part of this volcanic arc, the Cuitzeo Lake basin presents neotectonic fault activity, accommodating oblique extension through ENE-striking normal fault zones of the Morelia-Acambay Fault System and transfer faulting. Specific faults have been described in the basin, and various geological and structural studies have outlined its kinematics and structural geometry. However, these fault zones have not been fully characterized. Characterizing earthquake sources in the Cuitzeo Lake basin is essential to constrain the regional potential seismic hazard, aiming toward better territory planning. This study presents the first regional fault compilation in the Cuitzeo Lake basin that characterizes 21 fault zones from geomorphic data. We integrated previous volcanic and tectonic studies with new geomorphic and paleoseismic evaluations to assess potential seismic sources in the Cuitzeo Lake basin. Furthermore, we evaluate fault zone segmentation, fault slip distribution, transtensional partitioning, seismic hazard implications, and basin development. We improved the current understanding of the basin’s transformation, subsidence, and sedimentation with all this information. Here, fault zones present a mean vertical slip-rate of 0.17 ± 0.27 mm/yr for 1 Ma, capable of generating Mw 6.2 to 7.0 earthquakes and average single-event displacements from 0.2 to 1.2 m. Multi-fault ruptures could be up to 63 km-long, capable of generating Mw 7.0 to 7.2 earthquakes, representing an important regional seismic hazard.

Geomorphic characterization of faults as earthquake sources in the Cuitzeo Lake basin, central Mexico

M. M. Velázquez-Bucio;
2021-01-01

Abstract

The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt is an active continental volcanic arc characterized by several arc-parallel Miocene-Holocene tectonic lake basins, such as the Cuitzeo, Zacapu, Chapala, and Zacoalco. Normal faults and related continental seismicity shape these basins. In the central part of this volcanic arc, the Cuitzeo Lake basin presents neotectonic fault activity, accommodating oblique extension through ENE-striking normal fault zones of the Morelia-Acambay Fault System and transfer faulting. Specific faults have been described in the basin, and various geological and structural studies have outlined its kinematics and structural geometry. However, these fault zones have not been fully characterized. Characterizing earthquake sources in the Cuitzeo Lake basin is essential to constrain the regional potential seismic hazard, aiming toward better territory planning. This study presents the first regional fault compilation in the Cuitzeo Lake basin that characterizes 21 fault zones from geomorphic data. We integrated previous volcanic and tectonic studies with new geomorphic and paleoseismic evaluations to assess potential seismic sources in the Cuitzeo Lake basin. Furthermore, we evaluate fault zone segmentation, fault slip distribution, transtensional partitioning, seismic hazard implications, and basin development. We improved the current understanding of the basin’s transformation, subsidence, and sedimentation with all this information. Here, fault zones present a mean vertical slip-rate of 0.17 ± 0.27 mm/yr for 1 Ma, capable of generating Mw 6.2 to 7.0 earthquakes and average single-event displacements from 0.2 to 1.2 m. Multi-fault ruptures could be up to 63 km-long, capable of generating Mw 7.0 to 7.2 earthquakes, representing an important regional seismic hazard.
2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0895981121000432?via=ihub
Paleoseismology Seismic hazard Tectonic deformation Morelia-Acambay fault system Transtension Fault zone
Gómez-Vasconcelos, M. G.; Avellán, D. R.; Soria-Caballero, D.; Macías, J. L.; Velázquez-Bucio, M. M.; Jiménez-Haro, A.; Israde-Alcántara, I.; Garduño-Monroy, V. H.; Ávila-Olivera, J. A.; Figueroa-Soto, Á. G.; Cisneros-Máximo, G.; Cardona-Melchor, S.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11383/2116225
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 4
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 4
social impact