Source link : https://usa-news.biz/2024/07/07/alaska/shaking-things-up-discovering-the-akutan-pass-m0-6-earthquake-in-alaska/
Geological Context of the Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands are situated in a unique geological setting where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the North American Plate, creating the Aleutian Arc. This region experiences a high level of seismic activity, with numerous earthquakes occurring annually. Since the beginning of the 20th century, several major megathrust earthquakes have struck the area, such as the 1957 M8.6 event in the Andreanof Islands, the 1965 M8.7 earthquake in the Rat Islands, the 1986 and 1996 M7.9 earthquakes in the Andreanof Islands, and the 2003 M7.8 earthquake in the Rat Islands. These events have ruptured the entire length of the megathrust boundary in this zone.
In addition to these megathrust earthquakes, another significant source of seismic activity in the Aleutian Arc is the Wadati-Benioff Zone, a 6-9 mile (10-15 km) wide area of intermediate-depth earthquakes within the subducting Pacific Plate. The most powerful intermediate-depth earthquake recorded in this region was the 2014 M7.9 Little Sitkin event, highlighting the dynamic nature of seismic activity in the area.
Furthermore, shallow earthquakes linked to volcanic processes and crustal faults within the overriding North American Plate contribute to the seismicity of the region. These shallow earthquakes are a common occurrence and can trigger vigorous aftershocks or swarm-like sequences, adding to the overall seismic activity in the area.
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Author : usa-news
Publish date : 2024-07-08 01:00:16
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