Earthquake Environmental Effects of the 1992 MS7.3 Suusamyr Earthquake, Kyrgyzstan, and Their Implications for Paleo-Earthquake Studies

Grützner, Christoph and Walker, Richard and Ainscoe, Eleanor and Elliott, Austin and Abdrakhmatov, Kanatbek (2019) Earthquake Environmental Effects of the 1992 MS7.3 Suusamyr Earthquake, Kyrgyzstan, and Their Implications for Paleo-Earthquake Studies. Geosciences, 9 (6). ISSN 2076-3263 DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences9060271

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Abstract

Large pre-historical earthquakes leave traces in the geological and geomorphological record, such as primary and secondary surface ruptures and mass movements, which are the only means to estimate their magnitudes. These environmental earthquake effects (EEEs) can be calibrated using recent seismic events and the Environmental Seismic Intensity Scale (ESI2007). We apply the ESI2007 scale to the 1992 MS7.3 Suusamyr Earthquake in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan, because similar studies are sparse in that area and geological setting, and because this earthquake was very peculiar in its primary surface rupture pattern. We analyze literature data on primary and secondary earthquake effects and add our own observations from fieldwork. We show that the ESI2007 distribution differs somewhat from traditional intensity assessments (MSK (Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik) and MM (Modified Mercalli)), because of the sparse population in the epicentral area and the spatial distribution of primary and secondary EEEs. However, the ESI2007 scale captures a similar overall pattern of the intensity distribution. We then explore how uncertainties in the identification of primary surface ruptures influence the results of the ESI2007 assignment. Our results highlight the applicability of the ESI2007 scale, even in earthquakes with complex and unusual primary surface rupture patterns.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2019AREP; IA75
Subjects:	02 - Geodynamics, Geophysics and Tectonics
Divisions:	02 - Geodynamics, Geophysics and Tectonics 07 - Gold Open Access
Journal or Publication Title:	Geosciences
Volume:	9
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences9060271
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	21 Jun 2019 12:55
Last Modified:	21 Jun 2019 12:55
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/4510

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