Monitoring earthquakes in the months following a moderate to larger sized event is an opportunity to gain knowledge about the how the Earth’s crust behaves in the area of the main quake. Measureable aftershocks can number in the several hundred. Additional seismometers in the general area surrounding the main earthquake are needed to correctly estimate the number, size and location of the aftershocks.
Determining aftershock location and timing can provide information on fault rupture geometry (or shape), fault mechanics (type of movement) and provide insight into regional stresses. All of this information can be used to estimate the seismic hazard, and therefore help communities prepare themselves for future events.
Guest post by Jeri Young, AZGS
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