Objective
The occurrence only few months ago of the catastrophic Sumatra M9 earthquake was unexpected; hence Thematic Priorities of FP6 could not have included study of hazard of that type, which this occurrence now proved possible against previous state-of-the-art wisdom. This project presents a scientific measurement approach for the detection of new types of seismic signals, as well as deep structural images that are relevant to the problem, being possible heralds of mega-thrust earthquakes. This will be applied in the two European subduction zones, the Western Hellenic and Lesser Antilles Arc, that may be prone for M>8 earthquakes as they share characters of the Sumatra-Andaman case. These water-related phenomena, deep seismic tremor and silent earthquake, we re recently discovered in Japan and NW US subduction zones, where advanced technologies and methods have been applied.
They were reported to have their source region close to the interplate subduction boundary, the mega-thrust fault plane, where possible water content has been revealed by deep structural seismic images. Importantly, these transient signals, are observed in advance of the major M>8 earthquakes expected there. They might in case be considered as possible silent heralds of megathrust earthquakes and monitored. Our project is to apply to these two European subduction areas advanced studies of activity and structure, with novel High-Tech observation means.
Among them: Broad-Band Ocean Bottom Seismometers just developed that may detect these new transient signals, an opportunity of seismic reflection imaging with the French academic seismic ship for the Antilles, novelty of a joint integrated approach possible by merging forces at European scale. This scientific measurement approach may open the way to monitoring evolution, with high-yield/high-risk possible societal impact for hazard preparedness and mitigation.
Fields of science
Keywords
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
FP6-2004-NEST-C-1
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
STREP - Specific Targeted Research ProjectCoordinator
PARIS
France