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The 2007 Medea Seismic Sequence, North-Central Algeria: Source Parameters, Stress Tensor, and Static Stress Changes

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Abstract

Dense seismic networks provide the opportunity to better understand seismogenic processes in tectonically active regions. The Algerian Digital Seismic Network was strengthened following the 10 October 1980 Ms 7.3 El Asnam and 21 May 2003 Mw 6.8 Bournerdes earthquakes, such that the source parameters of small- to moderate-magnitude earthquakes in northern Algeria can now be computed. Here we examine the 2007 seismic sequence recorded in the Medea region (north-central part of Algeria). We calculate the seismic sources of three moderate events that occurred between May and August 2007 using near-field waveform modeling, and obtain moment magnitudes of 4.4, 4.1, and 4.6, with fault planes oriented N63°E, N15°E, and N219°E, respectively. We use displacement spectra to estimate the corner frequency fc and spectral flat level then use these to recalculate the seismic moment and moment magnitude. The stress tensor obtained by inverting 13 focal mechanisms from events near the 2007 sequence exhibits a well-constrained compressional axis with a subhorizontal N335°E-trending σ1 axis (plunge 7°). We calculate the static stress changes to understand the connections between these three events. The results indicate an interaction between the faults related to these events during the earthquake sequence. We conclude that these events likely occurred on the unstudied extensions of mapped faults, and that the epicentral area therefore has moderate seismogenic potential.

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modified from Roman (1975) and Boudiaf (1996)]. Red circles show epicenters of main events

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the editor Elisa Buforn, the reviewer Anne Deschamps, and anonymous reviewer for useful advice which enhanced clarification and improve the content and presentation of this paper. We want to thank our colleagues from ADSN and data bank services. This work was supported by CRAAG, Department of Seismology (project E008/08).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre de Recherche en Astronomie, Astrophysique et Géophysique, B.P. 63-Bouzaréah, 16340, Alger, Algérie

    G. Dabouz, H. Beldjoudi, O. Boulahia, Y. Mohammedi & A. Yelles-Chaouche

  2. Université Abou Bekr Belkaid 22, Rue Abi Ayed Abdelkrim Fg Pasteur B.P 119, 13000, Tlemcen, Algérie

    G. Dabouz

  3. Géoazur, Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 250 rue Albert Einstein, 06560, Valbonne, France

    B. Delouis

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  1. G. Dabouz
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  2. H. Beldjoudi
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  3. B. Delouis
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  4. O. Boulahia
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Dabouz, G., Beldjoudi, H., Delouis, B. et al. The 2007 Medea Seismic Sequence, North-Central Algeria: Source Parameters, Stress Tensor, and Static Stress Changes. Pure Appl. Geophys. 178, 3313–3337 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-021-02827-7

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