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A note on stress rotations due to the 2004 Mw 9.2 Sumatra–Andaman megathrust earthquake

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Abstract

Here we study the evolution of stress and its rotations in the Sumatra–Andaman Subduction Zone (SASZ) after the 2004 Mw 9.2 megathrust earthquake, using moment tensor stress inversions. Models indicate returning of North Andaman stress regime to the inter-seismic oblique-compression, after a short stint of extension. Likewise, Little Andamans experience extension indicating a trench-ward guidance of extensional stresses. Similarly, Nicobar regime is presently normal-oblique, from early post-seismic reverse-oblique, and North Sumatra experiences pure-reverse regime. The influence of the Wharton Basin stress field and 2012 earthquakes on the SASZ fore-arc deformation is also probed. A near-complete co-seismic stress-relief is observed at Nicobar, followed by North Sumatra and Little Andaman. Co-seismic and post-seismic model comparisons indicate strong correlation with zones of co-seismic stress relief and regions of rapid post-seismic reloading. The North Andaman shows a northward compressive shear than the margin-normal component of subduction, as evident from prominent oblique stress regime with lower co-seismic stress relief and lack of post-seismic back rotations. At Andaman Spreading Ridge (ASR), transition from oblique to extensional stress indicates lateral shear to back-arc spreading enhancement.

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  • 02 February 2021

    First author’s (K Silpa) primary affiliation (Article ID 187) in the article published was incorrect.

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Acknowledgements

Earthquake moment-tensor data from Global Centroid moment-tensor (GCMT) database are used in this study. We used MSATSI – a MATLAB package for stress inversion (Martínez-Garzón et al. 2014) and thank the developers for making it freely available. We used the Generic Mapping Tools for drawing the figures. We would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful comments and support. We acknowledge the University Grants Commission (UGC), India for SRF fellowship of SK. We thank Sunilkumar T C for the fruitful discussions and support.

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  1. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR Fourth Paradigm Institute, Wind Tunnel Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

    K Silpa & Anil Earnest

  2. Multi-scale Modelling Programme, CSIR Fourth Paradigm Institute, Wind Tunnel Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

    K Silpa & Anil Earnest

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  1. K Silpa
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Communicated by Munukutla Radhakrishna

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Silpa, K., Earnest, A. A note on stress rotations due to the 2004 Mw 9.2 Sumatra–Andaman megathrust earthquake. J Earth Syst Sci 129, 187 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-020-01446-5

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