Indonesian earthquake: earthquake risk from co-seismic stress.
Following the massive loss of life caused by the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake in Indonesia and its tsunami, the possibility of a triggered earthquake on the contiguous Sunda trench subduction zone is a real concern. We have calculated the distributions of co-seismic stress on this zone, as well as on the neighbouring, vertical strike-slip Sumatra fault, and find an increase in stress on both structures that significantly boosts the already considerable earthquake hazard posed by them. In particular, the increased potential for a large subduction-zone event in this region, with the concomitant risk of another tsunami, makes the need for a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean all the more urgent.
McCloskey
John
J
School of Environmental Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, County Derry BT52 1SA, UK. j.mccloskey@ulster.ac.uk
Nalbant
Suleyman S
SS
Steacy
Sandy
S
D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000639:trends*; D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D019156:Indian Ocean; D007214:Indonesia; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D014872:Water Movements