Shallow Dynamic Overshoot and Energetic Deep Rupture in the 2011 M w 9.0 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1207020
• Publication Date: 2011-05-20T03:12:56Z
• Authors: Satoshi Ide; Annemarie Baltay; Gregory C. Beroza
• Keywords: Moment magnitude scale; Earthquake rupture; Tsunami earthquake

Strong spatial variation of rupture characteristics in the moment magnitude (M(w)) 9.0 Tohoku-Oki megathrust earthquake controlled both strength shaking and size tsunami that followed. Finite-source imaging reveals consisted a small initial phase, deep for up to 40 seconds, extensive shallow at 60 70 continuing lasting more than 100 seconds. A combination dipping fault compliant hanging wall may have enabled large slip near trench. Normal faulting aftershocks area high suggest dynamic overshoot on fault. Despite prodigious total slip, shallower parts weakly radiated frequencies, whereas deeper strongly frequencies.