Thermal pressurization induced the frequency-dependent rupture during
the 2019 Mw8.0 Peru intermediate depth earthquake
Abstract
The rupture process of earthquakes at intermediate depth
(~70-300 km) have been rarely illuminated by a joint
analysis of geodetic and seismic observations, hindering our
understanding on their dynamic rupture mechanisms. Here we present
detailed rupture process of the 2019 Mw8.0 Peru
earthquake at the depth of 122 km with a holistic approach reconciling
InSAR and broadband seismological waveform data. The joint inversion of
InSAR observations and teleseismic body waves results in a finite
rupture model that extends ~200 km along strike, with
unilateral rupture towards north that lasted for ~60 s.
There are four major asperities in the finite fault model which are well
corresponding to position and timing of the sources in back-projection
(BP) and multiple points source (MPS) results. The largest asperity,
which occurred ~40 s after the rupture initiation, was
featured with longer and smoother risetime, and radiated much weaker
high-frequency seismic waves compared to other smaller asperities. This
distinct frequency-dependent rupture requires a strong dynamic weakening
mechanism, likely thermal pressurization of pore free water rather than
thermal runaway. Our frequency content analysis could be generalized to
study other earthquakes including those deeper than 300 km.