Synchronization of Small Scale Seismic Clusters Reveal Large Scale Plate
Deformation
Abstract
It has long been observed that periods of intense seismic activity in a
region alternate with periods of relative quiescence, but establishing
whether this is the expected result of purely random fluctuations or is
due to some broad-scale physical processes occurring in the Earth is a
challenge. We present here compelling observations which show that
periods of high seismicity rate and periods of quiescence are
synchronized throughout the Anatolian plate. These observations are
based on the remarkably similar evolution of the numerous seismic
clusters between 2003 and 2017 in Anatolia. Two outside clocks set the
timing of these activities, the 2004 M9.2 Sumatra earthquake and the
2008-2011 episode of slab rollback/deformation in the Hellenic
subduction. The observed high seismicity rate in the plate which began
with the Sumatra earthquake and lasted for about 7 years has been
replaced by a relatively uniform quiescence period.