Long-term Indian Ocean tsunami record reveals alternating event clusters
punctuated by quiet interludes
Abstract
[ The analyses of sediment cores retrieved near Port Blair (South
Andaman) revealed alternate bands of out-of-sequence layers at various
depths identified by their sediment characteristics and microfossil
content. The ‘out-of-sequence’ layers are found to be in the age ranges
of 596-606; 819-856; 1358-1522; 2899-3145; 3718-3461; 4584-4837;
5390-5823; and 6239-6472 yr BP, and show a remarkable chronological
equivalence with paleo-tsunami deposits identified from far-field
locations in the Indian Ocean region. The long-term tsunami record
implies temporally clustered sequence of causative earthquakes
alternating with interevent gaps and stand-alone events. This variable
recurrence pattern of tsunamigenic great earthquakes is supported by the
theoretical models espousing the characteristics of long-term stress
re-cycling processes active within the subduction zones and transfer
processes between the lower viscoelastic layer and the upper seismogenic
crust.]