Earthquake Source Complexity Controls the Frequency-Dependence of
Near-Source Radiation Patterns
Abstract
The spatial patterns of earthquake ground motion amplitudes are commonly
represented using a double couple model that corresponds to shear slip
on a planar fault. While this framework has proven successful in
explaining low-frequency seismic recordings, at higher frequencies the
wavefield becomes more azimuthally isotropic for reasons that are not
yet well understood. Here we use a dense array of nodal seismometers in
Oklahoma to study the radiation patterns of earthquakes in the
near-source region where wavefield scattering effects are limited. At
these close distances, the radiation pattern is predominantly double
couple at low frequencies (<15Hz). At higher frequencies, the
recorded wavefield contains significant isotropic and residual
components that cannot be explained as path or site effects, implying
complexity in the rupture process or local fault zone structure. These
findings demonstrate that earthquake source complexity can drive
variability in the ground motions that control seismic hazard.