Non-Volcanic Earthquake Swarm Near the Harrat Lunayyir Volcanic Field,
Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Understanding the origin of seismic swarms can be controversial,
especially when they occur near volcanic areas. Here, we investigate a
seismic sequence which is steadily active in a non-volcanic area close
by the volcanic field of Harrat Lunayyir in the western shield of
Arabia. Our results unveil a planar zone of seismicity with
~5 km long E-W, sub-vertically ~9 km
south-dipping structure, which is characterized by a dominant tensional
focal mechanism. Independent evidence for the tectonic style dominance
came from assessing the ground deformation images using the InSAR
technique. This local seismicity might be attributed to a reactivated
structure along a regional weakness zone of the Najd Fault System, which
dominates the Precambrian structure of our area. Comparing the effects
of high- and low-frequency datasets for the moment tensor inversion
conclude a consistency of our solution. The frequency index analysis for
P- and S- waves spectral datasets, does not suggest fluid-driven
processes. We observe average stress drop of ~5.40 MPa
with corner frequency of ~2.75 Hz. Our study confirms a
localized reactivation of a brittle crustal seismogenic zone in the area
of interest. This interpretation relies on the integration of several
analysis methods, including spatial and magnitude-frequency
distributions statistics.