Earthquake Correlations and Networks- A Comparative Study

TL;DR

This study constructs earthquake networks based on correlation metrics across different regions, revealing universal recurrence length features and power-law recurrence time distributions that extend aftershock laws.

Contribution

It introduces a correlation-based network model for earthquakes and compares seismic regions to identify universal and region-specific features.

Findings

Recurrence length distribution is unimodal and consistent across regions.

Large earthquakes act as hubs in the network with high out-degree.

Recurrence time distribution follows a two-regime power law, extending Omori's law.

Abstract

We quantify the correlation between earthquakes and use the same to distinguish between relevant causally connected earthquakes. Our correlation metric is a variation on the one introduced by Baiesi and Paczuski (2004). A network of earthquakes is constructed, which is time ordered and with links between the more correlated ones. Recurrences to earthquakes are identified employing correlation thresholds to demarcate the most meaningful ones in each cluster. Data pertaining to three different seismic regions, viz. California, Japan and Himalayas, are comparatively analyzed using such a network model. The distribution of recurrence lengths and recurrence times are two of the key features analyzed to draw conclusions about the universal aspects of such a network model. We find that the unimodal feature of recurrence length distribution, which helps to associate typical rupture lengths with different magnitude earthquakes, is robust across the different seismic regions. The out-degree of the networks shows a hub structure rooted on the large magnitude earthquakes. In-degree distribution is seen to be dependent on the density of events in the neighborhood. Power laws, with two regimes having different exponents, are obtained with recurrence time distribution. This is in agreement with the Omori law for aftershocks and extends it to spatial recurrences. The crossover to the second power law regime can be taken to be signalling the end of aftershock regime in an objective fashion.