EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Ortiz et al. 1998
Ortiz, M., Singh, S.K., Pacheco, J. and Kostoglodov, V. (1998). Rupture length of the October 9, 1995 Colima-Jalisco Earthquake (M w 8) estimated from tsunami data. Geophysical Research Letters 25: doi: 10.1029/98GL02059. issn: 0094-8276.

We analyze tsunami data of the great 1995 Colima-Jalisco, Mexico earthquake, recorded in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, to estimate its rupture length, L. To model the tsunami arrival time, we assume a rectangular source area, oriented parallel to the trench, whose SE limit is fixed at the point of rupture initiation. The NW limit of the source area, i.e., L, is varied between 120 and 200 km. The comparison between synthetic and observed data strongly suggests that L of the earthquake was 160¿20 km. This length agrees with those reported in various other studies of the earthquake. It, however, disagrees with a previous study, based on the same tsunami data, which suggested that the rupture may have extended 250 km NW from the epicenter [Tanioka and Ruff, 1996>. The cause of this discrepancy is most likely an error in the timing of the records used by Tanioka and Ruff [1996>. We conclude that the earthquake only partially ruptured the Rivera-North America plate interface. A 120 km-long segment in the NW extreme of this interface, which apparently ruptured in 1932, remains presently unbroken. ¿ 1998 American Geophysical Union

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Seismology, Earthquake parameters, Seismology, Seismicity and seismotectonics, Oceanography, Physical, Tsunamis and storm surges
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit