The 11 May 2011 earthquake at Lorca (SE Spain) viewed in a structural-tectonic context

R.L.M. Vissers, B.M.L. Meijninger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The Lorca earthquake of 11 May 2011 in the Betic Cordillera of SE Spain occurred almost exactly on the Alhama de Murcia fault, a marked fault that forms part of a NE-SW trending belt of faults and thrusts. The fault belt is reminiscent of a strike-slip corridor, but recent structural studies have provided clear evidence for reverse motions on these faults. Focal mechanisms of the main earthquake, but also of a foreshock, are strikingly consistent with structural observations on the Alhama de Murcia fault. This strengthens the conclusion that, rather than a strike-slip fault, the fault is at present a contractional fault with an oblique reverse sense of motion, presumably in response to the NW-directed motion of Africa with respect to Europe
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)199-204
Number of pages6
JournalSolid Earth
Volume2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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