Synchronization of small-scale seismic clusters reveals large-scale plate deformation

Abstract

Abstract It has long been observed that periods of intense seismic activity in a region alternate with periods of relative quiescence, but establishing whether or not this intermittency is driven by broad-scale physical processes occurring in the Earth, remains a challenge. Here, we address this question of long-range triggering by a large-scale analysis of evolution of the seismicity between 2003 and 2017 in the Anatolia region. Two multi-year periods of synchronous high seismicity rate in 27 seismicity clusters across the Anatolian plate are evidenced before a relatively uniform quiescence period. We argue that two remote tectonic processes are important for the timing of these activities: the 2004 M9.2 Sumatra earthquake and the 2008–2011 episode of slab rollback/deformation in the Hellenic subduction, even if a clear causal mechanism is still lacking. Graphical Abstract

Keywords

• Anatolian seismicity
• Earthquake triggering
• Seismicity rate
• Plate deformation