The Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program: Background
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"Tectonic Deformation Re Great Subduction Zone Earthquakes
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ ._ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . 3 TECTONIC DEFORMATION RELATED TO GREAT SUBDUCTION ZONE EARTliQUAKES George Plafker, U.S. Geological Survey Abstract Vertical and horizontal displacements associated with plate convergence at consuming plate margins are the algebraic sum of interseismic, coseismic, and transient deformat- ions through a complete earthquake cycle on a time scale of tens to thousands of years. Elastic and permanent deformations accumulated during the interseismic period are a function of coupling across the megathrust interface between the underthrusting oceanic crust and the upper plate, and of the direction, rate, and duration of relative plate motions. Coseismic deformations result frbm seaward thrusting of the upper plate and depend upon dip of the megathrust, displacement along the megathrust, and the dip and displacements along subsidiary faults that may break through the upper plate. Transient postseismic displacements may occur that result from relatively slow elastic strain i release or creep deformation following an earthquake, | i Coseismic regional vertical displacements typically involve a central broad asymmetric downwarp elongate parallel to the arc with a flanking zone of marked uplift on the sea- | t ward side, and a zone of relatively minor uplift on the landward side. The major zones I of uplift and subsidence may extend from the trench to its associated volcanic are. In the 1960 Chile earthquake (Mw=9.5] deformation occurred for about 1,050 km parallel to the are over an area of 85,000+ km with shoreline vertical displacements to +5.7 m and -2.3 m. -
The Alaska Earthquake Regional Effects
The Alaska Earthquake March 27,1964: Regional Effects This volume was published as separate chapters A-J GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 543 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY William T. Pecora, Director CONTENTS [Letters designate the separately published chapters] ('1) Slide-induced waves, seiching, and ground fracturing caused by the earthquake of March 27, 1964, at Kenai Lake, Alaska, by David S. McCulloch. (B) Geomorphic effects of the earthquake of March 27, 1964. in the Martin-Bering Rivers area, Alaska, by Samuel J. Tuthill and Wilson M. Laird. (C) Gravity survey and regional geology of the Prince William Sound, epicentral region. Alaska, by J. E. Case, L). F. Barnes, George Plafker, and S. L. Robbins. (D) Geologic effects of the March 1964 earthquake and associated seismic sea waves on Kadiali and nearby islands, Alaska, by George Plafker and Reuben Kachadooria~~. (E) Effects of the earthquake of Marc11 27. 1964, in the Coljl~erRiver Basin area, Alaska, by Oscar J. Ferrians, Jr. (F) Ground breakage and associated effects ill the Cook Inlet area. Alaska, resulting from the JIarch 27, 1964, earthquake, by Helen L. Foster and Thor x. V. Karlstrorn. (G) Surface faults on Montague Island associated with the 1964 Alahka earthquake, by George Plaflter. (13) Erosion and deposition on a beach raised by the 19ki4 earthyuake. Jfontagne Island, Alaska, by 11. J. Kirkby and Anne V. Kirkby. (I) Tectonics d the March 27,1964, Alaska earthquake. by Grorge I'lafker. (J) Effects of the Alaska earbhquake of March 27. 1964, on shore processes and beach ~norphology, by Kirk W. -
Quake News from America Roger Bilham Savours Two Rich Accounts of Seismicity Across the Continent
SEISMOLOGY Quake news from America Roger Bilham savours two rich accounts of seismicity across the continent. iven recent seismic activity — Quakeland: On the Road to America’s Next years, coinciding with a rise in fracking, political as well as geological — it’s Devastating Earthquake was unlikely to represent a natural process. perhaps unsurprising that two books KATHRYN MILES Miles does not take sides, but it’s difficult Gon earthquakes have arrived this season. Dutton: 2017. for the reader not to. One is as elegant as the score of a Beethoven The Great Quake: How the Biggest She visits New York City, marvelling at symphony; the other resembles a diary of Earthquake in North America Changed Our subway tunnels and unreinforced masonry MICHAEL NICHOLS/NGC conversations overheard during a rock con- Understanding of the Planet almost certainly scheduled for destruction by cert. Both are interesting, and both relate HENRY FOUNTAIN the next moderate earthquake in the vicin- Crown: 2017. recent history to a shaky future. ity. She considers the perils of nuclear-waste Journalist Kathryn Miles’s Quakeland is a storage in Nevada and Texas, and ponders litany of bad things that happen when you personalities, opinions and prejudices tell a the risks to Idaho miners of rock bursts — provoke Earth to release its invisible but story of scientific discovery and engineering spontaneous fracture of the working face ubiquitous store of seismic-strain energy, remedy. when the restraints of many million years of either by removing fluids (oil, water, gas) or Miles poses some important societal confinement are mined away. She contem- by adding them in copious quantities (when questions. -
The Megathrust Earthquake Cycle
Ocean. A little less than four years later, a similar-sized earthquake strikes the Prince William Sound area of Alaska producing a tsunami that ravages Alaska and the west coast of North America. At the time, it was clear Not My Fault: The megathrust these were very large quakes, registering 8.6 and 8.5 on earthquake cycle the Surface Wave magnitude scale, the variant of the Lori Dengler/For the Times-Standard Richter scale that was in use at the time. But only after Posted: May 24, 2017 theresearch of two more Reid award winners Aki and Kanamori (whose work would replace the Richter scale The Seismological Society of America is the world’s with seismic moment and moment magnitude) would largest organization dedicated to the study of the true size of these earthquakes Become clear. When earthquakes and their impacts on humans. The recalculated in the 70s, 1964 Alaska was upped to 9.2 Society’s highest honor is the Henry F. Reid Award and 1960 Chile Became a whopping 9.5, the largest recognizes the work that has done the most to the magnitude earthquake ever recorded on a seismograph. transform the discipline. This year’s recipient is George Plafker for his studies of great suBduction zone Both of these earthquakes occurred before plate earthquakes. tectonics, the grand unifying theory of how the outer part of the earth works, was well known or accepted. In I mentioned Dr. Plafker in my last column as a pioneer of the sixties, many earth scientists Believed great post earthquake/tsunami reconnaissance. -
Steve Mccutcheon Collection, B1990.014
REFERENCE CODE: AkAMH REPOSITORY NAME: Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center Bob and Evangeline Atwood Alaska Resource Center 625 C Street Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: 907-929-9235 Fax: 907-929-9233 Email: [email protected] Guide prepared by: Sara Piasecki, Archivist TITLE: Steve McCutcheon Collection COLLECTION NUMBER: B1990.014 OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION Dates: circa 1890-1990 Extent: approximately 180 linear feet Language and Scripts: The collection is in English. Name of creator(s): Steve McCutcheon, P.S. Hunt, Sydney Laurence, Lomen Brothers, Don C. Knudsen, Dolores Roguszka, Phyllis Mithassel, Alyeska Pipeline Services Co., Frank Flavin, Jim Cacia, Randy Smith, Don Horter Administrative/Biographical History: Stephen Douglas McCutcheon was born in the small town of Cordova, AK, in 1911, just three years after the first city lots were sold at auction. In 1915, the family relocated to Anchorage, which was then just a tent city thrown up to house workers on the Alaska Railroad. McCutcheon began taking photographs as a young boy, but it wasn’t until he found himself in the small town of Curry, AK, working as a night roundhouse foreman for the railroad that he set out to teach himself the art and science of photography. As a Deputy U.S. Marshall in Valdez in 1940-1941, McCutcheon honed his skills as an evidential photographer; as assistant commissioner in the state’s new Dept. of Labor, McCutcheon documented the cannery industry in Unalaska. From 1942 to 1944, he worked as district manager for the federal Office of Price Administration in Fairbanks, taking photographs of trading stations, communities and residents of northern Alaska; he sent an album of these photos to Washington, D.C., “to show them,” he said, “that things that applied in the South 48 didn’t necessarily apply to Alaska.” 1 1 Emanuel, Richard P. -
Chugach National Forest 2016 Visitor Guide
CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST 2016 VISITOR GUIDE CAMPING WILDILFE VISITOR CENTERS page 10 page 12 page 15 Welcome Get Out and Explore! Hop on a train for a drive-free option into the Chugach National Forest, plan a multiple day trip to access remote to the Chugach National Forest! primitive campsites, attend the famous Cordova Shorebird Festival, or visit the world-class interactive exhibits Table of Contents at Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. There is something for everyone on the Chugach. From the Kenai Peninsula to The Chugach National Forest, one of two national forests in Alaska, serves as Prince William Sound, to the eastern shores of the Copper River Delta, the forest is full of special places. Overview ....................................3 the “backyard” for over half of Alaska’s residents and is a destination for visi- tors. The lands that now make up the Chugach National Forest are home to the People come from all over the world to experience the Chugach National Forest and Alaska’s wilderness. Not Eastern Kenai Peninsula .......5 Alaska Native peoples including the Ahtna, Chugach, Dena’ina, and Eyak. The only do we welcome international visitors, but residents from across the state travel to recreate on Chugach forest’s 5.4 million acres compares in size with the state of New Hampshire and National Forest lands. Whether you have an hour or several days there are options galore for exploring. We have Prince William Sound .............7 comprises a landscape that includes portions of the Kenai Peninsula, Prince Wil- listed just a few here to get you started. liam Sound, and the Copper River Delta. -
Fully-Coupled Simulations of Megathrust Earthquakes and Tsunamis in the Japan Trench, Nankai Trough, and Cascadia Subduction Zone
Noname manuscript No. (will be inserted by the editor) Fully-coupled simulations of megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis in the Japan Trench, Nankai Trough, and Cascadia Subduction Zone Gabriel C. Lotto · Tamara N. Jeppson · Eric M. Dunham Abstract Subduction zone earthquakes can pro- strate that horizontal seafloor displacement is a duce significant seafloor deformation and devas- major contributor to tsunami generation in all sub- tating tsunamis. Real subduction zones display re- duction zones studied. We document how the non- markable diversity in fault geometry and struc- hydrostatic response of the ocean at short wave- ture, and accordingly exhibit a variety of styles lengths smooths the initial tsunami source relative of earthquake rupture and tsunamigenic behavior. to commonly used approach for setting tsunami We perform fully-coupled earthquake and tsunami initial conditions. Finally, we determine self-consistent simulations for three subduction zones: the Japan tsunami initial conditions by isolating tsunami waves Trench, the Nankai Trough, and the Cascadia Sub- from seismic and acoustic waves at a final sim- duction Zone. We use data from seismic surveys, ulation time and backpropagating them to their drilling expeditions, and laboratory experiments initial state using an adjoint method. We find no to construct detailed 2D models of the subduc- evidence to support claims that horizontal momen- tion zones with realistic geometry, structure, fric- tum transfer from the solid Earth to the ocean is tion, and prestress. Greater prestress and rate-and- important in tsunami generation. state friction parameters that are more velocity- weakening generally lead to enhanced slip, seafloor Keywords tsunami; megathrust earthquake; deformation, and tsunami amplitude. -
P1616 Text-Only PDF File
A Geologic Guide to Wrangell–Saint Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska A Tectonic Collage of Northbound Terranes By Gary R. Winkler1 With contributions by Edward M. MacKevett, Jr.,2 George Plafker,3 Donald H. Richter,4 Danny S. Rosenkrans,5 and Henry R. Schmoll1 Introduction region—his explorations of Malaspina Glacier and Mt. St. Elias—characterized the vast mountains and glaciers whose realms he invaded with a sense of astonishment. His descrip Wrangell–Saint Elias National Park and Preserve (fig. tions are filled with superlatives. In the ensuing 100+ years, 6), the largest unit in the U.S. National Park System, earth scientists have learned much more about the geologic encompasses nearly 13.2 million acres of geological won evolution of the parklands, but the possibility of astonishment derments. Furthermore, its geologic makeup is shared with still is with us as we unravel the results of continuing tectonic contiguous Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, Kluane processes along the south-central Alaska continental margin. National Park and Game Sanctuary in the Yukon Territory, the Russell’s superlatives are justified: Wrangell–Saint Elias Alsek-Tatshenshini Provincial Park in British Columbia, the is, indeed, an awesome collage of geologic terranes. Most Cordova district of Chugach National Forest and the Yakutat wonderful has been the continuing discovery that the disparate district of Tongass National Forest, and Glacier Bay National terranes are, like us, invaders of a sort with unique trajectories Park and Preserve at the north end of Alaska’s panhan and timelines marking their northward journeys to arrive in dle—shared landscapes of awesome dimensions and classic today’s parklands. -
Tsunami Hazards
ISSN 8755-6839 SCIENCE OF TSUNAMI HAZARDS The International Journal of The Tsunami Society Volume 19 Number 3 Published Electronically 2001 SOME OPPORTUNITIES OF THE LANDSLIDE TSUNAMI HYPOTHESIS 126 Phillip Watts Applied Fluid Engineering Long Beach, California 90803, USA A NON-LINEAR NUMERICAL MODEL FOR STRATIFIED TSUNAMI WAVES AND ITS APPLICATION 150 Monzur Alam lmteaz The University of Queensland Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia Fumihiko lmamura Tohoku University Aoba, Sendai 980-8579, Japan MODELING THE LA PALMA LANDSLIDE TSUNAMI 160 Charles L. Mader Mader Consulting Co., Honolulu, HI, USA BOOK REVIEW - The Big One - The Next California Earthquake by George Pararadarayannis copyright @I 2001 THE TSUNAMI SOCIETY P. 0. Box 37970, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA WWW.STHJOURNAL.ORG OBJECTIVE: The Tsunami Society publishes this journal to increase and disseminate knowledge about tsunamis and their hazards. DISCLAIMER: Although these articles have been technically reviewed by peers, The Tsunami Society is not responsible for the veracity of any state- ment , opinion or consequences. EDITORIAL STAFF Dr. Charles Mader, Editor Mader Consulting Co. 1049 Kamehame Dr., Honolulu, HI. 96825-2860, USA EDITORIAL BOARD Dr. Antonio Baptista, Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and Technology Professor George Carrier, Harvard University Mr. George Curtis, University of Hawaii - Hilo Dr. Zygmunt Kowalik, University of Alaska Dr. T. S. Murty, Baird and Associates - Ottawa Dr. Shigehisa Nakamura, Kyoto University Dr. Yurii Shokin, Novosibirsk Mr Thomas Sokolowski, Alaska Tsunami Warning Center Dr. Costas Synolakis, University of California Professor Stefano Tinti, University of Bologna TSUNAMI SOCIETY OFFICERS Dr. Tad Murty, President Mr. Michael Blackford, Secretary Dr. Barbara H. Keating, Treasurer Submit manuscripts of articles, notes or letters to the Editor. -
Geology of the Prince William Sound and Kenai Peninsula Region, Alaska
Geology of the Prince William Sound and Kenai Peninsula Region, Alaska Including the Kenai, Seldovia, Seward, Blying Sound, Cordova, and Middleton Island 1:250,000-scale quadrangles By Frederic H. Wilson and Chad P. Hults Pamphlet to accompany Scientific Investigations Map 3110 View looking east down Harriman Fiord at Serpentine Glacier and Mount Gilbert. (photograph by M.L. Miller) 2012 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Contents Abstract ..........................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................1 Geographic, Physiographic, and Geologic Framework ..........................................................................1 Description of Map Units .............................................................................................................................3 Unconsolidated deposits ....................................................................................................................3 Surficial deposits ........................................................................................................................3 Rock Units West of the Border Ranges Fault System ....................................................................5 Bedded rocks ...............................................................................................................................5 -
USGS Open-File Report 2010-1152
USGS Tsunami Source Working Group (TSWG) Program and Abstracts of the Second Tsunami Source Workshop: July 19–20, 2010 Compiled by W.H.K. Lee, S.H. Kirby, and M.F. Diggles Open-File Report 2010-1152 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior KEN SALAZAR, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Marcia K. McNutt, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2010 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Suggested citation Lee, W.H.K., Kirby, S.H., and Diggles, M.F., compilers, 2010, Program and abstracts of the Second Tsunami Source Workshop; July 19-20, 2010: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2010-1152, 33 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2010/1152/]. The abstracts by non-USGS authors in this volume are published as they were submitted. Abstracts authored entirely by non-USGS authors do not represent the views or position of the U.S. Geological Survey or the U.S. government and are published solely as part of the Proceedings volume. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report. -
The Role of Holocene Relative Sea-Level Change in Preserving Records of Subduction Zone Earthquakes
Curr Clim Change Rep DOI 10.1007/s40641-016-0041-y SEA LEVEL PROJECTIONS (BP HORTON, SECTION EDITOR) The Role of Holocene Relative Sea-Level Change in Preserving Records of Subduction Zone Earthquakes Tina Dura1,2 & Simon E. Engelhart 3 & Matteo Vacchi4 & Benjamin P. Horton1,2,5 & Robert E. Kopp2,6 & W. Richard Peltier7 & Sarah Bradley 8 # Springer International Publishing AG 2016 Abstract Eustasy and glacio- and hydro-isostatic adjustment evidence of prehistoric earthquakes has been preserved only are the main drivers of regional variability of Holocene rela- during periods of gradual RSL rise prior to a mid-Holocene tive sea-level (RSL) records. These regional variations in highstand, or during the last 1–3 ka, when RSL was within Holocene RSL influence the preservation of coastal wetland 2 m of modern sea level, and thus within the tidal frame. stratigraphic records of prehistoric earthquakes along subduc- tion zone coasts. The length and completeness of prehistoric Keywords Relative sea level . Glacio-isostatic adjustment . earthquake records is intrinsically linked to the accommoda- Prehistoric earthquakes . Accommodation space . Coastal tion space provided by gradually rising (<3 mm/year) wetland stratigraphy . Subduction zone Holocene RSL. In near-field regions that were located beneath northern hemisphere ice sheets (e.g., western Vancouver Island), RSL fall from a mid-Holocene highstand has limited Introduction prehistoric earthquake records to the last 1 ka. In intermediate field regions (e.g., southern Washington and central Oregon), Holocene relative sea-level (RSL) change is the net effect of gradual RSL rise over the last ∼7 ka has preserved widespread eustatic factors (land ice mass change and ocean thermal ex- records of prehistoric earthquakes.