Active Faults, Kinematics, and Seismotectonic Evolution during Tajogaite Eruption 2021 (La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain)

Bibliographic Details
Title: Active Faults, Kinematics, and Seismotectonic Evolution during Tajogaite Eruption 2021 (La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain)
Authors: Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Pascua, Raúl Perez-Lopez, María Ángeles Perucha, Nieves Sánchez, Julio López-Gutierrez, José F. Mediato, David Sanz-Mangas, Gonzalo Lozano, Inés Galindo, Juan Carlos García-Davalillo, Carlos Lorenzo Carnicero, Marta Béjar
Source: Applied Sciences, Vol 14, Iss 7, p 2745 (2024)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Technology
LCC:Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
LCC:Biology (General)
LCC:Physics
LCC:Chemistry
Subject Terms: Tajogaite eruption 2021, active fault, strain tensor, earthquake, creep, La Palma, Technology, Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General), TA1-2040, Biology (General), QH301-705.5, Physics, QC1-999, Chemistry, QD1-999
More Details: During the 2021 La Palma strombolian and fissure eruption, two faults were identified that controlled the spatial distribution of earthquake hypocenters and effusive eruptive vents. One of these faults has a NW-SE trend (Tazacorte Fault: TZF) and the other one shows an ENE-WSW trend (Mazo Fault: MZF). Previous works on fault structural analysis in La Palma indicated that the eruption zone was compatible with an extensional tectonic strain ellipsoid which activated normal-strike-slip directional faults at the confluence of TZF and MZF. These fractures were activated during the 2021 Tajogaite eruption, determining the NW-SE and WSW-ENE spatial distribution of vents. Both faults were mapped in real time during the volcanic eruption from fieldwork and remote sensing imagery (aerial drone images). We have collected more than 300 fracture data associated with the effusive vents and post-eruption seismic creep. Since the affected area was densely inhabited, most of these fractures affect houses and infrastructures. Some of the houses affected by the TZF were damaged 9 months after the eruption, although they were not damaged during the eruption. Surprisingly, these houses already had repairs made to the same fractures since 1980, giving information of previous fault creep movement. During the 2021 Tajogaite eruption, shallow seismicity was spatially related to both faults, suggesting a seismic behavior instead of the precedent creep movement. However, the lack of seismicity after the eruption indicates that the faults went back to creep aseismic behavior, similarly to 1980. The mapping and monitoring of these faults (TZF and MZF) is relevant bearing in mind that they have been active since 1980 and the post-eruptive phase of the 2021 volcanic eruption, which has to be included in the land use planning in areas affected by the volcanic eruption and creep movement. Furthermore, both faults could act as seismogenic sources triggering volcanic earthquakes with potential high macroseismic intensities and mass movements. The data presented here show the importance of having this type of study before the onset of the eruption, thus allowing a better interpretation of seismic data during volcanic unrest.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2076-3417
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/7/2745; https://doaj.org/toc/2076-3417
DOI: 10.3390/app14072745
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/0605d9e81dea4967a9b7b3c4d273b8bc
Accession Number: edsdoj.0605d9e81dea4967a9b7b3c4d273b8bc
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:20763417
DOI:10.3390/app14072745
Published in:Applied Sciences
Language:English