[1] Using a joint inversion of seismological waveforms and ground displacement observations, we estimate several parameters of the fault geometry and rupture process of the Mw = 6.9 May 21, 2003 Boumerdes-Zemmouri earthquake. The relocated epicenter is considered as a known parameter. Total rupture length, rupture duration, and maximum slip are 55 km (from 3.4°E to 4.0°E), 12 s, and 3 m. The modeled south dipping reverse fault, oriented ENE-WSW outcrops a few km offshore which is consistent with the absence of observed surface rupture inland. Two shallow and relatively localized slip zones are found, on both sides of the hypocenter. To the SW, between Boumerdes and Zemmouri, slip is concentrated between 11 and 2 km depth. To the NE, between Zemmouri and Dellys, slip is concentrated between 6 km depth and the sea floor. Various resolution tests indicate that our model is well constrained by the available data, and help understanding which data constrains each parameter of the model.

[1] A shoreline uplift marked by a continuous white band visible at rocky headlands occurred during the 21 May 2003 earthquake (Mw 6.8) in northern Algeria. We measured the amount of coastal uplift on a white band (emerged algae) and harbors quays between Boumerdes and Dellys. Most of measured points were collected using tape and differential GPS on rocky headlands with s ± 0.15 m error bar (tidal prism). Leveling lines running parallel and orthogonal to the coast also provide the precise amount of uplift in the epicentral area. The uplift distribution shows an average 0.55 m along the shoreline with a maximum 0.75 m east of Boumerdes and a minimum close to 0 near Cap Djinet. The active deformation related to a thrust fault is modeled along the $55 km coastline. The dislocation model predicts surface slip on a N 54°E trending reverse fault, dipping 50°S E in agreement with CMT solution and coastal uplift. The faulting characteristics imply a fault geometry with possible sea bottom ruptures between 5 to 10 km offshore.

[1] We analyze the aftershocks sequence of the Zemmouri thrust faulting earthquake (21 May 2003, M w 6.8) located east of Algiers in the Tell Atlas. The seismic sequence located during $2 months following the mainshock is made of more than 1500 earthquakes and extends NE-SW along a $60-km fault rupture zone crossing the coastline. The earthquake relocation was performed using handpicked P and S phases located with the tomoDD in a detailed 3D velocity structure of the epicentral area. Contrasts between velocity patches seem to correlate with contacts between granitic-volcanic basement rocks and the sedimentary formation of the eastern Mitidja basin. The aftershock sequence exhibits at least three seismic clouds and a well-defined SE-dipping main fault geometry that reflects the complex rupture. The distribution of seismic events presents a clear contrast between a dense SW zone and a NE zone with scattered aftershocks. We observe that the mainshock locates between the SW and NE seismic zones; it also lies at the NNS-SSE contact that separates a basement block to the east and sedimentary formations to the west. The aftershock distribution also suggests fault bifurcation at the SW end of the fault rupture, with a 20-km-long $N 100°trending seismic cluster, with a vertical fault geometry parallel to the coastline juxtaposed. Another aftershock cloud may correspond to 75°SE dipping fault. The fault geometry and related SW branches may illustrate the interference between pre-existing fault structures and the SW rupture propagation. The rupture zone, related kinematics, and velocity contrasts obtained from the aftershocks distribution are in agreement with the coastal uplift and reflect the characteristics of an active zone controlled by convergent movements at a plate boundary.

[1] A strong earthquake (Mw 6.8) struck the coastal region east of Algiers and the Tell Atlas of Algeria on 21 May, 2003 and was responsible of severe damage and about 2400 casualties. The coastal mainshock was followed by a large number of aftershocks, the largest reaching Mw 5.8 on 27 May 2003. We study the mainshock, first major aftershocks and about 900 events recorded by temporary seismic stations using master-event approach and doubledifference (DD) methods. Although the seismic station array has a large gap coverage, the DD algorithm provides with an accurate aftershocks location. The mainshock hypocenter relocation is determined using three major aftershocks (5.0 Mw 5.8) chosen as master events. The new mainshock location shifted on the coastline (36.83N, 3.65E) at 8 -10 km depth. Seismic events extend to about 16-km-depth and form a N 55°-60°E trending and 45°-55°SE dipping fault geometry. Up to now, it is the unique among the recently studied seismic events of the Tell Atlas of Algeria. Mainshock and aftershocks relocation, the thrust focal mechanism (Harvard CMT: N 57°, 44°SE dip, 71 rake) and the seismic moment 2.86 10 19 Nm, infer a 50-km-long fault rupture that may appear at the sea bottom at 6 to 12 km offshore north of the coastline. The Zemmouri earthquake occurred along the complex thrust-and-fold system of the Tell Atlas and provides with new constraints on the earthquake hazard evaluation in northern Algeria.

S U M M A R YA strong tsunami with sea disturbances observed along the Algerian coast, but with significant damage mainly in the Balearic Islands (Spain) harbours, affected the western Mediterranean following the 2003 Zemmouri earthquake (M W 6.9, Algeria). An average regional uplift of 0.55 m was measured along the shoreline in the epicentral area. Field observations, main shock and aftershocks characteristics are consistent with thrust along a ∼55-km-long rupture, trending NE-SW, dipping SE. The seismotectonic parameters indicate a hypocentre 7-8 km deep and a possible fault break between 5 and 15 km offshore. Several tide gauges located in the western Mediterranean Coast indicated an average of 0.4 m of sea-level change with a maximum of 2 m in the Balearic Islands. We generated high-resolution bathymetry grids from the Algerian coasts to the Balearic Islands coasts in order to test different seismic sources (with different fault rupture location, strike and dip) and model the tsunami initiation and propagation.For the modelling we employed the Crank-Nicolson numerical schema with a finite difference method and the Okada elastic dislocation theory for the fault rupture. We also highlight the different factors responsible for waves' amplification around the Balearic coast. The best fit between synthetic and real data (tide gauges, GPS levelling and coastal uplift as compared to run-up values) are obtained for a thrust rupture comparable with the earthquake fault inferred from seismotectonic studies and located within 15 km offshore. An analysis of T waves reinforces the earthquake rupture origin for the tsunami. This study presents the results and modelling of a major tsunami recorded in the western Mediterranean Sea.