Evaluation of the b Maps on the Faults of the Major (M > 7) South California Earthquakes

Abstract

We use the Godano et al. (2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021ea002205) method for evaluating the b maps of the faults associated with the largest earthquakes M ≥ 7.0 that occurred in California. The method allows an independent evaluation of the b parameter, avoiding the overlap of the cells and the omission of some earthquakes, while keeping all the available information in the catalog. We analyzed four large earthquakes: Landers, Hector Mine, Baja California, and Searles Valley. The maps obtained confirm that the b value can be considered as a strain meter and allow us to elucidate the presence of barriers, such as obstacles to the propagation of the fracture, on the fault of the analyzed earthquakes. A further estimated parameter is the time window during which aftershocks occur in the cell, Δt. This quantity is very useful for a better definition of the aftershock generation mechanism. It reveals where the stress is released in a short time interval and how the complexity of the faulting process controls the occurrence of aftershocks on the fault, and also the duration of the entire sequence.