Abstract
A first-order seismotectonic model was created for South Africa. This was done using four logical steps: geoscientific data collection, characterisation, assimilation and zonation. Through the definition of subunits of concentrations of earthquake foci and large neotectonic and structural domains, seismotectonic structures, systems and domains were created. Relatively larger controls of seismicity exist between the Great Escarpment and the coast. In the south, this region is characterised by large aeromagnetic anomalies and large EW trending faults. In the west, it is characterised by the NW–SE trending Wegener stress anomaly, radial-trending dykes and earthquake clusters. In the east, it is characterised by a large neotectonic domain where several large historical earthquakes occurred. In the centre of South Africa, several clusters of earthquake activity are found, often related to mining activity. Further north, seismicity is related to both mining activity and neotectonic deformation. This work contributes to the development of a seismotectonic model for South Africa by (1) bringing together, digitally, several data sets in a common GIS platform (geology, geophysics, stress, seismicity, neotectonics, topography, crustal and mantle structure and anisotropy), (2) understanding the significance of data sets for seismotectonic zonation and limitations thereof and (3) obtaining a reasonable regional model for use in seismic hazard assessments.
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Acknowledgments
This work forms part of a M.Sc. dissertation at the University of Witwatersrand and is funded by the Council for Geoscience (CGS) and the National Research Foundation as part of the Africa Array Project. Prof. Artur Cichowicz is thanked for his encouragement and ongoing mentorship. The manager of the Seismology Unit of the Council for Geoscience, Michelle Grobbelaar, is thanked for her continued support. The Council for Geoscience supplied the base data.
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Singh, M., Kijko, A. & Durrheim, R. First-order regional seismotectonic model for South Africa. Nat Hazards 59, 383–400 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9762-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9762-3