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Overview of Moment Tensor Analysis in New Zealand

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Moment Tensor Solutions

Part of the book series: Springer Natural Hazards ((SPRINGERNAT))

Abstract

The determination of earthquake source parameters is of fundamental importance in seismological research. Moment tensor analysis involves fitting theoretical waveforms to observed broadband waveforms and inverting for the moment tensor elements, and allows for the calculation of focal mechanism (strike, dip, and rake), seismic moment (M0), moment magnitude (Mw) which is calculated directly from M0, and centroid depth of an earthquake. A comprehensive catalogue of moment tensor solutions is of great importance in seismic hazard analysis and tectonic studies. For example, seismic hazard estimates typically use Mw in earthquake forecasts and risk analysis, and moment release rates along plate boundaries are important in calculating predicted plate motions in tectonic studies.

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Acknowledgements

Caroline Holden and Yoshihiro Kaneko provided many valuable comments which helped improve this article. Many of the figures were created using Generic Mapping Tools (GMT; Wessel and Smith 1998). Regional moment tensor solutions were computed using the mtpackagev1.1 package developed by Doug Dreger of the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, and Green’s functions were computed using the FKRPROG software developed by Chandan Saikia of URS.

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  1. GNS Science, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

    John Ristau

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  1. Dept Geosciences, Msdia Campus, Univ of Malta Dept Geosciences, Msdia Campus, Msida, Malta

    Sebastiano D'Amico

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Ristau, J. (2018). Overview of Moment Tensor Analysis in New Zealand. In: D'Amico, S. (eds) Moment Tensor Solutions. Springer Natural Hazards. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77359-9_13

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