Project title comprehensive seismological investigation of the 2020 MW 5.1 sparta, north carolina, earthquake sequenceperiod of performance 1 1 2023 through 12 31 2023AWARD purpose on august 9,…

Project title comprehensive seismological investigation of the 2020 MW 5.1 sparta, north carolina, earthquake sequenceperiod of performance 1 1 2023 through 12 31 2023AWARD purpose on august 9, 2020, a MW 5.1 earthquake shook the blue ridge mountains near sparta, north carolina, causing damage to roads, utility lines, and masonry structures. This earthquake caused a maximum intensity of MMI VII in the epicentral area, and was felt across the eastern united states (EUS) and into the great plains and canada according to the U.S. Geological survey (USGS) did you feel IT intensity map.despite its moderate size, this earthquake generated the first documented surface rupture due to faulting in the EUS. IT remains unclear if this is the same surface that ruptured at depth or whether surface deformation is a subsidiary fault. Notably, the sparta earthquake was preceded by 8 foreshocks within the 25 hours before the mainshock and followed by hundreds of locatable aftershocks. Our preliminary analysis of the mainshock focal mechanism suggests that the mapped surface deformation is likely associated with the mainshock rupture. However, IT is still unclear how the mainshock rupture initiated and propagated. IT is of particular interest to examine the role of the foreshocks in the nucleation process of the mainshock. In this study, the recipient will conduct detailed seismological analyses on the data collected for this unusual foreshock mainshock aftershock sequence to help resolve details of the mainshock faulting process, as well as reveal the locations and orientations of other seismogenic faults in the source zone. This work is absolutely essential for improving seismic source characterization in this very low strain rate intraplate setting for seismic hazard assessment.activities to be performed 1. Collect and process all available data recorded by local and regional seismic STATIONS2. Derive a rupture model for the MW 5.1 MAINSHOCK3. Perform high resolution earthquake detection and relocation to obtain a complete earthquake catalog for the SEQUENCE4. Determine source parameters including focal mechanism, corner frequency, stress drop, moment magnitude, rupture DIRECTIVITY5. Prepare report and disseminate resultsdeliverables and expected outcomes the main deliverable is a final report that documents the findings from this project. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the earthquake source characteristics and the associated seismic hazard in this intraplate environment. In addition to the report, the results of this work will be presented at one or more national meeting of either the american geophysical union or the seismological society of america. The results of this work will be submitted in at least two papers for publication to a peer reviewed scientific journal, such as the bulletin of the seismological society of america or seismological research letters.intended beneficiaries seismologists and geologists working on source parameters and seismic hazard in the ceus, including the groups developing national seismic hazard maps for incorporation in building codes.subrecipient activities N a