Supershear Rupture Indicator in Near-fault Particle Motion

Abstract

Earthquake rupture propagation speed is an essential source parameter that fundamentally controls hazard and risk. In this paper, we develop and demonstrate the capability of near-fault seismic records in delineating rupture speeds of strike-slip earthquakes through inspecting displacement particle motion. We apply the new method on near-fault strong-motion data in global M7+ strike-slip earthquakes and identify diverse particle motion signatures associated with sustaining subshear rupture, sustaining supershear rupture, supershear transition, oblique slip, initial rupture expanding process, and multiple rupture fronts. This study highlights the superior application of near-fault observations in rapid rupture speed determination.