Fault Slip Rates from Three-Dimensional Models of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, California

Michele L. Cooke, & Scott T. Marshall

Published November 2006, SCEC Contribution #1032

We present results from the first mechanical model of active tectonics in the Los Angeles region to use non-planar, geologically representative fault surfaces compiled by the Southern California Earthquake Center Community Fault Model. The fault slip rates from our three-dimensional model match well the available geologic slip rates. Discrepancies in reverse slip along the Upper Elysian Park fault and strike-slip along the Raymond fault may reflect imprecise knowledge of local fault geometry. Discrepancy in the average dip slip rate along the Palos Verdes fault reveals variations in dip slip along that surface; model predictions at the location of the geological investigation have good match to geologic data. The validated model is used to estimate dip and strike slip rates for 26 active faults in the Los Angeles metropolitan region, many of which are otherwise unconstrained by geologic evidence.

Key Words
United States, Los Angeles County California, geologic hazards, numerical models, three-dimensional models, slip rates, reverse faults, strike-slip faults, urban environment, California, Los Angeles California, fault planes, Southern California, seismic risk, active faults, faults

Citation
Cooke, M. L., & Marshall, S. T. (2006). Fault Slip Rates from Three-Dimensional Models of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, California. Geophysical Research Letters, 33, L21313. doi: 10.1029/2006GL027850..