Article
The May 15, 2020 M 6.5 Monte Cristo Range, Nevada, earthquake: eyes in the sky, boots on the ground, and a chance for students to learnitle
International Geology Review
(2021)
Abstract
The M 6.5 earthquake that occurred in the Monte Cristo Range near Mina, Nevada on 15 May 2020
was exceptionally well-recorded with both seismic and geodetic instrumentation. The arid nature
of the region also facilitated detailed ground mapping of the surface rupture. Here we integrate
several independent data sets to illustrate the educational and research opportunities afforded by
these rich data sets. We construct a series of models for slip at depth that are consistent with the
satellite-derived geodetic data, the distribution of aftershocks, and the mapped surface rupture.
We also show that the modelled depth of maximum slip is in good agreement with heat flow and
laboratory data on quartz rheology defining the depth of the brittle-ductile transition. The Monte
Cristo Range earthquake also suggests new approaches to seismic hazard assessment may be
required for earthquakes in rapidly evolving tectonic regions such as the Walker Lane and Eastern
California shear zone.
Keywords
- Monte Cristo Range earthquake,
- Nevada;,
- integrated geologic and geophysical studies,
- seismic hazard assessment
Disciplines
Publication Date
November, 2021
Citation Information
Taha Sadeghi Chorsi, Jochen Braunmiller, Fanghui Deng, Nicholas Mueller, et al.. "The May 15, 2020 M 6.5 Monte Cristo Range, Nevada, earthquake: eyes in the sky, boots on the ground, and a chance for students to learnitle" International Geology Review (2021) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jochen-braunmiller/69/