Abstract
We have made observations of a heat signature that is associated with the frictional heat generated at the time of faulting for a large earthquake. Temperature measurements in a borehole that intersects the Chelungpu fault at a depth of about 1100 m, show a small increase near the fault even six years after the earthquake. The temperature signature has a symmetric shape with a width of about 40 m and is centered on the fault that slipped about 5 m during the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan earthquake. The small amplitude of 0.06°C for the observed temperature anomaly indicates a very low level of friction that generated heat at the time of the earthquake.
Original language | English |
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Article number | L14306 |
Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 14 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2006 |