2019 Mw 6.0 Mesetas (Colombia) Earthquake Sequence: Insights From Integrating Seismic and Morphostructural Observations

The boundary between the Northern Andean block and the South American plate is a first-order tectonic structure in Colombia with historically M > 7 earthquakes. However, details about individual sections of the system remain unknown. We illuminate the seismotectonic of the Algeciras fault by investigating an earthquake sequence that started on 24 December 2019. Using seismic networks at region, we estimate foreshocks and aftershocks focal mechanisms, local stress field, kinematic slip models of the largest events, and Coulomb stress changes. We integrate seismological and morphostructural observations to characterize source properties and reinterpret local faults. Two mainshocks (doublet of Mw 6.0 and 5.8) occurred within 16 min, rupturing just a few kilometers from each other. Discrimination of causative faults among the centroid moment-tensor nodal planes is difficult because the focal zone is a complex tectonic environment. The focal mechanisms and the local stress field obtained are consistent with a regional NE trending dextral transpressive shear. The relocated aftershocks show a cluster with an L-shaped pattern concentrated in a similar to 7 x 7 km area. Our model defines the Algeciras fault with two structural styles for its northern termination. The NW part is characterized by a duplex-style of right-lateral strike-slip with inner secondary faults of the same sense of movement, and the SE zone by a domino-style system with inner minor faults of sinistral kinematics. The earthquake doublet is in the zone characterized by the duplex style. In contrast, the southern part of the aftershocks is located in the zone characterized by the domino style.

Automated summary

This study investigates the seismotectonics of the Algeciras fault in Colombia, focusing on an earthquake sequence that occurred in December 2019. The study reveals two different structural styles of the fault, including a duplex-style right-lateral strike-slip and a domino-style system. The findings are significant for understanding the geological structure and seismic activity in the region.