Articles | Volume 22, issue 11
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-3607-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-3607-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
07 Nov 2022
Research article |
| 07 Nov 2022
| 07 Nov 2022
Geologic and geodetic constraints on the magnitude and frequency of earthquakes along Malawi's active faults: the Malawi Seismogenic Source Model (MSSM)
Jack N. Williams
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
School of Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
now at: Department of Geology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Luke N. J. Wedmore
School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Åke Fagereng
School of Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
Maximilian J. Werner
School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Hassan Mdala
Geological Survey Department, Mzuzu Regional Office, Mzuzu, Malawi
Donna J. Shillington
School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University,
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Christopher A. Scholz
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
Folarin Kolawole
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, Palisades, New York, USA
Lachlan J. M. Wright
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
Juliet Biggs
School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Zuze Dulanya
Geography and Earth Sciences Department, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi
Felix Mphepo
Geological Survey Department, Mzuzu Regional Office, Mzuzu, Malawi
Patrick Chindandali
Geological Survey Department, Zomba, Malawi
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Cited
10 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Fault-based probabilistic seismic hazard analysis in regions with low strain rates and a thick seismogenic layer: a case study from Malawi J. Williams et al. 10.1093/gji/ggad060
- Probabilistic seismic collapse risk assessment of non-engineered masonry buildings in Malawi K. Goda et al. 10.3389/fbuil.2024.1333576
- Unified earthquake catalogue and mapping of Gutenberg–Richter parameters for the East African Rift System A. Letamo et al. 10.1186/s40677-023-00249-2
- Evidence for large Holocene earthquakes along the Yangsan fault in the SE Korean Peninsula revealed in three-dimensional paleoseismic trenches S. Naik et al. 10.1130/B37275.1
- (D)rifting in the 21st century: key processes, natural hazards, and geo-resources F. Zwaan et al. 10.5194/se-15-989-2024
- Displacement/Length Scaling Relationships for Normal Faults; a Review, Critique, and Revised Compilation B. Lathrop et al. 10.3389/feart.2022.907543
- The Malawi Active Fault Database: An Onshore‐Offshore Database for Regional Assessment of Seismic Hazard and Tectonic Evolution J. Williams et al. 10.1029/2022GC010425
- The Luangwa Rift Active Fault Database and fault reactivation along the southwestern branch of the East African Rift L. Wedmore et al. 10.5194/se-13-1731-2022
- Spatio‐Temporal Variations in Sediment Delivery as a Response to Rapid Quaternary Climate Change in the Lake Malawi Rift, East Africa L. Wright & C. Scholz 10.1029/2022JF007027
- Heterogeneous Strain Distribution in the Malawi (Nyasa) Rift, East Africa: Implications for Rifting in Magma‐Poor, Multi‐Segment Rift Systems L. Wright et al. 10.1029/2022TC007486
5 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Fault-based probabilistic seismic hazard analysis in regions with low strain rates and a thick seismogenic layer: a case study from Malawi J. Williams et al. 10.1093/gji/ggad060
- Probabilistic seismic collapse risk assessment of non-engineered masonry buildings in Malawi K. Goda et al. 10.3389/fbuil.2024.1333576
- Unified earthquake catalogue and mapping of Gutenberg–Richter parameters for the East African Rift System A. Letamo et al. 10.1186/s40677-023-00249-2
- Evidence for large Holocene earthquakes along the Yangsan fault in the SE Korean Peninsula revealed in three-dimensional paleoseismic trenches S. Naik et al. 10.1130/B37275.1
- (D)rifting in the 21st century: key processes, natural hazards, and geo-resources F. Zwaan et al. 10.5194/se-15-989-2024
5 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Displacement/Length Scaling Relationships for Normal Faults; a Review, Critique, and Revised Compilation B. Lathrop et al. 10.3389/feart.2022.907543
- The Malawi Active Fault Database: An Onshore‐Offshore Database for Regional Assessment of Seismic Hazard and Tectonic Evolution J. Williams et al. 10.1029/2022GC010425
- The Luangwa Rift Active Fault Database and fault reactivation along the southwestern branch of the East African Rift L. Wedmore et al. 10.5194/se-13-1731-2022
- Spatio‐Temporal Variations in Sediment Delivery as a Response to Rapid Quaternary Climate Change in the Lake Malawi Rift, East Africa L. Wright & C. Scholz 10.1029/2022JF007027
- Heterogeneous Strain Distribution in the Malawi (Nyasa) Rift, East Africa: Implications for Rifting in Magma‐Poor, Multi‐Segment Rift Systems L. Wright et al. 10.1029/2022TC007486
Latest update: 23 Apr 2025
Short summary
We use geologic and GPS data to constrain the magnitude and frequency of earthquakes that occur along active faults in Malawi. These faults slip in earthquakes as the tectonic plates on either side of the East African Rift in Malawi diverge. Low divergence rates (0.5–1.5 mm yr) and long faults (5–200 km) imply that earthquakes along these faults are rare (once every 1000–10 000 years) but could have high magnitudes (M 7–8). These data can be used to assess seismic risk in Malawi.
We use geologic and GPS data to constrain the magnitude and frequency of earthquakes that occur...
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