Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Regional centroid moment tensor solutions in Cyprus from 1977 to the present and seismotectonic implications

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Seismology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We analyzed digital seismic records in order to extend back in time the catalog of regional centroid moment tensors (RCMTs) for the Cyprus region. We applied the analysis and inversion methodology also used for the present-day seismicity on seismograms recorded at regional distance. We computed 18 new regional CMTs of earthquakes of moderate magnitude (4.8 ≤ M ≤ 5.5) which occurred in the Cyprus region for the time span 1977–1996. These new focal mechanisms improved the knowledge given by the previously computed solutions carried out by other institutions, as well as the dataset of available earthquake source parameters. The complete focal mechanism database contributed to better define the deformation styles in the study area and to obtain a detailed characterization of the geodynamics of the Cyprus area. New RCMTs support the hypothesis that Cyprus is located in the middle of the transition area from subduction to continental collision along the Africa–Arabian–Eurasian boundary. In particular, data confirm (a) this transition zone is strictly located west of Cyprus, probably related to a tear in the subduction system, and (b) the still active compression in the Cyprus Arc can be seen as a starting point of the continental collision eastward.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ambraseys NN, Adams RD (1993) Seismicity of the Cyprus region. Terra Nova 5:85–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anastasakis G, Kelling G (1991) Tectonic connection of the Hellenic and Cyprus arcs and related geotectonic elements. Marine Geol 97:261–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arvidsson R, Ekström G (1998) Global CMT analysis of moderate earthquakes Mw >4.5 using intermediate period surface waves. Bull Seismol Soc Am 88:1003–1013

    Google Scholar 

  • Arvidsson R, Ben-Avraham Z, Ekström G, Wdowinski S (1998) Plate tectonic framework for the October 9, 1996, Cyprus Earthquake. Geophys Res Lett 25:2241–2244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrier E, Chamot-Rooke N, Giordano G, Morelli A, Brouillet JF (2005) An innovative concept – The geodynamic map of the Mediterranean. Episodes, Int Union Geol Sci 28:193–196

  • Ben-Avraham Z, Kempler D, Ginzburg A (1988) Plate convergence in the Cyprus Arc. Tectonophysics 146:231–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Avraham Z, Tibor G, Limonov AF, Leyov MB, Ivanov MK, Tokarev MY, Woodside JM (1995) Structure and tectonics of the eastern Cyprean Arc. Marine Petroleum Geol 12:267–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biryol CB, Beck SL, Zandt G, Özacar AA (2011) Segmented African lithosphere beneath the Anatolian region inferred from teleseismic P-wave tomography. Geophys J Int. doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04910.x

  • Bozkurt E (2001) Neotectonics of Turkey—a synthesis. Geodinamica Acta 14:3–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braunmiller J, Kradolfer U, Baer M, Giardini D (2002) Regional moment tensor determination in the European–Mediterranean area—initial results. Tectonophysics 356:5–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Büyükasıkoglu S (1980) Sismolojik verilere göre dogu akdenizin kuzeyinde ve güneydogu Anadolu'da Avrasya-Afrika levha sinirlarinin özellikleri (in Turkish). Bull Earthq Res Inst 29:58–74, Ministry of Reconstruction and Resettlement

    Google Scholar 

  • Cianetti S, Gasperini P, Boccaletti M, Giunchi C (1997) Reproducing the velocity and stress fields in the Aegean region. Geophys Res Lett 24:2087–2090

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeMets C, Gordon RG, Argus DF, Stein S (1990) Current plate motions. Geophys J Int 101:425–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dilek Y, Altunkaynak S (2009) Geochemical and temporal evolution of Cenozoic magmatism in western Turkey: mantle response to collision, slab break-off, and lithospheric tearing in an orogenic belt. J Geol Soc Lond 311:213–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dilek Y, Sandvol E (2009) Seismic structure, crustal architecture and tectonic evolution of the Anatolian–African Plate Boundary and the Cenozoic Orogenic Belts in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. J Geol Soc Lond 327:127–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dziewonski AM, Chou TA, Woodhouse JH (1981) Determination of earthquake source parameters from waveform data for studies of global and regional seismicity. J Geophys Res 86:2825–2852

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekström G (1994) Anomalous earthquakes on volcano ring-fault structures. Earth Planet Sci Lett 128:707–712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekström G, Tromp J, Larson EWF (1997) Measurements and global models of surface wave propagation. J Geophys Res 102:8137–8157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekström G, Morelli A, Boschi E, Dziewonski AM (1998) Moment tensor analysis of the central Italy earthquake sequence of September–October 1997. Geophys Res Lett 25:1971–1974

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekström G, Dziewonski AM, Maternovskaya NN, Nettles M (2005a) Global seismicity of 2002: centroid-moment-tensor solutions for 1034 earthquakes. Phys Earth Planet Inter 148:303–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekström G, Dziewonski AM, Maternovskaya NN, Nettles M (2005b) Global seismicity of 2003: centroid-moment-tensor solutions for 1087 earthquakes. Phys Earth Planet Inter 148:327–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emeis KC, Robertson AHF, Richter C et al. (1996) Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Initial Reports, 160

  • Galindo-Zaldívar J, Nieto L, Robertson A, Woodside J (2001) Recent tectonics of Eratosthenes Seamount: an example of seamount deformation during incipient continental collision. Geo-Marine Letters 4:233–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Glover C, Robertson AHF (1998) Role of extensional processes and uplift in the Plio-Quaternary sedimentary and tectonic evolution of the Aksu Basin, southwest Turkey. J Geol Soc Lond 155:365–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hempton MR (1987) Constraints on Arabian plate motion and extensional history of the Red Sea. Tectonics 6:687–705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson J, McKenzie D (1984) Active tectonics of the Alpine-Himalayan belt between western Turkey and Pakistan. Geophys J R Astr Soc 77:185–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson J, McKenzie D (1988) The relationship between plate motions and seismic moment tensors, and the rates of active deformation in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Geophys J 93:45–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kagan YY (1991) 3-D rotation of double-couple earthquake sources. Geophys J Int 106:709–716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kagan YY (2007) Simplified algorithms for calculating double-couple rotation. Geophys J Int 171:411–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Pichon X (1982) Land-locked oceanic basins and continental collision: the eastern Mediterranean as a case example. In: Hsu KJ (ed) Mountain building processes. Academic, New York, pp 201–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovelock PER (1984) A review of the tectonics of the northern Middle East region. Geol Magazine 121:577–587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyberis N, Yurur T, Chorowicz J, Kasapoglu E, Gundogdu N (1992) The East Anatolian Fault: an oblique collisional belt. Tectonophysics 204:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mart Y, Rabinowitz PD (1986) The northern Red Sea and the Dead Sea Rift. Tectonophysics 124:85–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie DP (1970) Plate tectonics of the Mediterranean region. Nature 226:239–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mckenzie D (1972) Active tectonics of the Mediterranean region. Geophys J R Astr Soc 30:109–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mercier JL, Delibassis N, Gauthier A, Jarrige JJ, Lemeille F, Philip H, Sebrier M, Sorel D (1979) La néotectonique de l’Arc Egéen. Rev Géol Dynam Géogr Phys, Paris 21:67–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercier JL, Sorel D, Vergely P (1989) Extensional tectonic regimes in the Aegean basins during the Cenozoic. Basin Res 2:49–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montone P, Amato A, Pondrelli S (1999) Active stress map of Italy. J Geophys Res 104:25595–25610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montone P, Mariucci MT, Pondrelli S, Amato A (2004) An improved stress map for Italy and surrounding regions (central Mediterranean). J Geophys Res 109. doi:10.1029/2003JB002703

  • Nur A, Ben-Avraham Z (1978) The eastern Mediterranean and the Levant: tectonics of continental collision. Tectonics 46:297–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Över S, Ünlügenç UC, Bellier O (2002) Quaternary stress regime change in the Hatay region (SE Turkey). Geophys J Int 148:649–662

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piromallo C, Morelli A (2003) P wave tomography of the mantle under the Alpine-Mediterranean area. J Geophys Res 108:2065–2088

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pondrelli S, Morelli A, Boschi E (1995) Seismic deformation in the Mediterranean area estimated by moment tensor summation. Geophys J Int 122:938–952

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pondrelli S, Ekström G, Morelli A, Primerano S (1999) Study of source geometry for tsunamigenic events of the Euro-Mediterranean area. Int Conf Tsunamis, UNESCO books, Paris, pp 297–307

  • Pondrelli S, Ekström G, Morelli A (2001) Seismotectonic re-evaluation of the 1976 Friuli, Italy, seismic sequence. J Seismol 5:73–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pondrelli S, Morelli A, Mazza S, Boschi E, Dziewonski AM (2002) European–Mediterranean regional centroid-moment tensors: 1997–2000. Phys Earth Planet Inter 130:71–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pondrelli S, Morelli A, Ekström G (2004) European–Mediterranean regional centroid-moment tensor catalog: solutions for years 2001 and 2002. Phys Earth Planet Inter 145:127–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pondrelli S, Salimbeni S, Ekström G, Morelli A, Gasperini P, Vannucci G (2006) The Italian CMT dataset from 1977 to the present. Phys Earth Planet Inter 159:286–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pondrelli S, Salimbeni S, Morelli A, Ekström G, Boschi E (2007) European–Mediterranean regional centroid moment tensor catalog: solutions for years 2003 and 2004. Phys Earth Planet Inter 164:90–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pondrelli S, Salimbeni S, Morelli A, Ekström G, Postpischl L, Vannucci G, Boschi E (2011) European–Mediterranean regional centroid moment tensor catalog: solutions for 2005–2008. Phys Earth Planet Inter 185:74–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reilinger RE, McClusky SC, Oral MB, King W, Toksöz MN (1997) Global positioning system measurements of present-day crustal movements in the Arabia–Africa–Eurasia plate collision zone. J Geophys Res 102:9983–9999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reilinger R, McClusky S, Vernant P, Lawrence S, Ergintav S, Cakmak R, Ozener H, Kadirov F, Guliev I, Stepanyan R, Nadariya M, Hahubia G, Mahmoud S, Sakr K, ArRajehi A, Paradissis D, Al-Aydrus A, Prilepin M, Guseva T, Evren E, Dmitrotsa A, Filikov SV, Gomez F, Al-Ghazzi R, Karam G (2006) GPS constraints on continental deformation in the Africa–Arabia–Eurasia continental collision zone and implications for the dynamics of plate interactions. J Geophys Res 109. doi:10.1029/2005JB004051

  • Robertson AHF (1994) Role of the tectonic facies concept in orogenic analysis and its application to Tethys in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Earth Sci Rev 37:139–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson AHF (1998) Tectonic significance of the Eratosthenes Seamount: a continental fragment in the process of collision with subduction zone in the eastern Mediterranean (Ocean Drilling Program Leg 160). Tectonophysics 298:63–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson AHF, Grasso M (1995) Overview of the late Triassic—recent tectonic and palaeo-environmental development of the Mediterranean region. Terra Nova 7:114–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rotstein Y, Kafka AL (1982) Seismotectonics of the southern boundary of Anatolia, eastern Mediterranean region: subduction, collision and arc jumping. J Geophys Res 87:7694–7706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Royden LH, Papanikolaou DJ (2011) Slab segmentation and late Cenozoic disruption of the Hellenic arc. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 12. doi:10.1029/2010GC003280

  • Şengör AMC, Görür N, Şaroğlu F (1985) Strike-slip faulting and related basin formation in zones of tectonic escape: Turkey as a case study. In: Biddle KT, Christie-Blick N (eds) Strike-slip faulting and basin formation. Soc Econ Paleont Miner Spec Publ, 37. Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Tulsa, pp 227–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Serpelloni E, Vannucci G, Pondrelli S, Argnani A, Casula G, Anzidei M, Baldi P, Gasperini P (2007) Kinematics of the Western Africa–Eurasia plate boundary from focal mechanisms and GPS data. Geophys J Int 169:1180–1200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sorel D, Mercier JL, Keraudren B, Cushing M (1988) Le role de la traction de la lithosphere subducté dans l’évolution géodynamique Plio-Pleistocene de l’Arc Egéen: mouvement verticaux alternés et variations du régime tectonique. C R Acad Sci Paris 307:1981–1986

    Google Scholar 

  • Taymaz T, Jackson J, McKenzie D (1991) Active tectonics of the North and Central Aegean Sea. Geophys J Int 106:433–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taymaz T, Yılmaz Y, Dilek Y (2007a) The geodynamics of the Aegean and Anatolia: introduction. In: Taymaz T, Yılmaz Y, Dilek Y (eds) The geodynamics of the Aegean and Anatolia. J Geol Soc Lond 291. Geological Society of London, London, pp 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Taymaz T, Wright T, Yolsal S, Tan O, Fielding E, Seyitoğlu G (2007b) Source characteristics of June 6, 2000 Orta-Çankırı (Central Turkey) earthquake: a synthesis of seismological, geological and geodetic (InSAR) observations, and internal deformation of Anatolian plate. J Geol Soc Lond 291:259–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vannucci G, Gasperini P (2003) A database of revised fault plane solutions for Italy and surrounding regions. Comput Geosci 29:903–909

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vannucci G, Gasperini P (2004) The new release of the database of earthquake mechanisms of the Mediterranean area (EMMA Version 2). Ann Geophys 47:307–334

    Google Scholar 

  • Vannucci G, Pondrelli S, Argnani A, Morelli A, Gasperini P, Boschi E (2004) An atlas of Mediterranean seismicity. Ann Geophys 47:247–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Vannucci G, Imprescia P, Gasperini P (2010) A new release (3.1) of the database of Earthquake Mechanisms of the Mediterranean Area (EMMA). European Seismological Commission 32nd General Assembly, September 6–10, Montpellier, France

  • Wdowinski S, Ben-Avraham Z, Arvidsson R, Ekström G (2006) Seismo-tectonics of the Cyprian Arc. Geophys J Int 164:176–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong HK, Zarudski EFK, Phillips JD, Geirmann F (1971) Some geophysical profiles in the Eastern Mediterranean. Geol Soc Am Bull 82:91–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zoback ML (1992) 1st-order and 2nd-order patterns of stress in the lithosphere—the world stress map project. J Geophys Res 97:11703–11728

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was partly supported by the University of Catania grant “Fondi di Ateneo 2008”. P.I. has benefited of a Ph.D. grant by University of Catania. We are also grateful to the editor and to the anonymous referees that greatly helped with their comments and suggestions. Data will be downloadable at a dedicated website: http://www.bo.ingv.it/RCMT/Cyprusdataset.html.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Geologiche, Università di Catania, Corso Italia 55, 95129, Catania, Italy

    P. Imprescia & S. Gresta

  2. INGV—Sezione di Bologna, Via Donato Creti 12, 40128, Bologna, Italy

    S. Pondrelli & G. Vannucci

Authors
  1. P. Imprescia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Pondrelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Vannucci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Gresta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Imprescia.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Table S1

Events from 1977 to 1996 for the USGS catalog, for which IRIS (www.iris.edu) digital seismograms and waveforms are available. Events with a focal solutions (*) are indicated. Earthquakes with magnitude (M) in the range 4.8-5.5 are indicated. (XLS 34.5 kb)

Table S2

Main parameters of earthquakes with M>4.8. Events from 1977 to 1996 (+), for which IRIS (www.iris.edu) digital seismograms and waveforms were searched (*) and available GCMT moment-tensor solutions (G) are indicated. (XLS 54.0 kb)

Table S3

Focal mechanisms solutions from various on-line CMT/RCMT catalogs and available first-motion focal mechanisms (from EMMA 3. 1 dataset). Preferred focal mechanisms (*), from 1977 to 1996 (+) and magnitude (M) between 4.5 and 5.5 are indicated. (XLS 273 kb)

Table S4

List of seismic stations that recorded analyzed events. (XLS 55.5 kb)

Table S5

New RCMT focal mechanisms. (XLS 34.0 kb)

Table S2

Focal mechanisms common to EMMA 3.1 dataset and new computed RCMTs (a) and their EMMA 3.1 references (b). (XLS 31.0 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Imprescia, P., Pondrelli, S., Vannucci, G. et al. Regional centroid moment tensor solutions in Cyprus from 1977 to the present and seismotectonic implications. J Seismol 16, 147–167 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10950-011-9254-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10950-011-9254-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation