Determination of Earthquake Hypocenter Distribution using the Modified Joint Hypocenter Determination (MJHD) Method throughout the Palu-Koro Fault (Case Study: August-October, 2018)

Abstract

The area of Sulawesi, especially along the Palu Koro Fault, is an area that is largely influenced by the confluence and movement of plates as well as regional fault activity pathways with high levels of seismicity. Determining the location of the hypocenter accurately through relocation is required in identifying the detailed tectonic structures in the area. Relocation of the hypocenter using the Modified Joint Hypocenter Determination (MJHD) method using the IASP91 velocity model in the period August to October 2018 with the arrival time data from BMKG catalog. The results of hypocenter relocation using the MJHD method show that from 132 earthquake distribution points to 63 earthquake hypocenter points after the relocation. The change in the location of the hypocenter was much denser along the Palu Koro Fault route than before the relocation as evidenced by the mean value of rms (root mean square) before relocation was 1.31 and after relocation it became smaller (0.61). Changes in parameter values after relocation using the MJHD method caused the distribution of the earthquake hypocenter to be tighter towards the Palu Koro fault than before the relocation, where the distribution had a random and scattered pattern.