Numerical Simulation and Characterization of the Hydromechanical Alterations at the Zafarraya Fault Due to the 1884 Andalusia Earthquake (Spain)

Abstract

The 1884 Andalusia Earthquake, with an estimated magnitude between 6.2 and 6.7, is one of the most destructive events that shook the Iberian Peninsula, causing around 1200 casualties. According to paleoseismology studies and intensity maps, the earthquake source relates to the normal Ventas de Zafarraya Fault (Granada, Spain). Diverse studies registered and later analyzed hydrological effects, such as landslides, rockfalls, soil liquefaction, all-around surge and loss of springs, alterations in the phreatic level, discharge in springs and brooks and well levels, along with changes in physical and chemical parameters of groundwater. Further insight into these phenomena found an interplay between hydromechanical processes and crust surface deformations, conditions, and properties. This study focuses on analyzing and simulating the features involved in the major 1884 event and aims at elucidating the mechanisms concerning the mentioned effects. This ex-post analysis builds on the qualitative effects and visible alterations registered by historical studies. It encompasses conceptual geological and kinematic models and a 2D finite element simulation to account for the processes undergone by the Zafarraya Fault. The study focuses on the variability of hydromechanical features and the time evolution of the ground pore–pressure distribution in both the preseismic and coseismic stages, matching some of the shreds of evidence found by field studies. This procedure has helped to shed light on the causal mechanisms and better understand some parameters of this historical earthquake, such as its hypocenter and magnitude. This methodology can be applied to other events registered in the National Catalogues of Earthquakes to achieve a deeper insight, further knowledge, and a better understanding of past earthquakes.

Active Shortening Simultaneous to Normal Faulting Based on GNSS, Geophysical, and Geological Data: The Seismogenic Ventas de Zafarraya Fault (Betic Cordillera, Southern Spain)

“…Yet Galindo-Zaldívar et al (2003) and Ruano et al (2004) consider a secondary structure of the region, related to the extension of the outer arc of Sierra de Alhama and Sierra Tejeda folds affecting both the Internal and External Zones. This fault has been linked to the 1884 Andalusian earthquake (Mudarra-Hernández et al, 2023;Reicherter et al, 2003), one of the most important historical earthquakes in the Iberian Peninsula (Mezcua et al, 2004;Udías & Muñoz, 1979). It has been linked to normal faulting (Reicherter et al, 2003), reaching intensity IX-X (EMS-98 scale), and an estimated magnitude equal to Mw 6.5 (Mezcua et al, 2004).…”