While shaking might last for seconds or minutes, the rupture process itself can unfold over a much longer period. Instead, the fault unzipped in a series of pulses over a span of roughly 10 minutes.
How the Longest Earthquake Minutes Reveal a Protracted Energy Release
The Nazca Plate is not a uniform slab; it has irregularities and asperities that catch and release as it subducts. Analyzing the Rupture Timeline Seismological data from stations around the world revealed that the earthquake did not occur as a single sharp snap.
The 1960 Valdivia Earthquake: A Case Study The 22 May 1960 earthquake, known as the Great Chilean Earthquake, holds the record for the longest duration of rupture. This protracted rupture fundamentally reshaped the scientific understanding of how tectonic plates interact at the deepest levels of the subduction zone.
Unpacking the 1960 Valdivia Earthquake's Record 10-Minute Rupture
The rupture likely jumped over some of these barriers, traveling in a cascade of slips rather than a clean, linear break. Defining the Duration of a Seismic Event When discussing the length of an earthquake, it is crucial to distinguish between the duration of strong shaking felt at the surface and the actual time it took for the fault to rupture.
More About How long was the longest earthquake
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More perspective on How long was the longest earthquake can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.
