AI Uncovers Chain of 1,750 Earthquakes Hidden Beneath Alaska

Machine Learning Reveals Thousands of Tiny Quakes in Alaska

According to НВ — Техно: On June 8 at 5:30 PM, a machine learning system identified thousands of previously undetected micro-earthquakes in Alaska, helping to define the boundary of the Yakutat microplate. Led by Megan Miller from the Australian National University, the study uncovered a chain of roughly 1,750 seismic events stretching nearly 250 kilometers. This breakthrough is crucial for understanding seismic and volcanic activity in south-central Alaska, a region known for its complex tectonic interactions.

Mapping the Yakutat Microplate

Researchers have now outlined the edge of the Yakutat microplate, which is subducting beneath the North American Plate. The Yakutat Plate lies in a complex tectonic collision zone, and the interplay between these plates drives the region's seismicity. The team analyzed data from permanent seismic stations and a temporary network that operated from 2018 to 2021. The linear structure they identified aligns with where tectonic tremors stop, according to Megan Miller.

The analysis revealed that rocks west of the plate boundary behave more plastically, while those at the boundary are more brittle. This newly defined microplate boundary matches earlier studies that also examined tectonic tremors. The Yakutat microplate sits beneath the most curved section of the Alaska Range and is linked to the Denali Fault system. A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck the Denali Fault in 2002, and these new findings will improve understanding of such activity.

Scientists plan to analyze data from before 2018, which could offer fresh insights into how tectonic plates behave in this area. The detection of thousands of micro-earthquakes opens up new avenues for studying seismic processes and their environmental impacts.

This discovery highlights the importance of applying advanced technologies like machine learning in geoscience, allowing researchers to delve deeper into complex geological processes.

Megan Miller

Understanding seismic activity in the region could have major implications for risk assessment and earthquake preparedness, which is critical for the safety of Alaska's communities and infrastructure.