Seismotectonics and earthquake activity of Kuwait     

Firyal Bou-Rabee 《Journal of Seismology》2000,4(2):133-141

On March 1997, earthquake monitoring was started inKuwait through the operation of the Kuwait NationalSeismograph Network (KNSN). On Sept. 18, 1997, anearthquake of magnitude 3.9 occurred in the Minagisharea (southwest of Kuwait); it was felt in Kuwait City50 km away from the epicenter which was accuratelylocated using the data of KNSN. Also, some eventswere located in Minagish area and along the westernborders of the State of Kuwait. The same area ofMinagish was shocked on June 2, 1993 with a 4.7magnitude earthquake; it was also felt in Kuwait City. The spatial distribution of the Minagish areaearthquake may show a trend of NE-SW direction. Theisoseismals of the Sept. 18, 1997 earthquake aregenerally elliptical in shape with the major axisoriented NE-SW. The geologic sections and tectonichistory of Kuwait show seismotectonic deformationsince late Eocene time. This activity is related tothe interaction of the Arabian platform and the Zagrosfolded belt. A major break in the sedimentarysuccession which occurred in Kuwait during Eocene andOligocene times indicates that nascent folding anduplift have persisted since that time. The formationof the major topographical feature in Kuwait(Jal-Az-Zor escarpment, Wadi Al-Batin and AhmadiRidge) can be attributed to tectonic activity since Eocene time.The spatial distribution of the recent earthquakeactivity in Kuwait is associated with the surface andsubsurface tectonic structures. The moderate sizeearthquake activity of the State of Kuwait can beconsidered as evidence of recent rejuvenation of thetectonic structures which have been active since Eocene time.  相似文献   

Evidence of prehistoric liquefaction in Kuwait and implications for the seismic vulnerability of the Arabian Gulf Countries     

Bou-Rabee  Firyal  Young  Yin Lu  Okal  Emile A. 《Natural Hazards》2020,103(1):799-813

This paper presents and analyzes paleo-liquefaction features found in the State of Kuwait. The features are cemented sand and gravel-filled dikes of Pleisto–Holocene age with appearance and composition similar to typical “sandstone pipes.” The significant age difference between the cemented dikes and the surrounding loose sand, the size and spatial distribution of the dikes, and the local geologic and hydrologic setting all suggest that the feature probably results from a single large event of seismic origin. Likely hypotheses include shaking during large earthquakes or seiching of tsunami-like waves. Additional research is needed to identify the exact cause of these dike formations, which is important for the purpose of improving seismic risk and vulnerability assessment of the Arabian Gulf countries. The search may also help explain the disappearance of an ancient civilization that lived in the same region approximately seven thousand years ago.

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