Study of the rupture processes of the 1989 (Mw 6.9) and 2021 (Mw 7.0) Guerrero earthquakes using teleseismic records: Sismotectonic implications

Abstract

Slip models of the April 25, 1989 (Mw 6.9) earthquake and the Acapulco earthquake of September 8, 2021 (Mw 7.0) were determined to analyze its rupture zone and understand the relationship of interplate earthquakes in the Acapulco–San Marcos subduction zone. For both events, velocity P and SH waves recorded at teleseismic distances were modeled. For the 1989 San Marcos event, two slip zones were determined with a maximum slip of 121cm, a stress drop of 8bars and a rupture duration of approximately 13s. This event showed a complex rupture. For the 2021 Acapulco event, a zone of maximum slip of 267cm, a stress drop of 5bars, and a rupture duration of approximately 24s were determined. Analysis of rupture zones suggests that complex events occur in the Acapulco–San Marcos subduction zone. Therefore, these results have important implications in seismic potential studies since the source parameters are critical.