Dynamically Triggered Tectonic Tremors and Earthquakes in the Caucasian Region Following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, Earthquake Sequence

Abstract

Deep tectonic tremor has been observed along major subduction zones and several continental strike-slip faults around the Pacific Rim and the Caribbean. However, it has not be widely identified in other tectonically active regions such as the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt yet. Here we present dynamically triggered tremors and microearthquakes in the Caucasian Region following the 2023 Mw 7.8 and Mw 7.5 mainshocks in the 2023 Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, earthquake sequence. We observe triggered deep tectonic tremors within Azerbaijan, where seismological evidences suggest pre-existing subduction slabs. Meanwhile, we document cases of triggered earthquakes in Azerbaijan and Georgia, and Javakheti highland near the border of Georgia and Armenia. These triggered earthquakes are either associated with mud volcanism or volcanic formations. Our results highlight a variety of responses to dynamic stress perturbations, suggesting high susceptibility to dynamic stress perturbations and a broad spectrum of slip behaviors for critically stressed faults in the Caucasian region.