Earthquake sequences and b values in the southeast United States

Abstract

Aftershock and foreshock activity within 12 hr of the July 13, 1971 earthquake near Seneca, South Carolina, indicates a b value of 0.9 at M_L = 3.0. Approximately 40 events recorded in a 5-day aftershock survey near Seneca indicate a b value of 1.7 at M_L = 0.5. A sequence of over 40 events occurring west of McCormick, South Carolina, indicates a b value of 1.3 at M_L = 2.4. The McCormick sequence was active for 4 months. Unlike the Seneca region, the McCormick region has a history of earthquake activity. Examinations of other published southeastern b values suggest that southeastern United States earthquakes originate from conditions of ambient stress which vary with epicentral region or magnitude.