Numerical modelling of the 1996 Nazca Perú earthquake (Mw 7.7) and tsunami

Jimenez C. · Journal of Seismology (2025) · DOI: 10.1007/s10950-025-10300-4

Resumen

In this research, we have obtained the slip distribution of the 1996 Nazca earthquake, using a teleseismic waveform inversion method; then, we have conducted the numerical modelling of the tsunami propagation. The results reveal a complex rupture process with a duration around 70 s for a mean rupture velocity of 2.5 km/s. The maximum slip was 2.9 m and the seismic moment was 5×1020 Nm, equivalent to a moment magnitude of Mw 7.7. The coseismic deformation field, due to the slip distribution obtained in this research, was used to conduct the tsunami numerical modelling of the 1996 Nazca earthquake. The reported uplift in the coast of San Juan de Marcona was 20 cm and the simulated uplift was 26 cm. This earthquake triggered a small tsunami with only local impact. The maximum simulated tsunami high at San Juan de Marcona tidal station was 1.65 m while the reported value was 1.80 m. We suggest that the 1996 Nazca earthquake can be considered as a part of the 1940-2007 central Peru earthquakes series. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos