Complex Fault Geometry of the 2020 Mww 6.5 Monte Cristo Range, Nevada, Earthquake Sequence

Abstract On 15 May 2020 an Mww 6.5 earthquake occurred beneath the Monte Cristo Range in Mina Deflection region of western Nevada. Rapid deployment eight temporary seismic stations enabled detailed analysis its productive and slowly decaying aftershock sequence (p=0.8), which included ?18,000 autodetected events 3.5 months. Double-difference, waveform-based relative relocation 16,714 earthquakes reveals a complex network faults, many cross inferred 35-km-long east–northeast-striking, left-lateral mainshock rupture. Seismicity aligns with left-lateral, right-lateral, normal mechanism moment tensors 128 largest earthquakes. The near middle zone at intersection two distinct zones seismicity. In section, numerous subparallel, shallow, north-northeast-striking faults form broad flower-structure-like fault mesh that coalesces depth into near-vertical, fault. We infer near-vertical to be significant slip eastward extension Candelaria Near hypocenter, seismicity occurs on northeast-striking, west-dipping structure extends north from eastern Columbus Salt Marsh Together, these intersecting structures bound tectonic basin. East this narrow, east-northeast-striking through terminus. At end, broadens northwest toward southern northwest-striking, right-lateral Petrified Springs system. section hosts significantly fewer aftershocks than but has more release. shallow throughout system highlight fault-fracture meshes connect mapped systems depth. Comparing data surface ruptures simple geodetic model sheds light complexity recent M Walker Lane earthquake.