Spatial Variation of Fractal Parameters in Central Alborz, Iran

Baladeh-Kojour earthquake of May 28th, 2004 is one of the largest earthquakes in vicinity of Tehran, occurred in the northern part of the Alborz range. In this research, spatial variation of fractal parameters has been studied to estimate the seismic pattern of the study area. In order to draw the spatial variation maps, b-value, correlation dimension of epicentral and temporal distribution of earthquakes, De and Dt have been calculated for the data sets of before and after the mainshock, separately. The results show that before the earthquake, these parameters have low values in the eastern side of the mainshock epicenter. It seems that these low values before the earthquake may arise due to clusters of events with larger magnitude and small events after it. Seismic rate has decreased in the surroundings of the mainshock (seismic quiescence). After the mainshock, the lowest values of b-value and Dt is seen in the epicentral and western part of the mainshock. These low values are due to aftershock clustering and stress release, took placed just after the mainshock and during the aftershock sequence. Intensity increasing is observed in the shake map of earthquake. The De parameter is low after the mainshock occurrence. Low b-value and high De indicate high level of seismic activity in the region. The obtained results show the fractal parameters sensitivity to spatial and temporal clustering of earthquakes. Therefore, these parameters can be used as an indicator for seismic precursory patterns of major earthquakes.