Characterizing Earthquake Source Parameters and b Value Variations in Subduction and Fault Segments: Implications for Seismic Hazard Analysis

Abdi Jihad (Graduate School of Mathematics and Applied Sciences, Jalan Tgk Chik Pante Kulu No. 5, Kopelma Darussalam, Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia)
Vrieslend Haris Banyunegoro (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), Jalan Mata Ie, Aceh Besar 23352, Indonesia)
muksin umar (Graduate School of Mathematics and Applied Sciences, Jalan Tgk Chik Pante Kulu No. 5, Kopelma Darussalam, Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia)
marwan ramli (Graduate School of Mathematics and Applied Sciences, Jalan Tgk Chik Pante Kulu No. 5, Kopelma Darussalam, Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia)
Syamsidik Syamsidik (Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Center (TDMRC), Jalan Hamzah Fansuri No.8, Kopelma Darussalam, Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia)
yunita idris (Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Center (TDMRC), Jalan Hamzah Fansuri No.8, Kopelma Darussalam, Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia)
Andi Azhar Rusdin (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), Jalan Mata Ie, Aceh Besar 23352, Indonesia)

Journal of Mathematical and Fundamental Sciences
Vol. 56 No. 1 (2024): (In Progress)

Earthquake sources in Aceh have distinct characteristics. Understanding the seismic characteristics of each earthquake source is crucial for comprehending earthquake cycles and assessing seismic hazards. A key parameter in characterizing an earthquake source is the b-value, which indicates the relationship between the number of earthquakes and their magnitudes, influenced by the magnitude of completeness (Mc). The present study analyzed the seismic characteristics of two subduction zone segments and sixteen fault segments using the least squares method on selected earthquake data specific to each segment. The analysis revealed that the b-value ranged from 0.5 to 0.6 in the subduction zone segments and from 0.3 to 1.0 in the fault segments. These variances in b‑value reflect the different seismic characteristics of the earthquake sources that shape the tectonic settings in Aceh. A lower b-value signifies an elastic zone capable of holding higher stress levels, whereas a higher b-value indicates a brittle zone that can only withstand lower stress levels.