Identify causal mechanisms of dynamical remote earthquake triggering

Identify and conclusively validate the causal mechanisms underlying dynamical triggering of earthquakes by weak, low-frequency seismic waves from distant large events, i.e., determine which physical processes account for the induction of earthquakes thousands of kilometers from the source and provide empirical validation of the competing hypotheses proposed in the literature.

Background

The paper analyzes amplification mechanisms in linear dynamical systems and applies the framework to remote earthquake triggering, where weak, low-frequency seismic waves from distant events can induce new earthquakes far from typical aftershock zones. Despite extensive study, the field lacks consensus on the underlying causal pathways responsible for these remote triggers.

In presenting this application, the authors explicitly note that the phenomenon is not fully understood and that multiple hypotheses exist without conclusive validation. Their unified framework offers tools to disentangle amplification mechanisms, but the identification and empirical validation of the actual causal mechanism(s) driving remote triggering remain unresolved.