Moment tensor and focal mechanism data of earthquakes recorded by Servicio Geológico Colombiano from 2014 to 2021

Abstract

The Servicio Geológico Colombiano shows the seismic moment tensors and focal mechanisms calculated for earthquakes located in the national territory and border regions from 2014 to 2021. These solutions were obtained using different methods based on waveform inversion (SWIFT, SCMTV, W phase, and ISOLA) and first-motion polarities (FPFIT). This information is organized in a database and is available to the public through a web page that can be searched by date, circular area, or quadrant. The moment tensor centroid solutions are fundamental to understanding the fault’s geometry, the seismic source generated by an earthquake, its magnitude, and the energy released. Likewise, thanks to this information it is possible to make interpretations about tectonic plates, Earth’s crust stress analysis and its dynamics, kinematic and dynamic source models, active faults analysis, and tsunamigenic potential of earthquakes, among other aspects.