Fractal geometry of the Lorca-Alhama Fault Zone (Murcia, SE Spain)

Fractal theory is applied in a quantitative analysis of the Lorca-Alhama Fault Zone geometry. Direct estimates of fractal dimension [D] of portions of the Lorca-Alhama Fault, has been based on the different geometric segments proposed by Silva e t al (1992). Individual fractal dimensions are obtained from a set of measured fault lenghts, analogous to the lenghts of coastlines discussed by Mandelbrot (1982). Based on fault traces mapped at a scale of 1:25.000, [D] is 1,25 for the entire fault zone. But in the segmented analysis, reaches chatracterized by complicated fault geometry, are associated with larger values of [D]. In contrast, reaches with lowest values o f [D], are related to are asof moderate/low seismic activity. In particular, sectors with [D] lowest than 1.15 are totally a seismic, and seem to be necesary to exceed [D] values of 1.4 to nucleate major earthquake