Rupture characteristics of M7.2 Sierra El Mayor (Mexico) earthquake

The April 4, 2010 "Easter Sunday" earthquake ruptured several NW trending faults in the Sierra Cupapa - Sierra El Mayor mountain range to the west of Laguna Salada.


Some photos of the epicentral area, mostly showing widespread ground liquefaction.



Google Earth file with InSAR data: InSAR_ENVISAT_A.kmz

Coseismic interferogram - ALOS

Ascending track 211, Jan 15 2010 - Apr 17 2010 (preliminary orbits, perperdicular baseline of 700 m). Color fringes indicate changes in the radar range (one color cycle corresponding to 11.8 cm of line-of-sight displacement). Black wavy lines denote the geologically mapped rupture trace.

Interferometric correlation

Same pair as above. Color denotes variations in radar correlation. Zones of low correlation (red areas) denote significant changes in reflective properties of the ground. Note a wide fault zone in the Cupapa mountains and extensive decorrelation in the agricultural area to the east of the rupture (possibly due to extensive liquefaction).

Coseismic interferogram - ENVISAT

Ascending track 306, Mar 9 2010 - Apr 13 2010 (preliminary orbits, perperdicular baseline of 270 m). Color fringes indicate changes in the radar range (one color cycle corresponding to 2.8 cm of line-of-sight displacement). Note a northern termination of rupture just past the US-Mexico border. Black wavy lines denote the geologically mapped rupture trace.

Interferometric correlation

Same pair as above. Color denotes variations in radar correlation. Zones of low correlation (red areas) denote significant changes in reflective properties of the ground. Note a wide fault zone in the Cupapa mountains and extensive decorrelation in the agricultural area to the east of the rupture (possibly due to extensive liquefaction).

Preseismic interferogram - ENVISAT

ENVISAT, Nov 24 2009 - Mar 9 2010, ascending track 306. Color fringes indicate changes in the radar range (one color cycle corresponding to 2.8 cm of line-of-sight displacement). Black wavy lines denote the geologically mapped rupture trace.

Fault slip model (soon)

  • homogeneous half-space (DIS3D) (DLC)
  • layered half-space (EDCMP)


    • More results of seismological and geological investigations of this event are available here.

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