An ongoing triggered slow slip event after the 2006 Pingtung offshore earthquake in Hengchun Peninsula, Taiwan

    An ongoing triggered slow slip event (SSE) on the inland Hengchun fault after the 2006 M_L 7.0 Pingtung offshore earthquake in Taiwan is proposed in this study by analyzing the coordinate time series of 13 continuous GNSS stations, 37 campaign-mode GNSS stations and 3 precise leveling routes in Hengchun Peninsula from 2002 to 2022. Four surface velocity patterns have been determined based on these geodetic data: (1) the interseismic period from 2002 to the 2006 Pingtung offshore earthquake; (2) the 2^nd period after the earthquake to April 2010; (3) the 3^rd period from April 2010 to 2016; (4) the 4^th period from 2016 till 2022. In general, a velocity discontinuity is discovered approximately located at 1-2 km east of the currently known Hengchun fault trace. Then we evaluate the slip deficit rate and slip rate distributions of the Hengchun fault through baseline inversion model and coseismic fault model, respectively. The modeling results shows that Hengchun fault is a reverse fault with a minor left-lateral component. Two asperities are shown in the southern and northern segments, respectively. Furthermore, the energy on the asperities has been gradually released from south to north after the 2006 earthquake, even though the postseismic deformation has faded. On the other hand, the geological investigation results also indicate that surface ruptures were generated on the Hengchun fault until 2017. Therefore, we infer that (1) the temporal pattern changes of surface velocity in Hengchun Peninsula are driven by the 2006 M_L 7.0 Pingtung offshore earthquake; (2) the Hengchun fault ought to be relocated at 1-2 km to the east; (3) a SSE occurs on the Hengchun fault after the 2006 M_L 7.0 Pingtung offshore earthquake. (4) the energy keeps releasing through the SSE after the earthquake and decrease the earthquake potential in Hengchun Peninsula.