scholarly journals Fault zone heterogeneities explain depth-dependent pattern and evolution of slow earthquakes in Cascadia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingdi Luo ◽  
Zhen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Fault Zone ◽  
Cascadia Subduction Zone ◽  
Slow Slip ◽  
Slow Slip Events ◽  
Close Link ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Effective Normal Stress ◽  
Slow Earthquakes ◽  
Rate And State Friction

AbstractSlow earthquakes including tremor and slow-slip events are recent additions to the conventional earthquake family and have a close link to megathrust earthquakes. Slow earthquakes along the Cascadia subduction zone display a diverse behavior at different spatiotemporal scales and an intriguing increase of events frequency with depth. However, what causes such variability, especially the depth-dependent behavior is not well understood. Here we build on a heterogeneous asperities-in-matrix fault model that incorporates differential pore pressure in a rate-and-state friction framework to investigate the underlying processes of the observed episodic tremor and slow-slip (ETS) variability. We find that the variations of effective normal stress (pore pressure) is one important factor in controlling ETS behavior. Our model reproduces the full complexity of ETS patterns and the depth-frequency scaling that agree quantitatively well with observations, suggesting that fault zone heterogeneities can be one viable mechanism to explain a broad spectrum of transient fault behaviors.

The Role of Thermal Pressurization and Dilatancy in Controlling the Rate of Fault Slip

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Segall ◽  
Andrew M. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Slow Slip ◽  
Dynamic Rupture ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Slow Slip Events ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Dynamic Events ◽  
Effective Normal Stress ◽  
Thermal Pressurization

Geophysical observations have shown that transient slow slip events, with average slip speeds v on the order of 10−8 to 10−7 m/s, occur in some subduction zones. These slip events occur on the same faults but at greater depth than large earthquakes (with slip speeds of order ∼ 1 m/s). We explore the hypothesis that whether slip is slow or fast depends on the competition between dilatancy, which decreases fault zone pore pressure p, and thermal pressurization, which increases p. Shear resistance to slip is assumed to follow an effective stress law τ=f(σ-p)≡ fσ¯. We present two-dimensional quasi-dynamic simulations that include rate-state friction, dilatancy, and heat and pore fluid flow normal to the fault. We find that at lower background effective normal stress (σ¯), slow slip events occur spontaneously, whereas at higher σ¯, slip is inertially limited. At intermediate σ¯, dynamic events are followed by quiescent periods, and then long durations of repeating slow slip events. In these cases, accelerating slow events ultimately nucleate dynamic rupture. Zero-width shear zone approximations are adequate for slow slip events but substantially overestimate the pore pressure and temperature changes during fast slip when dilatancy is included.

scholarly journals Stress state along the western Nankai Trough subduction zone inferred from b-values, long-term slow-slip events, and low-frequency earthquakes

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keita Chiba
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Value Distribution ◽  
Focal Region ◽  
Slow Slip ◽  
Slow Slip Events ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Slow Earthquakes ◽  
Subducting Plate

AbstractThe b-value of the Gutenberg–Richter law represents the ratio of earthquake magnitude to frequency of occurrence and is inversely proportional to differential stress. Repeating long-term slow-slip events (SSEs) and low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs) occur at subducting plate interfaces and have stress-dependent characteristics near the interface. In this study, a comprehensive regional b-value distribution is produced for the western Nankai Trough region, which highlights the relationship between b-values, SSEs, and LFEs. b-values vary along the strike direction of the subducting plate and are significantly lower $$ \left( {b \sim 0.6} \right) $$b∼0.6 in central Shikoku district than elsewhere, where LFEs frequently occur. However, b-values in the source regions of other LFEs are moderate to high. These findings imply that b-values in the focal region are controlled by more than the LFE source process; indeed, if this source process were solely responsible, then high b-values would be expected. Meanwhile, the $$ V_{P} /V_{S} $$VP/VS and QP around the plate interface in central Shikoku estimated from seismic velocity and attenuation structure are smaller and larger than those in other regions with LFEs, respectively. SSEs with the migration toward central Shikoku also occurred during the analysis period, suggesting significant accumulation of shear stresses in the focal region, which reduced the b-values. These findings suggest that the spatial distributions of b-values are influenced by complicated stress and shear strength perturbations caused by SSEs and LFEs. On the other hand, the b-values in the region that underwent the greatest slip during the 1946 Nankai earthquake are not necessarily low, although the area covered by the b-value distribution is small owing to the lack of events on the updip side. Whereas the asperity areas of huge earthquakes are characterized by low b-values, the b-value distribution in the Nankai megathrust area is more complicated. It is considered that slow earthquakes, including SSEs and LFEs, are related to megathrust earthquakes via stress transfer from slow earthquakes to adjacent megathrust source regions. A unified analysis of b-values in the source regions of slow and megathrust earthquakes may be required to make precise estimates of the seismic hazard produced by a megathrust event.

Observing seismic signatures of slow slip events with unsupervised learning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard Seydoux ◽  
Michel Campillo ◽  
René Steinmann ◽  
Randall Balestriero ◽  
Maarten de Hoop
Keyword(s):  
Clustering Algorithm ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Seismic Signal ◽  
Geodetic Data ◽  
Slow Slip ◽  
Slow Slip Events ◽  
Slow Slip Event ◽  
Intermittent Behavior ◽  
Slow Earthquakes ◽  
Slip Event

<p>Slow slip events are observed in geodetic data, and are occasionally associated with seismic signatures such as slow earthquakes (low-frequency earthquakes, tectonic tremors). In particular, it was shown that swarms of slow earthquake can correlate with slow slip events occurrence, and allowed to reveal the intermittent behavior of several slow slip events. This observation was possible thanks to detailed analysis of slow earthquakes catalogs and continuous geodetic data, but in every case, was limited to particular classes of seismic signatures. In the present study, we propose to infer the classes of seismic signals that best correlate with the observed geodetic data, including the slow slip event. We use a scattering network (a neural network with wavelet filters) in order to find meaningful signal features, and apply a hierarchical clustering algorithm in order to infer classes of seismic signal. We then apply a regression algorithm in order to predict the geodetic data, including slow slip events, from the occurrence of inferred seismic classes. This allow to (1) identify seismic signatures associated with the slow slip events as well as (2) infer the the contribution of each classes to the overall displacement observed in the geodetic data. We illustrate our strategy by revisiting the slow-slip event of 2006 that occurred beneath Guerrero, Mexico.</p>

scholarly journals The role of effective normal stress, frictional properties, and convergence rates in characteristics of simulated slow slip events

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1061-1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. David Watkins ◽  
Harmony V. Colella ◽  
Michael R. Brudzinski ◽  
Keith B. Richards-Dinger ◽  
James H. Dieterich
Keyword(s):  
Normal Stress ◽  
Convergence Rates ◽  
Slow Slip ◽  
Slow Slip Events ◽  
Frictional Properties ◽  
Effective Normal Stress

Modeling the Interaction between Slow Slip Events and Earthquake Ruptures in the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise Alalouf ◽  
Yajing Liu
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Computation Time ◽  
Seismogenic Zone ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Slow Slip ◽  
Coseismic Slip ◽  
Slow Slip Events ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Earthquake Ruptures

<p>Subduction zones are where the largest earthquakes occur. In the past few decades, scientists have also discovered the presence of episodic aseismic slip, including slow slip events (SSEs), along most of the subduction zones. However, it is still unclear how these SSEs can influence megathrust earthquake ruptures. The Costa Rica subduction zone is a particularly interesting area because a SSE was recorded 6 months before the 2012 Mw7.6 earthquake in the Nicoya Peninsula, suggesting a potential stress transfer from the SSE to the earthquake slip zone. SSEs beneath the Nicoya Peninsula were also recorded both updip and downdip the seismogenic zone, making it a unique area to study the complex interaction between SSEs and earthquakes.</p><p>As most of the shallow SSEs were recorded around the Nicoya Peninsula, we chose to start using a 1D planar fault embedded in a homogeneous elastic half-space, with different dipping angles following several geometric profiles of the subduction fault beneath the Nicoya Peninsula section of the Costa Rica margin. This 1D modelling study allows us to better investigate the interaction between shallow and deep SSEs and megathrust earthquakes with high numerical resolution and relatively short computation time. The model provides information on the long-term seismic history by reproducing the different stages of the seismic cycle (interseismic slip, shallow and deep episodic slow slip, and coseismic slip).</p><p>We study the influence of the variation of numerical parameters and frictional properties on the recurrence interval, maximum slip velocity and cumulative slip of SSEs (both shallow and deep) and earthquakes and their interaction with each other. We then compare our results with GPS and seismic observations (i.e. cumulative slip, characteristic duration, moment rate, depth and size of the rupture, equivalent magnitude) to identify an optimal set of model parameters to understand the interaction between various modes of subduction fault deformation.</p>

Episodic fluid pressure cycling controls the interplay between Slow Slip Events and Large Megathrust Earthquakes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Petrini ◽  
Luca Dal Zilio ◽  
Taras Gerya
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Finite Difference Methods ◽  
Fluid Pressure ◽  
Slow Slip ◽  
Aseismic Slip ◽  
Slow Slip Events ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Pressure Cycling ◽  
Crustal Stresses

<p>Slow slip events (SSEs) are part of a spectrum of aseismic processes that relieve tectonic stress on faults. Their occurrence in subduction zones have been suggested to trigger megathrust earthquakes due to perturbations in fluid pressure. However, examples to date have been poorly recorded and physical observations of temporal fluid pressure fluctuations through slow slip cycles remain elusive. Here, we use a newly developed two-phase flow numerical model — which couples solid rock deformation and pervasive fluid flow — to show how crustal stresses and fluid pressures within subducting megathrust evolve before and during slow slip and regular events. This unified 2D numerical framework couples inertial mechanical deformation and fluid flow by using finite difference methods, marker-in-cell technique, and poro-visco-elasto-plastic rheologies. Furthermore, an adaptive time stepping allows the correct resolution of both long- and short-time scales, ranging from years to milliseconds during the dynamic propagation of earthquake rupture.</p><p>Here we show how permeability and its spatial distribution control the degree of locking along the megathrust interface and the interplay between seismic and aseismic slip. While a constant permeability leads to more regular seismic cycles, a depth dependent permeability contributes substantially to the development of two distinct megathrust zones: a shallow, locked seismogenic zone and a deep, narrow aseismic segment characterized by SSEs. Furthermore, we show that without requiring any specific friction law, our model shows that permeability, episodic stress transfer and fluid pressure cycling control the predominant slip mode along the subduction megathrust. Specifically, we find that the up-dip propagation of episodic SSEs systematically decreases the fault strength due to a continuous accumulation and release of fluid pressure within overpressured subducting interface, thus affecting the timing of large megathrust earthquakes. These results contribute to improve our understanding of the physical driving forces underlying the interplay between seismic and aseismic slip, and demonstrate that slow slip events may prove useful for short-term earthquake forecasts.</p>

scholarly journals Do slow slip events trigger large and great megathrust earthquakes?

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. eaat8472 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Voss ◽  
T. H. Dixon ◽  
Z. Liu ◽  
R. Malservisi ◽  
M. Protti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Slip Rate ◽  
Failure Stress ◽  
Slow Slip ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Slow Slip Events ◽  
Megathrust Earthquakes ◽  
Coulomb Failure ◽  
Earthquake Nucleation

Slow slip events have been suggested to trigger subduction earthquakes. However, examples to date have been poorly recorded, occurring offshore, where data are sparse. Better understanding of slow slip events and their influence on subsequent earthquakes is critical for hazard forecasts. We analyze a well-recorded event beginning 6 months before the 2012 Mw (moment magnitude) 7.6 earthquake in Costa Rica. The event migrates to the eventual megathrust rupture. Peak slip rate reached a maximum of 5 mm/day, 43 days before the earthquake, remaining high until the earthquake. However, changes in Mohr-Coulomb failure stress at the hypocenter were small (0.1 bar). Our data contradict models of earthquake nucleation that involve power law acceleration of slip and foreshocks. Slow slip events may prove useful for short-term earthquake forecasts.

Cycles of seismic and aseicmic slip recorded in faulted sediments under shallow burial conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Pizzati ◽  
Fabrizio Balsamo ◽  
Fabrizio Storti
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Fractal Dimension ◽  
Fault Zone ◽  
Slip Rate ◽  
Preferred Orientation ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Slow Slip ◽  
Deformation Bands ◽  
Slow Slip Events ◽  
Mean Grain Size

<p>Valuable information concerning the seismic cycle are mainly provided by the study of exposed fossil subduction-accretionary complexes and by coring and probing through present-day active major plate boundary interfaces. Subduction zone investigation and monitoring allowed to comprehend the mechanics of thrust-related faulting and to discern seismic events with different slip rate (coseismic events, slow slip events and tremor). While subduction zones received particular attention especially following the M<sub>w</sub> 9 Tohoku-Oki earthquake in Japan, relatively small-scale extensional faults affecting the uppermost portion of seismogenic zone of the Earth’s crust are still less studied.</p><p>Here, we present a field and laboratory study of meso-scale structures recorded within the fault core of an extensional fault zone (Rocca di Neto fault, offset < 100 m) affecting Pleistocene siliciclastic sediments in the Crotone Basin, Calabria, Southern Italy. Due to shallow burial conditions experienced by deformed sediments (< 400-500 m), the fault zone structure is characterised by deformation features typical of high-porosity granular rocks, with extensive occurrence of deformation bands, subsidiary faults and gouges. The 1 m-thick fault core displays a complex network of mutually cross-cutting black gouges and deformation bands developed in foliated sand. Some black gouges have straight pattern parallel to the master fault surface, while others are displaced and dragged along the deformation bands (mm-offset). Black gouges, previously interpreted as coseismic events due to moderate to high-temperature mineral assemblage, are characterised by cm-offset and extreme grain comminution via severe cataclasis (mean grain size of 20-30 μm and fractal dimension from 3.0 to 3.3); clast preferred orientation is almost parallel to the gouge outer boundaries, thus resulting in a well-developed foliation. Deformation bands are organised in two conjugate sets and display moderate to intense cataclasis depending on the accommodated displacement (mean grain size of 80-170 μm and fractal dimension from 2.4 to 2.8), with preferred orientation of clasts describing an angle of 30-45° from the band surface. Within deformation bands the foliation is less defined compared to black gouges. At the intersections between gouges and deformation bands, the resulting tectonic fabric is given by the superposition of different deformation events overprinting the original one.</p><p>The difference in grain size distribution, fractal dimension, clast shape preferred orientation (i.e., foliation) and mineral composition between black gouges and deformation bands supports the hypothesis of different slip rates causing their development. In particular, black gouges are interpreted to develop during coseismic slip (~0.1-1 m/s), while deformation bands formed during interseismic intervals (slip rate from nm/s to μm/s). The cross-cutting relationship between gouges and deformation bands, combined with the overprinting of different tectonic fabrics along the intersections, suggests they formed as a result of repeating coseismic (fast slip) and aseismic (slow slip) events occurring at shallow burial-near surface conditions. This feature could be a key point to evaluate the deformation style (fast vs slow slip) and to estimate the potential seismic hazard of superficial faults affecting high-porosity sediments.</p>

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