Stress-driven fluid flow controls long-term megathrust strength and deep accretionary dynamics.

ABSTRACT: The heterogeneity of frictional strength along the megathrust earthquake zone critically controls plate coupling and long-term subduction dynamics. However, the persistence and distribution of high-friction segments through space and time remain poorly constrained. Here, we show that accretion processes, such as tectonic underplating (i.e., basal accretion of material below the fore-arc region), can be used as a proxy to characterize the long-term frictional zonation of the subduction interface. We carry out numerical thermo-mechanical experiments, which predict a first-order control of tectonic-stress variations on fluid transport in deep fore-arc regions. Accordingly, positive feedback between fluid distribution and effective stress favours the stability of the interface frictional prope

SUBMITTER: Menant A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6609719 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature