Segmentation of Shallow Slow Slip Events at the Hikurangi Subduction Zone Explained by Along-Strike Changes in Fault Geometry and Plate Convergence Rates.

ABSTRACT: Over the last two decades, geodetic and seismic observations have revealed a spectrum of slow earthquakes along the Hikurangi subduction zone in New Zealand. Of those, shallow slow slip events (SSEs) that occur at depths of less than 15 km along the plate interface show a strong along-strike segmentation in their recurrence intervals, which vary from ∼1 yr from offshore Tolaga Bay in the northeast to ∼5 yr offshore Cape Turnagain ∼300 km to the southwest. To understand the factors that control this segmentation, we conduct numerical simulations of SSEs incorporating laboratory-derived rate-and-state friction laws with both planar and non-planar fault geometries. We find that a relatively simple model assuming a realistic non-planar fault geometry reproduces the characteristics of shallow S

SUBMITTER: Perez-Silva A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9285732 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature