Mechanism Generating Earthquakes in Subduction Zones

DOI Web Site Web Site 10 Citations 222 References
  • HASEGAWA Akira
    Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
  • NAKAJIMA Junichi
    Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
  • UCHIDA Naoki
    Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
  • YANADA Takahiro
    Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
  • OKADA Tomomi
    Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
  • ZHAO Dapeng
    Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
  • MATSUZAWA Toru
    Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
  • UMINO Norihito
    Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 沈み込み帯の地震の発生機構
  • 沈み込み帯の地震の発生機構 : 地殻流体に規定されて発生する沈み込み帯の地震
  • シズミ コミ タイ ノ ジシン ノ ハッセイ キコウ : チカク リュウタイ ニ キテイ サレテ ハッセイ スル シズミ コミ タイ ノ ジシン
  • ―地殻流体に規定されて発生する沈み込み帯の地震―
  • Vital Role of Geofluids in Earthquake Generation

Search this article

Abstract

 The mechanisms that generate the three main types of earthquake in subduction zones are discussed addressing their relations to geofluids. Studies on the spatial distribution of earthquakes and seismic velocity structure within the subducted slab provide evidence that strongly supports the dehydration embrittlement hypothesis for the generation of intermediate-depth intraslab earthquakes. Detailed imaging of the seismic velocity structure in and around plate boundary zones suggests that interplate coupling is mainly controlled by local fluid over-pressure. Seismic tomography studies show the existence of inclined sheet-like seismic low-velocity zones in the mantle wedge, not only in Tohoku but also in other areas in Japan, which perhaps correspond to the upwelling flow of the subduction-induced convection system. These upwelling flows reach the Moho directly beneath the volcanic areas, suggesting that those volcanic areas are formed by the upwelling flows. Aqueous fluids derived from the slab are probably transported up through the upwelling flows to the arc crust, where they might weaken the surrounding crustal rocks and finally cause shallow inland earthquakes. All of these observations suggest that geofluids expelled from the subducting slab play an important role in the generation of earthquakes in subduction zones.

Journal

Citations (10)*help

See more

References(222)*help

See more

Related Projects

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top