An extensive analysis of the strong ground motion Mexican data base was conducted using Soft Computing (SC) techniques. A Neural Network NN is used to estimate both orthogonal components of the horizontal (PGA h ) and vertical (PGA v ) peak ground accelerations measured at rock sites during Mexican subduction zone earthquakes. The work discusses the development, training, and testing of this ne...

Studies of past sea-level markers are commonly used to unveil the tectonic history and seismic behavior of subduction zones. We present new evidence on vertical motions of the Hellenic subduction zone as resulting from a suite of Late Pleistocene - Holocene shorelines in western Crete (Greece). Shoreline ages obtained by AMS radiocarbon dating of seashells, together with the reappraisal of shor...

[1] Subduction zones alter the upper plate in a variety of ways, including metasomatism via slab-derived fluids and accretion of exotic terranes. These processes should produce distinctive seismic signatures, as seismic velocities are sensitive to compositional variations. A new method is developed to estimates depths to interfaces and Poisson’s ratio (Vp/Vs ratio) for dipping layered structure...

Double seismic zones are two-layered distributions of intermediate-depth earthquakes that provide insight into the thermomechanical state of subducting slabs. We present new precise hypocenters of intermediate-depth earthquakes in the Tonga subduction zone obtained using data from local island-based, ocean-bottom, and global seismographs. The results show a downdip compressional upper plane and...

Primarily aseismic deformation transients in subduction zones, sometimes associated with tremors and low-frequency earthquakes, are a newly recognized mode of deformation. Stressing in the up-dip seismogenic zone is increased episodically due to down-dip transient slips, and each eventmaymake itmore prone to failure in a large thrust earthquake. It is important for seismic hazard assessment to ...

Geological models of subduction zones impact thinking about many of the central problems in the structure, dynamics, chemistry, and history of the solid earth. Should those models change, the effects will reach across the earth sciences. We are currently in the midst of such a change, brought on by several causes. First, the earth science community recently began an organized, multi-disciplinar...

Fault reactivation plays a fundamental role in the generation of plate tectonics from mantle convection. Converging and transform plate margins are mechanically weak due to both preexisting faults and preserved shear zones within the crust and lithosphere, on the one hand, and continuous brittle failure of lithosphere, on the other hand. Transform margins are the site for nucleating new converg...

[1] The character of the mantle flow field in subduction zones remains poorly understood, despite its importance for our understanding of subduction dynamics. In particular, little attention has been paid to mantle flow beneath subducting slabs. In order to identify processes that make first-order contributions to the global pattern of subslab mantle flow, we have compiled shear wave splitting ...

In subduction zones, elevated pore fluid pressure, generally linked to metamorphic dehydration reactions, has a profound influence on the mechanical behavior of the plate interface and forearc crust through its control on effective stress. We use seismic noise-based monitoring to characterize seismic velocity variations following the 2012 Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica earthquake [M w (moment mag...

The mantle wedge of a subduction zone is characterized by low seismic velocities and high attenuation, indicative of temperatures approaching the solidus and the possible presence of melt and volatiles. Tomographic images show a low velocity region above the slab extending from 150 km depth up to the volcanic front. The low velocities result at least partially from volatiles fluxed off the slab...