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Subslab ultra low velocity anomaly uncovered by and facilitating the largest deep earthquake

Author

Listed:
  • Weiwen Chen

    (Nanyang Technological University
    China Earthquake Administration)

  • Shengji Wei

    (Nanyang Technological University
    Nanyang Technological University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Weitao Wang

    (China Earthquake Administration)

Abstract

It is enigmatic that M8+ earthquakes can take place at depth greater than 600 km inside the slab, where the P-T conditions generally do not favor seismic slip rate (~m/s) on faults. Here we provide fresh insights to the initial rupture and mechanism of the Mw 8.3 Sea of Okhotsk earthquake by analyzing high-frequency (up to 0.8 Hz) teleseismic array data. We determine the relative location and timing of two early subevents, and the geometry and velocity perturbation of a nearby structure anomaly. We found a small-scale (~30 × 60 × 60 km) ultralow (−18 ± 2%) P-wave velocity anomaly located beneath the Pacific slab around the 660 km discontinuity. The volatile-bearing highly melted nature of the anomaly provides significant buoyancy, stressing the slab dramatically closer to the critical condition for thermal runaway weakening that allows the rupture to propagate beyond the metastable olivine wedge, forming M8+ events. Enormous velocity reduction urges for further mineral physics and geodynamic investigations.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiwen Chen & Shengji Wei & Weitao Wang, 2024. "Subslab ultra low velocity anomaly uncovered by and facilitating the largest deep earthquake," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-47129-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47129-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chrystèle Sanloup & James W. E. Drewitt & Zuzana Konôpková & Philip Dalladay-Simpson & Donna M. Morton & Nachiketa Rai & Wim van Westrenen & Wolfgang Morgenroth, 2013. "Structural change in molten basalt at deep mantle conditions," Nature, Nature, vol. 503(7474), pages 104-107, November.
    2. Peter B. Kelemen & Greg Hirth, 2007. "A periodic shear-heating mechanism for intermediate-depth earthquakes in the mantle," Nature, Nature, vol. 446(7137), pages 787-790, April.
    3. Anna Kelbert & Adam Schultz & Gary Egbert, 2009. "Global electromagnetic induction constraints on transition-zone water content variations," Nature, Nature, vol. 460(7258), pages 1003-1006, August.
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