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Subduction zone earthquakes and stress in slabsSimple viscous fluid models of subducting slabs are used to explain observations of the distribution of earthquakes as a function of depth and the orientation of stress axes of deep (greater than 300 km) and intermediate (70-300 km) earthquakes. Results suggest the following features in the distribution of earthquakes with depth: (1) an exponential decrease from shallow depths down to 250 to 300 km, (2) a minimum near 250 to 300 km, and (3) a deep peak below 300 km. Many shallow subducting slabs show only the first characteristic, while deeper extending regions tend to show all three features, with the deep peak varying in position and intensity. These data, combined with the results on the stress orientations of various-depth earthquakes, are consistent with the existence of a barrier of some sort at 670-km depth and a uniform viscosity mantle above this barrier.
Document ID
19890052486
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Vassiliou, M. S.
(Rockwell International Science Center Thousand Oaks, CA, United States)
Hager, B. H.
(California Institute of Technology Pasadena, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: Pure and Applied Geophysics
Volume: 128
Issue: 3-4
ISSN: 0033-4553
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
89A39857
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7610
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF EAR-82-06528
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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