Discrete Element Modeling of a Subduction Zone with a Seafloor Irregularity and its Impact on the Seismic Cycle

Jiao, Liqing; Chan, Chung-Han; Scholtès, Luc; Hubert, Aurelia; Donzé, Frédéric-Victor; Tapponnier, Paul

doi:10.1111/1755-6724.14935

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Discrete Element Modeling of a Subduction Zone with a Seafloor Irregularity and its Impact on the Seismic Cycle

Jiao, Liqing; Chan, Chung-Han; Scholtès, Luc et al.

2022 • In Acta Geologica Sinica, 96 (3), p. 776 - 790

Peer reviewed

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/292968

DOI
10.1111/1755-6724.14935

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Keywords :

backthrust faults; discrete element modeling; megathrust; Mentawai; seamount; splay; subduction zone; Geology

Abstract :

[en] Seafloor irregularities influence rupture behavior along the subducting slab and in the overriding plate, thus affecting earthquake cycles. Whether seafloor irregularities increase the likelihood of large earthquakes in a subduction zone remains contested, partially due to focus put either on fault development or on rupture pattern. Here, we simulate a subducting slab with a seafloor irregularity and the resulting deformation pattern of the overriding plate using the discrete element method. Our simulations illustrate the rupture along three major fault systems: megathrust, splay and backthrust faults. Our results show different rupture dimensions of earthquake events varying from tens to ca. 140 km. Our results suggest that the recurrence interval of megathrust events with rupture length of ca. 100 km is ca. 140 years, which is overall comparable to the paleoseismic records at the Mentawai area of the Sumatran zone. We further propose the coseismic slip amounts decrease and interseismic slip amounts increase from the surface downwards gradually. We conclude that the presence of seafloor irregularities significantly affects rupture events along the slab as well as fault patterns in the overriding plate.

Disciplines :

Earth sciences & physical geography

Author, co-author :

Jiao, Liqing; SinoProbe Center, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China ; Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China

Chan, Chung-Han; Earthquake-Disaster & Risk Evaluation and Management (E-DREaM) Center, National Central University, Taoyuan, China ; Department of Earth Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, China

Scholtès, Luc; CNRS, IRD, OPGC, Laboratoire Magma et Volcans, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France

Hubert, Aurelia ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Sphères

Donzé, Frédéric-Victor; Institut des Sciences de la Terre, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France

Tapponnier, Paul; National Institute of Natural Hazards, MEMC, Beijing, China

Language :

English

Title :

Discrete Element Modeling of a Subduction Zone with a Seafloor Irregularity and its Impact on the Seismic Cycle

Publication date :

June 2022

Journal title :

Acta Geologica Sinica

ISSN :

0001-5717

Publisher :

John Wiley and Sons Inc

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

776 - 790

Peer reviewed :

Peer reviewed

Additional URL :

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1755-6724.14935

Available on ORBi :

since 05 July 2022

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