Seismic structure in southern Peru: evidence for a smooth contortion between flat and normal subduction of the Nazca Plate
- Creators
- Dougherty, Sara L.
- Clayton, Robert W.
Abstract
Rapid changes in slab geometry are typically associated with fragmentation of the subducted plate; however, continuous curvature of the slab is also possible. The transition from flat to normal subduction in southern Peru is one such geometrical change. The morphology of the subducted Nazca Plate along this transition is explored using intraslab earthquakes recorded by temporary regional seismic arrays. Observations of a gradual increase in slab dip coupled with a lack of any gaps or vertical offsets in the intraslab seismicity suggest warping of the slab. Concentrations of focal mechanisms at orientations which are indicative of slab bending are also observed along the change in slab geometry. The presence of a thin ultra-slow velocity layer (USL) atop the horizontal Nazca slab is identified and located. The lateral extent of this USL is coincident with the margin of the projected linear continuation of the subducting Nazca Ridge, implying a causal relationship wherein increased hydration of the ridge results in the formation of the USL downdip. Waveform modelling of the 2-D structure in southern Peru using a finite-difference algorithm provides constraints on the velocity and geometry of the slab's seismic structure and confirms the absence of any tears in the slab. The seismicity and structural evidence suggests smooth contortion of the Nazca Plate along the transition from flat to normal subduction. The slab is estimated to have experienced 10 per cent strain in the along-strike direction across this transition.
Additional Information
© 2014 The Authors. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Royal Astronomical Society Accepted 2014 October 21. Received 2014 October 17; in original form 2014 June 17. This study was supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation through the Tectonics Observatory at California Institute of Technology and NSF award EAR-1045683. We are grateful to the CAUGHT project team for providing waveform data. We thank Joann Stock for enlightening discussions. We also thank Editor Saskia Goes, Megan Anderson and an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments which improved the manuscript.Attached Files
Published - Geophys._J._Int.-2015-Dougherty-534-55.pdf
Supplemental Material - Supplemental_References.pdf
Supplemental Material - Supporting_Information.pdf
Files
Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 56306
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20150402-103259901
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- EAR-1045683
- NSF
- Created
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2015-04-02Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Caltech Tectonics Observatory, Seismological Laboratory, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences