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Fluids Along the Plate Interface Influencing the Frictional Regime of the Chilean Subduction Zone, Northern Chile
Author(s) -
PastenAraya F.,
Salazar P.,
Ruiz S.,
Rivera E.,
Potin B.,
Maksymowicz A.,
Torres E.,
Villarroel J.,
Cruz E.,
Valenzuela J.,
Jaldín D.,
González G.,
Bloch W.,
Wigger P.,
Shapiro S. A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2018gl079283
Subject(s) - geology , subduction , induced seismicity , peninsula , crust , plate tectonics , seismology , oceanic crust , lithology , slip (aerodynamics) , continental crust , fracture zone , convergent boundary , geophysics , tectonics , petrology , physics , archaeology , history , thermodynamics
The plate interface beneath the Mejillones Peninsula in Northern Chile is characterized by anomalous seismogenic behaviors, with seismic and aseismic slip, and low coupling values. We analyze this zone through the seismicity pattern and a 3‐D tomography model. We identify high V P / V S values within the oceanic crust and in the lower continental crust, which we interpret as hydrated zones rich in fluids. These zones are correlated with the Mejillones fracture zone and with highly permeable lithologies of the lower continental crust, which allow a greater accumulation of fluids at the plate interface beneath the Mejillones Peninsula. Additionally, these areas exhibit a high rate of seismicity and concentrated swarms and repeaters. We propose that the presence of fluids controls the anomalous seismogenic behavior along the plate interface beneath the Mejillones Peninsula.