Validation of a Multilayered Analog Model Integrating Crust‐Mantle Visco‐Elastic Coupling to Investigate Subduction Megathrust Earthquake Cycle

We have developed a scaled analog model of a subduction zone simulating seismic cycle deformation phases. Its rheology is based on multilayered visco‐elasto‐plastic materials to account for the mechanical behavior of a continental lithospheric plate overriding a subducting oceanic plate. The seismogenic zone displays unstable slip behavior, extending at depth into a weak interface with stable slip properties. The model succeeds in reproducing interseismic phases interrupted by coseismic ruptures and followed by after‐slip. The experimental data catalog shows a broad variability of slip events from aseismic slow slips to fast dynamic lab quakes. Results also show the occurrence of both isolated and precursory slow‐slip events arising before the mainshocks. Given the absence of fluids in the model, the broad variability in slip event velocity can be attributed to fault roughness complexity. The model rheology induces also a key visco‐elastic coupling between the elastic overriding plate and the mantle wedge allowing, for the first time, to reproduce experimentally a realistic postseismic visco‐elastic relaxation phase. Preliminary results reveal that the tectonic loading rate modulates this visco‐elastic coupling. A low loading rate weakens it, which increase the amount of storable interseismic elastic deformation, and favors the occurrence of large megathrust events. A high loading rate strengthens it, which minimize the accumulation of interseismic elastic deformation, the slip‐event sizes, and promote aseismic creep. This new scaled‐analog subduction model is a complementary tool to investigate earthquake mechanics and improve the interpretation of geodetic and seismological records.