Journal
GONDWANA RESEARCH
Volume 60, Issue -, Pages 186-193Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2018.05.002
Keywords
Mass transport deposits; melanges; Shallow megathrust; Seismic behavior; Subduction plate interface
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Funding
- Italian Ministry of University and Research [2010AZR98L_002, 2010AZE98L_009]
- University di Torino
- University di Modena e Reggio Emilia
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We present a critical appraisal of the role of subducted, medium (10-1000 km(2)) to giant (>= 1000 km(2)) and heterogeneous, mud-rich mass transport deposits (MTDs) in seismic behavior and mechanisms of shallow earthquakes along subduction plate interfaces (or subduction channels) at convergent margins. Our observations from exhumed ancient subduction complexes around the world show that incorporation of mud-rich MTDs with a chaotic internal fabric (i.e., sedimentary m langes or olistostromes) into subduction zones strongly modifies the structural architecture of a subduction plate interface and the physical properties of subducted material. The size and distribution of subducted MTDs with respect to the thickness of a subduction plate interface are critical factors influencing seismic behavior at convergent margins. Heterogeneous fabric and compositions of subducted MTDs may diminish the effectiveness of seismic ruptures considerably through the redistribution of overpressured fluids and accumulated strain. This phenomenon possibly favors the slow end-member of the spectrum of fault slip behavior (e.g., Slow Slip Events, Very Low Frequency Earthquakes, Non-Volcanic Tremors, creeping) compared to regular earthquakes, particularly in the shallow parts (T<250 degrees C) of a subduction plate interface. (C) 2018 International Association for Gondwana Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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