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Structural barriers control the spatial extent of slow earthquake slip
Takeshi Akuhara1, Kazuya Shiraishi2, Takeshi Tsuji3
1Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. akuhara@eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
Nature Communications
|January 3, 2026
Summary
Shallow slow earthquakes are controlled by geological structures and subduction features. Understanding these factors is crucial for predicting future megathrust ruptures and seismic hazards.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Seismology
- Tectonics
Background:
- Shallow slow earthquakes on subduction megathrusts offer insights into factors controlling megathrust slip.
- Identifying these factors is key to constraining the potential updip extent of future megathrust ruptures.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the factors controlling the spatial extent of shallow slow earthquakes.
- Analyze the 2020-2021 slow earthquake sequence in the Kumano-nada region of the Nankai Trough.
Main Methods:
- Integrate tremor locations with uncertainty estimates.
- Utilize detailed bathymetry and multichannel seismic data.
- Generate tremor probability maps to identify activity limits.
Main Results:
- Updip, downdip, and lateral tremor limits correlate with structural boundaries.
- Identified boundaries include décollement kinks/branches, strike-slip faults, and inner-outer wedge boundaries.
- These structures act as barriers, influenced by pore-fluid pressure and the subducted Paleo-Zenisu ridge.
Conclusions:
- Megathrust geometry, overriding prism properties, fluid distribution, and ridge subduction jointly control slow earthquake extent.
- These factors must be considered when assessing the potential extent of future megathrust ruptures.
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