TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Mega-earthquakes rupture flat megathrusts
JO  - Science
A1  - Bletery, Quentin
A1  - Thomas, Amanda M.
A1  - Rempel, Alan W.
A1  - Karlstrom, Leif
A1  - Sladen, Anthony
A1  - De Barros, Louis
SP  - 1027
EP  - 1031
VL  - 354
IS  - 6315
N2  - The 2004 Sumatra-Andaman and 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquakes highlighted gaps in our understanding of mega-earthquake rupture processes and the factors controlling their global distribution: A fast convergence rate and young buoyant lithosphere are not required to produce mega-earthquakes. We calculated the curvature along the major subduction zones of the world, showing that mega-earthquakes preferentially rupture flat (low-curvature) interfaces. A simplified analytic model demonstrates that heterogeneity in shear strength increases with curvature. Shear strength on flat megathrusts is more homogeneous, and hence more likely to be exceeded simultaneously over large areas, than on highly curved faults.<br><br>Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0036-8075
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aag0482
ID  - ref1
ER  -