Complex Crustal Deformation Controlled by the 3D Geometry of the Chile Subduction Zone

Abstract

The Chilean subduction zone hosts Mw > 8 earthquakes, which could trigger earthquakes on crustal faults located along the plate margin. Using synthetic earthquakes from a quasidynamic boundary element method model, we obtain traction fields and perform a slip tendency analysis to obtain synthetic faults, which we compare with existing potentially seismogenic crustal faults. With our results, we find geometric patterns of the highest slip tendency planes with deformations induced by synthetic subduction events, such that north of the rupture area of each event, correlate with normal N20(degrees)W-50(degrees)W/N60(degrees)SW fault planes, and to the south, correlate with normal N30(degrees)E-80(degrees)E/N60(degrees)NW faults planes. These observations agree with observed fault traces in central and northern Chile, and past observations of crustal fault reactivation.