Characterising the Atacama segment of the Chile subduction margin (24{\deg}S-31{\deg}S) with >165,000 earthquakes

TL;DR

This study provides a detailed high-resolution seismicity catalog of the Atacama subduction zone, revealing complex 3D structures, slab geometry, and seismic-aseismic interactions using machine learning and dense seismic data.

Contribution

The paper introduces a dense, high-resolution seismicity catalog derived from machine learning, offering new insights into the fine-scale structure and seismic behavior of the Atacama subduction zone.

Findings

Detailed slab geometry shows a south-dipping flat slab.

Significant mantle wedge seismicity indicates brittle behavior.

Complex 3D structure of the subduction interface with fractal seismic patches.

Abstract

The Atacama segment in Northern Chile (24{\deg}S to 31{\deg}S) is a mature seismic gap with no major event (Mw>8) since 1922. In addition to regular seismicity, around the subducting Copiap\'o ridge, the region hosts seismic swarms, and shallow and deep slow slip events. To characterize the fine structure of this seismic gap and its seismic-aseismic interplay, we instrumented the region with almost 200 seismic and geodetic stations. Using machine learning, we derived a dense, high-resolution seismicity catalog, encompassing over 165,000 events with double-difference relocated hypocenters. Our catalog details the outer rise, interface, intraslab, crustal and mantle wedge seismicity. We infer a detailed slab geometry, showing that the flat slab is dipping towards the south with a narrower extent along dip. The slab geometry controls the intraslab seismicity, with cross-cutting activity in the region of highest bending and a downdip limit around 105 km slab depth. Our catalogue exhibits significant seismicity in the mantle wedge upper corner between 28{\deg}S and 31{\deg}S, highlighting the brittle behavior of the cold nose. On the subduction interface, interplate locking controls the updip end of the seismicity, with seismicity extending closer to the trench in low-locking areas. On fine scales, resolved by relative uncertainties below 50 m, the subduction interface has a complex 3D structure, showing a fractal distribution of seismic patches down to a scale of tens of meters. Our results provide a holistic view of this complex subduction zone, while at the same time giving insights into fine-scale structures and processes.