@article{fdi:010065836,
  title = {{S}eismicity and shallow slab geometry in the central {V}anuatu subduction zone},
  author = {{B}aillard, {C}. and {C}rawford, {W}. {C}. and {B}allu, {V}. and {R}{\'e}gnier, {M}arc and {P}elletier, {B}ernard and {G}araebiti, {E}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he {V}anuatu arc in the southwest {P}acific {O}cean is one of the world's most seismically active regions, with almost 39 magnitude 7+ earthquakes in the past 43years. {C}onvergence rates are around 90-120mm/yr along most of the arc, but drop to 25-43mm/yr in the central section, probably due to the subduction of the d'{E}ntrecasteaux ridge. {W}e characterize the slab geometry and tectonic state in this central section by analyzing data from a 10month deployment of 30 seismometers over this section. {W}e located more than 30,000 events (all less than magnitude 5.5), constructed an improved 1-{D} velocity model, calculated focal mechanisms and cluster geometries, and determined the 3-{D} geometry of the interplate seismogenic zone. {T}he seismogenic zone has a shallow bulge in front of the d'{E}ntrecasteaux ridge, which could be explained by the ridge's buoyancy contributing to the uplift of the fore-arc islands. {T}he seismogenic zone extends to similar to 45km depth, significantly below the 26-27km depth of the fore-arc {M}oho, indicating that the upper mantle wedge is not significantly serpentinized, which is consistent with the relatively high thermal parameter of the subducting plate. {T}he maximum width of the seismogenic zone is 80km, indicating an upper earthquake magnitude limit of {M}-w 7.850.4, assuming standard rupture zone aspect ratios. {T}he data also reveal a double seismic zone, 20 to 30km below the seismogenic zone, which is presumably caused by flexure of the downgoing plate.},
  keywords = {seismicity ; earthquakes ; {V}anuatu ; seamount subduction ; seismic hazard ; {VANUATU} ; {PACIFIQUE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {G}eophysical {R}esearch-{S}olid {E}arth},
  volume = {120},
  numero = {8},
  pages = {5606--5623},
  ISSN = {2169-9313},
  year = {2015},
  DOI = {10.1002/2014jb011853},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010065836},
}