Juan de Fuca Plate tears apart beneath North American Plate
Updated
Updated · The Indian Express · Apr 30
Juan de Fuca Plate tears apart beneath North American Plate
12 articles · Updated · The Indian Express · Apr 30
Using 2021 Cascadia Seismic Imaging Experiment data off Vancouver Island, researchers reported in Science Advances that the subducting slab is splitting into microplates along major fractures.
The seismic images showed a large active fault dropping sections by several kilometres, while earthquake patterns suggest some parts remain active and others have already detached.
Scientists say the finding shows subduction zones can die gradually rather than suddenly; it does not change current Pacific Northwest earthquake and tsunami risk but could improve future hazard models.
A tectonic plate is ripping apart off the US coast. Does this make the dreaded 'Big One' more or less likely?
The Cascadia subduction zone is slowly dying. What does this reveal about the powerful forces that reshape our world?