Collaborative Research: A 3D seismic investigation of the transition to seismogenic behavior along the southern Costa Rica subduction zone

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)提供资金的。拟议的工作是利用三维地震成像检查哥斯达黎加南部俯冲带沿线的结构和物理性质的变化。在此位置，板块边界由稳定滑动转变为不稳定滑动。了解俯冲带过程对于评估这些环境中的地震和海啸等地质灾害很重要。在拟议的工作中，将利用地震成像构造来解决以下几个基本问题：1)正被俯冲的大型沉积物透镜的结构和性质；b)现有海底地形对俯冲过程的影响；c)沿海沟板块边界断层几何形状的变化；以及d)沿俯冲带上板块结构的变化。这项工作将为研究生的教育和培养提供支持。与西班牙、德国和哥斯达黎加的科学家进行了国际合作。此外，还有一个行业支持的组成部分。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009(Public Law 111-5). The proposed work is to examine changes in structural and physical properties along the southern Costa Rica subduction zone using 3D seismic imaging. At this location the plate boundary transitions from stable sliding to unstable sliding. Understanding subduction zone processes is important for assessing geologic hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis in these environments. In the proposed work, seismically imaged structures will be used to address several fundamental problems such as 1) the structure and nature of large sediment lenses that are being subducted; b) the effects of existing seafloor topography on subduction processes; c) the changes in plate boundary fault geometry along the trench; and d) the variations in the structure of the upper plate along the subduction zone. This work will support the education and training of graduate students. There is international collaboration with scientists from Spain, Germany and Costa Rica. There is also a component of industry support.