Articles | Volume 13, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-779-2022
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-779-2022
Research article
 | 
01 Apr 2022
Research article |  | 01 Apr 2022

Earthquake ruptures and topography of the Chilean margin controlled by plate interface deformation

Nadaya Cubas, Philippe Agard, and Roxane Tissandier

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Cited articles

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Short summary
Earthquake extent prediction is limited by our poor understanding of slip deficit patterns. From a mechanical analysis applied along the Chilean margin, we show that earthquakes are bounded by extensive plate interface deformation. This deformation promotes stress build-up, leading to earthquake nucleation; earthquakes then propagate along smoothed fault planes and are stopped by heterogeneously distributed deformation. Slip deficit patterns reflect the spatial distribution of this deformation.