Probing structure and dynamics of the Chilean subduction margin with high-resolution seismicity
The Chilean subduction margin is one of the most seismically active regions worldwide. In the North of Chile, the Atacama segment marks a long-standing seismic gap, with no major earthquake since 1922. Within this gap, a spectrum of fast and slow deformation takes place, including regular earthquakes, seismic swarms, and deep and shallow slow slip events. Here, I present results from 3.5 years of dense observations with a seismo-geodetic network. Using machine learning techniques, we created a high-resolution earthquake catalog with more than 165,000 events. I show how the detailed seismicity provides insights into the dynamics of the plate interface and its slow deformation, in particular, discussing the 2023 slow slip event around the Copiapó ridge. In addition, I highlight how the seismicity outlines structural features and their connections to long-term dynamics, thereby providing insights into the governing mechanisms of subduction deformation.
