Tue. May 24, 2016 5:15 PM - 6:30 PM Poster Hall (International Exhibition Hall HALL6)

Convener:*Keiko Kuge(Department of Geophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University), Saeko Kita(National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention), Alexandre Schubnel(CNRS), Geoffrey Abers(Cornell University, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, New York, USA)

The cause of intermediate-depth and deep earthquakes, which occur in subducting slabs at depth ranging from 60 to 700 km, is not yet understood. Explaining the origin and the source processes of these earthquakes remains a big challenge in geoscience. Metamorphic reactions such as dehydration embrittlement, phase transitions, thermal runway, and other phenomena have been suggested as causing the mechanical instability. Laboratory and numerical experiments, seismic observations, exhumed samples and other data may provide new constraints on these earthquakes. Thermal, electromagnetic, seismic structure in subducting slabs may constrain the material properties where earthquakes take place. The occurrence of these earthquakes may also be driven by the dynamics of subducting slabs and their interaction with surrounding mantle.
A wide range of scientific approaches is essential in order to further constrain our understanding the nature of intermediate-depth and deep earthquakes. This session offers an opportunity to share results from various kinds of scientific studies and interdisciplinary studies associated with these earthquakes and their surroundings. We welcome presentations based on data analysis studies from local to global seismic networks, seismotectonics, laboratory experimental studies of rocks under high-pressure conditions, theoretical studies, geodynamics, thermal structure, electrical conductivity structure and numerical modeling.