Fig. 4: Schematic illustration of the hypothesis of transformational faulting enhanced by hydrous defects in the unstable rim of a metastable olivine wedge (MOW). | Communications Earth & Environment

Fig. 4: Schematic illustration of the hypothesis of transformational faulting enhanced by hydrous defects in the unstable rim of a metastable olivine wedge (MOW).

From: Unsupervised machine learning reveals slab hydration variations from deep earthquake distributions beneath the northwest Pacific

Fig. 4

a For a highly hydrated slab mantle, hydrous defects would coincide with the MOW transforming rim and make it a highly reactive halo that enhances the nucleation of small earthquakes, which leads to high b values (e.g., b > 1.5) for the Honshu and Izu deep-focus seismicity. b For a relatively dry slab mantle, there is limited seismicity inside the transforming rim and the b values are normal (e.g., b ≈ 1) for the Bonin and Kuril slabs.

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