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A mobile-lid mode of planetary evolution in which coherent pieces of the lithosphere move, form at spreading regions and can recycle through subduction. Slab pull, ridge push and mantle flow compete with deformation resistance. It affects heat transport, volcanism, earthquakes and the carbonate-silicate cycle. It is not guaranteed solely by an exoplanet's mass.

Time-dependent deformation after an earthquake, including viscous or viscoelastic flow as distinct from fault afterslip. Joint spatial and temporal observations are needed to distinguish those mechanisms and the layers that deform.

A crustal fault system beneath the Seattle region capable of producing damaging earthquakes and local tsunamis.

The spatial and temporal occurrence of earthquakes, including their depth and magnitude distributions.

A coordinated collection of recording stations with known positions and time bases. Distributed source–receiver paths constrain earthquake locations and internal wave speeds more effectively than one station. Geometry, noise, synchronization and instrument response determine which structures can be resolved; adding stations without crossing ray paths need not remove an inversion trade-off.

The dependence of radiated P wave or S wave amplitude and polarity on direction from an earthquake source. For an ideal double couple it has nodal directions, so amplitude differences between stations do not measure distance or directivity alone.

Along-strike changes in the structure, deformation, coupling or thermal state of a subduction zone. Segments inferred from megathrust locking, episodic tremor and slip, past earthquake ruptures, slab dip and seismic tomography need not have identical boundaries. A common spatial pattern can motivate a physical hypothesis, but does not alone prove a persistent rupture barrier or identify a unique cause.

A roughly triangular planar mountain face bounded by incised valleys and a basal front. Repeated normal faulting, tectonic uplift and erosion can maintain arrays of triangular facets. Their geometry is suggestive but does not alone date an individual earthquake.

A sequence of long waves commonly generated by rapid displacement of water, including by earthquakes and landslides.

An inclined distribution of earthquake sources associated with a descending slab. Shallow interface earthquakes and deeper intraslab earthquakes need not share the same failure mechanism. The pattern helps trace subduction, subject to the limits of source location and the distribution of seismically active material. Named for Kiyoo Wadati and Hugo Benioff.