Subduction zone segmentation
= Subduction zone segmentation
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.