The Mexico Subduction Zone

Summary:

We measured Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion near the Mexico subduction zone. We used data collected by the UCLA-Caltech seismic stations installed between Acapulco and Tampico, and data collected by various Mexican stations. This enabled us to model 3-D azimuthal anisotropy in the area and to analyze the transition from flat to steep subduction. Our anisotropy results favors the view that a tear in the slab is responsible for the transition, and is also consistent with the geometry of the volcanic belt. The project was conducted by Igor Stubailo in collaboration with Paul Davis. This work was featured in this science blog.

3-D model download here

Citation:

lnk *Stubailo, I., Beghein, C., Davis, P.,  Structure and anisotropy of the Mexico subduction zone based on Rayleigh-wave analysis and implications for the geometry of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, J. Geophys. Res., 117, B5, B05303, doi:10.1029/2011JB008631, 2012 – An edited version of this paper was published by AGU. Copyright (2006) American Geophysical Union

Two potential interpretations of the subduction structure in Mexico. (top) The flat (slab A) and steep (slab B) portions of the slab discussed in this paper separated by a tear.
Two potential interpretations of the subduction structure in Mexico. (top) The flat (slab A) and steep (slab B) portions of the slab discussed in this paper separated by a tear.

Preliminary results of this work have been presented at the following meetings and conferences:

  1. Stubailo, I., Beghein, C., and Davis, P., Structure and anisotropy of the Mexico subduction zone based on Rayleigh-wave analysis and implications for the geometry of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Abstract XXXXX-XXXX presented at 2011 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 5-9 Dec.
  2. Stubailo, I., Beghein, C., and Davis, P., Azimuthal anisotropy in Mexico from Rayleigh wave phase velocity maps and shear-wave splitting, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract, 2010 
  3. Stubailo, I., Beghein, C., and Davis, P., Azimuthal anisotropy in Mexico obtained from Rayleigh wave phase velocity map”, SCEC Meeting, Palm Springs, CA, Abstract, 2010
  4. Stubailo, I., Beghein, C., and Davis, P., Azimuthal anisotropy in Mexico obtained from Rayleigh wave phase velocity maps, CIDER Workshop 2010, Santa Barbara, CA, abstract, 2010
  5. Stubailo, I., Beghein, C., and Davis, P., Rayleigh wave dispersion and Tomography of Mexico Slab Region, Eos Trans. AGU, 90(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract, 2009.
  6. Stubailo, I., Beghein, C., and Davis, P., Identifying the upper part of the slab in Mexico using Rayleigh wave dispersion, Seisological Research Letters, 80(2), SSA Annual Meeting, Abstract, 2009
  7. Stubailo, I., Beghein, C., and Davis, P., Rayleigh wave dispersion on the Acapulco-Tampico transect in Mexico, Eos Trans. AGU, 89(53), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract, 2008.