Fluid pressurisation and earthquake propagation in the Hikurangi subduction zone

摘要: In subduction zones, seismic slip at shallow crustal depths can lead to the generation of tsunamis. Large displacements during tsunamogenic earthquakes are attributed low coseismic shear strength fluid-saturated and non-lithified clay-rich fault rocks. However, because experimental challenges in confining these materials, physical processes responsible reduction poorly understood. Using a novel setup, we measured pore fluid pressure simulated materials sampled from deep oceanic drilling P\=apaku thrust (Hikurangi zone, New Zealand). Here show that pressurisation fluids, enhanced by permeability fault, reduces energy required propagate earthquake rupture. We suggest thermal mechanical fluids facilitates Hikurangi which was tsunamigenic about 70 years ago. Fluid-saturated sediments, occurring depth promote rupture propagation their tendency pressurise when sheared velocities.