In subduction zones, structure, kinematics and physical parameters affect the margin tectonics as well as the strain loading in the seismogenic zone. Investigating the structural styles and seismogenesis in subduction zone thus requires multidisciplinary observations and modelling.
American and Caribbean subduction zones show a wide range of interrelated structural, tectonic and seismic characteristics, which vary tremendously across individual margin segments. These segments undergo subduction erosion or accretion, great subduction earthquakes, slow-slip events or creep, transient and permanent deformation, fore-arc uplift or subsidence , and paleoenvironmental evolution of carbonate platforms. This high variability and the numerous recent offshore and onshore geoscientific studies conducted along these subduction zones provide a great opportunity to investigate processes and parameters that control the seismogenic, tectonic and kinematic behaviour.
Our session calls together scientists working on aspects of the geophysics and geology of the American and Caribbean subduction zones with a focus on subduction processes and structures, tectonic and neotectonic deformation patterns, carbonate platform evolution and earthquake and tsunamis hazards.