Given that approximately 90% of the seismic moment released by earthquakes worldwide occurs along and near subduction zones, there is a clear need for a better understanding of seismic processes and the associated seismic hazards in these areas. Seismicity in subduction zones manifests in various forms, from relatively shallow activity on outer-rise and splay faults, as well as the megathrust, to intermediate-depth (70-300 km) and deep events (>300 km). All these distinct seismogenic environments play a role in shaping the seismic moment budget, hazard, and overall dynamics of a subduction zone.
This session aims to integrate observations and models of seismicity in subduction zones, as well as research that aims at characterizing the processes that drive this seismicity. In order to improve our understanding of the interplay between earthquake occurrence and subduction dynamics, combining seismicity constraints with observations from other disciplines (geodesy, petrology, geomorphology and others) can provide a more complete view of complex subduction zones. We thus also invite interdisciplinary studies that combine geophysical and/or geological observations with laboratory experiments and/or numerical models to address questions such as: (1) What mechanisms control intraplate seismicity? (2) How does outer-rise and splay fault seismicity relate to the seismogenic behavior of the megathrust? (3) How do slab dynamics influence and potentially link to shallow and deep seismicity?