Plate Tectonic Process and Earthquake Dynamics
The subduction zone where the Juan de Fuca Plate plunges under the
North American plate, is representative of those regions which generate
some
of the world’s largest tsunami-producing earthquakes. An array
of sensitive, bottom-mounted instruments could greatly increase understanding
of subduction processes improve estimates of seismic risks and improve
slightly the warning time of a major event. The Juan de Fuca system includes
at least one active volcano, Axial Seamount, which appears to erupt every
few years. NEPTUNE could monitor the vent fields, volcanic activity and
their effects on meaningful time scales, and allow immediate detection
of events and a rapid response to them.
Earthquake
Hazard Assessment and Warning
Research using the NEPTUNE seismometer
array will improve the accuracy of hazard assessment associated with
offshore earthquakes and in the
subduction zone. In some cases the NEPTUNE seismometer data could
signal the occurrence of a major offshore earthquake up to a minute before
any ground motion at population centers, permitting emergency shut
down of pipelines and other vulnerable installations, thereby reducing
the costs produced by fires.
Science Themes
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