Abstract
SEISMIC ray tracing1–4 has shown that the slabs of lithosphere which descend into the mantle in subduction zones are approximately 80 km thick. Within these slabs there are thin zones in which earthquakes occur5. Here I estimate the thickness of the seismic zone in Tonga as ∼11 km, from the source dimensions of the large intermediate earthquakes.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Oliver, J., and Isacks, B., J. Geophys. Res., 72, 4259 (1967).
Jacob, K. H., J. Geophys. Res., 75, 6675 (1970).
Toksoz, M. N., Minear, J. W., and Julian, B. R., J. Geophys. Res., 76, 1113 (1971).
Jacob, K. H., J. Geophys. Res., 77, 2556 (1972).
Benioff, H., Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., 60, 1837 (1949).
Mitronovas, W., Isacks, B., and Seeber, L., Bull. Seism. Soc. Amer., 59, 1115 (1969).
Sykes, L. R., Isacks, B., and Oliver, J., Bull. Seism. Soc. Amer., 59, 1093 (1969).
Lahr, J. C., and Page, R. A., Abstract, Eos, 53, 1043 (1972).
Engdahl, E. R., Symp. on Ocean Floor Spreading (IUGG, Moscow, 1971).
Fukao, Y., Phys. Earth Planet. Interiors, 5, 61 (1972).
Abe, K., Phys. Earth Planet. Interiors, 5, 110 (1972).
Hanks, T. C., and Wyss, M., Bull. Seism. Soc. Amer., 62, 561 (1972).
Wyss, M., and Hanks, T. C., Bull. Seism. Soc. Amer., 62, 591 (1972).
Kasahar, K., Bull. Earthq. Res. Inst., 35, 473 (1957).
Wyss, M., and Molnar, P., Phys. Earth. Planet. Interiors (in the press).
Kanamori, H., and Press, F., Nature, 226, 330 (1970).
Brune, J. N., J. Geophys. Res., 73, 777 (1968).
McKenzie, D. P., J. Geophys. Res., 72, 6261 (1967).
Isacks, B., and Molnar, P., Rev. Geophys., 9, 103 (1971).
Klein, F., Einarsson, P., and Wyss, M., J. Geophys. Res. (in the press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
WYSS, M. The Thickness of Deep Seismic Zones. Nature 242, 255–256 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/242255a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/242255a0
This article is cited by
-
Theory of earthquakes. Part III: Inclusion collapse theory of deep earthquakes
Pure and Applied Geophysics PAGEOPH (1976)
-
Detailed structure of a mantle seismic zone using the homogeneous station method
Nature (1975)
-
Relocation of Intermediate Depth Earthquakes in the Central Aleutians by Seismic Ray Tracing
Nature Physical Science (1973)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.