Autori: Ducea, M.N., Kidder, S., and Chesley, J.T.

Editorial: EOS, 88, no 27, p.277-278, 2007.

Rezumat:

Megathrust faults marking the subduction of oceanic plates are fundamental features of Earth tectonics ? without them, the recycling of plates and plate tectonics, as we know it would not exist. In addition, these faults have a significant societal relevance since movement along these faults generates devastating earthquakes. One of the most important tasks in solid Earth Sciences is to be able to understand the mechanical and thermal processes that take place along these fault zones (www.earthscope.gov). Seismologists gain a significant amount of information from studying the physics of earthquakes (National Research Council, 2003), however they are limited to present day observations. Important complementary information can be recovered from the geological record though structural and petrologic studies in areas where paleo-subduction megathrusts have been fortuitously exposed at the surface.

Cuvinte cheie: Petrology, earthquakes, megathrust