SCENTAR: A High-Density Nodal Array to Study the Structure and Seismogenic Behavior of the Southern Cascadia Forearc

Abstract

Abstract Tectonic and seismogenic variations in subduction forearcs can be linked through various processes associated with subduction. Along the Cascadia forearc, significant variations between different geologic expressions of subduction appear to correlate, such as episodic tremor-and-slip (ETS) recurrence interval, intraslab seismicity, slab dip, uplift and exhumation rates, and topography, which allows for the systematic study of the plausible controlling mechanisms behind these variations. Even though the southern Cascadia forearc has the broadest topographic expression and shortest ETS recurrence intervals along the margin, it has been relatively underinstrumented with modern seismic equipment. Therefore, better seismic images are needed before robust comparisons with other portions of the forearc can be made. In March 2020, we deployed the Southern Cascadia Earthquake and Tectonics Array throughout the southern Cascadia forearc. This array consisted of 60 continuously recording three-component nodal seismometers with an average station spacing of ∼15 km, and stations recorded ∼38 days of data on average. We will analyze this newly collected nodal dataset to better image the structural characteristics and constrain the seismogenic behavior of the southern Cascadia forearc. The main goals of this project are to (1) constrain the precise location of the plate interface through seismic imaging and the analysis of seismicity, (2) characterize the lower crustal architecture of the overriding forearc crust to understand the role that this plays in enabling the high nonvolcanic tremor density and short episodic slow-slip recurrence intervals in the region, and (3) attempt to decouple the contributions of subduction versus San Andreas–related deformation to uplift along this particularly elevated portion of the Cascadia forearc. The results of this project will shed light on the controlling mechanisms behind heterogeneous ETS behavior and variable forearc surficial responses to subduction in Cascadia, with implications for other analogous subduction margins.