Seismic velocity constraints on the material properties that control earthquake behavior at the Quebrada‐Discovery‐Gofar transform faults, East Pacific Rise

Abstract

Mid‐ocean ridge transform faults (RTFs) vary strongly along strike in their ability to generate large earthquakes. This general observation suggests that local variations in material properties along RTFs exert a primary control on earthquake rupture dynamics. We explore these relationships by examining the seismic structure of two RTFs that have distinctly different seismic coupling. We determine the seismic velocity structure at the Gofar and Quebrada faults on the East Pacific Rise (EPR) using P wave traveltime tomography with data from two active‐source wide‐angle refraction lines crossing the faults. We image low‐velocity zones (LVZs) at both faults, where P wave velocities are reduced by as much as 0.5–1.0 km/s (∼10–20%) within a several kilometer wide region. At the Gofar fault, the LVZ extends through the entire crust, into the seismogenic zone. We rule out widespread serpentinization as an explanation for the low velocities, owing to the lack of a corresponding signal in the locally measured gravity field. The reduced velocities can be explained if the plate boundary region is composed of fault material with enhanced fluid‐filled porosity (1.5–8%). Local seismic observations indicate that the high‐porosity region lies within a ∼10 km long portion of the fault that fails in large swarms of microearthquakes and acts as a barrier to the propagation of large (M ∼ 6.0) earthquakes. Tomographic images of fault structure combined with observed earthquake behavior suggest that EPR transform segments capable of generating large earthquakes have relatively intact gabbro within the seismogenic zone, whereas segments that slip aseismically or via earthquake swarms are composed of highly fractured, ≥2 km wide damage zones that extend throughout the crust.