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We deployed a dense geodetic and seismological network in the Atacama seismic gap in Chile. We derive a microseismicity catalog of >30,000 events, time series from 70 GNSS stations, and utilize a transdimensional Bayesian inversion to estimate interplate locking. We identify two highly locked regions of different sizes whose geometries appear to control seismicity patterns. Interface seismicity concentrates beneath the coastline, just downdip of the highest locking. A region with lower locking (27.5°S–27.7°S) coincides with higher seismicity levels, a high number of repeating earthquakes and events extending toward the trench. This area is situated where the Copiapó Ridge is subducted and has shown previous indications of both seismic and aseismic slip, including an earthquake sequence in 2020. While these findings suggest that the structure of the downgoing oceanic plate prescribes patterns of interplate locking and seismicity, we note that the Taltal Ridge further north lacks a similar signature. Plain Language Summary: Deformation along plate boundaries can occur seismically (i.e. through earthquakes) as well as aseismically (i.e. slipping slowly), and it is important to understand where each of these modes is dominant. Along the Chilean subduction contact, North‐Central Chile is the only place where aseismic deformation episodes have been observed so far. In order to study these processes in detail, we deployed and operated dense geodetic and seismological networks in this region. Analyzing the data collected by these networks, we find notable relationships between seismic and aseismic processes. Thousands of small earthquakes are found at the boundaries of locked regions, whereas no small earthquakes are found at their interior. Thus, implying such regions are mechanically coupled, that is, currently accumulating elastic deformation energy that will 1 day be released during a large earthquake. Along the North‐Central Chilean plate boundary, there is one region (around 27.5°S) that shows many signs of aseismic deformation. It is located where a chain of seamounts is being subducted, which is likely responsible for the different behavior of this segment. Key Points: Microseismicity catalog and map of interplate locking derived for the Atacama 1922 seismic gap in North‐Central ChileSeismicity in vicinity of plate interface coincides with downdip edge of high couplingSeismo‐geodetic signals due to the subduction of the Copiapó ridge are prominent but negligible for the subducting Taltal Ridge [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring displacement-length profiles along normal faults provides crucial information on fault growth processes. Here, based on satellite imagery and topography we analyze 357 normal faults distributed along the active rift of Dabbahu-Manda-Hararo (DMH), Afar, which offers a unique opportunity to investigate the influence of magmatism on fault growth processes. Our measurements reveal a large variety of slip profiles that are not consistent with elastic deformation. Their analysis contributes towards a better understanding of the lateral propagation of faults, especially when nucleation points and existence of barriers are included. Using the fault growth model of Manighetti et al. (2001), we determine the preferred direction of lateral propagation for each fault. Our results suggest that lateral propagation of faults is easier away from areas where magma has been stored for long time at crustal depth, and has thus modified the thermo-mechanical properties of the host-rock. However, these areas correspond also to areas where the initiation of fault growth appears as easiest along the rift. In combining these results with the analysis of rift width and the position of magma reservoirs along DMH rift, we show that fault growth keeps track of the magma presence and/or movement in the crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of deformation in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) time series associated with (a)seismic events down to a low magnitude is still a challenging issue. The presence of a considerable amount of noise in the data makes it difficult to reveal patterns of small ground deformation. Traditional analyses and methodologies are able to effectively retrieve the deformation associated with medium to large magnitude events. However, the automatic detection and characterization of such events is still a complex task, because traditionally employed methods often separate the time series analysis from the source characterization. Here we propose a first end‐to‐end framework to characterize seismic sources using geodetic data by means of deep learning, which can be an efficient alternative to the traditional workflow, possibly overcoming its performance. We exploit three different geodetic data representations in order to leverage the intrinsic spatio‐temporal structure of the GNSS noise and the target signal associated with (slow) earthquake deformation. We employ time series, images, and image time series to account for the temporal, spatial, and spatio‐temporal domain, respectively. Thereafter, we design and develop a specific deep learning model for each dataset. We analyze the performance of the tested models both on synthetic and real data from North Japan, showing that image time series of geodetic deformation can be an effective data representation to embed the spatio‐temporal evolution, with the associated deep learning method outperforming the other two. Therefore, jointly accounting for the spatial and temporal evolution may be the key to effectively detect and characterize fast or slow earthquakes. Plain Language Summary: The continuous monitoring of ground displacement with Global Navigation Satellite System allowed, at the beginning of the 2000s, the discovery of slow earthquakes—a transient slow slippage of tectonic faults that releases stress without generating seismic waves. Nevertheless, the detection of small events is still a challenge, because they are hidden in the noise. Most of the methods which are traditionally employed are able to extract the deformation down to a certain signal‐to‐noise level. However, one can ask if deep learning can be a more efficient and powerful alternative. To this end, we address the problem by using deep learning, as it stands as a powerful way to automatize and possibly overcome traditional methods. We use and compare three data representations, that is time series, images, and image time series of deformation, which account for the temporal, spatial, and spatio‐temporal variability, respectively. We train our methods on synthetic data, since real datasets are still not enough to be effectively employed with deep learning, and we test on synthetic and real data as well, claiming that image time series and its associated deep learning model may be more effective toward the study of the slow deformation. Key Points: We develop deep learning approaches on synthetics mimicking the spatio‐temporal structure of static deformation and realistic Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) noiseWe design three deep learning models and we train and test them against three GNSS data representationsTransformers and image time series of deformation can effectively characterize small deformation patterns associated with the seismic source [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mw 7.7 2007 November 14 earthquake had an epicentre located close to the city of Tocopilla, at the southern end of a known seismic gap in North Chile. Through modelling of Global Positioning System (GPS) and radar interferometry (InSAR) data, we show that this event ruptured the deeper part of the seismogenic interface (30–50 km) and did not reach the surface. The earthquake initiated at the hypocentre and was arrested ∼150 km south, beneath the Mejillones Peninsula, an area already identified as an important structural barrier between two segments of the Peru–Chile subduction zone. Our preferred models for the Tocopilla main shock show slip concentrated in two main asperities, consistent with previous inversions of seismological data. Slip appears to have propagated towards relatively shallow depths at its southern extremity, under the Mejillones Peninsula. Our analysis of post-seismic deformation suggests that small but still significant post-seismic slip occurred within the first 10 d after the main shock, and that it was mostly concentrated at the southern end of the rupture. The post-seismic deformation occurring in this period represents ∼12–19 per cent of the coseismic deformation, of which ∼30–55 per cent has been released aseismically. Post-seismic slip appears to concentrate within regions that exhibit low coseismic slip, suggesting that the afterslip distribution during the first month of the post-seismic interval complements the coseismic slip. The 2007 Tocopilla earthquake released only ∼2.5 per cent of the moment deficit accumulated on the interface during the past 130 yr and may be regarded as a possible precursor of a larger subduction earthquake rupturing partially or completely the 500-km-long North Chile seismic gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quantitative and qualitative assessment of visual and morphological traits of seed is slow and imprecise with potential for bias to be introduced when gathered with handheld tools. Colour, size and shape traits can be acquired from properly calibrated seed images. New automated tools were requested to improve data acquisition efficacy with an emphasis on developing research workflows. Results: A portable imaging system (BELT) supported by image acquisition and analysis software (phenoSEED) was created for small-seed optical analysis. Lentil (Lens culinaris L.) phenotyping was used as the primary test case. Seeds were loaded into the system and all seeds in a sample were automatically individually imaged to acquire top and side views as they passed through an imaging chamber. A Python analysis script applied a colour calibration and extracted quantifiable traits of seed colour, size and shape. Extraction of lentil seed coat patterning was implemented to further describe the seed coat. The use of this device was forecasted to eliminate operator biases, increase the rate of acquisition of traits, and capture qualitative information about traits that have been historically analyzed by eye. Conclusions: Increased precision and higher rates of data acquisition compared to traditional techniques will help to extract larger datasets and explore more research questions. The system presented is available as an open-source project for academic and non-commercial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quito, the capital city of Ecuador hosting ∼2 million inhabitants, lies on the hanging wall of a ∼60-km-long reverse fault offsetting the Inter-Andean Valley in the northern Andes. Such an active fault poses a significant risk, enhanced by the high density of population and overall poor building construction quality. Here, we constrain the present-day strain accumulation associated with the Quito fault with new Global Positioning System (GPS) data and Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) analysis. Far field GPS data indicate 3–5 mm yr–1 of horizontal shortening accommodated across the fault system. In the central segment of the fault, both GPS and PS-InSAR results highlight a sharp velocity gradient, which attests for creep taking place along the shallowest portion of the fault. Smoother velocity gradients observed along the other segments indicate that the amount of shallow creep decreases north and south of the central segment. 2-D elastic models using GPS horizontal velocity indicate very shallow (<1 km) locking depth for the central segment, increasing to a few kilometres south and north of it. Including InSAR results in the inversion requires locking to vary both along dip and along strike. 3-D spatially variable locking models show that shallow creep occurs along the central 20-km-long segment. North and south of the central segment, the interseismic coupling is less resolved, and data still allows significant slip deficit to accumulate. Using the interseismic moment deficit buildup resulting from our inversions and the seismicity rate, we estimate recurrence time for magnitude 6.5 + earthquake to be between 200 and 1200 yr. Finally, PS-InSAR time-series identify a 2 cm transient deformation that occurred on a secondary thrust, east of the main Quito fault between 1995 and 1997. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instituto Butantan is a biomedical research center and vaccine manufacturer affiliated with the São Paulo State Secretary of Health in Brazil. In 2013, Instituto Butantan successfully licensed its trivalent influenza vaccine, in order to support the Brazilian National Immunization Program's influenza vaccination strategy, which was introduced in 1999. In order to respond to the increasing influenza vaccine demand worldwide, Instituto Butantan is undergoing prequalification of its trivalent influenza vaccine by the World Health Organization (WHO). A key requirement of the prequalification review was the submission of a pharmacovigilance plan, including an active surveillance evaluation, for the trivalent influenza vaccine, and proof of a functional pharmacovigilance system at Instituto Butantan. The aim of this paper is to describe the capacity strengthening process of the pharmacovigilance system at Instituto Butantan for the WHO prequalification of the trivalent influenza vaccine. This process was supported by PATH and the U.S. Federal Government Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The key strategic axes for this capacity strengthening process included the improvement of organizational structure, human resources training, internal processes and procedures, appropriate documentation, and acquisition of an E2B compliant pharmacovigilance database. The project led to the establishment of a functional pharmacovigilance system compliant with international regulatory requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Apennine Mountains of the Italian Peninsula, GPS data display 3–4 mm/yr of divergent motion oriented N50°E between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coastlines. However, the mechanisms driving this extension remain debated and along-strike variations of extension within the actively deforming belt remain poorly constrained. Here, we derived the first large-scale extensional and vertical velocity field for the Apennines by multi-temporal InSAR analysis of 7 years of Sentinel-1 data at the scale of the entire range, improving the spatial resolution and vertical accuracy of existing GPS measurements. The results reveal along-strike variations of extensional rates and gradients, with extension concentrated on single fault systems in the north, consistent with the loci of seismicity and recent moderate earthquakes, and distributed throughout the central Apennines, where the range is widening. Vertical surface displacements do not resolve any active long-wavelength uplift of the orogenic belt and, on average, show more subsidence than uplift relative to the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts. This work provides the first InSAR-based geodetic map of differential extension and uplift within the Italian Peninsula. Our results are compatible with a pure shear extensional model of the crust, driven by both boundary and gravitational forces. • Lateral variations of extension and uplift quantified using Sentinel-1 SAR data. • Strain rates are higher across the easternmost set of mapped normal fault systems. • Extension within the central Apennines is distributed into several faultsystems. • Regional long-wavelength uplift is not observed in this sector of the Apennines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Between 2010 and 2015 three giant earthquakes occurred in the Chilean subduction where the oceanic Nazca plate plunges under South America. These were the largest events there since the gigantic M9.5 1960 earthquake so their close occurrences raise the question of a possible link between them. We show here that two‐and‐a‐half days after the M8.2 Iquique earthquake, seismic activity started to increase downdip below (depth~100 km) the future Illapel epicenter. This increase, which began with the largest intermediate‐depth earthquake in the Chilean subduction after Iquique, lasted until the M8.3 Illapel earthquake, 18 months later. The mechanisms involved suggest that the Iquique earthquake started a tear in the slab directly downdip from the future epicenter. This study relies on seismicity which occurs in the cold core of the slab and which is the only direct information we have on processes occurring at these depths. The results support that giant earthquakes interact at the scale of a subducting plate and suggest that this interaction occurs through the deep slab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An 8 year archive of Envisat synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data over a 300 × 500 km2 wide area in northwestern Tibet is analyzed to construct a line‐of‐sight map of the current surface velocity field. The resulting velocity map reveals (1) a velocity gradient across the Altyn Tagh fault, (2) a sharp velocity change along a structure following the base of the alluvial fans in southern Tarim, and (3) a broad velocity gradient, following the Jinsha suture. The interferometric synthetic aperture radar velocity field is combined with published GPS data to constrain the geometry and slip rates of a fault model consisting of a vertical fault plane under the Altyn Tagh fault and a shallow flat décollement ending in a steeper ramp on the Tarim side. The solutions converge toward 0.7 mm/yr of pure thrusting on the décollement‐ramp system and 10.5 mm/yr of left‐lateral strike‐slip movement on the Altyn Tagh fault, below a 17 km locking depth. A simple elastic dislocation model across the Jinsha suture shows that data are consistent with 4–8 mm/yr of left‐lateral shear across this structure. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar processing steps include implementing a stepwise unwrapping method starting with high‐quality interferograms to assist in unwrapping noisier interferograms, iteratively estimating long‐wavelength spatial ramps, and referencing all interferograms to bedrock pixels surrounding sedimentary basins. A specific focus on atmospheric delay estimation using the ERA‐Interim model decreases the uncertainty on the velocity across the Tibet border by a factor of 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most cultivated apple cultivars are highly susceptible to fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora. However, differences in resistance levels are observed among cultivars and could be used in breeding. In this paper, we investigated the genetic basis of fire blight resistance of the cultivar 'Enterprise' and the advanced breeding selection X-6398. Genotyped pedigrees were used for validating and curating historic pedigree records. Various quantitative trait locus (QTL) discovery approaches were applied on the full-sib families 'Gala' × 'Enterprise' (GaEn) and X-6398 × X-6683 (IW) with the software FlexQTL™ and MapQTL®. The paternal lineage of 'Enterprise' was reconstructed and showed to include 'Cox's Orange Pippin'. The QTLs found varied with the software used. Using FlexQTL™, two were found on linkage groups (LGs) 7 and 13, favourable alleles inherited by Enterprise from 'Cox's Orange Pippin' and 'Golden Delicious', respectively. The former was identical to the previously named FB_F7 allele from 'Fiesta', while the latter is new and has been named FB_13GD. X-6398 had a QTL at the same position as FB_F7. Its favourable allele was new, originating from the unknown grandfather of X-4598, and was named FB_7X-6398. Using MapQTL® on GaEn, FB_F7 was also identified. Performing the same analysis on the subset of offspring that carried the favourable allele of FB_F7, two putative QTLs on LG8 and on top of LG13 were identified, which showed interactions with FB_F7. Implication of the findings for breeding for fire blight-resistant apples is discussed. Single nucleotide polymorphism data on Enterprise and its ancestors are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinematics of divergent boundaries and Rift-Rift-Rift junctions are classically studied using long-termgeodetic observations. Since significant magma-related displacements are expected, short-term deformation provides important constraints on the crustal mechanisms involved both in active rifting and in transfer of extensional deformation between spreading axes. Using InSAR and GPS data, we analyse the surface deformation in the whole Central Afar region in detail, focusing on both the extensional deformation across the Quaternary magmato-tectonic rift segments, and on the zones of deformation transfer between active segments and spreading axes. The largest deformation occurs across the two recently activated Asal-Ghoubbet (AG) and Manda Hararo-Dabbahu (MH-D) magmato-tectonic segments with very high strain rates, whereas the other Quaternary active segments do not concentrate any large strain, suggesting that these rifts are either sealed during interdyking periods or not mature enough to remain a plate boundary. Outside of these segments, the GPS horizontal velocity field shows a regular gradient following a clockwise rotation of the displacements from the Southeast to the East of Afar, with respect to Nubia. Very few shallow creeping structures can be identified as well in the InSAR data. However, using these data together with the strain rate tensor and the rotations rates deduced from GPS baselines, the present-day strain field over Central Afar is consistent with the main tectonic structures, and therefore with the long-term deformation. We investigate the current kinematics of the triple junction included in our GPS data set by building simple block models. The deformation in Central Afar can be described by adding a central microblock evolving separately from the three surrounding plates. In this model, the northern block boundary corresponds to a deep EW-trending trans-tensional dislocation, locked from the surface to 10-13 km and joining at depth the active spreading axes of the Red Sea and the Aden Ridge, from AG to MH-D rift segments. Over the long-term, this plate configuration could explain the presence of the en-échelon magmatic basins and subrifts. However, the transient behaviour of the spreading axes implies that the deformation in Central Afar evolves depending on the availability of magma supply within the well-established segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Apennines are among the most seismically active regions in Italy. This region is affected by an extension accommodated by active normal faults. Those faults with high seismogenic potential hosted Mw > 6 shallow damaging earthquakes, such as the Mw 6.5 event of Oct. 30, 2016. Although fault slip rates are crucial to seismic hazard assessments, in the Central Apennines, slip rate assessments encompassing several seismic cycles (> 10 ka) are sparse. This is particularly true for the Mt. Vettore-Mt. Bove Fault system that ruptured during the mainshocks of the 2016–2017 seismic sequence. In this study, we present new geochronological constraints of offset geomorphological markers along the northern portion of the fault system on the Mt. Porche Fault segment using in-situ produced 36Cl cosmogenic nuclides. Offset measurements were made using a 5-cm resolution DEM obtained through a drone survey and constrained a fault scarp height of 15.5 ± 1.4 m and a maximal cumulative offset estimated between 32 and 40.5 m. Samples were collected from the Valle Lunga terminal moraine at 1710 m asl and yielded 36Cl exposure ages of 12.7 + 2.2/−1.9 ka, while the abraded surface, located on top of the tectonic scarp yielded 36Cl exposure ages of 23.4 + 5.3/−4.3 ka. Using the fault scarp height and the exposure age of this abraded surface, we constrained a minimum vertical fault slip rate of 0.7 + 0.2/−0.1 mm/yr. Assuming the offset started to accumulate when climate conditions allowed the scarp preservation, we constrained a maximal vertical slip rate of 1.2 ± 0.2 mm/yr along the main fault of the Mt. Vettore-Mt. Bove Fault system. This rate is higher than those previously obtained from trenches along secondary branches of the Mt. Vettore-Mt. Bove Fault system. Besides, the yielded chronology for the last glacial maximum in that area at ~23 ka is in good agreement with the timing previously proposed for the LGM in the Apennines. • The last advance of the Valle Lunga glacial (Dryas), is dated at ~12.7 + 2.2/−1.9 ka. • Local LGM glacier retreat occurred ~23.4 + 5.3/−4.3 ka ago in the Valle Lunga. • The Mt. Vettore main fault has a minimum vertical slip rate of 0.7 + 0.2/−0.1 mm/yr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In 2001, the Meningitis Vaccine Project (MVP) was tasked to develop, test, license, and introduce a group A meningococcal (MenA) conjugate vaccine for sub-Saharan Africa. African public health officials emphasized that a vaccine price of less than US$0.50 per dose was necessary to ensure introduction and sustained use of this new vaccine. Methods. Initially, MVP envisioned partnering with a multinational vaccine manufacturer, but the target price and opportunity costs were problematic and formal negotiations ended in 2002. MVP chose to become a “virtual vaccine company,” and over the next decade managed a network of public–private and public–public partnerships for pharmaceutical development, clinical development, and regulatory submission. MVP supported the transfer of key know-how for the production of group A polysaccharide and a new conjugation method to the Serum Institute of India, Ltd, based in Pune, India. A robust staff structure supported by technical consultants and overseen by advisory groups in Europe and Africa ensured that the MenA conjugate vaccine would meet all international standards. Results. A robust project structure including a team of technical consultants and 3 advisory groups in Europe and Africa ensured that the MenA conjugate vaccine (PsA-TT, MenAfriVac) was licensed by the Drug Controller General of India and prequalified by the World Health Organization in June 2010. The vaccine was introduced in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in December 2010. Conclusions. The development, through a public–private partnership, of a safe, effective, and affordable vaccine for sub-Saharan Africa, PsA-TT, offers a new paradigm for the development of vaccines specifically targeting populations in resource-poor countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 2010 March 11, a sequence of large, shallow continental crust earthquakes shook central Chile. Two normal faulting events with magnitudes around Mw 7.0 and Mw 6.9 occurred just 15 min apart, located near the town of Pichilemu. These kinds of large intraplate, inland crustal earthquakes are rare above the Chilean subduction zone, and it is important to better understand their relationship with the 2010 February 27, Mw 8.8, Maule earthquake, which ruptured the adjacent megathrust plate boundary. We present a broad seismological analysis of these earthquakes by using both teleseismic and regional data. We compute seismic moment tensors for both events via a W-phase inversion, and test sensitivities to various inversion parameters in order to assess the stability of the solutions. The first event, at 14 hr 39 min GMT, is well constrained, displaying a fault plane with strike of N145°E, and a preferred dip angle of 55°SW, consistent with the trend of aftershock locations and other published results. Teleseismic finite-fault inversions for this event show a large slip zone along the southern part of the fault, correlating well with the reported spatial density of aftershocks. The second earthquake (14 hr 55 min GMT) appears to have ruptured a fault branching southward from the previous ruptured fault, within the hanging wall of the first event. Modelling seismograms at regional to teleseismic distances (Δ > 10°) is quite challenging because the observed seismic wave fields of both events overlap, increasing apparent complexity for the second earthquake. We perform both point- and extended-source inversions at regional and teleseismic distances, assessing model sensitivities resulting from variations in fault orientation, dimension, and hypocentre location. Results show that the focal mechanism for the second event features a steeper dip angle and a strike rotated slightly clockwise with respect to the previous event. This kind of geological fault configuration, with secondary rupture in the hanging wall of a large normal fault, is commonly observed in extensional geological regimes. We propose that both earthquakes form part of a typical normal fault diverging splay, where the secondary fault connects to the main fault at depth. To ascertain more information on the spatial and temporal details of slip for both events, we gathered near-fault seismological and geodetic data. Through forward modelling of near-fault synthetic seismograms we build a kinematic k−2 earthquake source model with spatially distributed slip on the fault that, to first-order, explains both coseismic static displacement GPS vectors and short-period seismometer observations at the closest sites. As expected, the results for the first event agree with the focal mechanism derived from teleseismic modelling, with a magnitude Mw 6.97. Similarly, near-fault modelling for the second event suggests rupture along a normal fault, Mw 6.90, characterized by a steeper dip angle (dip = 74°) and a strike clockwise rotated (strike = 155°) with respect to the previous event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It is now clear that the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake ruptured the subduction interface all the way to the Japan Trench. However, there is significant disagreement about just how much slip occurred at the trench, with most geodetic studies locating only a small fraction of the maximum slip there, whereas broadband seismic studies put the majority of the slip near the trench. Measurements of seafloor displacement near the trench also imply more slip there than is estimated by the geodetic studies. Here, by means of a joint inversion of displacement measurements and seafloor pressure data, we show that it is possible to reconcile geodetic and seismic studies and that a considerable amount of slip indeed occurred at the trench, with slip magnitudes reaching 57–74% of the maximum slip. The seafloor displacement predicted by our model agrees very well with independent measurements made close to the trench. We also find good agreement between our tsunami model and independent measurements of tsunami height in the ocean and on land. Re-running of the inversion without the near-field pressure gauge data, however, leads to underprediction of the flooding on land, even when the seafloor geodetic data are still included. Thus, even if the seafloor geodetic measurements had been available in real time, they would still not have allowed reliable prediction of near-field tsunami inundation. Close to the trench, the dip of the plate interface is shallow, which serves to decrease the vertical motion of the sea floor for any given slip. However, the horizontal motion is conversely larger. Because the ocean floor slopes steeply near the trench, it acted like a giant wedge, converting the horizontal motion of the ground into an uplift of the water column and causing the peak initial tsunami wave height to be twice as high as it would have been from vertical displacement alone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Maule earthquake of 27th February 2010 (M w =8.8) affected ~500km of the Nazca-South America plate boundary in south-central Chile producing spectacular crustal deformation. Here, we present a detailed estimate of static coseismic surface offsets as measured by survey and continuous GPS, both in near- and far-field regions. Earthquake slip along the megathrust has been inferred from a joint inversion of our new data together with published GPS, InSAR, and land-level changes data using Green''s functions generated by a spherical finite-element model with realistic subduction zone geometry. The combination of the data sets provided a good resolution, indicating that most of the slip was well resolved. Coseismic slip was concentrated north of the epicenter with up to 16m of slip, whereas to the south it reached over 10m within two minor patches. A comparison of coseismic slip with the slip deficit accumulated since the last great earthquake in 1835 suggests that the 2010 event closed a mature seismic gap. Slip deficit distribution shows an apparent local overshoot that highlight cycle-to-cycle variability, which has to be taken into account when anticipating future events from interseismic observations. Rupture propagation was obviously not affected by bathymetric features of the incoming plate. Instead, splay faults in the upper plate seem to have limited rupture propagation in the updip and along-strike directions. Additionally, we found that along-strike gradients in slip are spatially correlated with geometrical inflections of the megathrust. Our study suggests that persistent tectonic features may control strain accumulation and release along subduction megathrusts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

SUMMARY The Mw 8.8 Maule earthquake occurred off the coast of central Chile on 2010 February 27 and was the sixth largest earthquake to be recorded instrumentally. This subduction zone event was followed by thousands of aftershocks both near the plate interface and in the overriding continental crust. Here, we report on a pair of large shallow crustal earthquakes that occurred on 2010 March 11 within 15 min of each other near the town of Pichilemu, on the coast of the O'Higgins Region of Chile. Field and aerial reconnaissance following the events revealed no distinct surface rupture. We infer from geodetic data spanning both events that the ruptures occurred on synthetic SW-dipping normal faults. The first, larger rupture was followed by buried slip on a steeper fault in the hangingwall. The fault locations and geometry of the two events are additionally constrained by locations of aftershock seismicity based on the International Maule Aftershock Data Set. The maximum slip on the main fault is about 3 m and, consistent with field results, the onshore slip is close to zero near the surface. Satellite radar data also reveal that significant aseismic afterslip occurred following the two earthquakes. Coulomb stress modelling indicates that the faults were positively stressed by up to 40 bars as a result of slip on the subduction interface in the preceding megathrust event; in other words, the Pichilemu earthquakes should be considered aftershocks of the Maule earthquake. The occurrence of these extensional events suggests that regional interseismic compressive stresses are small. Several recent large shallow crustal earthquakes in the overriding plate following the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake in Japan may be an analogue for the triggering process at Pichilemu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NbN-TaN-Nb(Ti)N non-hysteretic SNS Josephson junctions with TaX\rm N barriers tuned through nitrogen content at metal-insulator transition have been produced in a reliable way with characteristic voltage RN\rm IC above 1.5 mV at 9 K. Barriers are typically 7–10 nm thick and Jc in the range 5 to 25 kA/cm^-2 making feasible LSI RSFQ ADC circuit integration by using the lithographic tools of the Leti C-MOS platform. Junction tri-layers, NbTiN ground-plane and wiring levels have been reactively sputtered and optimized at 300^\circC in a reproducible way on 8-inch oxidized silicon wafers. A deep UV stepper combined with SF6 gas mixtures RIE has been used to achieve low spread lithography in junction diameters of 716 nm (3\sigma\sim 40\ \nm), of 465 nm (3\sigma\sim 84\ \nm) across the 8-inch. A well controlled CMP planarization process has been developed on thick PE-CVD silica layers deposited on each superconducting nitride layer. On-line FIB-SEM observations and electrical characterizations associated to the development of a technology test vehicle demonstrate the feasibility of the complete process. The reliable production of nitrides LSI RSFQ circuits such as ADCs and integrated imagers operating in a relaxed cryogenic environment in the 6–10 K temperature range is foreseen to open new telecoms and medical applications. Moreover, a new MgO-AlN-MgO layered insulating barrier junction is shown to operate above 10 K and will be developed for analog front-end circuit parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Flow trajectories in viscous orogenic wedges with depth-dependent rheology are modelled with an experimental thermomechanical apparatus and paraffin as the analogue material. Two different foreland-dipping backstop configurations (backstop dips of 60° and 30°, respectively) are used under constant convergence velocity (bulk deformation rate 5×10−6 s−1). Results show that shortening is accommodated at depth by diverging shear zones (pro- and retrowedge-directed), compensated at shallower levels by prowedge-directed shearing occurring in the pro-side of the axial region, whose efficiency increases with backstop dip. The resulting shear sense distribution allows the deep parts of the wedge axial region to be progressively exhumed along an extrusion channel in the retrowedge region. Exhumation is favoured by increasing the dip angle of the backstop. The ductile flow path at depth constitutes the main factor controlling shear sense distributions and metamorphic recurrences in the axial region of mature orogenic wedges. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Information about the international forum on the problems with irradiators is presented. The irradiation of cell concentrates in Japan is due to the high risk of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Agencies or manufacturers find it difficult to repair and obtain new irradiators when it break down. The phase-out of Cs-137 irradiators is recommended by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Task force to prevent terrorists from the use of isotopes.

Subduction zones are home to the world's largest and deepest earthquakes. Recently, large-scale interactions between shallow (0-60 km) and intermediate (80-150 km) seismicity have been evidenced during the interseismic period but also before and after megathrust earthquakes along with large-scale changes in surface motion. Large-scale deformation transients following major earthquakes have also been observed possibly due to a post-seismic change in slab pull or to a bending/unbending of the plates, which suggests the existence of interactions between the deep and shallow parts of the slab. In this study, we analyze the spatio-temporal variations of the declustered seismicity in Japan from 2000 to 2011/3/11 and from 2011/3/11 to 2013/3/11. We observe that the background rate of the intermediate to deep (150-450 km) seismicity underwent a deceleration of 55% south of the rupture zone and an acceleration of 30% north of it after the Tohoku-oki earthquake, consistent with the GPS surface displacements. This shows how a megathrust earthquake can affect the stress state of the slab over a 2500 km lateral range and a large depth range, demonstrating that earthquakes interact at a much greater scale than the surrounding rupture zone usually considered., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The first step towards assessing hazards in seismically active regions involves mapping capable faults and estimating their recurrence times. While the mapping of active faults is commonly based on distinct geologic and geomorphic features evident at the surface, mapping blind seismogenic faults is complicated by the absence of on-fault diagnostic features. Here we investigated the Pichilemu Fault in coastal Chile, unknown until it generated a Mw 7.0 earthquake in 2010. The lack of evident surface faulting suggests activity along a partly-hidden blind fault. We used off-fault deformed marine terraces to estimate a fault-slip rate of 0.52 ± 0.04 m/ka, which, when integrated with satellite geodesy suggests a 2.12 ± 0.2 ka recurrence time for Mw~7.0 normal-faulting earthquakes. We propose that extension in the Pichilemu region is associated with stress changes during megathrust earthquakes and accommodated by sporadic slip during upper-plate earthquakes, which has implications for assessing the seismic potential of cryptic faults along convergent margins and elsewhere., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Large earthquakes produce crustal deformation that can be quantified by geodetic measurements, allowing for the determination of the slip distribution on the fault. We used data from Global Positioning System (GPS) networks in Central Chile to infer the static deformation and the kinematics of the 2010 moment magnitude (M(w)) 8.8 Maule megathrust earthquake. From elastic modeling, we found a total rupture length of ~500 kilometers where slip (up to 15 meters) concentrated on two main asperities situated on both sides of the epicenter. We found that rupture reached shallow depths, probably extending up to the trench. Resolvable afterslip occurred in regions of low coseismic slip. The low-frequency hypocenter is relocated 40 kilometers southwest of initial estimates. Rupture propagated bilaterally at about 3.1 kilometers per second, with possible but not fully resolved velocity variations.