title: Structure and composition of the plate-boundary slip zone for the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake.
abstract: The mechanics of great subduction earthquakes are influenced by the frictional properties, structure, and composition of the plate-boundary fault. We present observations of the structure and composition of the shallow source fault of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake and tsunami from boreholes drilled by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 343 and 343T. Logging-while-drilling and core-sample observations show a single major plate-boundary fault accommodated the large slip of the Tohoku-Oki earthquake rupture, as well as nearly all the cumulative interplate motion at the drill site. The localization of deformation onto a limited thickness (less than 5 meters) of pelagic clay is the defining characteristic of the shallow earthquake fault, suggesting that the pelagic clay may be a regionally important control on tsunamigenic earthquakes.
authors: Center for Tectonophysics, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
authors: Frederick M
authors: FM
authors: Chester
authors: Christie
authors: C
authors: Rowe
authors: Kohtaro
authors: K
authors: Ujiie
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Kirkpatrick
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Regalla
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Remitti
authors: J Casey
authors: JC
authors: Moore
authors: Virginia
authors: V
authors: Toy
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Wolfson-Schwehr
authors: Santanu
authors: S
authors: Bose
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Kameda
authors: James J
authors: JJ
authors: Mori
authors: Emily E
authors: EE
authors: Brodsky
authors: Nobuhisa
authors: N
authors: Eguchi
authors: Sean
authors: S
authors: Toczko