Mysterious fault zones can stop earthquakes in their tracks

Key Points:

• Researchers have uncovered the mechanism behind underwater "brake zones" that halt earthquakes, as detailed in a study published in Science, focusing on the Gofar fault located 1,000 miles off Ecuador.
• The Gofar fault has produced nearly identical magnitude six earthquakes every five to six years for over three decades, a phenomenon linked to these brake zones composed of seawater and porous rocks.
• Data from ocean-floor experiments using seismometers revealed that these brake zones exhibit intense tremor activity before an earthquake but become silent immediately after, due to porous rock seizing up and stopping tremors.
• These brake zones are dynamic parts of the fault system where the fault branches out, allowing seawater to enter cracks that effectively act as natural earthquake "kill switches."
• Understanding these mechanisms could improve earthquake prediction globally, which is crucial for areas like California’s Hayward Fault, known for generating powerful magnitude 7 earthquakes and posing significant risk to millions.