@article {leptokaropoulos_seismicity_2023,
	title = {Seismicity Properties of the Chain Transform Fault Inferred Using Data From the PI-LAB Experiment},
	journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth},
	volume = {128},
	number = {3},
	year = {2023},
	note = {_eprint: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2022JB024804},
	month = {02/2023},
	pages = {e2022JB024804},
	abstract = {Oceanic transform faults are intriguing in that they do not produce earthquakes as large as might be expected given their dimensions. We use 1-year of local seismicity (370 events above MC = 2.3) recorded on an array of ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) and geophysical data to study the seismotectonic properties of the Chain transform, located in the equatorial Mid-Atlantic. We extend our analysis back in time by considering stronger earthquakes (MW >= 5.0) from global catalogs. We divide Chain into three areas (east, central, and west) based on historical event distribution, morphology, and multidimensional OBS seismicity cluster analysis. Seismic activity recorded by the OBS is the highest at the eastern area of Chain where there is a lozenge-shaped topographic high, a negative rMBA gravity anomaly, and only a few historical MW >= 5.5 events. OBS seismicity rates are lower in the western and central areas. However, these areas accommodate the majority of seismic moment release, as inferred from both OBS and historical data. Higher b-values are significantly correlated with lower rMBA and with shallower bathymetry, potentially related to thickened crust. Our results suggest high lateral heterogeneity along Chain. Patches with moderate to low OBS seismicity rates that occasionally host MW >= 6.0 earthquakes are interrupted by segments with abundant OBS activity but few historical events with 5.5 <= MW < 6.0. This segmentation is possibly due to variable fluid circulation and alteration, which may also change in time.},
	keywords = {fault segmentation, Mid Atlantic Ridge, OBS seismicity, oceanic transform faults, seismotectonics},
	issn = {2169-9356},
	doi = {10.1029/2022JB024804},
	url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2022JB024804},
	author = {Leptokaropoulos, K. and Rychert, C. A. and Harmon, N. and Kendall, J. M.}
}
@article {leptokaropoulos_tidal_2021,
	title = {Tidal Triggering of Microseismicity at the Equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Inferred From the PI-LAB Experiment},
	journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth},
	volume = {126},
	number = {9},
	year = {2021},
	note = {_eprint: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2021JB022251},
	month = {08/2021},
	pages = {e2021JB022251},
	abstract = {The gravitational pulls from the moon and the sun result in tidal forces which influence both Earth{\textquoteright}s solid and water mass. These stresses are periodically added to the tectonic ones and may become sufficient for initiating rupture in fault systems critically close to failure. Previous research indicates correlations between increased seismicity rates and low tides for fast- and intermediate-spreading mid-ocean ridges in the Pacific Ocean. Here, we present a microseismicity data set (4,719 events) recorded by an ocean bottom seismometer deployment at the equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We show that low, as well as decreasing ocean water level, result in relatively elevated seismicity rates at higher magnitudes (lower b-values), translated into increased probabilities of stronger event occurrence at or towards low tides. Moreover, seismic bursts (enhanced activity rate clusters), occurring at rates well above the reference seismicity, are exclusively present during values of either high tidally induced extensional stresses or high extensional stress rates. Although the b-value differences are not significant enough to be conclusive, the seismicity rate variations exhibit statistical significance, supporting the previous findings for tidal triggering at low tides within normal-faulting regimes and extending the range of observations to slow-spreading ridges. Observed triggering of slip on low angle faults at low tides is predicted by Coulomb stress modeling. The triggering of slip on high angle faults observed here, is not easily explained without another factor. It may be related to the presence of a shallow magma body beneath the ridge, as supported by previous seismic imaging in the region.},
	keywords = {b-values, Coulomb stress, magnitude distribution, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, seismicity, tidal triggering},
	issn = {2169-9356},
	doi = {10.1029/2021JB022251},
	url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2021JB022251},
	author = {Leptokaropoulos, K. and Harmon, N. and Hicks, S. P. and Rychert, C. A. and Schlaphorst, D. and Kendall, J. M.}
}
