On Mon, 3 Jul 2000, Canie wrote:
> At 11:36 AM 7/3/00 -0700, you wrote:
> >Any thoughts on all the continuing quakes in this region from
> >anyone?
> I would expect something unusual is happening - Other comments in the news 
> were that some thought the volcanic activity has caused some plates to come 
> 'unglued' so to speak.
> Canie

A major idea about subduction zone earthquakes is that the H2O contained in
the mineral structures is exsolved after the rocks at the top of the slab
reach a certain temperature.  This then leaves the rocks and lubricates faults
and fractures in the slab, which because it is under stress slips due to the
reduction of friction.  If there is some kind of big "de-watering" event
occurring in the slabs then this could trigger an episode such as this one in
Japan.

John Hernlund
E-mail: hernlund@.......
WWW: http://www.public.asu.edu/~hernlund/

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