Deep earthquakes triggered by the olivine-poirierite transition

Seismicity decreases with depth because elevated confining pressure prevents frictional sliding of faults. However, seismicity tends to increase with depth in the mantle transition zone (depths of 410−600km). It has been believed that pressure-induced phase transitions of olivine in the “cold” subducted slabs is the cause of high seismicity in the mantle transition zone.

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