Ocean Floor Barriers Explain Predictable Earthquakes

Researchers studying the Gofar oceanic transform fault off Ecuador found that barrier zones—networks of tiny, water-filled faults—act as active brakes, using dilatancy strengthening to buffer rock and prevent runaway earthquakes. Data from two long-term ocean-bottom seismic deployments show similar behavior across fault segments, suggesting these features may regulate quake size on other oceanic faults and could improve seismic models.