Aseismic Slip, Non-Volcanic Tremor, and Earthquakes Workshop

The frequent occurrence and importance of slow slip and tremor have only recently become apparent, owing largely to advances in seismic and geodetic monitoring. At some plate boundaries, slow slip relaxes a significant fraction of accumulated tectonic stress. To further understanding of aseismic slip, tremor, and earthquakes, more than 52 participants contributed to a workshop with the goals of improving research coordination, assessing the earthquake hazard implications, and identifying ways to capitalize on the education and outreach opportunities these phenomena present.

A workshop on "Aseismic slip, non-volcanic tremor, and earthquakes" was held at the Dunsmuir Lodge in Sidney, British Columbia from Feb. 25-28, 2008. A major objective of the workshop was to improve coordination among those involved in conducting research related to aseismic slip, non-volcanic tremor, and earthquakes and communicating results to the public. Although the workshop focused primarily on Cascadia, a number of talks and posters described studies from Japan, Hawaii, New Zealand, California and other regions where slow slip and/or non-volcanic tremor have been observed. Forty-seven researchers, emergency management officials, and engineers participated in the workshop. Because there were many more applicants for the workshop than could be accommodated, we have posted the slides from most of the presentations as links from the workshop agenda. A workshop report, which will summarize discussions at the workshop, will also be posted here shortly. This report will include consensus summaries of what is known and not known about ETS and recommendations for future research and activities. One recommendation was establishment of a web site for exchange of general information, experiments, data and manuscripts and to help coordinate research efforts in Cascadia and elsewhere. Plans to develop a proposal for a geographically and disciplinary more broadly focused Chapman Conference also were initiated.

View from Dunsmuir Lodge in Sidney, BC

View from the Dunsmuir Lodge