How stress transfer between volcanic and seismic zones affects volcanic and earthquake

Abstract

Oceanic transform faults and ridge segments form a network where mechanical interaction is to be expected. In particular, dike emplacement in ridge segments is likely to affect earthquake activity in the adjacent transform faults through processes such as stress transfer. Similarly, strike-slip displacement across transform faults may trigger dike injections and, eventually, eruptions in the adjacent ridge segments. For obvious reasons, direct observations of the possible mechanical interaction between submarine transform zones and ridge segments at mid-ocean ridges are difficult. The subaerial seismic zones of Iceland, however, are in clear spatial connections with the adjacent volcanic zones. These zones, therefore, provide excellent opportunities to study stress transfer between volcanic and seismic zones (Gudmundsson 2000)...