Deep Transient Slow Slip Detected by Survey GPS in the Region of Atacama, Chile

Abstract

We detected a long-term transient deformation signal between 2014 and 2016 in the Atacama region (Chile) using survey Global Positioning System (GPS) observations. Over an ∼150 km along-strike region, survey GPS measurements in 2014 and 2016 deviate significantly from the interseismic trend estimated using previous observations. This deviation from steady state deformation is spatially coherent and reveals a horizontal westward diverging motion of several centimeters, along with a significant uplift. It is confirmed by continuous measurements of recently installed GPS stations. We discard instrumental, hydrological, oceanic, or atmospheric loading effects and show that the transient is likely due to deep slow slip in the transition zone of the subduction interface (∼40- to 60-km depth). In addition, daily observations recorded by a continuous GPS station operating between 2002 and 2015 highlight similar transient signals in 2005 and 2009, suggesting a recurrent pattern.