Latin America Subduction Zone Observatory (LASZO) Concept

LAFEMINA, P.; BARRIENTOS, S.; PROTTI, M.; SCHMITZ, M.; VARGAS, C.; BIANCHI, M.; FRASSETO, A.; MELTZER, A.; RIETBROK, A.; ALVARADO, A.; PEREZ, X.; TAVERA, H.; ONCKEN, O.; FERNANDEZ, G.; BECK, S.; FREYMUELLER, J.; RUIZ, M.; LINKIMER, L.; ALVARADO, P.; TILMANN, F.; ASSUMPSAO, M.

Boise, Idaho

Workshop; Subduction Zone Observatory Workshop; 2016

IRIS (USA)

The west coast of Latin America exhibits long-term subduction, high rates of seismicity, damaging earthquakes and tsunamis, and active arc volcanism. A subduction zone observatory extending from Mexico to southern Chile utilizes the Earth?s largest long-lived ocean-continent subduction system to systematically study the breadth of subduction zone processes through space and time. Long-term international collaborations, investments in geophysical networks, and targeted study areas in a number of Latin American countries provide a solid foundation for enhancing, extending and developing new partnerships to engage a broad spectrum of the geosciences. Recent investments in infrastructure to better monitor hazards and study geophysical processes can be leveraged to establish an initial backbone of geophysical observations, serve as platforms for focused multidisciplinary investigations, and translate scientific advances to societal benefits.