There is a growing scientific challenge to understand the origin of recently discovered Slow Slip Events (SSE) and Non-Volcanic Tremor (NVT). SSE and NVT observed now in different subduction zones (Japan, Alaska, Cascadia, Mexico, Costa Rica, New Zealand) may be a very important constituent in the seismic cycle of large subduction thrust earthquakes. According to one hypothesis, the SSE which occurs on the plate interface down dip of the seismogenic zone can slightly increase the shear stress on this coupled segment and trigger a rupture of the mature seismic gap.

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