The seismic velocity structure of the Wadati-Benioff Zone – insights from guided waves

Low velocity hydrous minerals in the subducting plate deliver water to the mantle and are thought to cause intermediate depth Wadati-Benioff zone (WBZ) seismicity through dehydration embrittlement. High frequency seismic energy (> 2 Hz) from intermediate depth earthquakes that occur within this low velocity oceanic crust is retained and delayed by the crustal waveguide while lower frequency