Which risk increases during the earthquake cycle phase known as the interseismic period at a subduction zone?

💡 Explanation

During the interseismic period at a subduction zone, the overriding plate becomes locked, unable to slide past the subducting plate because frictional forces are high. Consequently, elastic strain accumulates along the locked fault plane as the plates continue to converge. Therefore elastic strain accumulation presents a higher risk, rather than fault creep mechanisms, mantle convection effects, or reduced pore pressure.

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