Summary We investigate the variations of the seismic source properties and aftershock activity using kinematic inversions and template-matching, for six large magnitude intermediate-depth earthquakes occurred in northern Chile. Results show similar rupture geometry and stress drop values between 7–30 MPa. Conversely, aftershocks productivity systematically decreases for the deeper events within the slab. Particularly there is a dramatic decrease in aftershock activity below the 400–450°C isotherm-depth, which separates high and low-hydrated zones. The events exhibit tensional focal mechanisms at unexpected depths within the slab, suggesting a deepening of the neutral plane, where the extensional regimen reaches the 700–800°C isotherm-depth. We interpret the reduction of aftershocks in the lower part of the extensional regime as the absence of a hydrated-slab at those depths. Our finding highlights the role of the thermal-structure and fluids in the subducting plate, in controlling the intermediated-depth seismic activity and shed new light in their causative mechanism.

This paper presents a neutron accelerated study of soft errors in advanced electronic devices used in space missions, i.e. Flash memories performed at the ChipIr and VESUVIO beam lines at the ISIS spallation neutron source. The two neutron beam lines are set up to mimic the space environment spectra and allow neutron irradiation tests on Flash memories in the neutron energy range above 10 MeV and up to 800 MeV. The ISIS neutron energy spectrum is similar to the one occurring in the atmospheric as well as in space and planetary environments, with intensity enhancements varying in the range 108- 10 9 and 106- 10 7 respectively. Such conditions are suitable for the characterization of the atmospheric, space and planetary neutron radiation environments, and are directly applicable for accelerated tests of electronic components as demonstrated here in benchmark measurements performed on flash memories.

A magnetotelluric study was carried out in the San Pedro-Linzor volcanic chain, North Chile, to identify possible magmatic structures and hydrothermal systems associated with volcanoes of Holocene activity, considering previous petrochemical studies pointing to crystallization depths of approximately 8 km. Three-dimensional resistivity models based on magnetotellurics data of the San Pedro-Linzor volcanic chain were obtained based on broadband data measured in 2017 and 2018, in addition to long-period data measured in 1990s. The three-dimensional modeling shows two low-resistivity zones (less than 10 m) interpreted as partially molten areas below the Chao Dome and the Paniri volcano, and a shallower low resistivity area (less than 5 m) in the Turi Basin, an active hydrothermal system to the southwest of the volcanic chain.