ScS-triggered slip on megathrust interfaces after the 2011 MW 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake

A study published in Science magazine in June 2026 examines the phenomenon of ScS-triggered slip on megathrust interfaces following the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0. The research focuses on mechanisms by which ScS seismic waves (reflections from Earth's core) can induce additional slip on tectonic interfaces. The Tohoku-Oki earthquake was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in history. The study analyzes the interaction of seismic waves with megathrust interfaces where tectonic plates meet. The research team investigated how seismic signals can trigger movements on existing faults. These findings contribute to a better understanding of seismic activity and subsequent movements following major earthquakes.