Precise earthquake locations show evidence of internal structures at intermediate-depth earthquake nests

The mechanism for intermediate depth and deep earthquakes is still under debate. The temperatures and pressures are above the point where ordinary fractures ought to occur. Earthquake nests are regions of highly concentrated seismicity within subducting lithosphere that are isolated from nearby activity and may be key in revealing the mechanics of intermediate-depth earthquakes. We present precise earthquake locations of intermediate-depth earthquakes in the Bucaramanga nest, Colombia using double-difference algorithms combined with depth phases recorded at regional and teleseismic distances. Our results show an alignment of seismicity along subhorizontal and/or subvertical regions within the nest and a preferential location of larger earthquakes at the bottom of the cluster. These observed features might suggest preexisting structures within the subducting slab or some process that allows concentration of deformation and repeating ruptures along fractures.