Duplex kinematics reduces both frontal advance and seismic moment deficit in the Himalaya

Abstract Duplexing plays important roles in the evolution of fold-and-thrust belts and accretionary wedges, causes internal shortening system, which then impacts both rates frontal advance seismic-moment deficit. Nevertheless, significance this has not yet been highlighted previous studies Himalaya or elsewhere. We invoke geometric solutions to constrain ratio transferred slip (R; i.e., updip downdip slip) for midcrustal ramp—the most active ramp within duplex—in Himalayan wedge. find that R is ~0.9, used calculate accumulating seismic moment. The reduction accumulation over past 1000 yr along entire arc (~2200 km) equivalent at least one ~Mw 8.72 earthquake, potentially reduces moment deficit by ~23%–54%, may reconcile long-term unbalanced Himalaya.