The
seismogenic layer is the range of depths within the
crust or
lithosphere over which most
earthquakes are initiated. Typically in
continental crust this is in the uppermost 15 km. The base of this layer represents the downwards change in deformation mechanism from elastic and frictional processes associated with brittle faulting to a generally
aseismic zone where
ductile creep becomes the dominant process. The location of this change in deformation style is sometimes referred to as the
Brittle-ductile transition zone.