Megathrust earthquakes are the most powerful type of earthquake, occurring at subduction zones where one tectonic plate is pushed beneath another. By contrast, slow slip events (SSEs) release seismic stress at a lower rate than large earthquakes, re-occurring in cycles across months to years. These processes can take place along the megathrust and other planes of weakness in response to loading, releasing low frequency seismic waves. Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and Tohoku University have considered the fluid drainage processes that can occur from SSEs and their impact on seismic activity.