Research on the February 18, 1996 earthquake in the caves of Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet area, (eastern Pyrenees,France)

Abstract

Eight caves have been investigated near Saint-Paul- de-Fenouillet after the earthquake of 5.2 magnitude of February 1996 which occurred in the eastern Pyrenees (France) and caused moderate damage at the ground surface. The earthquake has been associated with the movement of an E-W fault. The caves had not been visited since the earthquake. Some damage, mainly collapses of soda straws and small rocks, could be attributed to this earthquake. The most interesting cave in the epicentral area is the Paradet cave which is situated on a recently activated fault plane. In this cave, soda straw falls could be attributed to the earthquake, but other more ancient damage was also observed. Analysis of the azimuth of fallen speleothems, which are natural pendulums, may indicate the directions, and an estimation of their mechanical properties gives the threshold of the seismic ground motion amplitude responsible for their collapse, thus supplying information to calibrate damage due to past earthquakes. A statistical study indicates that the main direction of the collapsed soda straws is E–W. Numerical simulations confirm that soda straws are relatively strong objects that may break under certain conditions during earthquakes. © Elsevier, Paris     

广州市白云区夏茅村岩溶地面塌陷特征及致灾因素和风险分析

广州市白云区夏茅村岩溶塌陷地质灾害严重,塌陷区内地质环境条件极其复杂,隐伏灰岩岩溶土洞发育强烈,溶洞、土洞规模较大,且发育多层溶洞,溶洞间相互连通,岩溶塌陷区基岩面起伏较大,高程变化剧烈,第四系覆盖层厚度较大,底部粉质黏土层土洞发育,土体中规模巨大的土洞是产生岩溶地面塌陷的基础条件。基岩断裂构造带及其影响带范围内,岩石破碎,形成导水断层,存在地下水迳流通道,沿断裂带地下水循环活跃,溶蚀强烈,形成岩溶强发育带,为岩溶塌陷的发生提供了良好的动力条件。区内楼房基础施工扰动了地下水和土洞间的平衡状态从而成为了地面塌陷发生的诱发因素。运用7项地质环境条件指标和5项经济人口指标分别定性评估岩溶地面塌陷的易发度和易损度,并将二者叠加进行地质灾害风险评估。研究结果表明,夏茅村潜在地质灾害风险大,只有严格控制地下水动力条件,才能避免再次发生岩溶地面塌陷。     

Response and Stability of Underground Structures in Rock Mass during Earthquakes

Underground structures are well known to be earthquake resistant. However, the recent earthquakes showed that underground structures are also vulnerable to seismic damage. There may be several reasons such as high ground motions and permanent ground movements. This study attempts to describe various forms of damage to underground structures such as tunnels, caverns, natural caves and abandoned mines during major earthquakes. Results of various model tests on shaking table are also presented to show the effect of ground shaking on the response and collapse of underground structures in continuum and discontinuum. Furthermore, some empirical equations are proposed to assess the damage to underground structures, which may be useful for quick assessments of possible damage.     

Neotectonics and slope stabilization at the Alhambra, Granada, Spain

Over 600 years, the Alhambra Palace of Granada, Spain, (a World Heritage site) has been damaged by earthquakes and slope instability. The western part of San Pedro Cliff, on the northern slope of the palace is a compound fault scarp — fault-line scarp, modified by river erosion and latterly by successive slab falls. The plane of the fault with the largest throw (c. 7 m) outcrops in the innermost part of the escarpment, and is a normal fault with a NW–SE strike and steep SE dip. It is part of a set outcropping along the Alhambra hill. Fault activity may be very recent, perhaps related to historical earthquakes. Seismic risk at the Alhambra is considered to be moderate: there is earthquake damage of the Arab walls and barrier. The most significant historical damage occurred in 1431 and partially collapsed the Arab barrier. Extension associated with the faults loosens the ground and contributes to slab falls. The faults are also preferential water paths. Both the many cracks of the walls and collapses of the Alhambra barrier appear concentrated and aligned with the fault set.Stability analyses suggest that the factor of safety of the San Pedro slope under 1000-yr-return-period earthquake loading may drop below 1.0 and the critical slip surface could penetrate the Alhambra walls. To raise the safety factor above 1.0 and to counteract extensional stress in the cliff, an apparently environmentally acceptable solution with minimal visual impact is proposed. It consists of high-yield-stress wire mesh, post-tensioned by anchors, and coloured to blend with the cliff.     

Speleogenesis of Selected Caves beneath the Lunan Shilin and Caves of Fenglin Karst in Qiubei, Yunnan

Yunnan is famous for its attractive karst landscapes especially shilins, fengcong and fenglin. The development of caves beneath the shilins in the vicinity of Lunan is closely connected with the formation of shilins. Most of the waters percolating through shilins run through the caves beneath them and are responsible for their formation. The study of cave speleogenesis deepens knowledge about both the development of shilins and karst structure. In the vicinity of the Lunan Shilin, speleological, morphological and structural geological studies of four karst caves have been accomplished. At Puzhehei, Qiubei, which is characterised by numerous fenglin, fengcong and caves, speleological and morphological studies have been performed. Cave sediments for paleomagnetic analyses have been taken from all studied areas (samples CH 1-9). Karst caves in SE Yunnan are probably much older than the age of the cave sediments (<780,000 years B.P.). The studied areas are located in the vicinity of the Xiaojiang fault (N-S     

Evidence of palaeoseismicity in a flowstone of the Observatoire cave (Monaco)

Monaco is a medium seismicity zone. The Observatoire cave, a well decorated show cave, is a good place for palaeoseismicity studies. On the floor of the cave it is possible to observe a great number of collapsed sodastraws. The breakages are attributed to the 1887 Ligurian earthquake. A borehole in a flowstone shows several levels of collapses that may indicate ancient earthquakes.     

岩溶土洞稳定临界深度的初步研究

在岩溶土洞发育地区进行工程建设时需要确定土洞是否会发展成地面塌陷和对工程结构物稳定性有影响,分析表明土洞临界深度可作为评价土洞稳定和加固深度的依据。本文采用有限元分析方法,以土洞塑性区贯通至地面或路基表面作为土洞发展成地面塌陷和临界深度的标准。研究表明,土洞的临界深度与土洞形状、土洞尺寸、位置和路基填土厚度有关;土洞断面形状为圆形时临界深度最小,土洞尺寸越大,路基填土越厚,相应土洞临界深度越大。      

Effect of the 2004 Asian tsunami in the sea cave of Tham Phaya Nak (Koh Phi Phi archipelago,Thailand) and possible evidence of a prehistoric event

Tsunamis may leave traces on the landscapes whose study provides a prehistorical approach and the analysis of possible recurrences. In karstic areas, caves and speleothems are good recorders for natural or anthropogenic events. They preserve traces of fragile remains as prehistoric paintings and they have been used for palaeoseismology studies. The effects of the 2004 Asian tsunami on the karstic shores have been studied in Western Thailand, close to Phuket. Limestone cliffs of Koh Phi Islands and the marine cave of Phi Phi Leh have been poorly affected, but a prehistoric-event has provoked the deposit of a layer of coral fragments into the cave. This damage could be attributed to a tsunami but a storm cannot be excluded.     

Evidence of palaeoseismicity in a flowstone of the Observatoire cave (Monaco)

Abstract

Monaco is a medium seismicity zone. The Observatoire cave, a well decorated show cave, is a good place for palaeoseismicity studies. On the floor of the cave it is possible to observe a great number of collapsed sodastraws. The breakages are attributed to the 1887 Ligurian earthquake. A borehole in a flowstone shows several levels of collapses that may indicate ancient earthquakes. © Elsevier, Paris     

Source mechanisms and tectonic significance of historical earthquakes along the nankai trough,Japan

Two recent and three historical earthquakes which occurred along the Nankai trough, marking the northern plate boundary between the Philippine Sea and the Asian Plate, are studied mainly on the basis of the data of crustal deformations and tsunami waves. These earthquakes are the 1946 Nankaido, the 1944 Tonankai, the 1854 Ansei I, II and the 1707 Hoei earthquakes. They are all interpreted as low-angle thrust faults at the plate boundary, with the oceanic side underthrusting northwestward against southwestern Japan. The fault parameters of the historical earthquakes are assumed here to be common to those of the recent two earthquakes, except for the magnitude of dislocation.The entire fault region, which extends for 530 km from western Shikoku Island in the west to the Tokai district in the east, is divided into four fault planes, which are denoted the planes A, B, C and D, from west to east, respectively. Then, the five earthquakes may be attributed to the planes A, B, C and D, in the following manner: the Nankaido earthquake, A + B; the Tonankai earthquake, C; the Ansei II earthquake, A + B; the Ansei I earthquake, C + D; and the Hoei earthquake, A + B + C + D.The latest cycle of earthquake migration seems incomplete as proved by the recent inactivity in D. Consequently, the future major earthquake next to occur is expected there, off the Tokai district. Eight further ancient earthquakes from A.D. 684 to 1605 are also discussed. Taking the results of the foregoing studies into consideration, their sequence is well interpreted by the four migration cycles. Topographical data, tilt of coastal terraces and location of hinge lines, prove that the thrusting has continued all along the extension of the Nankai trough for at least 300,000 years.     

Review on the use of natural cave speleothems as palaeoseismic or neotectonics indicators

Collapses that affect cave speleothems have frequently been attributed to earthquakes, although this has not been proved. Observations after an earthquake and laboratory tests indicate that only slender speleothems break under coseismic solicitation. Other causes as subsidence, decompression and creeping of ice or cave sediments explain most of the breaks. Tectonics is also a major cause of speleothems breakages and it is possible to detect minute movements of faults. It seems possible to make the difference between brutal coseismic movements and aseismic slow ones. However, the interpretation is often difficult, as the damage can also be caused by gravity tectonics or glacitectonics. To cite this article: É. Gilli, C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Fault rupture directivity of large earthquakes in Himalaya

The paper examines the predominant fault rupture directivity during large earthquakes in different sectors of the Himalaya which influences strong ground motion and damage scenario. The nature of the faulting of earthquakes vis-à-vis their rupture directivity has been discussed. It is found that the rupture directivity near the Indo-Eurasian plate boundary varies from place to place i.e. either along the strike direction of the faults or at right angles to it. The secondary meizoseismal areas as observed for 1505 Dharchula, 1803 Uttarakhand, 1905 Kangra earthquakes in the Himalaya and 2001 Bhuj earthquake in stable continental region suggest that they are a fairly good indicator of predominant rupture directivity since the latter accentuates the site response up to a longer distance. The resulting larger ground motions, therefore, need to be incorporated in the design of engineering structures by suitable modifications in the BIS code.     

Long-period ground motion in the epicentral area of major earthquakes

In view of the potential importance of long-period ground motion in the design of large structures, near-field ground displacement is computed by the elastic dislocation theory for several earthquake fault models. The validity of such computations is confirmed by comparing the computed seismogram with the observed long-period seismogram of the 1923 Kanto earthquake. The ground motions are computed for three hypothetical earthquakes, a hypothetical Kanto earthquake, Tokai earthquake and Nemuro-Oki earthquake. The location and the nature of the faulting of these earthquakes are predicted by plate tectonics and precise earthquake mechanism studies. Major conclusions are: Tokyo may suffer, in the hypothetical Kanto earthquake, ground motions about half as large as those experienced in the 1923 Kanto earthquake; Hamamatsu, a large city on the Tokai coast, may experience in the hypothetical Tokai earthquake ground motions which are as large as, or even larger than, those experienced in the epicentral area of the 1923 Kanto earthquake; the hypothetical Nemuro-Oki earthquake may cause ground motions as large as those experienced in the 1968 Tokachi-Oki earthquake on the coastal cities in Hokkaido.     

Continental Dynamics in High Tibetan Plateau: Normal Faulting Type Earthquake Activities and Mechanisms

Various earthquake fault types were analyzed for this study on the crust movement in the high region of the Tibetan plateau by analyzing mechanism solutions and stress fields. The results show that a lot of normal faulting type earthquakes are concentrated in the central High Tibetan plateau. Many of them are nearly perfect normal fault events. The strikes of the fault planes of normal faulting earthquakes are almost in an N-S direction based on the analyses of the Wulff stereonet diagrams of fault plane solutions. It implies that the dislocation slip vectors of the normal faulting type events have quite great components in the E-W direction. The extensions probably are an eastward extensional motion, being mainly a tectonic active regime in the plateau altitudes. The tensional stress in the E-W or NWW-SEE direction predominates earthquake occurrences in the normal event region of the central plateau. The eastward extensional motion in the high Tibetan plateau is attributable to the gravitational collapse of the high plateau and the eastward extrusion of hotter mantle materials beneath the east boundary of the plateau. Extensional motions from the relaxation of the topography and/or gravitational collapse in the high plateau hardly occurred along the N-S direction. The obstruction for the plateau to move eastward is rather weak.     

Seismic Hazard Assessment in the Area of Mystras-Sparta,South Peloponnesus,Greece, Based on Local Seismotectonic,Seismic, Geologic Information and on Different Models of Rupture Propagation

Strong seismic events once again confirm the view that great destructive earthquakes are produced by the reactivation of pre-existing faults although they have usually remained inactive for many, perhaps thousands of years. It is evident that such active seismogenic zones, with little or no seismicity, have presumably been ignored in the determination of the region's seismic hazard. At south Peloponnesus, Greece, is situated at Taygetos mountain. At its eastern front lies a large normal fault system, the southern segment being the Sparta fault. This area has been characterized by low seismicity for the last 25 centuries. However, during the 6th and 5th centuries B.C. several destructive earthquakes have been reported. That of 464 B.C., was the most destructive and devastated the city of Sparta. Detailed morphotectonic observations of this area, suggest that the earthquake of 464 B.C. could be related to the most recent reactivation of this fault. The ground accelerations that would be produced by a future activation of the Sparta fault, were calculated, by applying a method which takes into account information mainly from the seismotectonic parameters of the Sparta fault, the rupture pattern, the properties of the propagation medium and the local ground conditions. Moreover, these results were compared with those of other independent studies based mainly on the seismic data of the area. This method estimated greater expected values of ground acceleration than those computed by the conventional seismic hazard methods. The highest values correspond to the activation of the Sparta fault either in a unilateral rupture, which would start from the southernmost point of the fault, or in a circular one. Furthermore, an increase is observed of the order of 50% in the ground acceleration values in unconsolidated soft ground in relation to the corresponding values of hard ground. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Multiarchive paleoseismic record of late Pleistocene and Holocene strong earthquakes in Switzerland

A multiarchive approach has been applied to the investigation of the late Pleistocene and Holocene record of strong earthquakes in Switzerland. The geological archives used for this study include active faults, lake deposits, slope instabilities, and caves. In the Basle area, eight trenches were opened across the Basle–Reinach fault, nearby rockfall deposits were systematically investigated, sediment cores were taken from two lakes, and nine caves were studied. In Central Switzerland, five lakes were investigated by means of high-resolution seismic lines and sediment cores. Furthermore, three caves were studied in Central Switzerland. Altogether, the investigations are based on more than 350 km of high-resolution reflection seismic lines, 450 m of core samples, 260 m of trenches, and 245 radiocarbon age determinations. The measured co-seismic displacements along the Basle–Reinach fault supply independent information for the magnitude of the AD 1356 Basle earthquake exclusively based on geological evidence. Deformation features related to three well-documented strong historic earthquake shocks were identified. Deformation features of the AD 1774 Altdorf and AD 1601 Unterwalden earthquakes can be used to calibrate paleoseismic evidence in Central Switzerland. Altogether, traces of 13 earthquakes could be found in the two study areas, all of them with magnitudes M_w  6 or greater. For the first time, the earthquake catalogue for Switzerland can be extended back beyond historic records, into the late Pleistocene, spanning 15,000 years.     

Morphometric evidence of seismicity around Wagad and Gedi Faults, eastern Kachchh, Gujarat

Recent studies suggest that the eastern Kachchh is a potential zone for major earthquakes in the near future. Particularly, the E-W trending faults are considered capable of generating large magnitude earthquakes is further indicated by the recent concentration of the earthquake shocks, which, show two prominent clustering around west and north of the Wagad upland. In view of this, the conventional morphometric analyses of a terrain bounded by the E-W trending North Wagad Fault (NWF) and the Gedi Fault (GF) has been undertaken to ascertain the influence of seismicity in the evolution of the drainage basin. The study suggests that the fifth order drainage basins responded to the seismicity associated with both the NWF and GF. However, compared to the GF, the NWF seems to be more active. In addition to this, based on the stream morphology, we could identify two lineaments trending N-S and E-W. The former appears to be associated with the activity along the Manfara Fault (MF), whereas, the later seems to be the splays of the NWF. Further, a preferential westward shift of the streams suggests left lateral displacement of the E-W trending faults. Overall it can be suggested that the terrain is in juvenile stage implying tectonic instability.     

青藏高原及其周围地区区域应力场与构造运动特征

本文系统解析并分析了1931年8月-2005年10月期间青藏高原及其周围发生的905个震级M4．5-8．5地震的震源机制结果,研究了青藏高原岩石圈的区域应力场与构造运动特征。结果表明,来自印度板块的北北东或北东方向的水平挤压应力控制了青藏高原及其周缘地区的岩石圈应力场。从喜马拉雅到贝加尔湖以南包括中国西部的广大范围内,主压应力P轴的水平分量位于近NE-SW方向,形成了一个广域的NE-SW方向的挤压应力场。特别是青藏高原周缘地区,除其东部边缘外,南部的喜马拉雅山前沿以及青藏高原的北部、西部边缘地区所发生的绝大部分地震都属于逆断层型或走滑逆断层型地震,表现出周缘地区的水平挤压应力更为强势。应力场特征充分表明, 印度板块的北上运动,以及它与欧亚板块之间的碰撞,所形成的挤压应力场是青藏高原强烈隆起的直接原因。在青藏高原周缘地区受到强烈挤压应力场控制的同时,有大量正断层型地震集中发生在青藏高原中部海拔4000m以上的地区,其中许多地震是纯正断层型地震。震源机制结果显示,近E-W向或WNW-ESE向的水平扩张应力控制着该区的岩石圈应力场;正断层型地震的断层走向多为南北方向,断层位错矢量的水平分量大体位于近东西方向。这表明青藏高原中部高海拔地区存在着近东西方向的扩张构造运动,且扩张构造运动是该区引张应力场的作用结果。其动力学原因可能与持续隆升的高原自重增大引起的重力崩塌及其周边区域构造应力状况有关。研究青藏高原存在挤压应力场与引张应力场及其构造运动的区域特征,对于认识青藏高原形成、发展的地球动力学机制,有着极其重要的意义。     

Estimation of Earthquake Damage to Buried Pipelines Caused by Ground Shaking

One of the most critical lessons of the recent earthquakes is the need for seismic planning for lifelines, with appropriate supplies and back up systems for emergency repair and restoration. Seismic planning, however requires physical loss estimations before the earthquakes occur. Buried pipeline damage correlations are critical part of loss estimation procedures applied to lifelines for future earthquakes. We review the existing pipeline damage relationships only for ground shaking (transient ground deformations) in the light of recent developments and evaluate them with Denizli City, Turkey water supply system. Eight scenario earthquakes with four different earthquake magnitudes between M6 and M7 caused by two different fault ruptures (Pamukkale and Karakova-Akhan Faults) were used. Analyses were performed by using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). This high number of different scenario earthquakes made it possible to compare the pipeline damage relationships at different ground shaking levels. Pipeline damage estimations for Denizli City were calculated for each damage relationship and earthquake scenario. Relative effects of damage relationships and scenario earthquakes on the results were compared and discussed. The results were presented separately for brittle, ductile, and all pipelines. It was shown that the variation in ductile pipeline damage estimations by various relationships was higher than the variation in brittle pipeline damage estimations for a particular scenario earthquake.     

断块构造|活动断块构造与地震活动

张文佑院士是我国最杰出的构造地质学家和大地构造学家,他提出和倡导的地质构造力学分析和历史分析相结合及断块构造理论符合当代构造地质和构造运动研究的新方向。断块构造是地球构造运动最基本的型式,板块构造是全球范围内的岩石圈构造,是最高一级的岩石圈断块构造。活动断块是现今构造运动最基本的型式,它既控制主要活动构造带和地震活动带的分布,也控制不同地区地震活动特征的差异。断块边界构造带是在构造变形和运动场中的不连续变形带,应力在此释放,应变在此局部化,位移在此发生,其差异活动最为强烈,因此,断块边界构造带是强震发生带,其活动性质会控制震源断层的特性。大地震孕育和发生在边界活动构造带的某些特殊部位,对其成核的构造和物理过程尚需深入进行研究。要特别注意断块整体性活动对地震活动的控制作用,断块的这种整体性活动与一定时期内地震活动主体地区分布有密切关系,所以,在活动构造研究中,要把断块的整体性活动与活动构造带的个体活动结合起来。