Source parameters of the 27th of June 2015 Gulf of Aqaba earthquake

On the 27 June 2015, at 15:34:03 UTC, a moderate-sized earthquake of M _w 5.0 occurred in the Gulf of Aqaba. Using teleseismic P waves, the focal mechanism of the mainshock was investigated by two techniques. The first technique used the polarities of the first P wave onsets, and the second technique was based on the normalized waveform modeling technique. The results showed that the extension stress has a NE orientation with a shallow southward plunge while the compression stress has a NW trend with a nearly shallow westward plunge, obtaining a strike-slip mechanism. This result agrees well with the typical consequence of crustal deformation resulting from the ongoing extensional to shear stress regime in the Gulf of Aqaba (NE-SW extension and NW-SE compression). The grid search method over a range of focal depths indicates an optimum solution at 15 ± 1 km. To identify the causative fault plane, the aftershock hypocenters were relocated using the local waveform data and the double-difference technique. Considering the fault trends, the spatial distribution of relocated aftershocks demarcated a NS-oriented causative fault, in consistence with one of the nodal planes of the focal mechanism solution, emphasizing the dominant stress regime in the region. Following the Brune model, the estimates of source parameters exhibited fault lengths of 0.29 ≤ L ≤ 2.48 km, moment magnitudes of 3.0 ≤ M _w ≤ 5.0, and stress drops of 0.14 ≤ Δσ < 1.14 MPa, indicating a source scaling similar to the tectonic earthquakes related to plate boundaries.     

Source study of two small earthquakes of Delhi, India, and estimation of ground motion from future moderate, local events

We study source characteristics of two small, local earthquakes which occurred in Delhi on 28 April 2001 (Mw3.4) and 18 March 2004 (Mw2.6). Both earthquakes were located in the heart of New Delhi, and were recorded in the epicentral region by digital accelerographs. The depths of the events are 15 km and 8 km, respectively. First motions and waveform modeling yield a normal-faulting mechanism with large strike-slip component. The strike of one of the nodal planes roughly agrees with NE–SW orientation of faults and lineaments mapped in the region. We use the recordings of the 2004 event as empirical Green’s functions to synthesize expected ground motions in the epicentral region of a Mw5.0 earthquake in Delhi. It is possible that such a local event may control the hazard in Delhi. Our computations show that a Mw5.0 earthquake would give rise to PGA of ~200 to 450 gal, the smaller values occurring at hard sites. The estimate of corresponding PGV is ~6 to 15 cm/s. The recommended response spectra, Sa, 5% damping, for Delhi, which falls in zone IV of the Indian seismic zoning map, may not be conservative enough at soft sites for a postulated Mw5.0 local earthquake.     

Fault slip and identification of the second fault plane in the Varzeghan earthquake doublet

An intraplate earthquake doublet, with 11-min delay between the events, devastated the city of Varzeghan in northwestern Iran on August 11, 2012. The first Mw 6.5 strike-slip earthquake, which occurred after more than 200 years of low seismicity, was followed by an Mw 6.4 oblique thrust event at an epicentral separation of about 6 km. While the first event can be associated with a distinct surface rupture, the absence of a surface fault trace and no clear aftershock signature makes it challenging to identify the fault plane of the second event. We use teleseismic body wave inversion to deduce the slip distribution in the first event. Using both P and SH waves stabilize the inversion and we further constrain the result with the surface rupture extent and the aftershock distribution. The obtained slip pattern shows two distinct slip patches with dissimilar slip directions where aftershocks avoid high-slip areas. Using the estimated slip for the first event, we calculate the induced Coulomb stress change on the nodal planes of the second event and find a preference for higher Coulomb stress on the N-S nodal plane. Assuming a simple slip model for the second event, we estimate the combined Coulomb stress changes from the two events on the focal planes of the largest aftershocks. We find that 90% of the aftershocks show increased Coulomb stress on one of their nodal planes when the N-S plane of the second event is assumed to be the correct fault plane.     

Analysis of seismological and tsunami data from the 1993 Guam earthquake

The fault parameters of the Guam earthquake of August 8, 1993 are estimated from seismological analyses, and the possibility of identifying the actual fault plane from tsunami waveforms is tested. The Centroid Moment Tensor solution of long-period surface waves shows one nodal plane shallowly dipping to the north and the other nodal plane steeply dipping to the south. The seismic moment is 3.5×10²⁰ Nm and the corresponding moment magnitude is 7.7. The Moment Tensor Rate Function inversion ofP waves also yields a similar focal mechanism and seismic moment. The point source depth is estimated as 40–50 km.This earthquake generated tsunamis that propagated toward the Japanese coast along the Izu-Bonin-Mariana ridge system. The tsunamis are recorded on ocean bottom pressure gauges and tide gauges. Numerical computation of tsunamis shows that the computed waveforms from the two possible fault planes match well with the observed tsunami waveforms. The numerical computation also shows that the tsunami waveforms at Guam Island, just above the fault, should contain useful information regarding the identification of the actual fault plane. However, the current sampling rate of the tide gauges is so small that the records cannot help the identification.     

An explanation of the large PGA value of 2013 M S7.0 Lushan earthquake at 51BXD station through topographic analysis

In M _S7.0 Lushan earthquake, a large amount of strong ground motion recordings were collected. In this paper, we analyze the recordings carefully. The abnormality of ground motion recordings is identified through a log linear regression. In the station of 51BXD, the PGA value has exceeded 1 g, which is the biggest peak ground acceleration (PGA) value obtained from all recordings in this earthquake. The log linear relation shows the PGA value in this station is abnormally large. As this station is located on the footage of a hill, the topographic amplification factor is explored in order to explain this abnormality. Through 3D numerical modeling using spectral element method with transmitting boundary conditions, the amplification factor is quantized. In this station, the topographic amplification is highly polarized in the direction of East–West which agrees with the empirical recordings. This research result suggests us in future directionality of topographic amplification should be considered in the aseismic design.     

RELOCATION OF THE HUTUBI MS6.2 EARTHQUAKE SEQUENCE ON 8 DECEMBER 2016 AND ANALYSIS OF THE SEISMOGENIC STRUCTURE

Based on the digital waveforms of Xinjiang Seismic Network, the Hutubi M_S6.2 earthquake sequence (M_L ≥ 1.0) was relocated precisely by HypoDD.The best double-couple focal mechanisms of the main shock and aftershocks of M_L ≥ 4.0 were determined by the CAP method. We analyzed the characteristics of spatial distribution, focal mechanisms and the seismogenic structure of earthquake sequence. The results show that the main shock is located at 43.775 9°N, 86.363 4°E; the depth of the initial rupture and centriod is about 15.388km and 17km. The earthquake sequence extends unilaterally along NWW direction with an extension length of about 15km and a depth ranging 5~15km. The characteristics of the depth profiles show that the seismogenic fault plane dips northward and the faulting is dominated by thrusting. The nodal planes parameters of the best double-couple focal mechanisms are:strike 292°, dip 62° and rake 80° for nodal plane I, and strike 132°, dip 30° and rake 108° for nodal plane Ⅱ, indicating that the main shock is of thrust faulting. The dip of nodal planeⅠis consistent with the dip of the depth profile, which is inferred to be the fault plane of seismogenic fault of this earthquake. According to the comprehensive analysis of the relocation results, the focal mechanism and geological structure in the source region, it is preliminarily inferred that the seismogenic structure of the Hutubi M_S6.2 earthquake may be a backthrust on the deeper concealed thrust slope at the south of Qigu anticline. The earthquake is a "folding" earthquake taking place under the stress field of Tianshan expanding towards the Junggar Basin.     

Estimation of Strong Ground Motion from a Great Earthquake Mw 8.5 in Central Seismic Gap Region, Himalaya (India) Using Empirical Green’s Function Technique

In the present study ground motions for a Mw 8.5 scenario earthquake are estimated at 13 sites in Kumaun-Garhwal region using the empirical Green’s function technique. The recordings of 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake of Mw 6.8 at these sites are used as an element earthquake. A heterogeneous source model consisting of two asperities is considered for simulating the ground motions. The entire central seismic gap (CSG) can expect acceleration in excess of 100 cm/s² with NW portion in excess of 400 cm/s² and SE between 100 and 200 cm/s². The central portion can expect peak ground acceleration (PGA) between 200 and 400 cm/s². It has been observed from simulation of strong ground motion that sites located near the rupture initiation point can expect accelerations in excess of 1g. In the present analysis, Bhatwari and Uttarkashi can expect ground accelerations in excess of 1g. The estimates of the PGA are compared with earlier studies in the same region using different methodologies and it was found that the results are comparable. This has put constrains on the expected PGAs in this region. The obtained PGA values can be used in identifying the vulnerable areas in the central Himalaya, thereby facilitating the planning, design and construction of new structures and strengthening of the existing structures in the region.     

Source process of M_s6.4 earthquake in Ning’er, Yunnan in 2007

The moment tensor solution, source time function and spatial-temporal rupture process of the MS6.4 earthquake, which occurred in Ning’er, Yunnan Province, are obtained by inverting the broadband waveform data of 20 global stations. The inverted result shows that the scalar seismic moment is 5.51×1018 Nm, which corresponds to a moment magnitude of MW 6.4. The correspondent best double couple solution results in two nodal planes of strike 152°/dip 54°/rake 166°, and strike 250°/dip 79°/ rake 37°, respectively...     

近断层强地震动场预测

以1997年4月11日新疆伽师地震（M_w6.1）为例,详细介绍了近断层强地震动场的预测方法.首先,用有限断层震源建模方法建立了该次地震的震源模型;然后,基于动力学拐角频率的地震动随机模拟方法,模拟了该次地震仅有主震加速度记录、且位于巨厚土层上的三个台站的加速度时程,并用实际地震记录进行了验证.在此基础上,基于预测的近断层77个节点的加速度时程的峰值绘制了该次地震的加速度场.结果表明,上述方法模拟的加速度时程在0.5 Hz以上的高频段是可行的、实用的;预测的近断层加速度场具有非常明显的上盘效应.地表最大加速度的范围与断层面上最大凹凸体位置相对应,说明与断层面上凹凸体相对应的地面上的建（构）筑物将会遭受到较为严重的震害.     

2013年山东莱州M4.6地震序列发震构造初探

采用双差定位法对山东莱州地震序列重新定位,通过CAP方法反演M4.6地震震源机制,在此基础上初步探讨莱州地震序列发震构造。结果显示:精确定位震中位置主要位于柞村—仙夼断裂的NW方向,深度剖面显示从SE方向到NW方向断层深度呈由浅逐渐变深的趋势,这均与柞村—仙夼断裂位置、走向、倾向特征较为吻合;M4.6地震震源机制解的节面Ⅰ与柞村—仙夼断裂走向、倾角较为接近。综合精确定位震中位置、剖面深度分布特征、M4.6地震震源机制解及宏观调查烈度分布等结果与柞村-仙夼断裂产状之间的关系,初步推测柞村—仙夼断裂可能为莱州地震序列的发震断层。     

2010年4月14日玉树Ms7.1地震加速度场预测

基于有限断层震源、且使用动力学拐角频率的地震动随机模拟方法预测玉树地震近断层的加速度场.首先,基于有限断层震源建模方法建立该次地震的震源模型;然后,基于上述地震动模拟方法预测玉树地震近断层191个节点的加速度时程.在此基础上,取每个结点的加速度峰值绘制该次地震的近断层加速度场.结果表明:(1)近断层加速度场主要受震源破裂过程和断层面上滑动分布的影响.断层面上凹凸体投影到地表的区域附近,加速度峰值最大,也是震害最严重的区域;(2)对于走滑地震,断层沿线附近的场地并非均会发生破裂方向性效应;发生破裂方向性效应的场地与凹凸体在断层面上的位置有关.     

2013年7月22日甘肃岷县-漳县M_S6.6地震震源破裂过程

2013年7月22日,在甘肃岷县漳县交界处发生MS6.6地震,地震震中位置靠近临潭—宕昌断裂.本文通过构建有限断层模型,利用国家强震动台网中心提供的12条强地面运动三分量资料,通过波形反演方法来研究这次地震的震源破裂过程.结果显示这次地震是发生在甘东南地区岷县—宕昌断裂带东段附近的一次MW6.1级逆冲兼具左旋走滑破裂事件,最大滑动量约为80cm.发震断层走向及滑动性质与岷县—宕昌断裂吻合,推断本次地震与东昆仑断裂向北的扩展和推挤密切相关,是岷县—宕昌断裂进一步活动的结果.     

Location and source mechanism of the Karlsruhe earthquake of 24 September 2014

On 24 September 2014, a M_L 2.3 earthquake occurred southwest of the urban area of Karlsruhe, Germany, which was felt by a few people (maximum intensity I ₀?=?III). It was the first seismic event in this highly populated area since an I ₀?=?VII earthquake in 1948. Data of 35 permanent and temporary seismometers were analysed to localise the event and to determine the focal mechanism to compare it to previous seismicity. Restricting the data to P- and S-phases from 18 nearby stations and optimising the local earth model result in an epicentre in the southwest of the city at 48.986°N/8.302°E and in a hypocentral depth of 10 km. To calculate the focal mechanism, 22 P- and 5 S_H-polarities were determined that constrain a stable left lateral strike-slip focal mechanism with a minor thrusting component and nodal planes striking NE-SW and NW-SE. The epicentre lies in the vicinity of the I ₀?=?VII earthquake of 1948. Both events are part of the graben-parallel flower structure beneath the Upper Rhine Graben, parallel to the active Rastatt source zone, which runs 5 km further east and included the epicentre of the 1933 Rastatt I ₀?=?VII earthquake. The focal mechanisms of the 2014 and 1948 earthquakes show NE-SW striking nodal planes that dip to the southeast. However, for the 1948 event, a normal faulting mechanism was determined earlier. Taking the uncertainty of the epicentre and focal mechanism in 1948 and its fault dimensions into account, both events might have happened on the same fault plane.     

The 2014 Mihoub earthquake (Mw4.3), northern Algeria: empirical Green’s function analysis of the mainshock and the largest aftershock

On November 15, 2014, an Mw4.3 earthquake occurred 2 km west of Mihoub village, 60 km SE of Algiers. In this study, we retrieve the relative source-time functions of the mainshock and largest aftershock (Mw3.9) for rupture analysis using the empirical Green’s function method. The two events are nearly colocated with a smaller aftershock (Mw3.5), which is treated as the empirical Green’s function. Moreover, these three events have similar focal mechanisms, suggesting that deconvolution is well posed in this case. The three events were recorded by nine stations of the Algerian permanent network. We use mainly P-wave data. The focal mechanism solution shows dominant reverse faulting with a strong strike-slip component. The two nodal planes align almost E-W, dipping to the south, and NNE-SSW, dipping to the NW, respectively; the fault and auxiliary planes cannot be resolved from hypocenter locations alone because too few aftershocks were recorded by the permanent network. The results show unilateral rupture propagation to the ENE and complex rupture with multiple episodes for the mainshock. The largest aftershock shows similar behavior with slightly less pronounced directivity at some sites. The rupture directivity for the mainshock is estimated at about N66° E, and the rupture velocity is Vr = 0.66β. The E-W nodal plane of the best-fit focal mechanism is the preferred fault plane because it best agrees with the directivity direction and is consistent with the E-W faulting that dominates in the region.     

2016年新西兰MS8.0地震震源及强地面运动特征分析

2016年11月13日新西兰发生M_S8.0地震,该地震造成2人死亡,20多人受伤,仅10余栋房屋严重受损,致灾特征较轻. 本文针对新西兰M_S8.0地震的震源参数特征,对该地震的震源过程进行了分析. 结果表明,该地震的地震波辐射能量和视应力均偏低,震源破裂过程为应力上调模式,发震断层破裂相对充分,余震相对丰富.结合新一代衰减关系(NGA)的分析结果显示,该地震的强地面运动峰值加速度(PGA)观测记录整体偏低,与基于震源参数对该地震PGA的理论估算结果较为一致. 进一步选取10 km范围内6个台站的强震观测记录进行比较研究,初步认为影响该地震近断层区域PGA高值的因素主要是断层破裂面上最大滑动集中区的位置,而非主震的初始破裂位置. 综合研究表明,新西兰M_S8.0地震的强地面运动主要受到应力上调模式和最大滑动集中区位置的影响,致灾特征较轻则可能源于峰值加速度偏低和地表破坏较大地区的人口相对稀少.      

2021年9月16日四川泸县MS6.0地震强地面运动特征分析

2021年9月16日4时33分在四川省泸州市泸县发生M_S6.0地震,震中附近的强震动观测台网获取了1 320组三分向加速度记录,对有效记录进行常规处理后计算出地震动相关参数,并利用克里金插值方法得到峰值加速度PGA、峰值速度PGV和拟加速度反应谱的空间分布图。结果显示,极震区与中远场的长轴方向有较大差异,地震动表现出沿断裂走向衰减较慢的特性。通过与常用衰减关系预测值进行对比,分析了PGA和多个周期的拟加速度反应谱随距离的衰减特性,结果显示此次地震的PGA相比衰减关系预测值偏小,拟加速度反应谱相比各经验预测值呈现周期越大衰减变慢的特点,体现出川东南地区特有的衰减规律。最后分析了本次地震获得的最大加速度记录,进一步验证了局部地形和场地对地震动有显著影响。      

1975年2月4日辽宁省海城地震的震源机制

由地震纵波初动符号的资料,求得了海城地震系列中Ms≥4.0的24个地震的断层面解。主震发生于1975年2月4日,它的一个节面走向N70°W,倾向NE,倾角81°;另一个节面走向N23°E,倾向SE,倾角75°。根据余震的空间分布以及地面形变资料选取N70°W的节面为断层面,主震是发生在这个近乎直立的断层面上的左旋走向滑动,略具正的倾向滑动分量。前震及大多数余震的震源机制和主震的相似,有四个Ms≥4.0的余震的震源机制和主震的迥然不同,表现出滑动向量和主震的滑动向量相反的断层错动方式。这种情况的一种可能的解释是主震时在断层的一些地段发生错动过头。 由野外资料及余震的空间分布资料计算了主震的震源参数。主震断层长70公里,宽20公里,平均错距45厘米,地震矩2.1×10²⁶达因·厘米,应力降4.8巴,应变降7.3×10^-6。它是发生在不能积累起较高应力的薄弱地带的一次低应力降的地震。 由地震纵波初动的半周期和振幅的资料计算了81个前震和余震的震源尺度、地震矩、应力降和平均错距。结果表明前震和余震的应力降都比较低,一般在0.1-1巴之间。余震区中有两个应力降相对说来比较高（高于0.8巴）的地区,它们恰好对应于主破裂错动过头的部位。这些结果意味着震前高应力、错动过头、相对高应力降和震源机制反向四者之间     

用CAP方法研究安庆4.8级地震震源机制

In this article, we have inverted local broadband waveform data to determine the focal mechanism of the 2011 MS4.8 Anqing earthquake. Our results show that the best double couple solution of the MS4.8 event is 16°, 74° and 120° for strike, dip and rake angles of one nodal plane respectively, and 131°, 33°, 30° for the other nodal plane. The estimated focal depth is about 3km. Both strikes of the two nodal planes differ significantly to the strike of Susong-Zongyang fault, along which seismic activity has been at a low level since the Late Quaternary. This implies that this earthquake may not have occurred on the Susong-Zongyang fault, and we infer that a buried fault with strike of NNE may be the seismogenic structure of this event.     

2015年7月3日皮山6.5级地震发震构造初步研究

基于新疆区域数字地震台网记录,采用CAP（Cut and Paste）方法反演了2015年7月3日皮山6.5级主震和部分M_S3.6以上余震的震源机制解和震源深度;采用HypoDD方法重新定位了序列中M_L2.5以上地震序列的震源位置,并利用小震分布和区域应力场拟合了可能存在的发震断层面参数.基于上述研究,综合分析了皮山6.5级地震序列的震源深度、震源机制和震源破裂面特征,探讨可能的发震构造.结果显示,利用CAP方法得到的最佳双力偶机制解节面I：走向280°/倾角60°/滑动角90°;节面Ⅱ：走向100°/倾角30°/滑动角90°,矩心深度19 km,表明该地震为一次逆冲型地震事件.大部分M_S3.6以上余震震源机制与主震具有一定的相似性.双差定位结果显示,M_L2.5以上的余震序列主要分布在主震的西南方向,深度主要分布在0～15 km范围内,余震分布显示出与发震构造泽普隐伏断裂一致的倾向南西的特征.利用小震分布和区域应力场拟合得到发震断层参数为走向104°/倾角34°/滑动角94°,该结果与主震震源机制解中节面Ⅱ的滑动角较为接近,绝大多数余震发生在断层面附近10 km左右的区域.根据本研究得到的震源机制、精定位结果以及利用小震分布和区域应力场拟合得到的断层面的参数,结合震源区地质构造情况,初步给出了此次皮山6.5级地震的发震模式.     

The seismicity and tectonic stress field characteristics of the Longmenshan fault zone before the Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake

The seismicity of Longmenshan fault zone and its vicinities before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake is studied. Based on the digital seismic waveform data observed from regional seismic networks and mobile stations, the focal mechanism solutions are determined. Our analysis results show that the seismicities of Longmenshan fault zone before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake were in stable state. No obvious phenomena of seismic activity intensifying appeared. According to focal mechanism solutions of some small earthquakes before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, the direction of principal compressive stress P-axis is WNW-ESE. The two hypocenter fault planes are NE-striking and NW-striking. The plane of NE direction is among N50°?70°E, the dip angles of fault planes are 60°?70° and it is very steep. The faultings of most earthquakes are dominantly characterized by dip-slip reverse and small part of faultings present strike-slip. The azimuths of principal compressive stress, the strikes of source fault planes and the dislocation types calculated from some small earthquakes before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake are in accordance with that of the main shock. The average stress field of micro-rupture along the Longmenshan fault zone before the great earthquake is also consistent with that calculated from main shock. Zipingpu dam is located in the east side 20 km from the initial rupture area of the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The activity increment of small earthquakes in the Zipingpu dam is in the period of water discharging. The source parameter results of the small earthquakes which occurred near the initial rupture area of the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake indicate that the focal depths are 5 to 14 km and the source parameters are identical with that of earthquake.