Maximum magnitudes in aftershock sequences in Taiwan

In this work, Båth’s Law, the b-value in Gutenberg–Richter Law (G–R Law) in the form of the 1/β relationship, and both the a- and b-values in the G–R Law were introduced in order to estimate maximum aftershock magnitudes of earthquake sequences in the Taiwan region. The averaged difference of magnitude between the mainshock and the maximum aftershock is 1.20, and is consistent with Båth’s Law, however, with a large uncertainty. The large uncertainty implies that the difference may result from a variable controlled by other factors, such as the aftershocks number of an earthquake sequence and magnitude threshold for mainshock. With 1/β, since 86% of the earthquake sequences with a M ⩾ 6.0 mainshock follow this relationship, the upper bound of the maximum magnitude can be estimated for an earthquake sequence with a large mainshock. The a- and b-values in the G–R Law was also considered by evaluating maximum aftershock magnitudes. As there are low residuals between the model and the observations, the results suggest that the G–R Law is a good index for maximum aftershock magnitude determinations. In order to evaluate the temporal decays of maximum aftershock magnitudes, modified Omori’s Law was introduced. Using the approaches mentioned above, the maximum magnitudes and the temporal evolution of an earthquake sequence could be modeled. Among them, the model of the G–R Law has the best fit with observations for most of earthquake sequences. It shows its feasibility. The results of this work may benefit seismic hazards mitigation in the form of rapid re-evaluations for short-term seismic hazards immediately following devastating earthquakes.     

Tectonic position and geological and seismic manifestations of the Gorkha earthquake of April 25, 2015, in Nepal

The characteristics of sources of the Gorkha earthquake’s mainshock (April 25, 2015, Nepal) and strongest aftershock are given. Macroseismic data and examples of seismic dislocations are provided. The course of seismic energy release during the aftershock process is analyzed. The data on seismological precursors of the mainshock and the strongest aftershock of May 12, 2015, are presented, which allowed the aftershock to be predicted in a short-term interval.     

Destructive near-fault strong ground motion from the 2016 Kumamoto prefecture,Japan, M7.3 earthquake

The sequence of the 2016 Kumamoto, Japan, earthquake, which included an initial M6.5 foreshock on April 14, followed by a larger M7.3 mainshock on April 16, and subsequently occurred high aftershock activity, caused significant damage in Kumamoto and neighboring regions. The near-field strong motion record by strong motion network (K-NET and KiK-net) and the intensity meter network demonstrated clearly the characteristics of the strong ground motion developed by the shallow (H = 12 km), inland earthquake comprising short-time duration (<15–20 s) but large (>1G) ground accelerations. The velocity response spectra of the near-fault motion at Mashiki and Nishihara showed large levels (>300–550 cm/s) in the short-period range (T = 1–2 s), several times larger than that of the near-field record of the destructive 1995 Kobe earthquake (M7.3) and that of the 2004 Mid-Niigata earthquake (M6.8). This period corresponds to the collapse vulnerability of Japanese wooden-frame houses, and is the major cause of severe damage during the Kumamoto earthquake. The response spectra also showed extremely large levels (>240–340 cm/s) in the long-period (T > 3 s) band, which is potentially disastrous for high-rise buildings, large oil storage tanks, etc. to have longer resonant period. Such long-period motion was, for the most parts, developed by the static displacement of the fault movement rather than by the seismic waves radiating from the source fault. Thus, the extreme near-fault long-period motion was hazardous only close to the fault but it attenuated very rapidly away from the fault.     

Seismic performance evaluation of dam-reservoir-foundation systems to near-fault ground motions

Ground motion records obtained in recent major strong earthquakes have provided evidence that ground motions recorded near the near-fault regions differ in many cases from those observed further away from the seismic source. As the forward directivity and fling effect characteristics of the near-fault ground motions, they have the potential to cause more considerable damage to structures during an earthquake. Therefore, understanding the influence of near-fault ground motions on the performance of structures is critical to mitigate damage and perform effective response. This paper presents results of a study aimed at evaluating the effects of near-fault and far-fault ground motions on seismic performance of concrete gravity dams including dam-reservoir-foundation interaction. Koyna gravity dam is selected as a numerical application. Four different near-fault ground motion records with an apparent velocity pulse are used in the analyses. The earthquake ground motions recorded at the same site from other events that the epicenter far away from the site are employed as the far-fault ground motions. The seismic performance evaluation method based on the demand-capacity ratio, the cumulative overstress duration and the spatial extent of overstressed regions is presented. The concrete damaged plasticity model including the strain hardening or softening behavior is employed in nonlinear analyses. Nonlinear seismic damage analyses of the selected concrete dam subjected to both near-fault and far-fault ground motions are performed. The results obtained from the analyses show the effects of near-fault ground motions on seismic performance of concrete gravity dams and demonstrate the importance of considering the near-fault ground excitations.     

Observed correlations between aftershock spatial distribution and earthquake fault lengths

We observe the spatial distributions of the magnitude of aftershocks following the six earthquakes of focal depth shallower than 20 km with magnitude more than 5.0 from 1983 to 1987 in Japan. The upper limit of the aftershock magnitude is examined as a function of the distance from mainshock hypocentre. The observed spatial distributions of the upper limit are bimodal, with a tendency of the upper limit to decrease as the distance from mainshock hypocentre increases. Moreover, we observe the correlations between the aftershock spatial distribution and earthquake fault length. We focus on the largest aftershocks in each of two aftershock sequences constituting the bimodal distribution. The distances of the two largest aftershocks from the mainshock hypocentre are equal to the fault lengths of shallow earthquakes in Japan and to the maximum earthquake fault lengths.     

HVSR estimation of site effects in Melilla (Spain) and the damage pattern from the 01/25/2016 Mw 6.3 Alborán Sea earthquake

The January 25, 2016, Mw 6.3 Alborán Sea earthquake shook the autonomous city of Melilla (Spain) with a macro-seismic intensity of VI (EMS-98). In spite of this low intensity, significant non-structural damages were reported, whose cost was estimated in more than 13 million euros. The damages were concentrated in the modernist district, which is considered the most important and valuable part of the city. This scenario is not new in Melilla, since historical and instrumental seismicity studies based on intensities felt in Melilla have revealed that earthquakes with intensities of V–VI have a return period of approximately 25 years. However, seismic microzonation studies have not been carried out so far. In this paper, we present a seismic microzonation study based on seismic noise measurements and the foreshock, mainshock and aftershock records of the January 25, 2016, earthquake. The seismic signals were processed using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) technique. The frequency amplification results were correlated with geological formations, and after that they were correlated with the distribution of damages. The lagoon and the recent alluvial deposits show the maximum number of damaged buildings and maximum frequency amplifications of 2–8 between 2 and 7 Hz. In the coastal deposits, some amplification in the same frequency range has been observed, but other formations show a minimum number of damaged buildings and a flat spectral response ratio. Two important factors in this damage pattern are the high vulnerability of ornamental facades characteristics (non-structural elements) of the modern architecture buildings and their location on the lagoon and the recent alluvial deposits where maximum site amplification is reached.     

The 20 March 1992 South Aegean,Greece, earthquake (Ms= 5.3): possible anomalous effects

The earthquake (M_s= 5.3) of 20 March 1992 and its aftershocks, which occurred near the volcanic island complex of Milos, South Aegean, Greece, are studied on the basis of filed observations and instrumental data. The mainshock caused some building damage, the maximum intensity of VI+ (MM) being assigned to Triovasalos, Milos. Ground cracks, liquefaction in soil, landslides and rockfalls were observed in Milos. Liquefaction took place at an apparently anomalously long epicentral distance (D= 12 km) and is associated with unusually small earthquake magnitude. Abnormal animal behaviour was reported no longer than twelve hours before the mainshock. The b-value (= 1.02) of the G–R relation for the aftershock sequence, the exponentially decreasing number of aftershocks with time, and the difference (= 0.5) in magnitude between the mainshock and its largest aftershock imply that the origin of these earthquakes is tectonic and not associated with the volcanic field of Milos.     

Pushover and nonlinear time history analysis evaluation of a RC building collapsed during the Van (Turkey) earthquake on October 23, 2011

The nonlinear seismic behavior of a collapsed reinforced concrete (RC) residential building in the city of Van in Turkey is investigated by the static pushover and nonlinear time history analyses. The selected RC structure was designed according to the 1975 version of Turkish Earthquake Code (TEC-1975). The building had experienced heavy damage, and it was demolished in the Van earthquake on October 23, 2011. The 2007 version of Turkish Earthquake Code (TEC-2007) is considered for the assessing seismic performance evaluation of the selected RC building. The RC structure presents collapse performance level under the earthquake loads. Besides, the analytical solutions show that different performance levels for the sections are obtained from the pushover and nonlinear time history methods.     

HVSR estimation of site effects in Melilla (Spain) and the damage pattern from the 01/25/2016 Mw 6.3 Alborán Sea earthquake

The January 25, 2016, Mw 6.3 Alborán Sea earthquake shook the autonomous city of Melilla (Spain) with a macro-seismic intensity of VI (EMS-98). In spite of this low intensity, significant non-structural damages were reported, whose cost was estimated in more than 13 million euros. The damages were concentrated in the modernist district, which is considered the most important and valuable part of the city. This scenario is not new in Melilla, since historical and instrumental seismicity studies based on intensities felt in Melilla have revealed that earthquakes with intensities of V–VI have a return period of approximately 25 years. However, seismic microzonation studies have not been carried out so far. In this paper, we present a seismic microzonation study based on seismic noise measurements and the foreshock, mainshock and aftershock records of the January 25, 2016, earthquake. The seismic signals were processed using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) technique. The frequency amplification results were correlated with geological formations, and after that they were correlated with the distribution of damages. The lagoon and the recent alluvial deposits show the maximum number of damaged buildings and maximum frequency amplifications of 2–8 between 2 and 7 Hz. In the coastal deposits, some amplification in the same frequency range has been observed, but other formations show a minimum number of damaged buildings and a flat spectral response ratio. Two important factors in this damage pattern are the high vulnerability of ornamental facades characteristics (non-structural elements) of the modern architecture buildings and their location on the lagoon and the recent alluvial deposits where maximum site amplification is reached.

     

断层旋性与地震危险性

文中以“平行同旋走滑断层减震”的观点论证了兰州、北京、昆明这些位于强震活动区的大城市今后百年内不会发生 6 .5级以上地震。以“平行异旋走滑断层加震”的观点解释了西南棱形块体北边界和南边界在发生大震方面相互促进的现象。对于由构造分段求震级来说 ,在遇到不同的横交断层作为分段点时 ,还需考虑将来发震时始破裂点的位置以及发震断层的旋性 ,不然就会造成对震级估计不足 ,继而成为抗震建设的潜在不安全因素。在主震后为了预报余震的强度 ,可应用物理学中的科里奥利力理论 ,应用时必须知道断层类型和旋性。对于走滑断层来说 ,左旋余震弱 ,右旋余震强。例如 1997年藏北玛尼 7.5级地震 ,余震仅为 5 .3级 ,震级偏小 ,因主震为左旋的缘故 ;1976年唐山 7.8级地震 ,余震可达 7.1级 ,因主震是右旋。对于逆断层来说 ,上盘错动方向在当地子午面左侧者余震强度大 ,在右侧者余震强度弱。据此讨论了 1999年台湾南投 7.6级大震余震强度达 7.1级是因为主震为逆断层 ,上盘向西错动。     

Source study and tectonic implications of the 1995 Ventimiglia (border of Italy and France) earthquake (ML=4.7)

We analyse the source process and the aftershock distribution of the April 21, 1995, Ventimiglia, M_L=4.7 earthquake using the records of permanent high dynamic broad-band seismic stations and a temporary network deployed on land and at sea few hours after the earthquake. This event occurred on the western Mediterranean coast, near the border between Italy and France, at a depth of 9 km, at a point where Alpine tectonic units and Late Oligocene extensional structure overlap and are currently undergoing compressional stress. The focal solutions of the mainshock and three aftershocks depict a dominant reverse faulting with an important strike-slip component, which underlines two nodal planes: a NW–SE-dipping north fault and a NE–SW-dipping south fault. We operate a careful re-location of the aftershocks using a master-event technique and data from the temporal network and obtain a predominant NW–SE alignment. Then, we analyse the rupture process using an empirical Green function approach. We find that the mainshock broke a 0.5 to 1 km fault length and that the rupture propagated during 0.1–0.2 s probably in a SE direction. Those two arguments, together with the recent fault trace that exists close to the epicentre, leads us to propose that this event expresses the reactivation of an old transverse NW–SE structure with a dextral movement. This study thus emphasizes the role of inherited, deep-rooted, transcurrent features in the tectonic reactivation of this passive margin. It also underlines the importance of combining short-period and broad-band seismology to better resolve and understand regional tectonic processes in areas of moderate seismic activity and complex geology.     

Imaging the heterogeneous source area of the 2003 M6.4 northern Miyagi earthquake, NE Japan, by double-difference tomography

A shallow M6.4 inland earthquake occurred on 26 July 2003 in the northern part of Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan. This earthquake was a typical inland thrust earthquake, a type that is common in NE Japan. We obtained a detailed seismic velocity structure in the focal area of this earthquake by the double-difference tomography method. Arrival-time data came from temporary seismic stations deployed above the mainshock fault plane. Both the P-wave and S-wave velocities in the hanging wall were lower than those in the footwall. Aftershocks were aligned along a zone where the seismic velocity changes rapidly. This is consistent with the interpretation that the 2003 northern Miyagi earthquake occurred along a fault that acted as a normal fault in the Miocene and has been reactivated as a reverse fault under the present compressional stress regime. The large slip area by the main shock rupture (asperity) corresponds to an area with relatively high P- and S-wave velocities. A zone with low V_p/V_s was detected along the aftershock area. One of the possible causes of this low-V_p/V_s zone is the existence of high-aspect-ratio pores that contain water. Hypocenters of the main shock, largest foreshock, and largest aftershock are also located within the low-V_p/V_s zone.     

Probability-based damage assessment for reinforced concrete bridge columns considering the corrosive and seismic hazards in Taiwan

In this paper, we consider the time at which earthquake events occur when analyzing seismic structural damage to a deteriorating RC bridge within a specified period. Because the uncertainty exists in the occurrence time of earthquake events, Monte Carlo simulation is applied. The proposed procedure for evaluating the exceedance probability, which corresponds to a specified limit state, is then applied to a case study of RC bridges in Taiwan to demonstrate its applicability. This study selects three typical RC bridges located in the Taipei Basin, Taiwan, to analyze exceedance probabilities of specified damage states during various specified periods and then discusses the cumulative damage effect on the exceedance probabilities of specified damage states. Additionally, for the chloride-induced deteriorating bridges at various distances to the sea in Suao, Taiwan, the effects of the deterioration and seismic structural damage on the exceedance probabilities of specified damage states are demonstrated and discussed. The proposed assessment procedure can help engineers understand whether the deterioration would accelerate the declining seismic performance of bridges and shorten their serviceability-related and safety-related service lives, as well as provide reference for repairing RC bridges and retrofitting their seismic performance.     

The Investigation Results of the April 12, 2014, <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> = 4.5 Primorye Earthquake (Far Eastern Russia)

Primorye is a region with quite moderate shallow seismicity which has been insufficiently investigated so far in this respect. Based on the obtained instrumental data of regional seismic networks and macroseismic data collected in southwestern Primorye on the crustal earthquake with M = 4.5 occurred on April 12, 2014, we have first succeeded in determining the hypocenter parameters and the focal mechanism of the mainshock of this shallow earthquake and estimating the hypocenter parameters of the following aftershock.     

Tomographic models and seismotectonics of the Reggio Emilia region, Italy

The aim of this study is to define the Vp and Vp/Vs structure of the fault zone ruptured by the M_L 5.1 earthquake of October 15, 1996 which occurred near Reggio Emilia (central-northern Italy). A 1-month-long seismic sequence followed the mainshock and occurred in a small region along the outer border of the northern Apenninic belt, at depth ranging between 10 and 17 km. P- and S-wave arrival times from 304 aftershocks recorded by two local dense seismic arrays installed in the epicentral region have been inverted to obtain one- and three-dimensional velocity models by using state of the art local earthquake tomographic techniques. Velocity models and aftershock relocation help us to infer the seismotectonic of the region. Earthquakes originated along a NW-dipping backthrust of a NE-trending main thrust, composing the western part of the broad Ferrara Arc. A main high Vp and high Vp/Vs region delineates a pop-up structure in the center of the area. The high Vp/Vs within the pop-up structure supports the presence of a zone with increased pore pressure. The hypocentral depth of both mainshock and aftershocks is greater than those usually found for the main seismogenic regions of the Apenninic belt. P-wave velocity values in the seismogenic area, obtained by tomography, are compatible with rocks of the Mesozoic cover and suggest that seismicity occurred within the Mesozoic units stack at present by compressional tectonics.     

Centrifuge modelling-based verification of response spectra design methods for some vulnerable structures

Residential RC framed structures suffered heavily during the 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, India. These types of structures also saw severe damage in other earthquakes such as the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake in Turkey and 921 Ji-Ji earthquake in Taiwan. In this paper the seismic response of residential structures was investigated using physical modelling. Idealised soft storey and top heavy, two degrees of freedom (2DOF) portal frame structures were developed and tested on saturated and dry sand models at 25 g using the Schofield Centre 10-m Beam Centrifuge. It was possible to recreate observed field behaviour using these models. As observed in many of the recent earthquakes, soft storey structures were found to be particularly vulnerable to seismic loads. Elastic response spectra methods are often used in the design of simple portal frame structures. The seismic risk of these structures can be significantly increased due to modifications such as removal of a column or addition of heavy water tanks on the roof. The experimental data from the dynamic centrifuge tests on such soft storey or top-heavy models was used to evaluate the predictions obtained from the response spectra. Response spectra were able to predict seismic response during small to moderate intensity earthquakes, but became inaccurate during strong earthquakes and when soil structure interaction effects became important. Re-evaluation of seismic risk of such modified structures is required and time domain analyses suggested by building codes such as IBC, UBC or NEHRP may be more appropriate.     

Structural Earthquake Resistance Design Using Energy Method

A summary of status of researches in the field of structural earthquake resistance design on energy concept is presented in three parts: earthquake input, demands on the structure and supplied capacity of the structure. A new approach is proposed for analysis of the seismic response and damage criteria based on the momentary input energy.     

2019年6月17日四川长宁6.0级地震震后应力演化与余震关系

2019年6月17日四川长宁县发生6.0级地震,该次地震余震活动频度高、强度大,其中超过5.0级的强余震就有4次,具有不同于以往6.0级地震的独特特征.余震活动与震后区域应力变化密切相关,为研究它们之间的关系,考虑区域主要活动构造、地表起伏和深部反演结果,建立长宁地区岩石圈三维黏弹性有限元模型.采用数值方法重建基本符合研究区GPS观测和最大水平主压应力方向测量结果的现今构造背景应力场.进而依次模拟了长宁6.0级地震和5.0级以上强余震序列.通过计算库仑破裂应力变化研究了震后应力演化与余震分布,以及主震和5.0级强余震序列之间的关系.研究表明,长宁6.0级地震的发生可能与区域内非构造加载因素有关,余震活动明显受震后区域应力变化的控制.长宁地震后,于滩-长宁背斜在10 km深度应力得到充分释放,库仑破裂应力明显减小;而在3 km深度库仑破裂应力明显增加,应力水平仍然较高.      

The 2002 Molise earthquake sequence: What can we learn about the tectonics of southern Italy?

On October 31, 2002 a M_L = 5.4 earthquake occurred in southern Italy, at the margin between the Apenninic thrust belt (to the west) and the Adriatic plate (to the east). In this area, neither historical event nor seismogenic fault is reported in the literature. In spite of its moderate magnitude, the earthquake caused severe damage in cities close to the epicenter and 27 people, out of a total of 29 casualties, were killed by the collapse of a primary school in S. Giuliano di Puglia. By inverting broadband regional waveforms, we computed moment tensor solutions for 15 events, as small as M_L = 3.5 (M_w = 3.7). The obtained focal mechanisms show pure strike-slip geometry, mainly with focal planes oriented to NS (sinistral) and EW (dextral). In several solutions focal planes are rotated counterclockwise, in particular for later events, occurring west of the mainshock. From the relocated aftershock distribution, we found that the mainshock ruptured along an EW plane, and the fault mechanisms of some aftershocks were not consistent with the mainshock fault plane. The observed stress field, resulting from the stress tensor inversion, shows a maximum principal stress axis with an east–west trend (N83°W), whereas the minimum stress direction is almost N–S. Considering both the aftershock distribution and moment tensor solutions, it appears that several pre-existing faults were activated rather than a single planar fault associated with the mainshock. The finite fault analysis shows a very simple slip distribution with a slow rupture velocity of 1.1 km/s, that could explain the occurrence of a second mainshock about 30 h after. Finally, we attempt to interpret how the Molise sequence is related to the normal faulting system to the west (along the Apennines) and the dextral strike-slip Mattinata fault to the east.     

Strong ground motion during the largest aftershock (Mw=5.8) of the 1999 Izmit earthquake, Turkey

We present a preliminary study of strong ground motion during the largest aftershock (M_w 5.8) of the 1999 Izmit earthquake (M_w 7.4), Turkey, at 11:55 on 13 September 1999. The peak ground acceleration observed near the epicentre of this aftershock was in agreement with that predicted by standard empirical prediction equations. Its spectral source parameters of the largest aftershock are also typical for a M_w 5.8 earthquake. At greater epicentral distances, there is an order-of-magnitude in scatter in peak ground acceleration values for this aftershock, which is attributed to site effects. The presence of thick layers of low-velocity sediments caused significant amplification of S-waves in the Avcılar district of Istanbul, at frequencies of 1 Hz, explaining the observed concentration of damage there as a result of the Izmit mainshock.