Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment of Eastern Marmara Region

The objective of this study is to evaluate the seismic hazard in Eastern Marmara Region using an improved probabilistic seismic hazard assessment methodology. Two significant improvements over the previous seismic hazard assessment practices are accomplished in this study: advanced seismic source characterization models in terms of source geometry and recurrence relationships are developed, and improved global ground motion models (NGA-W1 models) are employed to represent the ground motion variability. Planar fault segments are defined and a composite magnitude distribution model is used for all seismic sources in the region to properly represent the characteristic behavior of the North Anatolian Fault without the need for an additional background zone. Multi-segment ruptures are considered using the rupture model proposed by the Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities (2003). Events in the earthquake catalogue are attributed to the fault zones and scenario weights are determined by releasing the accumulated seismic energy. The uniform hazard spectra at 10 % probability of exceedance in 50 years hazard level for different soil conditions (soil and rock) are revealed for specific locations in the region (Adapazar?, Düzce, Gemlik, Izmit, Iznik and Sapanca). Hazard maps of the region for rock site conditions at the selected hazard levels are provided to allow the readers perform site-specific hazard assessment and develop site-specific design spectrum for local site conditions.     

Tall building performance‐based seismic design using SCEC broadband platform site‐specific ground motion simulations

The scarcity of strong ground motion records presents a challenge for making reliable performance assessments of tall buildings whose seismic design is controlled by large‐magnitude and close‐distance earthquakes. This challenge can be addressed using broadband ground‐motion simulation methods to generate records with site‐specific characteristics of large‐magnitude events. In this paper, simulated site‐specific earthquake seismograms, developed through a related project that was organized through the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) Ground Motion Simulation Validation (GMSV) Technical Activity Group, are used for nonlinear response history analyses of two archetype tall buildings for sites in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino. The SCEC GMSV team created the seismograms using the Broadband Platform (BBP) simulations for five site‐specific earthquake scenarios. The two buildings are evaluated using nonlinear dynamic analyses under comparable record suites selected from the simulated BBP catalog and recorded motions from the NGA‐West database. The collapse risks and structural response demands (maximum story drift ratio, peak floor acceleration, and maximum story shear) under the BBP and NGA suites are compared. In general, this study finds that use of the BBP simulations resolves concerns about estimation biases in structural response analysis which are caused by ground motion scaling, unrealistic spectral shapes, and overconservative spectral variations. While there are remaining concerns that strong coherence in some kinematic fault rupture models may lead to an overestimation of velocity pulse effects in the BBP simulations, the simulations are shown to generally yield realistic pulse‐like features of near‐fault ground motion records.     

MAP PREPARATION OF EARTHQUAKE SURFACE RUPTURES IN THE NATIONAL EXPERIMENTAL FIELD OF EARTHQUAKE MONITORING AND PREDICTION IN SICHUAN AND YUNNAN PROVINCE

To establish an experimental, practical and open scientific experimental platform for earthquake monitoring and prediction, with reference to that of the southern California earthquake center(SCEC), China Earthquake Administration initiated a project for an experimental field in Sichuan and Yunnan Province in 2014. The chosen area is a seismically active region in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau. A series of work compiling basic maps have been launched to collect fundamental data of this area including geologic structure, earthquake geology, geophysics, geodesy, and geochemistry. The map of earthquake surface ruptures in this region is one of these basic maps. This paper presents the compilation of this map. It includes earthquake epicenters, earthquake surface ruptures, faults, strata, magmatic rocks, and geographical data. This work summarized 87 destructive earthquakes, and 22 earthquake surface rupture zones, and analyzed the distribution characterization of earthquake epicenters, strata and magmatic rocks. The content in the map is reliable and integrated. This work will provide reliable earthquake-geology data for establishing geodynamics models and other future research of the national experimental field of earthquake monitoring and prediction in Sichuan and Yunnan Province.     

层状介质对破裂过程的影响

震源动力学中破裂产生的地震动在层状介质中的传播模拟,是地震学以及地震工程学研究的前沿课题之一。本文通过建立精确的三维模型,选取具备灵活网格、高精度高效率计算性能的谱元法,利用有效抑制伪震荡的时间域离散方法——加权速度Newmark方法以及多次透射人工边界条件,进行了SCEC/USGS基准项目中TPV5模型的地震破裂过程模拟,得到基于层状介质模型和均匀介质模型（后者采用相同破裂模型）的埋深2km的震源参数结果。将二者进行对比,并具体分析破裂面位错、地震矩、破裂传播时间、上升时间和地表位移,发现层状介质对破裂过程的传播影响较为明显:① 层状介质的存在整体增加了破裂面上的位错,在层状介质模型下计算得到的地震矩约是均匀介质模型结果的1.3倍,因此认为层状介质增强了地震破裂过程中的能量释放;② 层状介质的存在使得破裂传播至地表的速度减慢,并缩短了地表各点的上升时间,增强了地表的地震动响应;③ 层状介质对于地表位移有着明显的增加作用,同时协同破裂面上的初始应力异常区域对位移峰值中心的改变有显著影响。④ 介质分异面附近地震动强烈。对结果进行整理后发现,在具有地下层状介质的地区要充分考虑层状介质产生的场地效应,否则可能会低估该地区的地震危险性。     

基于多学科物理观测的地震概率预测方法在川滇地区的应用

川滇地区是我国地震灾害最为严重的地区之一,地震灾害评估对该地区的防震减灾具有重要意义,概率地震危险性分析是量化地震危险性的有效手段.这一方法要求使用可获得的最佳资料来计算地震的长期发生率.通过对比美国加州地区与我国川滇地区积累的资料发现,目前川滇地区的资料积累水平与加州地区正在使用的第三版加州地震破裂预测模型（UCERF3）的要求还有差距,但已可进行多学科综合地震概率计算.通过收集川滇地区地震地质、大地测量和测震学等资料,计算了川滇菱形块体及周边地区不同震级地震的长期发生率,在此基础上给出了未来30年泊松与非泊松分布下峰值地表加速度超越概率的分布.结果显示,在目标峰值加速度较低时,鲜水河断裂带、安宁河断裂带、则木河断裂带、小江断裂带、红河断裂带和小金河断裂带等川滇菱形块体主要边界带均具有较高的超越概率;在目标峰值加速度较高时,川滇菱形块体东边界的鲜水河断裂带、小江断裂带北段和南段以及莲峰—昭通断裂带仍具有较高的超越概率,但其中安宁河断裂带、则木河断裂带和小江断裂带中段概率相对较低.最后通过将本研究的结果与前人结果对比,讨论了结果异同的原因.     

Shaking hazard compatible methodology for probabilistic assessment of permanent ground displacement across earthquake faults

A methodology for probabilistic hazard assessment of permanent displacement across faults caused by earthquake rupture is presented, compatible with region specific models for ground shaking hazard in California, developed earlier by the authors and coworkers. Assessment of permanent dislocations across faults is important for the design and retrofit of highway bridges and tunnels crossing faults, as well as for other lifelines crossing faults, such as aqueducts, water and gas lines, etc. The methodology is illustrated for two strike-slip faults (prototypes of Class A and Class B faults in California), for 50 years exposure. The illustrations show that, for given seismic moment rate, the hazard estimates are quite sensitive to how the seismic moment is distributed over earthquake magnitudes. They also show that the hazard is small even for very small levels of displacement, in contrast to ground shaking hazard, which is due to the fact that only one fault contributes to the hazard and not every event on that fault necessarily affects the site.     

A macroseismic intensity prediction equation for intermediate depth earthquakes in the Vrancea region,Romania

The use of shake maps in terms of macroseismic intensity in earthquake early warning systems as well as intensity based seismic hazard assessments provides a valuable supplement to typical studies based on recorded ground motion parameters. A requirement for such applications is ground motion prediction equations (GMPE) in terms of macroseismic intensity, which have the advantages of good data availability and the direct relation of intensity to earthquake damage. In the current study, we derive intensity prediction equations for the Vrancea region in Romania, which is characterized by the frequent occurrence of large intermediate depth earthquakes giving rise to a peculiar anisotropic ground shaking distribution. The GMPE have a physical basis and take the anisotropic intensity distribution into account through an empirical regional correction function. Furthermore, the relations are easy to implement for the user. Relations are derived in terms of epicentral, rupture and Joyner–Boore distance and the obtained relations all provide a new intensity estimate with an uncertainty of ca. 0.6 intensity units.     

A ground motion prediction equation for JMA instrumental seismic intensity for shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regimes

The JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) seismic intensity scale has been used in Japan as a measure of earthquake ground shaking effects since 1949. It has traditionally been assessed after an earthquake based on the judgment of JMA officials. In 1996 the scale was revised as an instrumental seismic intensity measure (I_JMA) that could be used to rapidly assess the expected damage after an earthquake without having to conduct a survey. Since its revision, Japanese researchers have developed several ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) for I_JMA using Japanese ground motion data. In this paper, we develop a new empirical GMPE for I_JMA based on the strong motion database and functional forms used to develop similar GMPEs for peak response parameters as part of the PEER (Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center) Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) project. We consider this relationship to be valid for shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regimes for moment magnitudes ( M ) ranging from 5.0 up to 7.5–8.5 (depending on fault mechanism) and rupture distances ranging from 0 to 200 km. A comparison of this GMPE with relationships developed by Japanese researchers for crustal and shallow subduction earthquakes shows relatively good agreement among all of the relationships at M 7.0 but relatively poor agreement at small magnitudes. Our GMPE predicts the highest intensities at small magnitudes, which together with research on other ground motion parameters, indicates that it provides conservative or upwardly biased estimates of I_JMA for M <5.5. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ground motion prediction equation considering combined dataset of recorded and simulated ground motions

Himalayan region is one of the most active seismic regions in the world and many researchers have highlighted the possibility of great seismic event in the near future due to seismic gap. Seismic hazard analysis and microzonation of highly populated places in the region are mandatory in a regional scale. Region specific Ground Motion Predictive Equation (GMPE) is an important input in the seismic hazard analysis for macro- and micro-zonation studies. Few GMPEs developed in India are based on the recorded data and are applicable for a particular range of magnitudes and distances. This paper focuses on the development of a new GMPE for the Himalayan region considering both the recorded and simulated earthquakes of moment magnitude 5.3–8.7. The Finite Fault simulation model has been used for the ground motion simulation considering region specific seismotectonic parameters from the past earthquakes and source models. Simulated acceleration time histories and response spectra are compared with available records. In the absence of a large number of recorded data, simulations have been performed at unavailable locations by adopting Apparent Stations concept. Earthquakes recorded up to 2007 have been used for the development of new GMPE and earthquakes records after 2007 are used to validate new GMPE. Proposed GMPE matched very well with recorded data and also with other highly ranked GMPEs developed elsewhere and applicable for the region. Comparison of response spectra also have shown good agreement with recorded earthquake data. Quantitative analysis of residuals for the proposed GMPE and region specific GMPEs to predict Nepal–India 2011 earthquake of Mw of 5.7 records values shows that the proposed GMPE predicts Peak ground acceleration and spectral acceleration for entire distance and period range with lower percent residual when compared to exiting region specific GMPEs.     

NGA计划简介

NGA（Next Generation Attenuation）是一个合作研究计划,由太平洋地震工程研究中心生命线计划（PEER-LL）、美国地质调查所（USGS）、南加州研究中心（SECE）联合实施。该计划旨在通过一个广泛而高度协作的研究计划,研发全新的地震动衰减关系。在整个研发计划中,5套衰减关系由5个互相独立而又互相协作的团队同时研发。该计划的参与者几乎包括了该领域所有美国的顶级专家。希望本文能给我国地震动衰减关系及地震动区划的研究者带来一些启示。     

Application-driven ground motion prediction equation for seismic hazard assessments in non-cratonic moderate-seismicity areas

We present a ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) for probabilistic seismic hazard assessments (PSHA) in low-to-moderate seismicity areas, such as Germany. Starting from the NGA-West2 flat-file (Ancheta et al. in Earthquake Spectra 30:989–1005, 2014), we develop a model tailored to the hazard application in terms of data selection and implemented functional form. In light of such hazard application, the GMPE is derived for hypocentral distance (along with the Joyner-Boore one), selecting recordings at sites with vs30 ≥ 360 m/s, distances within 300 km, and magnitudes in the range 3 to 8 (being 7.4 the maximum magnitude for the PSHA in the target area). Moreover, the complexity of the considered functional form is reflecting the availability of information in the target area. The median predictions are compared with those from the NGA-West2 models and with one recent European model, using the Sammon’s map constructed for different scenarios. Despite the simplification in the functional form, the assessed epistemic uncertainty in the GMPE median is of the order of those affecting the NGA-West2 models for the magnitude range of interest of the hazard application. On the other hand, the simplification of the functional form led to an increment of the apparent aleatory variability. In conclusion, the GMPE developed in this study is tailored to the needs for applications in low-to-moderate seismic areas and for short return periods (e.g., 475 years); its application in studies where the hazard is involving magnitudes above 7.4 and for long return periods is not advised.     

"地震可预测性国际合作研究"——1.0阶段工作理念及成果

20世纪90年代由世界多个国家的地震学家围绕“地震可否预测”问题进行国际讨论后, 人们开始思考适用于地震预测研究的规则应该有哪些, 尤其是地震学家针对地震预测研究中所采取的途径和工作思路开始发生了变化。 2007年开始的“区域地震似然模型”(Regional Earthquake Likelihood Models, RELM)工作组和由此进一步而来的“地震可预测性国际合作研究”(Collaboratory for the Study of Earthquake Predictability, CSEP)计划开始之后, 一大批地震预测模型和与评估其预测效能有关的统计检验方法加入进来, 在设立相同的预测规则和使用统一的数据来源下, 通过全球设立不同测试中心的方式, 共同参与到对地震可预测性问题的系统研究中来。 当前, CSEP计划已由开始的1.0阶段发展至2.0阶段, 为使读者了解与这几项国际合作研究相关的工作主旨和发展历程, 本文总结了与CSEP工作1.0阶段相关的工作理念和工作成果以及存在的问题, 以期为下一步工作的开展提供参考。     

History of Modern Earthquake Hazard Mapping and Assessment in California Using a Deterministic or Scenario Approach

Modern earthquake ground motion hazard mapping in California began following the 1971 San Fernando earthquake in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California. Earthquake hazard assessment followed a traditional approach, later called Deterministic Seismic Hazard Analysis (DSHA) in order to distinguish it from the newer Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA). In DSHA, seismic hazard in the event of the Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) magnitude from each of the known seismogenic faults within and near the state are assessed. The likely occurrence of the MCE has been assumed qualitatively by using late Quaternary and younger faults that are presumed to be seismogenic, but not when or within what time intervals MCE may occur. MCE is the largest or upper-bound potential earthquake in moment magnitude, and it supersedes and automatically considers all other possible earthquakes on that fault. That moment magnitude is used for estimating ground motions by applying it to empirical attenuation relationships, and for calculating ground motions as in neo-DSHA (Zuccolo et al., 2008). The first deterministic California earthquake hazard map was published in 1974 by the California Division of Mines and Geology (CDMG) which has been called the California Geological Survey (CGS) since 2002, using the best available fault information and ground motion attenuation relationships at that time. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) later assumed responsibility for printing the refined and updated peak acceleration contour maps which were heavily utilized by geologists, seismologists, and engineers for many years. Some engineers involved in the siting process of large important projects, for example, dams and nuclear power plants, continued to challenge the map(s). The second edition map was completed in 1985 incorporating more faults, improving MCE??s estimation method, and using new ground motion attenuation relationships from the latest published results at that time. CDMG eventually published the second edition map in 1992 following the Governor??s Board of Inquiry on the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and at the demand of Caltrans. The third edition map was published by Caltrans in 1996 utilizing GIS technology to manage data that includes a simplified three-dimension geometry of faults and to facilitate efficient corrections and revisions of data and the map. The spatial relationship of fault hazards with highways, bridges or any other attribute can be efficiently managed and analyzed now in GIS at Caltrans. There has been great confidence in using DSHA in bridge engineering and other applications in California, and it can be confidently applied in any other earthquake-prone region. Earthquake hazards defined by DSHA are: (1) transparent and stable with robust MCE moment magnitudes; (2) flexible in their application to design considerations; (3) can easily incorporate advances in ground motion simulations; and (4) economical. DSHA and neo-DSHA have the same approach and applicability. The accuracy of DSHA has proven to be quite reasonable for practical applications within engineering design and always done with professional judgment. In the final analysis, DSHA is a reality-check for public safety and PSHA results. Although PSHA has been acclaimed as a better approach for seismic hazard assessment, it is DSHA, not PSHA, that has actually been used in seismic hazard assessment for building and bridge engineering, particularly in California.     

板内逆断层地震破裂的基本特征及分段标志研究

通过对１６ 个板内逆断层地震的基本类型、构造环境、地震地表破裂尺度、几何形态、运动学特征及余震分布图像的研究分析,较系统地归纳了板内逆断层地震破裂的基本特征及分段标志．研究表明：（１） 逆断层破裂往往沿走向延伸较短,常表现为二维面状分布形态;（２） 地震断层未出露地表或仅有部分出露地表;（３） 逆断层地震破裂较走滑断层和正断层产生的地震破裂更为复杂,不仅表现在构成整体破裂带的各个单条破裂的力学性质差异方面,而且表现在几何结构方面．     

Ground Motion Prediction Equations in the San Jacinto Fault Zone: Significant Effects of Rupture Directivity and Fault Zone Amplification

We present a new set of Ground Motion Prediction Equations (GMPEs) for horizontal Peak Ground Acceleration, Peak Ground Velocity, and 5 % damped pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA), developed for the San Jacinto Fault Zone (SJFZ) area. Besides using these equations to quantify seismic shaking in the area, the results allow us to examine the physics and local properties controlling the observed ground motions. The analyzed dataset includes ~30,000 observations from ~800 events spanning a magnitude range of 1.5 < M < 6.0 and recorded by up to 140 stations at epicentral distances ranging from essentially zero to 150 km. The local GMPE is developed for the SJFZ by applying classical regression techniques with predictive variables that include first distance and magnitude, and then site characteristics, rupture directivity, and fault zone amplification. The significance of these effects is determined by measuring the uncertainty-reduction of the GMPE due to each factor. The results show that, in contrast to many regional studies, traditional site characteristic has a relatively minor effect on peak amplitudes in our study area. However, rupture directivity is a significant factor controlling the amplitudes of ground motion even for small events. The dense seismic network and newly developed directivity tool enable us to extract efficiently directivity effects with statistical significance, using the ground-motion dataset during the regression analysis process. The obtained rupture directivities are consistent with the main focal mechanism orientations and surface trace orientations, known from other studies, and predictions for bimaterial ruptures in the trifurcation area of the SJFZ. Fault zone amplification is a second important factor, showing strong impact on the peak ground motion values, with increasing role for the lower frequency range (<10 Hz) examined in the 5 % damped PSA values. We also observe signatures of large amplitude-variances, which indicate additional source-related control on the distribution of amplitudes (besides rupture directivity) for aftershocks close in time and location to the M _L 5.1 earthquake of March 2013. Using the full set of records we present the most complete set of GMPEs for the SJFZ area, including a higher-amplitude prediction for regions in the direction of rupture.     

青海玉树地震(M_s=7.1)产生超剪切破裂过程的动力学机制研究

由于2010年玉树地震(Ms=7.1)产生了超剪切地震破裂,所以地震灾害特别严重.国内外地球科学家对该地震产生超剪切破裂过程的物理机制一直非常关注,但至今没有给出满意的解答.为此,文中根据玉树地震发震断层的实际几何构建有限单元数值模型,模型中的断层由2个断层段构成,它们之间有约10°的夹角,形成断层拐折.模拟结果表明,玉树地震的破裂由2个子事件组成;当破裂在震源所在的断层上成核后,先在第一个断层段上传播,其速度为亚剪切波速度;当破裂一旦越过断层拐折,在第二个断层段上传播时,破裂速度就立即转变为超剪切波速度.计算结果显示,当断层发生超剪切破裂时,断层上的位错幅度、破裂产生的地震波速度及加速度都会显著增大,从而造成地震灾害大大增加,这很可能是玉树地震的震害特别严重的重要原因.从模拟实验中还看到,若是模型中的断层没有发生拐折,在模型的其他参数都保持不变的情况下,破裂速度不会发生变化.但是,若初始应力场的方位与断层之间的夹角发生变化,这时断裂系统中尽管存在断层拐折,也不是一定能产生超剪切破裂.只有当初始应力方位与断层之间的夹角以及断层走向变化的偏角二者之间的关系恰到好处时,断层拐折才有可能促使断层破裂由亚剪切转化为超剪切破裂.所以,玉树地震之所以能产生超剪切地震破裂,恰恰是发震断层几何与初始应力场方位之间的关系达到某种"最佳状态"的结果.这也可能是天然地震中超剪切破裂事件稀少的原因之一.因此,研究超剪切地震破裂过程的动力学机制,对于深入研究地震震源过程、地震灾害评估等有着非常重要的科学意义.     

考虑俯冲带潜在震源区的地震危险性算法研究及在中国海域的应用

本文研究了俯冲带潜在震源区离散化方法及考虑俯冲带高震级地震震源破裂面和震源深度的场点地震动计算方法，推导了俯冲带潜在震源区地震危险性计算公式，并使用中国海域及邻区地震危险性模型进行地震危险性试算。结果表明，本文建立的考虑俯冲带潜在震源区的地震危险性算法能够实现场点地震危险性计算时对俯冲带高震级地震震源破裂面和震源深度的考虑。     

Rupture model of the 2013 M_W 6.6 Lushan (China) earthquake constrained by a new GPS data set and its effects on potential seismic hazard

Vertical records are critically important when determining the rupture model of an earthquake, especially a thrust earthquake. Due to the relatively low fitness level of near-field vertical displacements, the precision of previous rupture models is relatively low, and the seismic hazard evaluated thereafter should be further updated. In this study, we applied three-component displacement records from GPS stations in and around the source region of the 2013 MW6.6 Lushan earthquake to re-investigate the rupture model.To improve the resolution of the rupture model, records from both continuous and campaign GPS stations were gathered, and secular deformations of the GPS movements were removed from the records of the campaign stations to ensure their reliability. The rupture model was derived by the steepest descent method(SDM), which is based on a layered velocity structure. The peak slip value was about 0.75 m, with a seismic moment release of 9.89 × 10~(18) N·m, which was equivalent to an M_W6.6 event. The inferred fault geometry coincided well with the aftershock distribution of the Lushan earthquake. Unlike previous rupture models, a secondary slip asperity existed at a shallow depth and even touched the ground surface. Based on the distribution of the co-seismic ruptures of the Lushan and Wenchuan earthquakes, post-seismic relaxation of the Wenchuan earthquake, and tectonic loading process, we proposed that the seismic hazard is quite high and still needs special attention in the seismic gap between the two earthquakes.     

Intensity attenuation in the Campania region,Southern Italy

Ground motion prediction equations (GMPE) in terms of macroseismic intensity are a prerequisite for intensity-based shake maps and seismic hazard assessment and have the advantage of direct relation to earthquake damage and good data availability also for historical events. In this study, we derive GMPE for macroseismic intensity for the Campania region in southern Italy. This region is highly exposed to the seismic hazard related to the high seismicity with moderate- to large-magnitude earthquakes in the Appenninic belt. The relations are based on physical considerations and are easy to implement for the user. The uncertainties in earthquake source parameters are accounted for through a Monte Carlo approach and results are compared to those obtained through a standard regression scheme. One relation takes into account the finite dimensions of the fault plane and describes the site intensity as a function of Joyner–Boore distance. Additionally, a relation describing the intensity as a function of epicentral distance is derived for implementation in cases where the dimensions of the fault plane are unknown. The relations are based on an extensive dataset of macroseismic intensities for large earthquakes in the Campania region and are valid in the magnitude range M _w = 6.3–7.0 for shallow crustal earthquakes. Results indicate that the uncertainties in earthquake source parameters are negligible in comparison to the spread in the intensity data. The GMPE provide a good overall fit to historical earthquakes in the region and can provide the intensities for a future earthquake within 1 intensity unit.     

2001年昆仑山口西8.1级地震区的冻土及地震破坏特征

通过对2001年昆仑山口西8．1级地震区冻土震害考察研究表明，震区主要存在冰碛、冲积、洪积和湖积等成因的冻土，沿地震破裂带冻土厚度变化较大。震区冻土变形破坏主要包括地震构造成因的地震破裂带和由地震振动引起的裂缝、液化、震陷和崩塌等。冻土中地震破裂带在地表主要以脆性变形为主，在地震断裂左旋走滑运动作用下，主要由剪切裂缝、张裂缝和开裂的挤压鼓包等组成。裂缝、液化、震陷和崩塌等变形破坏的展布特征及其组合形式与震区岩土与环境条件密切相关；本次地震震害具有地震破裂带规模大、有建筑物分布的青藏公路一线地震烈度衰减较快和震害分布受岩土条件影响大等特点。