中国大陆及周边地区的水平应变场

推导并建立了块体的两种弹性运动方程：块体的整体旋转与均匀应变方程和块体的整体旋转与线性应变方程. 应用统计学原理,使用西域、青藏和华北块体上的GPS站速度数据,对这两种弹性运动方程与刚体运动方程模拟块体站速度的无偏性和有效性进行了统计检验. 检验结果表明,块体的整体旋转与线性应变方程是描述块体运动的最优模型. 将中国大陆划分为10个块体,应用块体的整体旋转与线性应变方程和块体上的GPS站速度估计了各个块体上的旋转与应变参数,按照1°×1°的间距计算了中国大陆及周边地区上1005个点的应变参数,分析了中国大陆及周边地区应变场的基本特征. 用本文方法得到的主压应变方向与地质学方法和测震学方法得到的主压应力轴方向具有很好的一致性(华南块体除外).     

板内块体的刚性弹塑性运动模型与中国大陆主要块体的应变状态

建立了板内块体的刚性弹塑性运动应变模型，并对其进行了块体应变参数唯一性与速度残差中误差最小检验．根据中国大陆及周围地区的速度场，估计了8个块体的应变参数，分析了这些块体的应变状态．本文估计的各个块体的应变状态与地质学、地球物理学方法估计的结果具有很好的一致性．由喜马拉雅块体主压应变方向估计的印度板块向欧亚板块碰撞力的主方向为北东7.1．      

中国大陆地壳水平运动速度场与应变场

收集了中国大陆及周边地区GPS网的有关数据，提出了GPS网速度场的不同融合方法；经过融合建立了中国大陆及周边地区统一的地壳运动速度场，该速度场使用的有效GPS站共423个，其覆盖面积为1200万km^2；初步总结出中国大陆及周边地区地壳水平运动空间分布的基本特征；建立了板内块体的刚性弹塑性运动应变模型，对其进行了块体应变参数唯一性与速度残差中误差最小检验；根据中国大陆及周边地区的速度场，估计了8个块体的应变参数，分析了这些块体的应变状态，估计出的各个块体的应变状态与地质学、地球物理学方法估计的结果具有很好的一致性。用喜马拉雅块体主压应变方向估计的印度板块向欧亚板块碰撞力的主方向为北东7．1度。     

青藏块体东北缘地壳水平应变场数值模拟研究

基于青藏块体东北缘1999～2001年GPS结果,分别采用块体整体旋转与线性应变模型和弹性力学有限元法这两类地壳形变数值模拟方法,分析了该区地壳水平应变场特征.结果表明:(1)两类方法在研究地壳形变时各具一定的优势,前者对块体整体运动变形及块体与块体之间的相关性研究具有一定的优势,而后者则较强体现出了应变高值区与深大断层在空间分布的紧密结合性;(2)两类方法所获得的应变高值区具有良好的空间分布一致性,主要集中在阿尔金断裂、祁连山断裂中东段、东昆仑断裂和海原断裂这些深大断裂处及其附近,面压缩值达到了-3×10-8以上,最大剪应变值达到了10×10-8以上;(3)应变高值区的空间分布与中强地震的发生具有一定的对应关系.     

基于GPS速度场采用RELSM模型分析青藏块体东北缘的形变—应变特征

利用青藏块体东北缘地区1999～2001年GPS观测获得的地壳水平运动速率场,通过对该地区进行块体划分,将该地区划分为9个块体,应用块体的整体旋转线性应变模型(RELSM)估计了各个块体的旋转与应变参数,以及计算了该地区内143个GPS站点的应变参数,以此分析了该地区的应变场的基本特征,结果表明:①阿拉善块体s较稳定,其旋转角为0.630×10-8,运动速率为0.688 mm/a,②相比其他块体,共和块体旋转角最大达到了6.589×10-8 ,运动速率达到了7.296 mm/a,③应变高值区主要集中在祁连山断裂,海原断裂等,在这些地区最大剪应变率达到了7.5×10-8、面膨胀率达到了-2.5×10-8、主压应变达到了-6×10-8.     

台湾地区地壳形变的弹性块体位错模型

在经典的非震形变位错模型中,地壳形变被认为是活动块体刚性运动和上部断层锁定影响的叠加,本文对此模型进行了改进: (1) 用活动块体整体运动和内部线性应变、旋转的贡献代替活动块体刚性运动的贡献;(2) 用分层介质地壳模型代替半无限介质模型计算断层锁定的影响. 利用改进后的非震形变位错模型,拟合了台湾地区1990～1995年间GPS观测资料. 结果显示,在东部海岸山脉区,约有30 mm·a^-1的汇聚率被奇美断层消耗掉,运动速度从奇美断层向北迅速衰减. 在西部平原地区,南部断层是岛内锁定最为强烈的断层,该地区相应的也是史上灾害性地震多发的地区. 根据反演结果计算出的应变率与旋转率分布与前人结果在大部分地区一致,主应变率场显示台湾大部分地区存在近NW-SE方向的主压应变,主压应变方向呈扇形分布. 旋转率场显示台湾东部和南部地区存在着逆时针旋转率,而西部和北部地区则为顺时针旋转率.     

求解模型对欧拉矢量的影响

利用GNSS水平运动场求解欧拉矢量时,待估参数的个数会对欧拉矢量结果产生影响,针对该问题本文分别从理论推导和具体算例角度进行了分析.首先从理论上推导出不同的求解模型得到的欧拉矢量的差异;然后以2004 ～2007年中国大陆GNSS水平运动场为基础,选用两种常用的求解模型(块体整体旋转模型和块体的整体旋转与均匀应变模型),讨论了求解模型对欧拉矢量及后续研究的影响.结果表明,两种模型下块体整体旋转的差异最大可达2.60mm·a-1,是不能忽略的.因此认为选用不同的块体运动模型会得到不同的地壳水平运动图像,在地壳水平运动分析中对此需加以重视.     

中国大陆构造块体的现今活动和变形

在重新对 1998年和 2 0 0 0年的中国地壳运动观测网络基准站和基本站的 2期观测资料进行预处理的基础上 ,得到了ITRF97坐标框架下 ,参考时刻分别为 1998年 9月 5日和 2 0 0 0年 6月 8日 ,分布在全国各主要构造块体上的 79个GPS站的坐标和协方差矩阵。分别以中国岩石圈动力学地图集 (马杏垣 ,1989)中的中国大陆主要构造单元 (称之为亚板块 )和张培震等 ( 2 0 0 2 )给出的中国主要活动块体为格架 ,用笔者提出的 1种推广了的QUAD方法对中国大陆的 2 0个主要构造块体逐个进行判别检验。那些现今无明显相对运动的相邻块体则被归并起来 ,从而确定了活动块体和它们的边界。采用刚体运动 +块体均匀应变 +局部变形的模型作为描述中国大陆构造块体的现今活动和变形的模型。求出了有明显相对运动块体的欧拉运动矢量和块体的整体均匀变形参数、各块体内部的不均匀局部变形以及活动边界的活动方式和强度。在此基础上 ,除了一般地指出中国大陆地壳运动西强东弱的特征之外 ,还对西部主要活动块体和边界活动强弱给出了定量比较结果 ,从而为强震危险区的判别提供了形变背景依据     

青藏块体东北缘近期水平运动与变形

利用青藏块体东北缘地区13、1年GPS观测资料，给出了本区地壳水平运动速度场及视应变场分布图，提出了由位移观测值直接求解块体旋转和变形参数的方法，初步研究了本区构造块体运动与变形特征.结果表明：①本区存在整体性向东-东南方的运动(速率约mm/a)；②南部的甘肃-青海块体的运动较快，而北部的阿拉善块体的运动较慢，二者运动速率相差近6mm/a，祁连-海原断裂带左旋走滑运动显著.③自西向东存在北北东-北东东向压性运动；④阿拉善块体、甘肃-青海块体内部存在北西西向张性变形，阿拉善块体的整体张性变形更显著，鄂尔多斯块体西侧的块体交接地带为压性运动.     

空间大地测量GPS揭示的汾渭盆地及其邻域现今地壳应变场变化特征

利用汾渭盆地及其邻域2001—2007年与2009—2011年高精度GPS监测资料,基于区域构造特点,采用块体运动应变模型结合数理统计假设检验法,建立了区域合理的地壳运动应变模型,基于此定量研究了区域现今地壳应变场及其变化特征,特别是2008年汶川强震对汾渭盆地区域变形特征的作用影响,同时从盆地整体上分析了盆地内多发的地裂缝灾害与区域整体构造变形特征之间的内在关系.研究结果表明:经统计检验判断,选择合理的区域地壳运动应变模型,对获取真实反映区域实际构造变形特性的应变参数具有重要的作用;2008年汶川强震对青藏东边缘地块及渭河盆地西侧局部地区应变场造成一定的影响,但是震后上述区域并没有出现显著的应变积累而是呈现出应变量值较震前减小的特征,分析其原因可能是因为此区域并不是强震造成的库仑应力显著增加区,在震后2009—2011年时间段内处于构造应力场的松弛调整期;汶川强震没有显著改变研究域现今整体的构造变形背景特征,区域地壳构造活动特征仍具有较好的继承性;基于研究域构造块体具有各向同性连续弹性变形的前提,初步推断整个汾渭盆地内多发的地裂缝灾害可能是区域NW—SE向拉张应力场作用下的地表破裂响应.     

Kinematic model of crustal deformation of Fenwei basin,China based on GPS observations

Using high precision GPS data for the period of 1999–2007 from the China Crustal Movement Observation Network, we have constructed a plate kinematic model of crustal deformation of Fenwei basin, China. We have examined different kinematic models that can fit the horizontal crustal deformation of the Fenwei basin using three steps of testing. The first step is to carry out unbiasedness and efficiency tests of various models. The second step is to conduct significance tests of strain parameters of the models. The third step is to examine whether strain parameters can fully represent the deformation characteristics of the 11 tectonic blocks over the Fenwei basin. Our results show that the degree of rigidity at the Ordos, Hetao, Yinshan and South China blocks is significant at the 95% confidence level, indicating the crustal deformation of these blocks can be represented by a rigid block model without the need to consider differential deformation within blocks. We have demonstrated that homogeneous strain condition is suitable for the Yinchuan basin but not for other 6 blocks. Therefore, inhomogeneous strains within blocks should be considered when establishing the crustal deformation model for these blocks. We have also tested that not all of the quadratic terms of strain parameters are needed for the Yuncheng-Linfen block. Therefore, four kinds of elastic kinematic models that can best represent the detailed deformation characteristics of the 11 blocks of Fenwei basin are finally obtained. Based on the established model, we have shown that the current tectonic strain feature of the Fenwei basin is mainly characterized by tensile strain in the NW–SE direction, and the boundaries betweem the Ganqing and Ordos blocks and the Shanxi graben possess the maximum shear strain. A comparison between our results and past geological and geophysical investigations further confirms that the model established in this paper is reasonable.     

Present-day horizontal deformation status of continental China and its driving mechanism

Based on velocity data of 933 GPS sites and using the methods of Ordinary Kriging interpolation and shape function derivation, this study has obtained the strain rate field of continental China in the spherical coordinates. In comparison with previous research results, it is found that such a strain rate field can be described by both the continuous deformation and block motions in the continent. The Tibetan Plateau and Tianshan region are characterized by continuous deformation which is distributed across the whole area. Within the blocks of South China, Tarim, Ordos, and Northeast China, little crustal deformation and deformation occurs primarily on the faults along their boundaries, which can be explained by the model of block motion. In other regions, such as the Yinshan-Yanshan block, North China block, and East Shandong-Yellow Sea, deformation patterns can be explained by both models. Besides, from southwest to northeast of continental China, there are three remarkable extensional zones of NW trending. These results imply that the NNE directed push of the India plate is the primary driving force accounting for the internal deformation of continental China. It produces the uplift, hori-zontal shortening and vertical thickening of the Tibetan Plateau as well as radiation-like material extru-sion. Of these extruded materials, one part accommodates the eastward "escape" of other blocks, generating convergence and compression of western China and widespread extension and local com-plicated deformation in eastern China under the joint action of the surrounding settings. The other part opens a corridor between the South China block and Tibetan Plateau, flowing toward southeast to the Myanmar range arc and filling the gap there which is produced by back-arc extension due to plate subduction.     

PROGRESS IN APPLICATION OF GNSS TO DIVISION OF ACTIVE TECTONIC BLOCKS IN CONTINENTAL CHINA

Chinese scientists proposed that large earthquakes that occurred in mainland China are controlled by the movement and deformation of active tectonic blocks. This scientific hypothesis explains zoned phenomenon of seismicity in space. The active tectonic blocks are intense active terranes formed in late Cenozoic and late Quaternary, and the tectonic activity of block boundaries is the intensest. Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)has advantages of high spatio-temporal resolution, broad coverage, and high accuracy, and is utilized to monitor contemporary crustal deformation. High accuracy and resolution of GNSS velocity field within mainland China and vicinities provided by previous studies clearly demonstrate that different active tectonic blocks behave as different patterns of movement and deformation, and block interaction boundaries have intense tectonic deformation. The paper firstly introduces the GPS networks operated by the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China(CMONOC)since 1999, and GNSS data processing methods, including GAMIT, BERNESE and GIPSY/OASIS, and discusses the advantages of using South China block as a regional reference frame for GNSS velocity field, then proposes three strategies of block division, F-test, quasi-accurate detection(QUAD), and clustering analysis. Furthermore, we introduce rigid and non-rigid block motions. Rigid block motion can be denoted by translation and rotation, while non-rigid block motion can be described by rigid motion and internal strain deformation. Internal strain deformation can be divided into uniform and linear strains. We also review the usage of F-test to distinguish whether the block acts as rigid deformation or not. In addition, combining with recent GNSS velocity results, we elaborate the characteristics of present movement of rigid block, such as the South China, Tarim, Ordos, Alashan, and Northeast China, and that of non-rigid block, such as the Tibetan plateau, Tian Shan, and North China plain. Especially, the Tibetan plateau and Tian Shan seem to deform continuously with significant internal deformation. In order to enrich and perfect the active tectonic block hypothesis, we should carefully design dense GNSS networks in inner blocks and block boundaries, optimize utilizing other space geodesy technologies such as InSAR, and strengthen combining study of geodesy, seismogeology and geophysics. Through systematic summary, this paper is very useful to employing GNSS to investigate characteristics of block movement and dynamics of large earthquakes happening in block interaction boundaries.     

Model of rigid and elastic-plastic motion in intraplate blocks and strain status of principal blocks in Chinese mainland

Introduction The Chinese mainland is located in the southeastern part of Eurasia plate and encircled by India, Eurasia, Pacific and Philippine Sea plates. It is one of areas with the strongest tectonic de-formation, especially Qingzang (QinghaiXizang) plateau and NS tectonic zone where the tec-tonic activity is more intensive and intricate. The main part of tectonic activity of Chinese mainland includes a series of tectonic zones and active blocks divided by them. Therefore, the research…     

Active tectonic blocks and strong earthquakes in the continent of China

The primary pattern of the late Cenozoic to the present tectonic deformation of China is characterized by relative movements and interactions of tectonic blocks. Active tectonic blocks are geological units that have been separated from each other by active tectonic zones. Boundaries between blocks are the highest gradient of differential movement. Most of tectonic activity occurs on boundaries of the blocks. Earthquakes are results of abrupt releases of accumulated strain energy that reaches the threshold of strength of the earth’s crust. Boundaries of tectonic blocks are the locations of most discontinuous deformation and highest gradient of stress accumulation, thus are the most likely places for strain energy accumulation and releases, and in turn, devastating earthquakes. Almost all earthquakes of magnitude greater than 8 and 80%–90% of earthquakes of magnitude over 7 occur along boundaries of active tectonic blocks. This fact indicates that differential movements and interactions of active tectonic blocks are the primary mechanism for the occurrences of devastating earthquakes.     

Active tectonic blocks and strong earthquakes in the continent of China

The primary pattern of the late Cenozoic to the present tectonic deformation of China is characterized by relative movements and interactions of tectonic blocks. Active tectonic blocks are geological units that have been separated from each other by active tectonic zones. Boundaries between blocks are the highest gradient of differential movement. Most of tectonic activity occurs on boundaries of the blocks. Earthquakes are results of abrupt releases of accumulated strain energy that reaches the threshold of strength of the earth's crust. Boundaries of tectonic blocks are the locations of most discontinuous deformation and highest gradient of stress accumulation, thus are the most likely places for strain energy accumulation and releases, and in turn, devastating earthquakes. Almost all earthquakes of magnitude greater than 8 and 80%-90% of earthquakes of magnitude over 7 occur along boundaries of active tectonic blocks. This fact indicates that differential movements and interactions of active tectonic blocks are the primary mechanism for the occurrences of devastating earthquakes.     

Movement and strain conditions of active blocks in the Chinese mainland

The definition of active block is given from the angles of crustal deformation and strain. The movement and strain parameters of active blocks are estimated according to the unified velocity field composed of the velocities at 1598 GPS stations obtained from GPS measurements carried out in the past years in the Chinese mainland and the surrounding areas. The movement and strain conditions of the blocks are analyzed. The active blocks in the Chinese mainland have a consistent E-trending movement component, but its N and S components are not consistent. The blocks in the western part have a consistent N-trending movement and the blocks in the eastern part have a consistent S-trending movement. In the area to the east of 90°E, that is the area from Himalayas block towards NE, the movement direction of the blocks rotates clockwisely and the movement rates of the blocks are different. Generally, the movement rate is large in the west and south and small in the east and north with a difference of 3 to 4 times between the rates in the west and east. The distributions of principal compressive strain directions of the blocks are also different. The principal strain of the blocks located to the west of 90oE is basically in the SN direction, the principal compressive strain of the blocks in the northeastern part of Qingzang plateau is roughly in the NE direction and the direction of principal compressive strain of the blocks in the southeastern part of Qingzang plateau rounds clockwisely the east end of Himalayas structure. In addition, the principal strain and shear strain rates of the blocks are also different. The Himalayas and Tianshan blocks have the largest principal compressive strain and the maximum shear strain rate. Then, Lhasa, Qiangtang, Southwest Yunnan (SW Yunnan), Qilian and Sichuan-Yunan (Chuan-Dian) blocks followed. The strain rate of the blocks in the eastern part is smaller. The estimation based on the stain condition indicates that Himalayas block is still the area with the most intensive tectonic activity and it shortens in the NS direction at the rate of 15.2±1.5 mm/a. Tianshan block ranks the second and it shortens in the NS direction at the rate of 10.1±0.9 mm/a. At present, the two blocks are still uprising. It can be seen from superficial strain that the Chinese mainland is predominated by superficial expansion. Almost the total area in the eastern part of the Chinese mainland is expanded, while in the western part, the superficial compression and expansion are alternatively distributed from the south to the north. In the Chinese mainland, most EW-trending or proximate EW-trending faults have the left-lateral or left-lateral strike-slip relative movements along both sides, and most NS-trending faults have the right-lateral or right-lateral strike-slip relative movements along both sides. According to the data from GPS measurements the left-lateral strike-slip rate is 4.8±1.3 mm/a in the central part of Altun fault and 9.8±2.2 mm/a on Xianshuihe fault. The movement of the fault along the block boundary has provided the condition for block movement, so the movements of the block and its boundary are consistent, but the movement levels of the blocks are different. The statistic results indicate that the relative movement between most blocks is quite significant, which proves that active blocks exist. Himalayas, Tianshan, Qiangtang and SW Yunnan blocks have the most intensive movement; China-Mongolia, China-Korea (China-Korea), Alxa and South China blocks are rather stable. The mutual action of India, Pacific and Philippine Sea plates versus Eurasia plate is the principal driving force to the block movement in the Chinese mainland. Under the NNE-trending intensive press from India plate, the crustal matter of Qingzang plateau moves to the NNE and NE directions, then is hindered by the blocks located in the northern, northeastern and eastern parts. The crustal matter moves towards the Indian Ocean by the southeastern part of the plateau.     

Movement and strain conditions of active blocks in the Chinese mainland

The definition of active block is given from the angles of crustal deformation and strain. The movement and strain parameters of active blocks are estimated according to the unified velocity field composed of the velocities at 1598 GPS stations obtained from GPS measurements carried out in the past years in the Chinese mainland and the surrounding areas. The movement and strain conditions of the blocks are analyzed. The active blocks in the Chinese mainland have a consistent E-trending movement component, but its N and S components are not consistent. The blocks in the western part have a consistent N-trending movement and the blocks in the eastern part have a consistent S-trending movement. In the area to the east of 90°E, that is the area from Himalayas block towards NE, the movement direction of the blocks rotates clockwisely and the movement rates of the blocks are different. Generally, the movement rate is large in the west and south and small in the east and north with a difference of 3 to 4 times between the rates in the west and east. The distributions of principal compressive strain directions of the blocks are also different. The principal strain of the blocks located to the west of 90°E is basically in the SN direction, the principal compressive strain of the blocks in the northeastern part of Qingzang plateau is roughly in the NE direction and the direction of principal compressive strain of the blocks in the southeastern part of Qingzang plateau rounds clockwisely the east end of Himalayas structure. In addition, the principal strain and shear strain rates of the blocks are also different. The Himalayas and Tianshan blocks have the largest principal compressive strain and the maximum shear strain rate. Then, Lhasa, Qiangtang, Southwest Yunnan (SW Yunnan), Qilian and Sichuan-Yunan (Chuan-Dian) blocks followed. The strain rate of the blocks in the eastern part is smaller. The estimation based on the stain condition indicates that Himalayas block is still the area with the most intensive tectonic activity and it shortens in the NS direction at the rate of 15.2 ± 1.5 mm/a. Tianshan block ranks the second and it shortens in the NS direction at the rate of 10.1 ± 0.9 mm/a. At present, the two blocks are still uprising. It can be seen from superficial strain that the Chinese mainland is predominated by superficial expansion. Almost the total area in the eastern part of the Chinese mainland is expanded, while in the western part, the superficial compression and expansion are alternatively distributed from the south to the north. In the Chinese mainland, most EW-trending or proximate EW-trending faults have the left-lateral or left-lateral strike-slip relative movements along both sides, and most NS-trending faults have the right-lateral or right-lateral strike-slip relative movements along both sides. According to the data from GPS measurements the left-lateral strike-slip rate is 4.8 ± 1.3 mm/a in the central part of Altun fault and 9.8 ± 2.2 mm/a on Xianshuihe fault. The movement of the fault along the block boundary has provided the condition for block movement, so the movements of the block and its boundary are consistent, but the movement levels of the blocks are different. The statistic results indicate that the relative movement between most blocks is quite significant, which proves that active blocks exist. Himalayas, Tianshan, Qiangtang and SW Yunnan blocks have the most intensive movement; China-Mongolia, China-Korea (China-Korea), Alxa and South China blocks are rather stable. The mutual action of India, Pacific and Philippine Sea plates versus Eurasia plate is the principal driving force to the block movement in the Chinese mainland. Under the NNE-trending intensive press from India plate, the crustal matter of Qingzang plateau moves to the NNE and NE directions, then is hindered by the blocks located in the northern, northeastern and eastern parts. The crustal matter moves towards the Indian Ocean by the southeastern part of the plateau.