Fault plane solutions using relative amplitudes of P and pP

Summary. One way of finding the fault plane orientations of small shallow earthquakes is by the generation of theoretical P -wave seismograms to match those observed at several distant stations. Here, a technique for determining the uniqueness of fault plane solutions computed using the modelling method of Douglas et al . is described. Relative amplitudes of P and pP , and their polarities if unambiguous, are measured on the observed seismograms to be modelled, and appropriate confidence limits are assigned to each measurement. A systematic search is then made for all fault plane orientations which satisfy these observations.
Examples show that if P and pP are not severely contaminated by other arrivals, a well-defined and unique fault plane orientation can often be computed using as few as three stations well distributed in azimuth. Further, even if pP is not identifiable on a particular seismogram, then an upper bound on its amplitude – deduced from the observed coda – still places a significantly greater constraint on the fault plane orientation than would be provided by a P onset polarity alone. Modelling takes account of all such information, and is able to further eliminate incompatible solutions (e.g. by the correct simulation of sP ). It follows that if solutions can be found which satisfy many observed seismograms, this places high significance on the validity of the assumed double-couple source mechanism.
This relative amplitude technique is contrasted with the familiar first motion method of fault plane determination which requires many polarity readings, whose reliabilities are difficult to quantify. It is also shown that fault plane orientations can be determined for earthquakes below the magnitude at which first motion solutions become unreliable or impossible.     

重力三维聚焦反演在大盐滩深部卤水勘查中的应用

大盐滩地区盐湖企业面临水资源和盐矿资源双重危机,利用重力方法探寻新资源具有重要的实际意义。本文对该区布格重力异常进行三维聚焦反演,获得了大盐滩地区三维剩余密度结构。通过研究发现,大盐滩地区浅地表高低度异常,表征着赋存较为丰富的盐矿资源,但地层中水资源较为贫瘠,浅表水资源主要赋存在山前冲积扇及断裂带内。中深层位不仅具有多个含水层,而且出现多处低密度异常区(T1～T4),可能为深部卤水富集体的反映,是探寻新卤水资源的有利靶区。依此建议在阿尔金山山前冲积带及断裂带内寻找新的淡水资源,并在成矿有利区,开展深部卤水资源勘查工作。     

Modelling the effect of atmospheric pressure variations on gravity

Summary. The 1973 Hawaii earthquake occurred north of Hilo, at a depth of 40 to 50km. The location was beneath the east flank of Mauna Kea, a volcano dormant historically, but active within the last 4000 yr. Aftershocks were restricted to a depth of 55–35km. The event and its aftershock sequence are located in an area not normally associated with the seismicity of the Mauna Loa and Kilauea calderas. The earthquake was a double event, the epicentres trending NE-SW. The events were of similar size and faulting mechanism. The fault plane solutions obtained by seismic waveform analysis are a strike-slip fault striking EW and dipping 55° S, the auxiliary plane a NS vertical plane with a faulting plunge of 35°. The axis of maximum compressive stress is aligned with the direction of the gravity gradient associated with the island of Hawaii. The fault plane striking EW parallels a surface feature, the Mauna Kea east rift zone. The earthquakes were clearly not associated with volcanic activity normally associated with Mauna Loa and Kilauea and may indicate a deep seated prelude to a resumption of activity at Mauna Kea.     

Non-Poissonian earthquake occurrence in coupled stress release models and its effect on seismic hazard

Most seismic hazard estimations are based on the assumption of a Poisson process for earthquake occurrence, even though both observations and models indicate a departure of real seismic sequences from this simplistic assumption. Instrumental earthquake catalogues show earthquake clustering on regional scales while the elastic rebound theory predicts a periodic recurrence of characteristic earthquakes on longer timescales for individual events. Recent implementations of time-dependent hazard calculations in California and Japan are based on quasi-periodic recurrences of fault ruptures according to renewal models such as the Brownian Passage Time model. However, these renewal models neglect earthquake interactions and the dependence on the stressing history which might destroy any regularity of earthquake recurrences in reality. To explore this, we investigate the (coupled) stress release model, a stochastic version of the elastic rebound hypothesis. In particular, we are interested in the time-variability of the occurrence of large earthquakes and its sensitivity to the occurrence of Gutenberg–Richter type earthquake activity and fault interactions. Our results show that in general large earthquakes occur quasi-periodically in the model: the occurrence probability of large earthquakes is strongly decreased shortly after a strong event and becomes constant on longer timescales. Although possible stress-interaction between adjacent fault zones does not affect the recurrence time distributions in each zone significantly, it leads to a temporal clustering of events on larger regional scales. The non-random characteristics, especially the quasi-periodic behaviour of large earthquakes, are even more pronounced if stress changes due to small earthquakes are less important. The recurrence-time distribution for the largest events is characterized by a coefficient of variation from 0.6 to 0.84 depending on the relative importance of small earthquakes.     

Earthquake sequences on a frictional fault model with non-uniform strengths and relaxation times

Summary. The space and time characteristics of earthquake sequences, including a main shock, aftershocks and the recurrence of major shocks in a long time range, are investigated on a frictional fault model with non-uniform strengths and relaxation times, which is subjected to a time-dependent shear stress. Aftershocks with low stress drop take place successively in spaced regions so as to fill the gaps which have not yet been ruptured since the main shock, while those with high stress drop occur in and around the regions left unruptured during the main faulting. The frequency decay of aftershocks with time follows a hyperbolic law with the rates p consistent with observations. There are good linear relations in logarithmic scales for source area versus frequency and seismic moment versus frequency of the generated aftershocks. The b -value obtained in the present experiments appears slightly larger than that for observations. It was found that more heterogeneous distribution of the fault strength give smaller p and larger b -values. The recurrence of major shocks, particularly of very large shocks with high stress drop, is often preceded by a completely silent period of activity or very low activity with a small number of foreshocks. The major shocks take place successively in adjacent unruptured regions and sometimes show slow-speed migrations. These results provide explanations to various observations of earthquake sequences.     

Asperity models and characteristic earthquakes

Summary. An asperity model is presented, including the effects of coupled elementary faults. This coupling is introduced by way of percolation theory. We postulate that the elementary faults have a typical size, whose dimensions are of order 0.3–0.4 km, and two kinds of characteristic earthquakes are obtained, one in the low magnitude range involving the rupture of a single elementary fault, and one in the high magnitude range involving a percolated cluster of faultlets, whose dimensions are proportional to the total fault. The magnitude–frequency relation of this model is constructed and the Gutenberg–Richter relation is obtained with a b value of 1 in the range of intermediate earthquakes. A relative enhancement in the probability of occurrence of large earthquakes is also observed. This effect is associated with 'characteristic earthquakes', whose magnitudes are related to the size of the active fault. Possible premonitors are discussed.     

Double-planed deep seismic zone and upper-mantle structure in the Northeastern Japan Arc

Summary. The ScSp wave converted from the ScS wave at the boundary between the descending lithospheric slab and the mantle above it was clearly observed from a nearby deep earthquake with magnitude 7.7 at some stations of the seismic network of Tohoku University which covers the Tohoku District, the northeastern part of Honshu, Japan. By applying the three-dimensional seismic-ray tracing method, the location of this boundary was determined from the difference in arrival time between the ScS and ScSp waves. The result shows that the upper boundary of the descending slab lies exactly on the upper plane of the double-planed deep seismic zone found in the Northeastern Japan Arc.
There is an additional evidence that the boundary is located on the upper plane of the double-planed deep seismic zone. The hypocentre distribution of intermediate-depth earthquakes located by the small-scale seismic-array observation is extremely different from that obtained by the relatively large-scale seismic network. The discrepancy in the distribution of hypocentres of the same earthquake independently located is well explained by the inclined lithospheric slab model derived from the difference in arrival time between the ScS and ScSp waves.
The earthquakes with reverse faulting or with down-dip compressional stresses occur at the upper boundary of the descending slab. Within the descending slab, the earthquakes with down-dip extensional stresses also occur in a very narrow zone from 30 to 40 km below the dipping boundary in the depth range from 50 to about 200 km, and these shocks form the lower plane of the double-planed deep seismic zone.     

Geodetic evidence for conjugate faulting during the 1988 Tennant Creek, Australia earthquake sequence

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Repeat levelling measurements and detailed topographic profiles from the epicentral area of the 1988 January 22 Tennant Creek, Australia earthquakes are used to constrain the geometry of faulting associated with three M 6+ earthquakes. The observed elevation changes are modelled assuming elastic deformation and uniform slip on several faults. The vertical deformation data are poorly fit by a single-fault model, and require at least three distinct faults. In the preferred model, two faults on either end of the zone of surface rupture have similar orientations, but the central fault has an orientation conjugate to the flanking faults. This interpretation is consistent with the identification of the fault planes with well-defined, dipping zones of aftershock hypocentres determined with data from portable seismograph arrays. It is also consistent with the sense of surficial deformation documented by 75 topographic profiles across the scarps. However, a fourth fault associated with possible conjugate faulting in the central fault segment at the time of the second main shock is not required by the levelling data.     

The evolution of the Gulf of Corinth (Greece): an aftershock study of the 1981 earthquakes

Summary. A preliminary study of the aftershocks of three earthquakes that occurred near to Corinth (Greece) in 1981 is combined with observations of the morphology and faulting to understand the evolution of the Eastern Gulf of Corinth. The well located aftershocks form a zone 60km long and 20km wide. They do not lie on the main fault planes and are mostly located between the north-dipping faulting on which the first two earthquakes occurred and the south-dipping faulting associated with the third event. A cluster of aftershocks also lies in the footwall of the eastern end of the south-dipping fault of the third event.
Morphologically, it is observed that in the evolution of the Eastern Gulf of Corinth, antithetic faulting apparently predates the appearance of the main faulting at the surface. This evolution can be explained by motion on a deep seated, shallow angle, aseismic normal fault. A model based on such a fault also accounts for the aftershock distribution of the 1981 earthquakes.     

Simulation of seismicity due to fluid migration in a fault zone

Spatio-temporal variation of rupture activity is modelled assuming fluid migration in a narrow, porous fault zone formed along a vertical strike-slip fault in a semi-infinite elastic medium. The principle of the effective stress coupled to the Coulomb failure criterion introduces mechanical coupling between fault slip and the pore fluid. The fluid is assumed to flow out of a localized high-pressure fluid compartment in the fault at the onset of earthquake rupture. The duration of the earthquake sequence is assumed to be much shorter than the recurrence period of characteristic events on the fault. Both an earthquake swarm and a foreshock–main-shock sequence can be simulated by changing the relative magnitudes of the initial tectonic stress, pore fluid pressure, fracture strength and so on. When an inhomogeneity is introduced into the spatial distribution of fracture strength, high complexity is observed in the spatio-temporal variation of rupture activity. For example, the time interval between two successive events is highly irregular, and a relatively long quiescence of activity is sometimes observed in a foreshock–main-shock sequence. The quiescence is caused by the temporary arresting of rupture extension, due to an encounter with fault segments having locally high strengths. The frequency–magnitude statistics of intermediate-size events obey the Gutenberg–Richter relation. The calculations show the temporal variation of the b value during some foreshock sequences, and the degree of the change seems to depend on the statistical distribution of the fracture strength.     

Fault plane solutions using relative amplitudes of P and surface reflections: further studies

Summary. The method of computing fault plane solutions for small shallow earthquakes using relative amplitudes of P and pP , as described in an earlier paper, is extended to include sP. It is shown theoretically that even a single relative amplitude observation can impose a severe constraint on the orientation of an assumed double couple source, and earthquakes studied in the earlier paper are reprocessed with the inclusion of sP information. The method is also extended to deep earthquakes using long period seismograms, and to undersea earthquakes by allowing for the effect of a sea layer on the surface-reflected phases. Also described are options to search only a restricted range of source orientations, and to identify those orientations which are incompatible with one or more relative amplitudes. These options are applied to several earthquakes, to demonstrate the scope of the relative amplitude method. Results are illustrated using the seismic modelling method of Hudson (1969a, b) and Douglas, Hudson & Blamey (1972).     

Implications of stress concentration on a strike-slip fault in an elastic plate subject to basal shear stress

Summary We consider a long strike-slip fault in a lithosphere modelled as an elastic slab. To the base of the slab a shear stress distribution is applied which simulates the viscous drag exerted by the asthenosphere. The resulant stress on the fault plane may directly fracture the lithosphere in its brittle upper portion; alternatively it may give rise at first to a stable aseismic sliding in the lower portion. In the latter case, stress concentration due to the deep aseismic slip is the relevant feature of the pre-seismic stress acting on the upper section of the lithosphere. The two cases are examined by use of dislocation theory and their observable effects compared. Different depths of the aseismic slip zone and the presence or absence of a uniform friction on the seismic fault are allowed for. If the model is applied to the San Andreas fault region, where a steady sliding condition actually seems to be present at shallow depth, it turns out that the slip amplitudes commonly associated with large earthquakes are consistent with average basal stress values which can be substantially lower than a few bars, a value often quoted as the steady state basal stress due to a velocity gradient in the upper asthenosphere.     

A seismological study of normal faulting in the Demirci, Alaşehir and Gediz earthquakes of 1969–70 in western Turkey: implications for the nature and geometry of deformation in the continental crust

Summary. In this study, seismological techniques are combined with surface observations to investigate the faulting associated with three large earthquakes in western Turkey. All involved normal faulting that nucleated at 6–10 km depth with dips in the range 30–50°. The two largest earthquakes, at Alaşehir (1969.3.28) and Gediz (1970.3.28), were clearly multiple events and their seismograms indicate that at least two discrete subevents were involved in producing the observed surface faulting. In addition, their seismograms contain later, longer-period signals that are likely to represent source, not structure or propagation, complexities. These later signals can be modelled by subevents with long time functions on almost flat detachment-type faults.
As a result of these observations, we propose a model for the deformation of the lower crust, in which brittle failure of the top part occurs when high strain rates are imposed during an earthquake that ruptures right through the upper, brittle crust. Under these special circumstances, seismic motion occurs on discrete faults in the lower crust, which otherwise normally deforms by distributed creep. In the case of the normal faults studied here, motion in the uppermost lower crust takes place on shallow dipping faults that are downward continuations of the steeper faults that break to the surface. The faults thus have an overall listric geometry, flattening into a weak zone below the brittle layer at a depth that is probably dependent on the termperature gradient. This interpretation explains why detachment-type mechanisms are not seen in first motion fault plane solutions of normal faulting earthquakes, and suggests an origin for the Metamorphic Core Complexes seen in the Basin and Range Province, which probably represent flat lower crustal faults, analogous to those postulated at Alaşehir and Gediz, that have been uplifted to the surface.     

Transverse fault zones of subtle geomorphic signature in northern Evia island (central Greece extensional province): An introduction to the Quaternary Nileas graben

Reconnaissance level geomorphological observations in the northern part of Evia (Euboea) Island, suggest that a major topographic feature, the 17 km long and 15 km wide Nileas depression (NDpr), corresponds to a previously undetected graben structure, bounded by fault zones of ENE–WSW to NE–SW general strike. These fault zones have been active in the Quaternary, since they affect the Neogene deposits of the Limni–Histiaia basin. They strike transverse to the NW–SE active fault zones that bound northern Evia in the specific area and are characterised along most of their length by subtle geomorphic signatures in areas of extensive forest cover and poor exposure.The NDpr was formed during the Early–Middle Quaternary, after the deposition of the Neogene basin fill. During the Middle–Late Quaternary, the NW–SE fault zones that bound northern Evia have been the main active structures, truncating and uplifting the NDpr to a perched position in relation to the northern Gulf of Evia graben and the submarine basin on the Aegean side of the island. The present-day morphology of the NDpr, with an interior (floor) comprised of Middle Pleistocene erosional surfaces extensively dissected by drainages, was shaped by erosion during this uplift. Judging from their geomorphic signatures, the fault zones that bound the NDpr must have been characterised by low or very low rates of activity during the Late Quaternary. Yet, that they may still be accommodating strain today is suggested by moderate earthquakes that have been recorded within the NDpr.The fault zone at the SE flank of the NDpr (Prokopi–Pelion fault zone) may be very important in terms of earthquake segmentation of the active NW–SE Dirfys fault zone that controls the Aegean coast of northern Evia, given that the intersection between the two presents striking morpho-structural similarities with the intersection of two fault zones with the same directions on the mainland (the Atalanti and Hyampolis fault zones), which is known to have acted as a barrier to the propagation of the Atalanti earthquake ruptures in 1894.     

秦岭北麓断裂带晚第四纪活动的地貌表现

本区地貌特征反映秦岭北麓断裂带的活动特点是：①第四纪以来主要发生垂直运动，其活动性质与程度有差异性、阶段性。第一、二级阶地的形态和年代资料表征秦岭北麓断裂带晚更新世和全新世垂直位错幅度和平均速率。②河流阶地在上升盘出口处高度大，而向上游逐渐减小，反映第四纪以来，秦岭断块山地继续发生由北向南的掀斜运动。③被断层切割的冲洪积扇体的结构和堆积层的产状特征，反映出山麓带多发育铲形断层。     

Amplification of ground motion and waveform complexity in fault zones: examples from the San Andreas and Calaveras Faults

Summary. P -wave seismograms at ranges less than 10 km are synthesized by asymptotic ray theory and by summation of Gaussian beams for point sources located in a low-velocity wedge surrounding a fault. The computations are performed using models of the wedge inferred from the analysis of reflection and refraction experiments across the San Andreas and Hayward-Calaveras faults. Calculations in these models show that the 10–20Hz vertical displacements of earthquakes located at 3–10km depth are amplified by up to an order of magnitude in a 1–2km wide region centred on the fault trace compared to displacements predicted by laterally homogeneous models of the crust. This amplification is not cancelled by high attentuation in the fault zone and compensates for the reduction in amplitudes directly above the source predicted from the radiation pattern of a strike-slip earthquake. Depending on the source depth of the earthquake and the structure and velocity contrast of the wedge, multiple triplications in the travel-time curve of direct P - and S -waves will occur at stations in the fault zone. A wedge model successfully predicts the triplications observed in the P waveforms of aftershocks of the Coyote Lake earthquake recorded in the fault zone, showing that body waves from microearthquakes can be used to determine the three-dimensional velocity structure of the fault zone. The amplification, waveform complexity, and distortion of ray paths introduced by the low- velocity wedge suggest that its effects should be included in the interpretation of strong ground motions and travel times observed in the fault zone. For realistic models of the wedge, asymptotically approximate methods of calculating the body waveforms are strictly valid for frequencies greater than 20Hz. Numerical methods may be necessary to calculate accurately the wavefield at lower frequencies.     

Quaternary normal faulting in southeastern Sicily (Italy):a seismic source for the 1693 large earthquake

We present geological and morphological data, combined with an analysis of seismic reflection lines across the Ionian offshore zone and information on historical earthquakes, in order to yield new constraints on active faulting in southeastern Sicily. This region, one of the most seismically active of the Mediterranean, is affected by WNW–ESE regional extension producing normal faulting of the southern edge of the Siculo–Calabrian rift zone. Our data describe two systems of Quaternary normal faults, characterized by different ages and related to distinct tectonic processes. The older NW–SE-trending normal fault segments developed up to ≈400  kyr ago and, striking perpendicular to the main front of the Maghrebian thrust belt, bound the small basins occurring along the eastern coast of the Hyblean Plateau. The younger fault system is represented by prominent NNW–SSE-trending normal fault segments and extends along the Ionian offshore zone following the NE–SW-trending Avola and Rosolini–Ispica normal faults. These faults are characterized by vertical slip rates of 0.7–3.3  mm  yr ⁻¹ and might be associated with the large seismic events of January 1693. We suggest that the main shock of the January 1693 earthquakes ( M ~ 7) could be related to a 45  km long normal fault with a right-lateral component of motion. A long-term net slip rate of about 3.7  mm  yr ⁻¹ is calculated, and a recurrence interval of about 550 ± 50  yr is proposed for large events similar to that of January 1693.     

An earthquake swarm on the Chagos—Laccadive Ridge and its tectonic implications

Summary. An unusual, isolated swarm of earthquakes occurred on the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge in the Central Indian Ocean between 1965 and 1970. Sixteen earthquakes were "located at approximately 6.0° S, 71.3°E on the steep west facing scarp of the Chagos Bank. This swarm forms the only major seismic activity in the period 1963–76 on the otherwise aseismic ridge. The mechanisms of the three largest earthquakes were studied using body- and surface-wave data. All are extremely similar shallow normal fault events on an east—west fault plane. Such faulting is difficult to reconcile with that expected from either the trend of the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge or the spreading direction at the nearby Central Indian Ridge. The swarm may have occurred at depth on a cross fracture remaining from the breakup of the Chagos Bank and the Mascarene Plateau and the formation of the present Central Indian Ridge.     

Cenozoic evolution of the Altyn Tagh and East Kunlun fault zones inferred from detrital garnet,tourmaline and rutile in southwestern Qaidam Basin (Northern Tibetan Plateau)

This study focuses on the Cenozoic provenance and tectonic evolution of the southwestern Qaidam Basin through geochemical analysis of detrital garnet, tourmaline and rutile. The variation of detrital mineral compositions indicates that the Cenozoic evolution can be divided into three stages: (i) before the deposition of the upper Xiaganchaigou Formation (before 37.8 Ma); (ii) between the deposition of the upper Xiaganchaigou Formation and the Shangganchaigou Formation (from 37.8 to 22 Ma); (iii) since the deposition of the Xiayoushashan Formation (since 22 Ma). In the first stage, abundant garnets from high‐grade meta‐basic and ultramafic rocks in the sediments from the Ganchaigou area support a provenance from the South Altyn Tagh HP/UHP metamorphic zone. The low percentage of tourmalines from granitoid rocks in the sediments in the Kunbei‐Lücaotan area suggests a provenance from the East Kunlun fault zone, indicating that the Qimen Tagh Shan was not high enough to prevent the transport of sediments from the southern Qaidam Basin. The sediments in the Qigequan area were derived from both the Altyn Tagh fault zone and the East Kunlun fault zone. In the second stage, the tectonic activity consisted in the rapid uplift of the Altyn Shan. Changes in garnet composition indicate a lower detrital contribution from high‐grade metamorphic rocks. In the third stage, the disappearance of garnets from high‐grade metamorphic rocks and scattered temperatures of rutiles in the Ganchaigou area suggest that the source area shifted from the South Altyn Tagh HP/UHP metamorphic rocks to weakly metamorphosed Meso‐Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks. The increase in granitoid‐derived tourmalines in the Kunbei‐Lücaotan area is indicative of the rapid uplift of the Qimen Tagh Shan. The provenance evolution in the southwestern Qaidam Basin indicates that the tectonic activity along the Altyn Tagh fault zone can be divided into an early stage of Altyn Shan uplift and a later stage of left‐lateral slip. At the same time, tectonic movement along the East Kunlun fault zone initiated.     

The Zihuatanejo, Mexico, earthquake of 1994 December 10 (M= 6.6): source characteristics and tectonic implications

An analysis of the Zihuatanejo, Mexico, earthquake of 1994 December 10 ( M = 6.6), based on teleseismic and near-source data, shows that it was a normal-faulting, intermediate-depth ( H = 50 ± 5 km) event. It was located about 30 km inland, within the subducted Cocos plate. The preferred fault plane has an azimuth of 130°, a dip of 79° and a rake of −86°. The rupture consisted of two subevents which were separated in time by about 2 s, with the second subevent occurring downdip of the first. The measured stress drop was relatively high, requiring a Δσ of about a kilobar to explain the high-frequency level of the near-source spectra. A rough estimate of the thickness of the seismogenic part of the oceanic lithosphere below Zihuatanejo, based on the depth and the rupture extent of this event, is 40 km.
This event and the Oaxaca earthquake of 1931 January 15 ( M = 7.8) are the two significant normal-faulting, intermediate-depth shocks whose epicentres are closest to the coast. Both of these earthquakes were preceded by several large to great shallow, low-angle thrust earthquakes, occurring updip. The observations in other subduction zones show just the opposite: normal-faulting events precede, not succeed, updip, thrust shocks. Indeed, the thrust events, soon after their occurrence, are expected to cause compression in the slab, thus inhibiting the occurrence of normal-faulting events. To explain the occurrence of the Zihuatanejo earthquake, we note that the Cocos plate, after an initial shallow-angle subduction, unbends and becomes subhorizontal. In the region of the unbending, the bottom of the slab is in horizontal extension. We speculate that the large updip seismic slip during shallow, low-angle thrust events increases the buckling of the slab, resulting in an incremental tensional stress at the bottom of the slab and causing normal-faulting earthquakes. This explanation may also hold for the 1931 Oaxaca event.