Multi-disciplinary earthquake researches in Western Turkey: Hints to select sites to study geochemical transients associated to seismicity

Warm and hot spring water as well as soil gas radon release patterns have been monitored in the Aegean Extensional Province of Western Turkey, alongside regional seismic events, providing a multi-disciplinary approach. In the study period of 20 months, seven moderate earthquakes with M _L between 4.0 and 4.7 occurred in this seismically very active region; two earthquakes with magnitude 5.0 also occurred near the study area. Seismic monitoring showed no foreshock activity. By contrast, hydro-geochemical anomalies were found prior to these seismic events, each lasting for weeks. The anomalies occurred foremost in conjunction with dip-slip events and seem to support the dilatancy and water diffusion hypothesis. Increased soil gas radon release was recorded before earthquakes associated with strike-slip faults, but no soil radon anomalies were seen before earthquakes associated with dip-slip faults. Geochemical anomalies were also noticeably absent at some springs throughout the postulated deformation zones of impending earthquakes. The reason for this discrepancy might be due to stress/strain anisotropies.     

Radon anomalies on three kinds of faults in California

Radon emanation is known to be anomalously high along active faults in many parts of the world. We tested this relationship in California during July and early August 1992, using a portable radonmeter to conduct soil-air radon surveys at 5 sites across three kinds of faults: Creeping, locked, and freshly broken.Along a 350-m long survey line across a creeping segment of the San Andreas fault at Nyland Ranch in San Juan Bautista, we found anomalous radon concentrations not in the creep zone itself as determined by a creepmeter, but on the adjacent sides, 10 and 30 meters from the center line of the fault. The anomalous values were 5 times higher than the background values measured farther away from the fault. A similar radon anomaly was observed along a 420-m long survey line across a creeping segment of the Calaveras fault near 7th Street in Hollister. There, the anomalous values were about 6 to 11 times the background values and about 40 and 50 m from the center line of the fault. The double-peaked featire of the anomalies may be indicative of a relatively low gas permeability of the fault-gouge materials in the creeping zones and high permeability of fractured rocks in the adjacent shear zones.Along a 144-m survey line across the currently locked segment of the San Andreas fault at the Earthquake Trail near Olema, the radon concentration was indeed anomalously high in the fault zone, by a factor of two above background values. However, the maximum values (3 to 6 times background) again were recorded about 10 meters from the center line.Three weeks after the magnitude 7.5 Landers earthquake of 28 June 1992, we conducted a survey along a 300-m line across the earthquake fault alongside Encantado Road in the epicenter area. The radon values measured at the two main fault breaks were an order of magnitude higher than the background values. A similar result was found along a 420-m line alongside Reche Road about 1.7 km south of Encantado Road.     

汤阴地堑南部土壤Rn空间分布特征

为分析汤阴地堑南部土壤Rn空间分布特征,揭示其与断裂构造、岩性及沉积层厚度之间的联系,本文采用网格化布点野外流动观测方法测定了该地区380个点的土壤Rn浓度,结果表明：汤阴地堑土壤Rn浓度介于3.09—78.54 kBq/m³,背景均值为27.22 kBq/m³,异常阈值下限为48.40 kBq/m³。在空间分布上,研究区西部(以第四系等厚线50 m为界),受岩石单元和人类石料开采活动的影响,Rn浓度背景值高于东部。在西部高浓度背景影响下,Rn浓度高值异常点除沿汤西断裂带分布外,还沿断裂带外围呈斑块状分布,断裂带对气体释放的控制作用在一定程度上被掩盖。而东部地区,覆盖层较厚,Rn浓度背景值较低,部分高值异常点主要沿汤中和汤东断裂带分布,显示出构造对气体迁移的控制作用;另一部分高值异常点与第四系等厚线近似平行,呈条带分布,推测新乡—卫辉间存在一条规模较大的隐伏断裂。此外,研究区主要断裂带的Rn异常衬度表现为汤东断裂带高于汤西和汤中断裂带。结合灥研究扊区地质背景和深部孕震环境认为,该Rn异常衬度表现是汤阴地堑南部构造活动背景...     

氡(Rn)射气测量在胜利油田隐伏断裂研究中的应用

土壤氡(Rn)射气测量是探测隐伏断裂的存在,判定断裂的位置、走向、倾向的一种有效手段。通过在胜利油田进行的氡射气探测并结合其它勘探手段,发现该区主要的隐伏潘动断裂有无棣—益都断裂、胜北断裂和埕子口断裂。其中,无棣—益都断裂活动性最强。     

土壤氡对郯庐断裂宿迁段F5断裂探测和活动性的研究

郯庐断裂带宿迁段多年来一直被列为江苏地震重点关注区域。在该区域展开了多期活断层探测和工程地震安全性评价工作,地震监测已经建成了测震、形变、电磁、流体等多种手段。用气体地球化学方法开展相关研究,探索活动断层运动和地震发生之间的相互关系,是对该地区地震科学研究的一种补充,其有着十分重要的意义。沿郯庐断裂带宿迁段F₅断裂布设土壤氡测线并获得相关数据,结合地质勘察、浅层人工地震等资料进行综合分析,结果表明该区域内土壤氡探测结果对断裂带的位置、断层类型和特征、断层活动性具有较好的指示性。土壤氡探测展示F₅断裂两条分支断裂F_5-1、F_5-2的位置,氡浓度异常形态与断层特征存在一定的对应关系,并利用土壤氡浓度强度为指标,初步判断郯庐断裂带宿迁段F₅断裂2条分支断裂的相对活动性。     

共和7.0级地震前地下流体前兆的动态演化特征

使用40个地下流体观测点的资料,对1990年4月26日青海省共和M_S7.0地震的前兆动态特征进行了系统研究.结果表明:(1)地震带内观测点的水氡趋势异常及水化、水位群体异常及频次异常与断层平均形变速率呈同步变化.地下流体群体异常频次的累加值曲线在地震前表现为指数加速变化图形.(2)震源外围240km范围内的水氡中短期趋势上升异常,表现为由震源逐渐向外围扩散的特点.在短临阶段各测点水氡的异常变化基本同步.(3)流体短临前兆出现明显的起伏加剧和层次现象,突出的表现是流量、断层气日变化在临震阶段出现3次加剧,且异常幅度一次高于一次.     

活断层上均匀盖层中氡浓度分布的数值模拟及反演拟合

Based on the convection and diffusion mechanisms of radon migration, in this paper we deduce the two-dimensional differential equation for radon transportation in the overburden above active fault zones with an unlimited extension along the strike. Making use of the finite difference method, the radon concentration distribution in the overburden above active faults is calculated and modeled. The active fault zone parameters, such as the depth and the width of the fault zone, and the value of radon concentration, can be inverted from the measured radon concentration curve. These realize quantitative interpretation for radon concentration anomalies. The inversion results are in good agreement with the actual fault zone parameters.     

利用断层活动协调比方法分析云南现今地壳应变积累

断层活动协调比方法在分析云南地区的地壳应变积累上具有适用性.利用区域11处跨断层流动监测场地的三十余年观测资料,首先计算跨断层场地的三维活动量,进而得出场地的断层活动协调比参数,结果显示:(1)丽江、永胜、剑川、石屏、建水场地在对应6～7级地震上,历史映震效果良好;云南地区近期存在异常的跨断层监测场地有剑川、石屏和建水...     

Lateral Variations of Lg Coda Q in Southern Mexico

—Broad band digital three-component data recorded at UNM, a GEOSCOPE station, were used to estimate Lg coda Q for 34 medium size (3.9 ≤m _b ≤ 6.3) earthquakes with travel paths laying in different geological provinces of southern Mexico in an effort to establish the possible existence of geological structures acting as wave guides and/or travel paths of low attenuation between the Pacific coast and the Valley of Mexico. The stacked spectral ratio method proposed by XIE and NUTTLI (1988) was chosen for computing the coda Q. The variation range of Q ₀ (Q at 1?Hz) and the frequency dependence parameter η estimates averaged on the frequency interval of 0.5 to 2?Hz for the regions and the three components considered are: i) Guerrero region 173 ≤Q¯ ₀≤ 182 and 0.6 ≤Q¯ ₀ ≤ 0.7, ii) Oaxaca region 183 ≤Q¯ ₀ ≤ 198 and 0.6 ≤Q¯ ₀ ≤ 0.8, iii) Michoacan-Jalisco region 187 ≤Q¯ ₀ ≤ 204 and 0.7 ≤Q¯ ₀ ≤ 0.8 and iv) eastern portion of the Transmexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) 313 ≤Q ₀≤ 335 and η = 0.9. ¶The results show a very high coda Q for the TMVB as compared to other regions of southern Mexico. This unexpected result is difficult to reconcile with the geophysical characteristics of the TMVB, e.g., low seismicity, high volcanic activity and high heat flow typical of a highly attenuating (low Q) region. Visual inspection of seismograms indicates that for earthquakes with seismic waves traveling along the TMVB, the amplitude decay of Lg coda is anomalously slow as compared to other earthquakes in southern Mexico. Thus, it seems that the high Q value found does not entirely reflect the attenuation characteristics of the TMVB but it is probably contaminated by a wave-guide effect. This phenomenon produces an enhancement in the time duration of the Lg wave trains travelling along this geological structure. This result is important to establish the role played by the transmission medium in the extremely long duration of ground motion observed during the September 19, 1985 Michoacan earthquake. ¶The overall spatial distribution of coda Q values indicates that events with focus in the Michoacan-Jalisco and Oaxaca regions yield slightly higher values than those from Guerrero. This feature is more pronounced for the horizontal component of coda Q. A slight dependence of average coda Q ^?1 on earthquake focal depth is observed in the frequency range of 0.2 to 1.0?Hz approximately on the horizontal component. Deeper (h > 50?km) events yield lower values of Q ^?1 than shallower events. For frequencies higher than 1.0?Hz no clear dependence of Q ^?1 on focal depth is observed. However, due to the estimates uncertainties this result is not clearly established.     

Magnetic constraints on the spatial distribution of seismic activity

The lithospheric magnetic field (LMF) in China and its surrounding are calculated using the spherical harmonic coefficients given by the NGDC-720 model. The LMF comes from the magnetization of minerals in the crust and in the uppermost mantle. It may, therefore, provide unique insight into lithospheric tectonic processes and mechanisms. Here, we study the geomagnetic manifestation of active tectonic blocks, and find a close correlation between the LMF and seismicity. Many large faults are found to closely overlap with magnetic anomalies, or are distributed along the boundaries of magnetic anomalies. Earthquakes in these fault regions have occurred on the boundaries of magnetic anomalies, or in the transition zones between positive and negative anomalies. We analyze the components of the LMF, and the LMFs at different altitudes, finding that the vertical component, B _z at 200 km, is the most related to seismic activity. Relevant physical mechanisms are also discussed. We propose that the stress or viscosity differences caused by temperature variations, which manifest in the LMF, may be the predominant reason for the correlation between the LMF and seismic activity along large faults.     

Deep structure and tomographic imaging of strong earthquake source zones

This work generalizes the results of tomographic imaging performed by the authors for epicentral zones. Seismic events in North Africa (the M _w = 5.8 earthquake of 1985 near the town of Constantine), eastern Anatolia (the Erzincan M _w = 6.7 earthquake of 1992), the Lesser and Greater Caucasus (the 1988 Spitak M _w = 6.8 and the 1991 Racha M _w = 7.0 earthquakes), and northern Sakhalin (the 1995 Neftegorsk M _w = 7.1 earthquake) are examined. It is shown how various morphokinematic types of active faults differ in the resulting tomographic images at various depths. A classification of tomographic images of strong earthquake source zones is proposed in accordance with the rank of their generating faults. The sources of the Spitak, Racha, and Erzincan earthquakes are confined to large boundary faults separating tectonic zones. Lower velocity bands are revealed in the tomographic images, and low velocity “pockets” 1–2 km or somewhat more in width penetrating to a depth of up to 15 km are observed near the fault zones. The Constantine and Neftegorsk earthquakes were generated by faults of a lower rank. The source zones of these events are imaged tomographically as narrow gradient zones.     

Maximum Link Distance between Strike-slip Faults: Observations and Constraints

—The maximum fault link distance (lateral separation) between two interacting strike-slip faults is studied in relation to fault length (combined length of the two interacting faults). Data collected for laboratory generated strike-slip faults indicate that fault linkage takes place when the lateral separation between two strike-slip faults is less than one tenth of the combined length of the two faults. Strike-slip faults developed in clay models require a smaller link distance than those developed in gouge materials. About 98% of the data collected for natural strike-slip faults and 93% of earthquake rupture data derived from Knuepfer (1989) follow the rule. These observations support a simple scaling relationship for strike-slip faults, i.e.,W≤ 0.1 L where Wis lateral link distance and L the combined fault length (An and Sammis, 1996a). Two possible explanations are discussed. Assuming a fault continues to be dominantly strike-slip after various fault coalescences, the fault link distance for both compressional coalescence (leading to restraining bend) and extensional coalescence (leading to releasing bend) can be constrained within 0.134 L. Assuming fault coalescence is caused by interaction between breakdown zones at fault tips, then the scaling relationship b = 0.1 l between the size of a breakdown zone, b,and the individual fault length, l (Scholz et al.,1993), leads to the scaling relationship W _max = 0.1 L where W _max is the maximum link distance.¶The above observed relationship between W _max and L may not hold if faults coalesce through preexisting faults, if a fault has a mixed mode other than strike-slip, or if a fault bend is caused by cross faulting rather than fault coalescence. Limited exposure of natural fault traces may also lead to errors in link distance measurements.     

Deep-seated faults and lineaments, and the location of earthquake epicenters in the Russian northeast on land

This paper summarizes the available geological and geophysical material for faults as regards their role in the seismic process. The entirety of the geological and geophysical evidence is used to reveal hidden faults, which are important in influencing the spatial distribution of earthquakes, and to produce a map of the major earthquake-generating faults and lineaments in the Russian northeast. As well as the occurrence of earthquakes at known faults that have surface expression, we find that seismicity tends to occur at the hidden faults and lineaments we have identified, as well as at intersections of faults. We made a quantitative assessment of the relationship of seismicity to tectonic fragmentation of the crust, correlating the density and discordance measure for faults to indicators of seismic activity (rate and energy release of earthquakes per unit area) for the southeast flank of the Okhotsk-Lena seismic region. The results obtained in this study revealed some features in the spatial distribution of earthquakes occurring on land in the Okhotsk-Lena seismic region: the maximum level of seismic activity occurs in areas with moderate values of the discordance measure for faults (12 < ‖D‖ ≤ 18) as identified from gravity data and in zones of increased horizontal gradients of the lines of equal discordance. At these locations, the greatest probability of earthquake occurrence for events of energy class K ≥ 12 corresponds to moderate values of the density of faults visible at the surface (0.12 < τ ≤ 0.16 km^?1).     

Radon emanation as an indicator of the intensity of Intergeospheric interactions at the Earth’s crust-atmosphere interface

The results of measurements of the volumetric activity of subsurface radon Rare given for several sections of the Earth’s crust located within the central part of the East European Platform. The influence of tectonic structures on the spatial zonality of radon emanation and the intensity of its temporal variations is shown. The temporal variations in radon emanation are characterized by periodicity with periods of approximately a day, as well as of 4, 14, and 29 days, and, as correlation analysis shows, they are determined by the cyclic recurrence of tidal deformations and by cyclonic processes in the atmosphere. The high correlation of the mean values of the volumetric activity of subsurface radon with the value of atmospheric pressure is established. The dependence of the volumetric activity of subsurface radon and its temporal variations on the depth within the range of depths 0.8–11.5 m is determined. As a result of laboratory experiments, the nonlinear nature of the dependence of radon emanation on the frequency of vibration action is established. For granites, the intensity of radon emanation is maximal at frequencies of 16 and 32 Hz. The results of complex measurements of the microseismic background and the volumetric activity of subsurface radon carried out in the region of the Nelidovo-Ryazan tectonic structure demonstrate the high correlation between the volumetric activity of subsurface radon and the relative amplitude of the quasi-monochromatic component of the microseismic background with a peak frequency of 16.5 Hz.     

The relation of seismicity to lithospheric density inhomogeneities in the Russian Far East

A well-defined relationship has been identified between the belts, zones and areas of higher seismicity in the Russian Far East on the one hand and, on the other, maxima in the gradient of surface density of spherical sources that give rise to gravity anomalies (μ _z ) equivalent to quasi-isometric density inhomogeneities in the lower crust and upper mantle. The highest epicenter density is observed in the marginal parts of maxima of the μ _z parameter, these parts being interpreted as boundaries of rigid (sialic metamorphic and oceanic mafic) tectonic blocks and plates. The overwhelming majority of crustal seismicity is spatially related to uplifts of the asthenospheric layer reflected in the minima of the μ _z parameter, and is concentrated in uplifted crustal blocks. In addition to the linear type of seismicity due to deep-seated faults, the crust shows a concentrically zonal type of epicenter location associated with plume-generated central-type features (the Olekma-Stanovoi seismic zone). It is shown that seismic fields can be ranked by the depths of earthquake source zones using 3D models, μ _z (x,y,z).     

Space-time variations of the shear wave attenuation field in the upper mantle of seismic and low seismicity areas

This paper deals with characteristics of the short period S-wave attenuation field in the rupture zones of 37 large and great earthquakes with M _s = 7.0–8.6, as well as in low seismicity areas. We estimate the effective quality factor from Sn and Lg coda envelopes in two time intervals (Q ₁ and Q ₂). The quantity Q ₁ is a measure of shear wave attenuation in the uppermost mantle, at depths of down to approximately 200–250 km, while Q ₂ is relevant to deeper horizons of the upper mantle. We studied variations in the attenuation field in the rupture zone of the 1950 Assam earthquake. We examined the parameters Q ₁, Q ₂, and Q ₁/Q ₂ as functions of the time ΔT elapsed after a large earthquake. It is shown that the parameter Q ₂ in rupture zones is practically independent of ΔT, while the quantities Q ₁ and Q ₁/Q ₂ increase until ΔT ～ 20–25 years, especially rapidly for normal, normal-oblique, and strike-slip earthquake mechanisms. This analysis provides evidence that, as ΔT increases, so does the quality factor in the upper mantle for shear waves. It is supposed that this is related to the rise of mantle fluids to the crust. Geodynamic mechanisms are discussed that can support a comparatively rapid “drying” of the upper mantle beneath earthquake rupture zones.     

Fault plane orientations of microearthquakes at Mt. Etna from the inversion of P-wave rise times

A crucial point in the analysis of tectonic earthquakes occurring in a volcanic area is the inference of the orientation of the structures along which the ruptures occur. These structures represent zones of weakness which could favor the migration of melt toward the surface and the assessment of their geometry is a fundamental step toward efficient evaluation of volcanic risk. We analyzed a high-quality dataset of 171 low-magnitude, tectonic earthquakes that occurred at Mt. Etna during the 2002–2003 eruption. We applied a recently developed technique aimed at inferring the source parameters (source size, dip and strike fault) and the intrinsic quality factor Q_p of P waves from the inversion of rise times. The technique is based on numerically calibrated relationships among the rise time of first P waves and the source parameters for a circular crack rupturing at a constant velocity. For the most of the events the directivity source effect did not allow us to constrain the fault plane orientation. For a subset of 45 events with well constrained focal mechanisms we were able to constrain the “true” fault plane orientation. The level of resolution of the fault planes was assessed through a non linear analysis based on the random deviates technique. The significance of the retrieved fault plane solutions and the fit of the assumed source model to data were assessed through a χ-square test. Most of the retrieved fault plane solutions agree with the geometrical trend of known surface faults. The inferred source parameters and Q_p are in agreement with the results of previous studies.     

Parameter Variations in the Subsoil Radon Field at the Paratunka Station of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Geodynamic Test Site in 2011–2016

A network of stations for subsoil radon monitoring is in operation at the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky geodynamic testing area and is aimed at detection of strong earthquake precursors. At all stations, measurements are carried out using gas-discharge counters located at different depths within aeration zones of soft sediments. The volume activity of radon (VA Rn) is monitored at the most equipped station Paratunka (PRT) at three measurement sites located across the regional fault. The radon flux density (RFD) is measured from the surface. The article reviews responses in the dynamics of VA Rn and RFD from the surface at the PRT station prior to the Kamchatka earthquakes with magnitudes М _W > 5 that occurred over the period of 2011–2016. The revealed RFD seasonal cycle is likely related to the seasonal variations in air temperature. The postseismic effect caused by the strongest deep Okhotsk earthquake (May 24, 2013, М _W = 8.3) is detected in the RFD data. The behavior of VA Rn dynamics during time periods of the strong earthquakes is different. The results confirm the existing opinion on the formation of narrowly localized zones of Rn runoff to the atmosphere owing to both vertical and horizontal irregularities in the top layer of soil, which can react differently to changes in the geoenvironment stress–strain. On the basis of the real-time radon monitoring data, the authors have issued partially successful short-term prediction for several earthquakes. The results of this work confirm the opinion of many researchers that radon monitoring can be used in the short-term prediction of strong earthquakes.     

依兰—伊通断裂北段断层氢气的地球化学特征分析

2017—2018年在依兰—伊通断裂黑龙江段开展断层氢气调查工作,沿断裂选取8个剖面进行跨目标断层观测及土壤氢气采样。结果表明：①断层氢气浓度常存在异常变化;②不同类型的断层,氢气浓度异常变化幅度没有明显差异;③走滑断层异常特征一般为断层两侧低、中间高,呈现“低—高—低”的特点;倾滑断层异常特征一般为断层的上盘略高、下盘略低;④断层氢气排放不仅受微观局部断层的影响,更受宏观的地震活动性大环境的影响。     

汶川8.0级地震前GPS与跨断层资料反映的运动与变形演化特征

为了研究与总结2008年5月12日汶川8.0级地震前GPS与跨断层资料反映的龙门山断裂带及其周边地区的运动、构造变形、应变积累演化过程,以及汶川地震临震阶段可能的物理机制,本文综合1999~2007期GPS速度场、1999~2008年大尺度GPS基线时间序列、1985~2008年跨断层短水准等资料进行了相关分析与讨论。结果表明:(1)GPS速度剖面结果显示,宽达500km的川西高原在震前有明显的连续变形,而四川盆地一侧和跨龙门山断裂带基本没有变形趋势,表明震前川西高原在持续不断地为已经处于闭锁状态的龙门山断裂带提供能量积累。(2)GPS应变率结果显示,震前龙门山断裂带中北段的NW侧EW向挤压变形明显,变形幅度从远离断裂带较大到靠近断裂带逐渐减小,而断裂带变形微弱;龙门山断裂带西南段周边形成了显著的EW向挤压应变集中区,应变积累速率明显大于中北段。(3)断层闭锁程度反演结果显示,除了汶川地震的震源位置闭锁相对较弱,且西南段有大概20km宽度断层在12~22.5km深度为蠕滑状态以外,震前整条龙门山断裂基本处于强闭锁状态。(4)大尺度GPS基线结果显示,跨南北地震带区域的NE向基线从2005年开始普遍出现压缩转折,反映NE向地壳缩短的相对运动增强。(5)跨断层短水准场地结果显示,震前年均垂直变化速率和形变累积率很低,表明断层近场垂向活动很弱、闭锁较强。通过以上分析认为,在相对小尺度的地壳变形中,震前龙门山断裂带深浅部均处于强闭锁状态,断裂带水平与垂直变形都很微弱,这可能经历了一个缓慢的过程,而且越是临近地震的发生,微弱变形的范围可能越大;在相对大尺度的地壳变形中,震前龙门山断裂带西侧的巴颜喀拉块体东部地区经历了地壳缓慢且持续的缩短挤压变形,为龙门山断裂带应变积累持续提供了动力支持。