Earthquake recurrence on whole active fault zones and its relation to that on individual fault-segments

IntroductionEarthquake recurrence models established on activity behaviors of strong earthquakes are the bases of long-term earthquake prediction, seismic risk zonation, and seismic hazard assessment. A lot of studies have been carried out on earthquake recurrence behaviors for specific seismogenic sources or fault-segments, and a series of empirical recurrence models have been proposed, such as the time-predictable model and the slip-predictable model for earthquakes repeated at the previous …     

New advances of seismic tomography and its applications to subduction zones and earthquake fault zones: A review

Abstract There have been significant advances in the theory and applications of seismic tomography in the last decade. These include the refinements in the model parameterization, 3-D ray tracing, inversion algorithm, resolution and error analyses, joint use of local, regional and teleseismic data, and the addition of converted and reflected waves in the tomographic inversion. Applications of the new generation tomographic methods to subduction zones have resulted in unprecedentedly clear images of the subducting oceanic lithosphere and magma chambers in the mantle wedge beneath active arc volcanoes, indicating that geodynamic systems associated with the arc magmatism and back-arc spreading are related to deep processes, such as the convective circulation in the mantle wedge and deep dehydration reactions in the subducting slab. High-resolution tomographic imagings of earthquake fault zones in Japan and California show that rupture nucleation and earthquake generating processes are closely related to the heterogeneities of crustal materials and inelastic processes in the fault zones, such as the migration of fluids. Evidence also shows that arc magmatism and slab dehydration may also contribute to the generation of large crustal earthquakes in subduction regions.     

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.     

对活断层探测与评价中几个问题的思考

给出了对活断层探测和评价中的几个问题的认识与思考,这些问题包括：探测方法的分辨率及有效性、断层交切与断层活动性强弱的关系、水平运动与垂直运动的关系、主干断裂位置确定与地震影响场的关系、探测结果一致性与综合解释、断层上断点与最新活动年代、孕震标志与设定地震、评价成果可用性。     

Fracturing and hydrothermal alteration in normal fault zones

Large normal fault zones are characterized by intense fracturing and hydrothermal alteration. Displacement is localized in a slip zone of cataclasite, breccia and phyllonite surrounding corrugated and striated fault surfaces. Slip zone rock grades into fractured, but less comminuted and hydrothermally altered rock in the transition zone, which in turn grades abruptly into the wall rock. Fracturing and fluid flow is episodic, because permeability generated during earthquakes is destroyed by hydrothermal processes during the time between earthquakes.Fracture networks are described by a fracture fabric tensor (F). The permeability tensor (k) is used to estimate fluid transport properties if the trace of F is sufficiently large. Variations in elastic moduli and seismic velocities between fault zone and wall rock are estimated as a function of fracture density (). Fracturing decreases elastic moduli in the transition zone by 50–100% relative to the country rock, and similar or even greater changes presumably occur in the slip zone.P-andS-wave velocity decrease, andV _p /V _s increases in the fault zone relative to the wall rock. Fracture permeability is highly variable, ranging between 10^–13 m² and 10^–19 m² at depths near 10 km. Changes in permeability arise from variations in effective stress and fracture sealing and healing.Hydrothermal alteration of quartzo-feldspathic rock atT>300°C creates mica, chlorite, epidote and alters the quartz content. Alteration changes elastic moduli, but the changes are much less than those caused by fracturing.P-andS-wave velocities also decrease in the hydrothermally altered fault rock relative to the country rock, and there is a slight decrease inV _p /V _s , which partially offsets the increase inV _p /V _s caused by fracturing.Fracturing and hydrothermal alteration affect fault mechanics. Low modulus rock surrounding fault surfaces increases the probability of exceeding the critical slip distance required for the onset of unstable slip during rupture initiation. Boundaries between low modulus fault rock and higher modulus wall rock also act as rupture guides and enhance rupture acceleration to dynamic velocity. Hydrothermal alteration at temperatures in excess of 300°C weakens the deeper parts of the fault zone by producingphyllitic mineral assemblages. Sealing of fracture in time periods between large earthquakes generates pods of abnormally pressured fluid which may play a fundamental role in the initiation of large earthquakes.     

Structure and deformational character of strike-slip fault zones

Strike-slip fault zones observed either in the field or in model experiments generally consist of several subparallel faults which make these zones complicated in geometry and kinematics. The geometry of a strike-slip fault or shear zone is dependent on arrangement (pinnate or en echelon), on step (left step or right step), and on the rank )smaller faults within larger faults) of the subparallel fault. The relations and interactions of these three factors create a variety of dynamic circumstances and tectonic settings within the strike-slip fault zones. These include pull-aparts in the release area between subparallel faults, push-ups in the jogs where the subparallel faults overlap, and pivotal movements, or rotation, of single faults along the whole fault zone. Each kind of tectonic setting is in itself characteristic, each setting consists of many subtypes, which are controlled chiefly by the geometric parameters of the subparallel faults. One of the most important phenomena revealed in the field work is two different kinds of evolution of strike-slip fault zones: one is the evolution of a zone with a tensile component, which is related to the growth of rock bridges, and the other, of one with a compressional component, which develops by the destruction of rock bridges. In this paper we discuss, on the basis of recent research on four strike-slip fault zones in China, the essential characteristics of strike-slip faults and the possible causes of the observed structural phenomena. Attention is focussed on the deformation, development, and distribution of horizontal displacements within strike-slip fault zones.     

Quantitative analysis on tectonic deformation of active rupture zones

Introduction The Global Position System (GPS) may provide information about the crust movement of high precision in a large area, which significantly improve the capability of monitoring crustal movement over the area. In the last decade, studies on the global plate movement, the large scale block motions, the high-resolution crust movement of related monitored regions and tectonic de-formation fields have become the hotspot of spatial geodesy (ZHU et al, 2003; Wang et al, 2001; HUANG et…     

第四纪沉积区断层及其上断点探测的地震方法技术——以银川隐伏活动断层为例

地震勘探方法是隐伏断层探测的一种有效的地球物理探测手段,而地震勘探的探测参数是影响探测效果和断层定位精度的主要因素.本文以银川市活断层探测的浅层地震勘探资料为例,并结合石油地震勘探剖面结果和钻孔地质资料,阐述了在第四纪覆盖层较厚的地区,由深至浅追踪目标断层形态和确定断层上断点空间位置的方法技术.结果表明,采用高分辨率地震勘探和钻孔地质剖面相结合的探测方法是确定隐伏断层位置、判定断层活动性的有效方法.     

活动断裂对深埋隧洞影响的研究概述

简要叙述了南水北调西线工程面临的活动断裂的问题;介绍了活动断裂的运动方式、几何特征、运动的力学机制及其与地震的关系;详细讨论了活动断裂对隧洞工程的影响机理,并且总结了活动断裂的研究手段,系统地阐述了关于活动断裂的数值模拟方法并提出了有待进一步解决的问题。     

Bayesian analysis on earthquake magnitude related to an active fault in Taiwan

It is understood that sample size could be an issue in earthquake statistical studies, causing the best estimate being too deterministic or less representative derived from limited statistics from observation. Like many Bayesian analyses and estimates, this study shows another novel application of the Bayesian approach to earthquake engineering, using prior data to help compensate the limited observation for the target problem to estimate the magnitude of the recurring Meishan earthquake in central Taiwan. With the Bayesian algorithms developed, the Bayesian analysis suggests that the next major event induced by the Meishan fault in central Taiwan should be in M_w 6.44±0.33, based on one magnitude observation of M_w 6.4 from the last event, along with the prior data including fault length of 14 km, rupture width of 15 km, rupture area of 216 km², average displacement of 0.7 m, slip rate of 6 mm/yr, and five earthquake empirical models.     

硬石膏断层带摩擦稳定性转换与微破裂特征的实验研究

断层带摩擦稳定性转换及其对应的微破裂特征对于地震成核条件和慢地震机理研究具有重要的意义.本文利用双轴实验装置研究了硬石膏断层带摩擦稳定性的转换及其对应的应变变化、微破裂特征,并分析了实验标本的微观结构.实验结果表明,σ2和加载点速度对断层滑动稳定性具有显著影响.在低σ2条件下,硬石膏断层带出现不稳定滑动,变形以局部化的脆性破裂和摩擦为主;随σ2的增加,断层由不稳定滑动向稳定滑动转换,断层带变形方式逐渐转变为分布式的破裂.在低σ2条件下,硬石膏断层带在较低加载点速度下表现为速度强化且滑动稳定,在中等加载点速度下表现为速度弱化并伴有准周期性的黏滑,在较高加载点速度下又有转向速度强化的趋势,σ2的提高使得速度弱化的范围逐渐减少,滑动趋于稳定.上述两次转换对应不同的微破裂特征,在较高速度下从速度弱化转换为速度强化时,断层滑动伴有能量较小但频度很高的微破裂活动,而在较低速度下从速度弱化转换为速度强化时,断层滑动伴有间歇性的微破裂,这与断层带的微观结构特征有较好的对应关系,表明其转换机制是不同的.     

东昆仑断裂东段下热尔断裂活动特征初步研究

下热尔断裂位于巴颜喀拉块体东北边界变形带即东昆仑断裂带东段与迭部-白龙江断裂2条剪切断裂之间挤压变形带内,在空间上属于“玛曲空段”范围.经野外考察及遥感资料验证,确定下热尔断裂走向为310°,长度约为20km,运动学特征表现为左旋走滑为主兼少量倾滑分量,沿断裂发育大量断错地貌,水平位移主要分布在3.5～5m,而未发现垂向断错地貌;垂直断裂走向开挖2处探槽,揭示断层切穿晚第四纪地层,被地表沼泽相泥炭层覆盖,结合相关地层年龄资料,初步得出平均水平滑动速率约为6.3mm/a.该断裂在几何学与运动学方面与东昆仑断裂带具有较好的一致性,推测两者之间存在一定相关性,属于东昆仑断裂带走滑断裂体系内的一条次级断裂或过渡性断裂.     

Residual deformations and seismic hazard of fault zones in underground workings

The results of long-term measurements of residual deformations in the area of the Severomuiskii tunnel during its construction are given. Comparison of spatial and temporal distributions between deformations and earthquakes shows that they are interrelated. The nonlinear behavior of disintegrated and waterlogged rocks within tectonic fault zones should be taken into account even for moderate intensity earthquakes, since they are accompanied by ground subsidence. Underground workings within such sites are subjected to loads that are greater than expected according to current hypotheses, which are the basis for calculations of rock pressure. It is established that the most probable mechanism of ground subsidence and residual deformation in underground workings could be the gravity load of the overlying strata of disintegrated and waterlogged rocks within a fault zone, which leads to instability of the rocks. Approximate stress estimations are made on the basis of the results of measurements of residual deformations of roof supports (linings).     

Coupling of tectonic loading and earthquake fault slips at subduction zones

Because of the viscoelastic behaviour of the earth, accumulation of elastic strain energy by tectonic loading and release of such energy by earthquake fault slips at subduction zones may take place on different spatial scales. If the lithospheric plate is acted upon by distant tectonic forces, strain accumulation must occur in a broad region. However, an earthquake releases strain only in a region comparable to the size of the rupture area. A two-dimensional finite-element model of a subduction zone with viscoelastic rheology has been used to investigate the coupling of tectonic loading and earthquake fault slips. A fault lock-and-unlock technique is employed so that the amount of fault slip in an earthquake is not prescribed, but determined by the accumulated stress. The amount of earthquake fault slip as a fraction of the total relative plate motion depends on the relative sizes of the earthquake rupture area and the region of tectonic strain accumulation, as well as the rheology of the rock material. The larger the region of strain accumulation is compared to the earthquake rupture, the smaller is the earthquake fault slip. The reason for the limited earthquake fault slip is that the elastic shear stress in the asthenosphere induced by the earthquake resists the elastic rebound of the overlying plate. Since rapid permanent plate shortening is not observed at subduction zones, there must be either strain release over a large region or strain accumulation over a small region over earthquake cycles. The former can be achieved only by significant aseismic fault slip between large subduction earthquakes. The most likely mechanism for the latter is the accumulation of elastic strain around isolated locked asperities of the fault, which requires significant aseismic fault slip between asperities.     

圣安德烈斯断层南段大地震发生的准周期性

圣安德烈斯断层(美国加州)南段最后一次大地震距今已有153年了,而其平均震间间隔却仅为～100年.如果大地震的复发具有周期性,而并非随机发生或群集发生,则这个时间长度是很值得关注的,而且通常意味着概率意义上的地震危险性增大.遗憾的是,多数地震记录都很简单,这就限制了对单条断层上地震复发的分布特征的描述.本文利用加州Wr...     

安宁河、则木河带及邻区近年地震活动分析与预测探讨

从地震学预测方法的角度回顾了半年前一次中、短期预测的方法和依据,对事后强震未发生的原因作了初步探讨。这次预测过程和地层发生的实际情况显示了大范围地震形势和背景趋势发展如板块活动与强震的关系;大范围4级以上地震活动图像与强震活动的关系;中等以上地层活动突然转移等对具体小范围地区中、短期预报的控制作用。此外,笔者建议除非短临预测依据的异常特别明显,发震理由特别充足,在人口密集和工业集中的地区应该考虑采用“概率预测”的方法,达到既能动员群众抗震、减灾,又不引起恐慌的目的。     

Deep seismically active fracture zones in ecuador and northern peru

Summary A system of 8 seismically active fracture zones was delineated on the basis of the distribution of earthquake foci in the continental lithosphere of Ecuador. The position and width of the outcrop, thickness, dip and maximum depth of the individual fracture zones were estimated and correlated with surface geological and tectonic phenomena, volcanism and hydrothermal manifestations. The existence and strike of the fracture zones was independently confirmed by the occurrence of historical disastrous earthquakes.

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Visiting professors at Instituto Geofísico and Facultad de Geología, Minas y Petróleos, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito (Ecuador).     

Illuminating high-resolution crustal fault zones using multi-scale dense arrays and airgun source

High-resolution imaging of fault zone structure and its temporal changes can not only advance our understanding of earthquake physics, but is also critical for better seismic hazard preparation and mitigation. In the past a few years, we deployed multi-scale dense arrays across the Chenghai fault system in Binchuan, Yunnan, China. The first array consisted of 381 intermediate-period three-component seismometers with an average station spacing of ～2 km. The array has been deployed in the field for ～3 months in 2017 and recorded numerous local and teleseismic earthquakes. Travel time analyses based on teleseismic earthquakes and an airgun source in the region indicated clear signature of low-velocity fault zones in the southern branch of the Chenghai fault system. In 2018 we deployed two other linear arrays using the same instruments with much smaller inter-station spacing, e.g.30–50 m, across the southern branch the Chenghai fault. The profile lengths were 8 and 5 km, respectively.Record sections of the airgun source on the two linear arrays clearly marked a low-velocity zone(LVZ) within the southern array but no such signature in the northern array, suggesting along-strike variation of the LVZ. Although the instruments within our dense arrays had an intermediate frequency band, we demonstrated that they were capable of characterizing crustal structure with techniques commonly applied to broadband signals such as receiver functions. To our best knowledge, this was the first time to have multi-scale across-fault dense arrays with three-component seismometers in such apertures. These results lay out the pavement to comprehensively investigate fault zone structures as well as to derive subsurface structural changes using dense arrays and the airgun source.     

Deep seismically active fracture zones in Ecuador and northern Peru

Summary A system of 15 seismically active fracture zones was delineated on the basis of the distribution of earthquake foci in the continental lithosphere of northern Peru. The position and width of the outcrop, thickness, dip and maximum depth of the individual fracture zones were estimated and correlated with surface geological and tectonic phenomena. The pattern of the seismically active fracture zones in the equatorial part of Andean South America and the existing fault plane solutions indicate an east-west compression of the continental wedge induced by the subduction of the Nazca plate.

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Visiting professors at Instituto Geofísico and Facultad de Geología, Minas y Petróleos, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito (Ecuador).     

Hydrogeological interactions between fault zones and alluvial aquifers in regional flow systems

The hydrological influence of fault zones in tectonic areas is usually difficult to depict from field data. Numerical simulation allows representation of such flow systems and an estimation of flow lines and rates. This paper reports on simulations of the groundwater flow in a range‐and‐basin area affected by a regional fault zone, which may drain or recharge an overlaying alluvial aquifer. Different hydraulic conductivity values for the range rocks, the fault‐zone, and the sedimentary infill of the basin are considered, as well as different fault‐zone widths and boundary conditions. Results show that upward and downward fluxes develop in the upper part of the fault zone, controlled by the action of the alluvial aquifer, influencing the recharge of the sedimentary basin. This paper shows the hydrological efficiency of fault zones as preferential flow; it also analyses the constraints that determine groundwater recharge to the surrounding basins. These results contribute to the understanding of hydrogeological dynamics in tectonic areas. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.