Universality of the Seismic Moment-frequency Relation

—We analyze the seismic moment-frequency relation in various depth ranges and for different seismic regions, using Flinn-Engdahl's regionalization of global seismicity. Three earthquake lists of centroid-moment tensor data have been used the Harvard catalog, the USGS catalog, and the Huang et al. (1997) catalog of deep earthquakes. The results confirm the universality of the β-values and the maximum moment for shallow earthquakes in continental regions, as well as at and near continental boundaries. Moreover, we show that although fluctuations in earthquake size distribution increase with depth, the β-values for earthquakes in the depth range of 0–500 km exhibit no statistically significant regional variations. The regional variations are significant only for deep events near the 660 km boundary. For declustered shallow earthquake catalogs and deeper events, we show that the worldwide β-values have the same value of 0.60 ± 0.02. This finding suggests that the β-value is a universal constant. We investigate the statistical correlations between the numbers of seismic events in different depth ranges and the correlation of the tectonic deformation rate and seismic activity (the number of earthquakes above a certain threshold level per year). The high level of these correlations suggests that seismic activity indicates tectonic deformation rate in subduction zones. Combined with the universality of the β-value, this finding implies little if any variation in maximum earthquake seismic moment among various subduction zones. If we assume that earthquakes of maximum size are similar in different depth ranges and the seismic efficiency coefficient, χ, is close to 100% for shallow seismicity, then we can estimate χ for deeper earthquakes for intermediate earthquakes χ≈ 5%, and χ≈ 1% for deep events. These results may lead to new theoretical understanding of the earthquake process and better estimates of seismic hazard.     

Depth and region dependence of b-value for micro-aftershocks of the May 12th, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and its tectonic implications

Micro-aftershocks with magnitude range of 1.5?4 around the Wenchuan earthquake epicenter, the southern part of the Longmenshan fault zone, exhibit good frequency-magnitude linear relationships, thus enabling b-value analysis. The average b-value for micro-aftershocks of M1.5?4 from July to December of 2008 in our local study region is about 0.88, similar to the b-value for all aftershocks of M3.0?5.5 from May, 2008 to May, 2009 along the whole Longmenshan fault zone. The similarity between the local and regional b-values possibly indicates that the southern part of the Longmenshan fault zone has similar seismogenic environment to the whole Longmenshan fault zone. Alternatively, it may also imply that b-values derived from all events without consideration of structural variation can not discriminate local-scale tectonic information. The present study shows that the b-value for the Wenchuan earthquake micro-aftershocks varies with different regions. The b-value in southwest of the Yingxiu town is higher than that in the northeast of the Yingxiu town. The high b-value in the southwest part where the Wenchuan earthquake main shock hypocenter located indicates that the current stress around the hypocenter region is much lower than its surrounding area. The b-values are also dependent on depth. At shallow depths of < 5 km, the b-values are very small (~0.4), possibly being related to strong wave attenuation or strong heterogeneity in shallow layers with high content of porosity and fractures. At depths of ~5?11 km, where most aftershocks concentrated, the b-values become as high as ~0.9?1.0. At the depth below ~11 km, the b-values decrease with the depth increasing, being consistent with increasing tectonic homogeneity and increasing stress with depth.

     

The b-value and fractal dimension of local seismicity around Koyna Dam (India)

Earthquakes began to occur in Koyna region (India) soon after the filling of Koyna Dam in 1962. In the present study, three datasets 1964–1993, 1993–1995, and 1996–1997 are analyzed to study the b-value and fractal dimension. The b-value is calculated using the Gutenberg–Richter relationship and fractal dimension D _corr. using correlation integral method. The estimated b-value and D _corr. of this region before 1993 are found to be in good agreement with previously reported studies. In the subsequent years after 1995, the b-value shows an increase. The estimated b-values of this region are found within the limits of global average. Also, the pattern of spatial clustering of earthquakes show increase in clustering and migration along the three zones called North-East Zone, South-East Zone (SEZ), and Warna Seismic Zone. The earthquake events having depth ≤5 km are largely confined to SEZ. After 1993, the D _corr. shows decrease, implying that earthquake activity gets clustered. This seismic clustering could be helpful for earthquake forecasting.     

川东南长宁地区地震活动及b值演化特征

利用全国统一目录和流动台站目录,研究了四川盆地东南部长宁地区的地震活动特征和b值的空间分布特征.研究结果显示,长宁地区的地震活动在时间上呈现明显的分段特征,地震活动在2015年后明显增强;在空间上,长宁地区的地震活动主要集中在以28.3°N为界限的南、北2个地区,对于这2个区域的b值演化,计算结果显示出不同的分段特征....     

Detailed Study of Time Variations in the Gutenberg–Richter <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-value Based on Highly Accurate Seismic Observations at the Garm Prognostic Site,Tajikistan

The time variations in the Gutenberg–Richter b-value are minutely studied based on the data of highly accurate seismological observations at the Garm prognostic site, Tajikistan, where a stationary network of seismic stations of the Complex Seismological Expedition (CSE) of Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth (IPE) of the USSR (Russian) Academy of Sciences was in operation from 1955 to 1992. A total of 93035 local earthquakes ranging from 0.0 to 6.3 in the Ml magnitudes are considered. The spatiotemporal fluctuations in the minimal magnitude of completeness of the earthquakes, Mc, are analyzed. The study considers a 25-year interval of the observations at the center of the observation system within which Mc = 0.9. It is shown that in most cases, the b-value and log₁₀E^2/3 experience characteristic time variations before the earthquakes with magnitudes higher than the minimal magnitude of the predicted earthquake (MPE). The 6-year anomaly in the parameters’ b-value, log₁₀E^2/3, and log₁₀N associated with the single strongest earthquake with M = 6.3 that occurred in the observation region on October 26, 1984 is revealed. The inversely proportional relationship is established between the time variations in the b-value and the time variations in the velocities of seismic waves Vp and Vp/Vs. It is shown that the exponent p in the power function which links the time variations of the b-value and log₁₀E^2/3 is higher in the zones of crustal compression than in the zones of extension. It is simultaneously confirmed that the average b-value in the zones of compression is lower than in the zones of extension. It is established that in the case of earthquakes with M ≥ 2.6, the time series of seismic activity log₁₀N_i and the time series of the b-value are highly cross correlated with a coefficient of r ≈ 0.75, whereas in the case of earthquakes with M ≥ 0.9, the coefficient of cross correlation between these time series is close to zero (r ≈ 0.06). The law of variations in the slope of the lines approximating the relationship between the log₁₀N_i time series in the different magnitude ranges (M ≥ Mc_i) and b-value time series is obtained. It is hypothesized that the seismic activity of the earthquakes with high magnitudes can be estimated provided that the parameters of the time series of the b-value and time series of the number of earthquakes logN(ΔM_i) in the range of low magnitudes are known. It is concluded that using the parameter log₁₀N for prognostic estimates of the strong earthquakes only makes sense for earthquakes having moderate and large magnitudes. It is inferred that the time variations in the b-value are predominantly contributed by the time variations of the earthquakes with relatively large magnitudes.     

On the question of influence of remote earthquakes on seismicity

The responses of the Kamchatka earthquakes with a minimum energy class of completeness K ≥ 8.5 to 214 strong worldwide earthquakes with magnitudes M ≥ 7.5 and to 40 earthquakes with M ≥ 8 are studied. The analysis covers the time interval of 1963–2012. The distances from the sources of the strongest earthquakes to the center of the seismically active Kamchatka zone range from 600 to 16000 km. It is established that the remote earthquakes enhanced seismic activity in Kamchatka, at least in the cases when the dynamic strain was above 10^?6, which corresponds to the additional stresses of 10^?2 MPa, accelerations above 0.1 cm/s², and the periods of the surface waves of ～20 s. The response to the remote events gradually increased within a few days. The sensitivity of the response to the remote earthquakes varied in the course of time, which is identified on the intervals of a few dozens of years.     

Joint analysis of b-value and apparent stress before the 2011 MW9.0 Tohoku-Oki,Japan earthquake

Detecting tempo-spatial changes of crust stress associated with major earthquakes has implications for understanding earthquake seismogenic processes. We conducted a joint analysis of b-value and apparent stress in the source region before the March 11, 2011 M_W9.0 Tohoku-Oki, Japan earthquake. Earthquakes that occurred between January 1, 2000 and March 8, 2011 were used to estimate b-values, while source parameters of events with magnitudes of Ms5.0–6.9 between January 1, 1997 and March 8, 2011 were used to calculate the apparent stresses. Our results show that the average b-value decreased steadily from 1.26 in 2003 to 0.99 before the Tohoku-Oki mainshock. This b-value decrease coincided with an increase in the apparent stress from 0.65 MPa to 1.64 MPa. Our results reveal a clear negative correlation between the decrease in b-value and increase in apparent stress, which lasted for approximately eight years prior to the 2011 mainshock. Additionally, spatial pattern results of the relative change in b-value show that the area associated with drastic b-value decreases (25% or greater) was concentrated near the 2011 mainshock epicenter. The joint analysis of b-value and apparent stress provides a promising method for detecting anomalies that could serve as potential indicators of large earthquakes.     

Structural heterogeneity of the media and macroseismic field formation: Racha,April 29, 1991 earthquake

The points with normal, anomalously low, and anomalously high shaking intensities are recognized in the spatial distribution of macroseismic effects from the 1991 Racha earthquake, Greater Caucasus. Distribution of these points in the epicentral area is not random. Comparison between this distribution and the results of local tomography reveals that seismic wave velocities do not increase in the upper layers (from 0 to 3 km) beneath the points with anomalously high intensity, while a sharp increase in velocity is observed in the depth interval from 6 to 9 km. An original method of b-value mapping is suggested. Application of the method demonstrates that anomalously low intensities correlate to high b-values. This likely reflects higher intensity attenuation associated with higher b-value.     

Relation between the characteristics of strong earthquake activities in Chinese mainland and the Wenchuan earthquake

This paper studies the relations between the great Wenchuan earthquake and the active-quiet periodic characteristics of strong earthquakes, the rhythmic feature of great earthquakes, and the grouped spatial distribution of M_S8.0 earthquakes in Chinese mainland. We also studied the relation between the Wenchuan earthquake and the stepwise migration characteristics of M_S?≥7.0 earthquakes on the North-South seismic belt, the features of the energy releasing acceleration in the active crustal blocks related to the Wenchuan earthquake and the relation between the Wenchuan earthquake and the so called second-arc fault zone. The results can be summarized as follows: ① the occurrence of the Wenchuan earthquake was consistent with the activequiet periodic characteristics of strong earthquakes; ② its occurrence is consistent with the features of grouped occurrence of M_S8.0 earthquakes and follows the 25 years rhythm (each circulation experiences the same time) of great earthquakes; ③ the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake follows the well known stepwise migration feature of strong earthquakes on the North-South seismic belt; ④ the location where the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake took place has an obvious consistency with the temporal and spatial characteristic of grouped activity of M_S≥?7.0 strong earthquakes on the second-arc fault zone; ⑤ the second-arc fault zone is not only the lower boundary for earthquakes with more than 30 km focal depth, but also looks like a lower boundary for deep substance movement; and ⑥ there are obvious seismic accelerations nearby the Qaidam and Qiangtang active crustal blocks (the northern and southern neighbors of the Bayan Har active block, respectively), which agrees with the GPS observation data.     

Continuous-cyclic variations in the b-value of the earthquake frequency-magnitude distribution

Seismicity of the Earth (M ≥ 4.5) was compiled from NEIC, IRIS and ISC catalogues and used to compute b-value based on various time windows. It is found that continuous cyclic b-variations occur on both long and short time scales, the latter being of much higher value and sometimes in excess of 0.7 of the absolute b-value. These variations occur not only yearly or monthly, but also daily. Before the occurrence of large earthquakes, b-values start increasing with variable gradients that are affected by foreshocks. In some cases, the gradient is reduced to zero or to a negative value a few days before the earthquake occurrence. In general, calculated b-values attain maxima 1 day before large earthquakes and minima soon after their occurrence. Both linear regression and maximum likelihood methods give correlatable, but variable results. It is found that an expanding time window technique from a fixed starting point is more effective in the study of b-variations. The calculated b-variations for the whole Earth, its hemispheres, quadrants and the epicentral regions of some large earthquakes are of both local and regional character, which may indicate that in such cases, the geodynamic processes acting within a certain region have a much regional effect within the Earth. The b-variations have long been known to vary with a number of local and regional factors including tectonic stresses. The results reported here indicate that geotectonic stress remains the most significant factor that controls b-variations. It is found that for earthquakes with M _w ≥ 7, an increase of about 0.20 in the b-value implies a stress increase that will result in an earthquake with a magnitude one unit higher.     

Reliability of determining the parameters of Gutenberg-Richter distribution for weak Earthquakes in Garm, Tajikistan

The behavior of the Gutenberg-Richter distribution (the frequency-magnitude relation for the earthquakes) in response to advancing the system of seismic observations and applying various methods for estimation of the Gutenberg-Richter b value is studied. The long highly accurate time series of seismological measurements at the Garm geophysical testing site in Tajikistan is an input for the study. We analyzed the data from the detailed catalogue of earthquakes with magnitude M = 0?C5 that occurred within the test site from 1955 through 1992. It is shown that the changes in the design of measurements both as to the number of observation sites and as to the measurement capacities during the development of the seismic network in 1955?C1966 have strongly affected the content of the catalogue. Our study revealed spatiotemporal changes in the minimum magnitude of completeness, which were associated with advancing the design of observations. We have analyzed the accuracy of the calculation of the b value as a function of the reliability of determining the actual minimal magnitude of completeness (the cutoff magnitude) for the catalogue (Mc), the method of calculation of the b value, and the volume of the spatial sample of the earthquakes used. It is established that the pattern of horizontal distribution of the b value is closely correlated to the tectonic structure of the test area, while its vertical distribution distinctly reflects the crustal waveguide at a depth of 9?C17 km, which has been previously revealed approximately in this depth interval according to other seismological data. This suggests that, in the first approximation, the lateral and vertical variations in the b value observed in our study are caused by the changes in the strength properties of the crustal material, namely, by the increased plasticity of the rocks within a thick sedimentary layer and in the waveguide.     

Seismic activities before and after the impoundment of the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoirs in the lower Jinsha River

The lower Jinsha River basin is located at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in Southwest China, a region with intense tectonic movements and frequent moderate to strong seismic activities. Cascade hydropower stations have been constructed along the lower Jinsha River since 2012. However, research on the effect of the impoundment of large-scale cascade reservoirs in a river basin on local seismic activities is currently lacking. Accurately identifying earthquake locations is essential for studying reservoir-induced earthquakes. Analyzing the spatiotemporal migration process of seismic activities based on complete and precise earthquake relocation is fundamental for determining the fluid diffusion coefficient, constructing fault models for reservoir areas, identifying earthquake types, exploring earthquake mechanisms, and evaluating seismic hazards. The seismicity pattern in the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoir areas, where seismic activities had been weak for a long time, has changed with the successive impoundment of the two reservoirs, showing microseismic events and seismic clusters. We investigated the spatiotemporal characteristics of seismic activities in the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoir areas using the waveform cross-correlation-based double-difference relocation technique and the b-value analysis method. We discovered that seismic events after the impoundment of these two reservoirs exhibited different characteristics in different regions. The seismic activities at the Xiluodu dam quickly responded to the rising water level, with the seismic intensity decaying rapidly afterward. These events were concentrated in the limestone strata along both sides of the Jinsha River, with a shallow focal depth, generally within 5 km, and a high b-value of approximately 1.2. Such features are close to those of karst-type earthquakes. Microseismic activities frequent occur on the eastern bank of the Yongshan reservoir section downstream of the Xiluodu dam, with two parallel NW-trending earthquake strips visible after precise earthquake relocation. The M_S5.2 earthquake near Wuji town on August 17, 2014, had prominent foreshocks and aftershocks distributed in a clear NW-trending 20-km-long strip, perpendicular to the riverbank. These seismic events had a low b-value of approximately 0.7. The orientation of the node plane revealed by the strike-slip focal mechanism of the mainshock is consistent with that of the strip formed by the foreshock-mainshock-aftershock sequence, indicating the existence of a NW-striking concealed fault. Seismic activities near the Yanjin-Mabian fault upstream of the Xiangjiaba reservoir area since 2013 were concentrated in a NW-trending strip, with several near EW-trending seismic clusters on its western side, and with the largest event having a magnitude of M_L3.7. So far, the impoundment of the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoirs has not triggered seismic activities on the large Jinyang-Ebian and Yanjin-Mabian faults nearby.     

The spatiotemporal analysis of the minimum magnitude of completeness <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mc</Emphasis> and the Gutenberg–Richter law <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-value parameter using the earthquake catalog of Greece

Spatiotemporal mapping the minimum magnitude of completeness Mc and b-value of the Gutenberg–Richter law is conducted for the earthquake catalog data of Greece. The data were recorded by the seismic network of the Institute of Geodynamics of the National Observatory of Athens (GINOA) in 1970–2010 and by the Hellenic Unified Seismic Network (HUSN) in 2011–2014. It is shown that with the beginning of the measurements at HUSN, the number of the recorded events more than quintupled. The magnitude of completeness Mc of the earthquake catalog for 1970–2010 varies within 2.7 to 3.5, whereas starting from April 2011 it decreases to 1.5–1.8 in the central part of the region and fluctuates around the average of 2.0 in the study region overall. The magnitude of completeness Mc and b-value for the catalogs of the earthquakes recorded by the old (GINOA) and new (HUSN) seismic networks are compared. It is hypothesized that the magnitude of completeness Mc may affect the b-value estimates. The spatial distribution of the b-value determined from the HUSN catalog data generally agrees with the main geotectonic features of the studied territory. It is shown that the b-value is below 1 in the zones of compression and is larger than or equal to 1 in the zones dominated by extension. The established depth dependence of the b-value is pretty much consistent with the hypothesis of a brittle–ductile transition zone existing in the Earth’s crust. It is assumed that the source depth of a strong earthquake can probably be estimated from the depth distribution of the b-value, which can be used for seismic hazard assessment.     

Anomalously high b-values in the South Flank of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii: evidence for the distribution of magma below Kilauea's East rift zone

The pattern of b-value of the frequency–magnitude relation, or mean magnitude, varies little in the Kaoiki-Hilea area of Hawaii, and the b-values are normal, with b=0.8 in the top 10 km and somewhat lower values below that depth. We interpret the Kaoiki-Hilea area as relatively stable, normal Hawaiian crust. In contrast, the b-values beneath Kilauea's South Flank are anomalously high (b=1.3–1.7) at depths between 4 and 8 km, with the highest values near the East Rift zone, but extending 5–8 km away from the rift. Also, the anomalously high b-values vary along strike, parallel to the rift zone. The highest b-values are observed near Hiiaka and Pauahi craters at the bend in the rift, the next highest are near Makaopuhi and also near Puu Kaliu. The mildest anomalies occur adjacent to the central section of the rift. The locations of the three major and two minor b-value anomalies correspond to places where shallow magma reservoirs have been proposed based on analyses of seismicity, geodetic data and differentiated lava chemistry. The existence of the magma reservoirs is also supported by magnetic anomalies, which may be areas of dike concentration, and self-potential anomalies, which are areas of thermal upwelling above a hot source. The simplest explanation of these anomalously high b-values is that they are due to the presence of active magma bodies beneath the East Rift zone at depths down to 8 km. In other volcanoes, anomalously high b-values correlate with volumes adjacent to active magma chambers. This supports a model of a magma body beneath the East Rift zone, which may widen and thin along strike, and which may reach 8 km depth and extend from Kilauea's summit to a distance of at least 40 km down rift. The anomalously high b-values at the center of the South Flank, several kilometers away from the rift, may be explained by unusually high pore pressure throughout the South Flank, or by anomalously strong heterogeneity due to extensive cracking, or by both phenomena. The major b-value anomalies are located SSE of their parent reservoirs, in the direction of motion of the flank, suggesting that magma reservoirs leave an imprint in the mobile flank. We hypothesize that the extensive cracking may have been acquired when the anomalous parts of the South Flank, now several kilometers distant from the rift zone, were generated at the rift zone near persistent reservoirs. Since their generation, these volumes may have moved seaward, away from the rift, but earthquakes occurring in them still use the preexisting complex crack distribution. Along the decollement plane at 10 km depth, the b-values are exceptionally low (b=0.5), suggesting faulting in a more homogeneous medium.     

河北平原地震带b值时空变化特征

利用华北地区近44年地震资料,在区域地震序列完整性分析的基础上,用最小二乘法进行b值时间扫描计算,用最大似然法进行b值空间扫描计算。时间扫描中的b值为研究区内每个扫描窗口的平均b值,因此其变化幅度不大,基本保持在0.62~1.05之间。研究区b值空间分布范围基本维系在0.5~1.4,低b值区域为昌平—宝坻断裂段和唐山—迁安断裂段,变化范围为0.5~0.7,表明该区域地壳介质正处于相对高应力或闭锁状态,存在未来可能发生中强以上地震的潜在危险。     

On the seismic regime of the Japan region before the Tohoku mega-earthquake (M w = 9)

The seismic regime taking place before the Tohoku mega-earthquake was studied using the catalog of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). We show that the Tohoku earthquake was preceded by a 6–7-year period of regional reduction in the b-value and in the rate of main shocks. The space-time regions that involved precursory activation were nearly identical with the predictive phenomena that were previously detected by A.A. Lyubushin from an analysis of seismic noise based on data from the Japanese F-net. We discovered a previously unknown effect of correlation between the number of main shocks and the b-value. Both the ordinary foreshock activation and the longer weaker tendency, which consist in a precursory increase in the seismicity rate, were identified in the vicinities of M ≈ 7 Japanese earthquakes (similarly to the seismicity in the Generalized Vicinities of large earthquakes based on worldwide data).     

Study of theQ-value in and around Minle Basin

The digital seimograph network set up by China and France in Zhangye of China had been operated in 1988. The Zhangye network is situated in the middle segment of Hexi corridor and Qilina mountain, which was regarded as a monitoring earthquake area. Using the records of Zhangye digital network theQ-values in and around Minle basin have been measured. The results of this study showed that theQp-values range from 500 to 780, andQs-values range from 230 to 460. TheQ-values of inside of Minle basin are higher than that around the basin. The greater parts of moderate and strong earthquakes occurred along tectonic belts around the Minle basin. Moreover, TheQ-values increased with the depth of penctration of wave ray. The attenuation of S wave is stronger than P wave in shallow layer of crust. Some problems ofQ-value change versus time before and after Sunan eathquake (M _s=5.7) have been also disscussed. These results can be applied to study and to monitor seismic danger of the Minle monitoring area.     

A layer of an unstable seismotectonic strain as an analog of a waveguide at depths of 12–20 km in the Earth’s crust of the Tajik depression

The existence of a layer of unstable seismotectonic strain, which spatially coincides with the waveguide previously detected here at depths of 12–20 km, is established in the central part of the Tajik Depression [Lukk et al., 1970; Nersesov and Chepkunas, 1970; 1971]. This crustal layer is assumed to be weakened and saturated by fluid. The latter is supposedly achieved due to the supply of the liquid component from the bottom crust or upper mantle in the cracks and pores of the waveguide material. A near vertical pillar-like seismogenic body revealed in the work [Shevchenko et al., 2011], which penetrates the waveguide in the depth interval 0–40 km, is considered as one of the possible channels of such inflow. The detected loosened layer (the waveguide) is characterized by a signficant reduction in seismic activity. However, no such reduction is observed within the pillar-like seismogenic body at these depths. Moreover, compared to the nearest ambient environment, the upper 10–15 km of this body feature considerably increased seismic activity that manifested itself in a series of 13 strong earthquakes (with M ≥ 4.7) that occurred within the past approximately 100 years.     

Stress field change around the Mount Fuji volcano magma system caused by the Tohoku megathrust earthquake, Japan

Crustal deformation by the M _w 9.0 megathrust Tohoku earthquake causes the extension over a wide region of the Japanese mainland. In addition, a triggered M _w 5.9 East Shizuoka earthquake on March 15 occurred beneath the south flank, just above the magma system of Mount Fuji. To access whether these earthquakes might trigger the eruption, we calculated the stress and pressure changes below Mount Fuji. Among the three plausible mechanisms of earthquake–volcano interactions, we calculate the static stress change around volcano using finite element method, based on the seismic fault models of Tohoku and East Shizuoka earthquakes. Both Japanese mainland and Mount Fuji region are modeled by seismic tomography result, and the topographic effect is also included. The differential stress given to Mount Fuji magma reservoir, which is assumed to be located to be in the hypocentral area of deep long period earthquakes at the depth of 15 km, is estimated to be the order of about 0.001–0.01 and 0.1–1 MPa at the boundary region between magma reservoir and surrounding medium. This pressure change is about 0.2 % of the lithostatic pressure (367.5 MPa at 15 km depth), but is enough to trigger an eruptions in case the magma is ready to erupt. For Mount Fuji, there is no evidence so far that these earthquakes and crustal deformations did reactivate the volcano, considering the seismicity of deep long period earthquakes.     

Seismic characteristics near the epicenter of the 1303 Hongtong <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>=8 earthquake,Shanxi Province and its implication

In this paper, we calculated the seismic pattern of instrumental recorded small and moderate earthquakes near the epicenter of the 1303 Hongtong M=8 earthquake, Shanxi Province. According to the spatial distribution of small and moderate earthquakes, 6 seismic dense zones are delineated. Temporal distribution of M _L≥2 earthquakes since 1970 in each seismic dense zone has been analyzed. Based on temporal distribution characteristics and historical earthquake activity, three types of seismicities are proposed. The relationship between seismic types and crustal medium is analyzed. The mechanism of three types is discussed. Finity of strong earthquake recurrence is proposed. Seismic hazard in mid-long term and diversity of earthquake disaster in Shanxi seismic belt are discussed.