Observations of remote coseismic stress step-changes

The study on stress triggering and stress shadow is a frontier subject of current seismologic research. One of the problems presently encountered is the lack of reliable observation of real coseismic stress changes at locations remote to the epicenter. At Changping Station near Beijing, coseismic step-changes were recorded for the Mw6.3 Zhangbei quake on 10 January, 1998 and the Mw5.8 Zhangbei quake on 11 March, 1999, by a RZB borehole component strainmeter. Based on analyses of these recordings, this paper shows observed coseismic step-changes of the horizontal component of strain tensor. The strain step-changes reach the order of 10?8 and, correspondingly, stress step-changes reach as high as 10?4 MPa. The results are significantly higher than linear elastic theoretical values. However, as self-checking can be carried out with the 4 groups of data recorded by the 4-component strainmeter, it has proved that the results are reliable.     

青海钻孔应变映震效能研究

利用青海省6套YRY-4分量钻孔应变仪2007—2015年的观测资料,将该地区符合扫描范围的地震从震前异常和同震特征两方面进行研究。结果显示:湟源、德令哈分量钻孔应变差应变曲线地震前大多有短期超差异常;分量钻孔应变仪的同震响应幅度与震级、震中距都有关。同一地震,多台仪器多数情况同震响应幅度与震中距成反比,少数成正比;一般单台仪器同震响应幅度与地震震级成正比关系,震级越大同震响应幅度越大;分量钻孔应变仪的同震响应延迟时间大多与地震震中距成正比,震中距越远同震响应延迟时间越长;分量钻孔应变仪同震响应持续时间与震级基本成正比,震级越大同震持续时间越长。     

Frequency-dependent rupture process,stress change,and seismogenic mechanism of the 25 April 2015 Nepal Gorkha <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>w</Subscript> 7.8 earthquake

On 25 April 2015, an M _w 7.8 earthquake occurred on the Main Himalaya Thrust fault with a dip angle of ~ 7° about 77 km northwest of Kathmandu, Nepal. This Nepal Gorkha event is the largest one on the Himalayan thrust belt since 1950. Here we use the compressive sensing method in the frequency domain to track the seismic radiation and rupture process of this event using teleseismic P waves recorded by array stations in North America. We also compute the distribution of static shear stress changes on the fault plane from a coseismic slip model. Our results indicate a dominant east-southeastward unilateral rupture process from the epicenter with an average rupture speed of ~3 km s^?1. Coseismic radiation of this earthquake shows clear frequency-dependent features. The lower frequency (0.05–0.3 Hz) radiation mainly originates from large coseismic slip regions with negative coseismic shear stress changes. In comparison, higher frequency (0.3–0.6 Hz) radiation appears to be from the down-dip part around the margin of large slip areas, which has been loaded and presents positive coseismic shear stress changes. We propose an asperity model to interpret this Nepal earthquake sequence and compare the frequency-dependent coseismic radiation with that in subduction zones. Such frequency-dependent radiation indicates the depth-varying frictional properties on the plate interface of the Nepal section in the main Himalaya thrust system, similar to previous findings in oceanic subduction zones. Our findings provide further evidence of the spatial correlation between changes of static stress status on the fault plane and the observed frequency-dependent coseismic radiation during large earthquakes. Our results show that the frequency-dependent coseismic radiation is not only found for megathrust earthquakes in the oceanic subduction environment, but also holds true for thrust events in the continental collision zone.     

Surface dynamic deformation estimates from local seismicity: the Itoiz reservoir,Spain

We analyze the ground motion time histories due to the local seismicity near the Itoiz reservoir to estimate the near-source, surface 3D displacement gradients and dynamic deformations. The seismic data were obtained by a semipermanent broadband and accelerometric network located on surface and at underground sites. The dynamic deformation field was calculated by two different methodologies: first, by the seismo-geodetic method using the data from a three-station microarray located close to the dam, and second, by single station estimates of the displacement gradients. The dynamic deformations obtained from both methods were compared and analyzed in the context of the local free-field effects. The shallow 1D velocity structure was estimated from the seismic data by modeling the body wave travel times. Time histories obtained from both methods result quite similar in the time window of body wave arrivals. The strain misfits between methods vary from 1.4 to 35.0 % and rotational misfits vary from 2.5 to 36.0 %. Amplitudes of displacement gradients vary in the range of 10^?8 to 10^?7 strains. From these results, a new scaling analysis by numerical modeling is proposed in order to estimate the peak dynamic deformations for different magnitudes, up to the expected maximum M _w in the region (M5.5). Peak dynamic deformations due to local M _w5.5 earthquakes would reach amplitudes of 10^?5 strain and 10^?3 radians at the Itoiz dam. The single station method shows to be an adequate option for the analysis of local seismicity, where few three-component stations are available. The results obtained here could help to extend the applicability of these methodologies to other sites of engineering interest.     

Characteristics of coseismic water level changes at Tangshan well for the Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake and its larger aftershocks

Coseismic water level changes which may have been induced by the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake and its 15 larger aftershocks (M_S≥?5.4) have been observed at Tangshan well. We analyze the correlation between coseismic parameters (maximum amplitude, duration, coseismic step and the time when the coseismic reach its maximum amplitude) and earthquake parameters (magnitude, well-epicenter distance and depth), and then compare the time when the coseismic oscillation reaches its maximum amplitude with the seismogram from Douhe seismic station which is about 16.3 km away from Tangshan well. The analysis indicates that magnitude is the main factor influencing the induced coseismic water level changes, and that the well-epicenter distance and depth have less influence. M_S magnitude has the strongest correlation with the coseismic water level changes comparing to M_W and M_L magnitudes. There exists strong correlation between the maximum amplitude, step size and the oscillation duration. The water level oscillation and step are both caused by dynamic strain sourcing from seismic waves. Most of the times when the oscillations reach their maximum amplitudes are between S and Rayleigh waves. The coseismic water level changes are due to the co-effect of seismic waves and hydro-geological environments.     

Stress Changes due to Recent Seismic Events in the Central Apennines (Italy)

The Central Apennines, Italy, are characterized by moderate seismic activity on normal faults, oriented in directions parallel to the Apenninic chain. The subject of this study is the Umbria-Marche Apennines, a segment approximately 200-km long, where three main seismic events occurred in the last three decades. The 1979 Norcia earthquake was a M_w = 5.8 event, taking place at the south end of the considered segment. The 1984 Gubbio earthquake was a M_w = 5.6 event which took place at the north end. The 1997-1998 Colfiorito sequence constituted 8 main shocks with magnitudes M_w between 5 and 6 and epicenters located between the Gubbio and the Norcia earthquake areas. A model made of an elastic half-space is considered, in which the seismic sources are represented by rectangular dislocations which have the appropriate values of source parameters, and in which the static stress field produced by each event is calculated. The analysis of the Coulomb stress change (ΔC) as a function of time shows that the coseismic stress transfer and fault interaction played an important role in the region during the past three decades: 7 earthquakes of the 9 considered took place where ΔC>0. Such an interaction has been confirmed by the analysis of the aftershocks in the Colfiorito zone post September 26, 1997: about the 61% of the aftershocks considered took place where ΔC>0. The comparison between the ΔC^s due to the coseismic stress transfer and the rate ΔĊ^t due to the tectonic stress allows us to quantify the time advance of the earthquakes. The ΔC^s pattern shows positive values in two areas that can be regarded as historical seismic gaps.     

Observation and Modeling of the January 2009 West Papua, Indonesia Tsunami

We modeled a tsunami from the West Papua, Indonesia earthquakes on January 3, 2009 (M _w?=?7.7). After the first earthquake, tsunami alerts were issued in Indonesia and Japan. The tsunami was recorded at many stations located in and around the Pacific Ocean. In particular, at Kushimoto on Kii Peninsula, the maximum amplitude was 43?cm, larger than that at Manokwari on New Guinea Island, near the epicenter. The tsunami was recorded on near-shore wave gauges, offshore GPS sensors and deep-sea bottom pressure sensors. We have collected more than 150 records and used 72 stations?? data with clear tsunami signals for the tsunami source modeling. We assumed two fault models (single fault and five subfaults) which are located to cover the aftershock area. The estimated average slip on the single fault model (80?×?40?km) is 0.64?m, which yields a seismic moment of 1.02?×?10²⁰?Nm (M _w?=?7.3). The observed tsunami waveforms at most stations are well explained by this model.     

3种钻孔应变仪记录的玛多MS7.4地震同震响应特征对比分析

针对2021年5月22日青海玛多MS7.4地震,采用3种型号的钻孔应变仪观测到的应变资料对比分析同震应变波,结果表明3种仪器记录同震的初动时间、波动幅度和持续时间等存在一定差别:在震中距相当的情况下,TJ型体应变仪和RZB型四分量钻孔应变仪存在波动幅度变化小、持续时间短的问题,难以从背景变化中区分同震响应,影响钻孔仪器同震规律研究; YRY?4型四分量钻孔应变仪波动幅度变化大,持续时间长,在映震效果上表现较为突出。     

基于断层虚位错模式讨论2008年汶川MS8.0地震前视电阻率变化

2008年汶川M_S8.0地震前,距震中450km范围内有7个视电阻率台站运行,震前记录到了不同形态和幅值的变化。本文采用断层虚位错模式,在模型中将汶川地震同震滑动位移按大小相等但方向相反的方式进行加载,计算震前产生这些同震位错所需积累的应力应变分布。计算结果表明：在100m深度,震前正应力和剪切应力主要积累区域位于龙门山断裂带两侧约100km范围内,最大应力变化量为0.5MPa;体应变积累区域与应力积累区域基本一致,最大应变值为10^-5,显示这些区域在震前存在较高的挤压应力应变积累,而在这些区域外,应力应变积累程度较低。成都台和江油台位于震前主要的应力应变挤压积累集中区域,视电阻率观测数据均为震前下降-准同震阶跃-震后回升,与震前应力应变积累-震后释放的变化形式一致,这2个台站震前的异常变化与汶川地震关系密切;而甘孜台、武都台、冕宁台、小庙台和天水台位于应力应变积累较弱的区域,其视电阻率变化与汶川地震的关联性较弱。     

Structural features and seismotectonic implications of coseismic surface ruptures produced by the 2016 <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>w</Subscript> 7.1 Kumamoto earthquake

Field investigations and analyses of satellite images and aerial photographs reveal that the 2016 M _w 7.1 (Mj 7.3) Kumamoto earthquake produced a ～40-km surface rupture zone striking NE-SW on central Kyushu Island, Japan. Coseismic surface ruptures were characterized by shear faults, extensional cracks, and mole tracks, which mostly occurred along the pre-existing NE-SW-striking Hinagu–Futagawa fault zone in the southwest and central segments, and newly identified faults in the northeast segment. This study shows that (i) the Hinagu–Futagawa fault zone triggered the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and controlled the spatial distribution of coseismic surface ruptures; (ii) the southwest and central segments were dominated by right-lateral strike-slip movement with a maximum in-site measured displacement of up to 2.5 m, accompanied by a minor vertical component. In contrast, the northeast segment was dominated by normal faulting with a maximum vertical offset of up to 1.75 m with a minor horizontal component that formed graben structures inside Aso caldera; (iii) coseismic rupturing initiated at the jog area between the Hinagu and Futagawa faults, then propagated northeastward into Aso caldera, where it terminated. The 2016 M _w 7.1 Kumamoto earthquake therefore offers a rare opportunity to study the relationships between coseismic rupture processes and pre-existing active faults, as well as the seismotectonics of Aso volcano.     

Joint inversion of GNSS and teleseismic data for the rupture process of the 2017 <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>w</Subscript>6.5 Jiuzhaigou,China, earthquake

The spatio-temporal slip distribution of the earthquake that occurred on 8 August 2017 in Jiuzhaigou, China, was estimated from the teleseismic body wave and near-field Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data (coseismic displacements and high-rate GPS data) based on a finite fault model. Compared with the inversion results from the teleseismic body waves, the near-field GNSS data can better restrain the rupture area, the maximum slip, the source time function, and the surface rupture. The results show that the maximum slip of the earthquake approaches 1.4 m, the scalar seismic moment is ~ 8.0 × 10¹⁸ N·m (M_w?≈?6.5), and the centroid depth is ~ 15 km. The slip is mainly driven by the left-lateral strike-slip and it is initially inferred that the seismogenic fault occurs in the south branch of the Tazang fault or an undetectable fault, a NW-trending left-lateral strike-slip fault, and belongs to one of the tail structures at the easternmost end of the eastern Kunlun fault zone. The earthquake rupture is mainly concentrated at depths of 5–15 km, which results in the complete rupture of the seismic gap left by the previous four earthquakes with magnitudes >?6.0 in 1973 and 1976. Therefore, the possibility of a strong aftershock on the Huya fault is low. The source duration is ~ 30 s and there are two major ruptures. The main rupture occurs in the first 10 s, 4 s after the earthquake; the second rupture peak arrives in ~ 17 s. In addition, the Coulomb stress study shows that the epicenter of the earthquake is located in the area where the static Coulomb stress change increased because of the 12 May 2017 M_w7.9 Wenchuan, China, earthquake. Therefore, the Wenchuan earthquake promoted the occurrence of the 8 August 2017 Jiuzhaigou earthquake.     

2016年7月19日新疆MS 4.5级地震乌什地震台形变异常

利用乌什台数字化前兆形变观测资料,分析乌什M_S 4.5级地震前乌什台水管倾斜仪、洞体应变仪数据变化情况。通过对比分析发现:地震前,洞体应变仪北南分量数据曲线正常,东西分量数据曲线加速拉张,05:14-20:32拉张幅度达到7.40×10-7,7月19日5时至20日16时乌什洞体应变仪东西分量快速拉张了9.20×10-7;7月19日5-19时,水管倾斜仪北南分量数据曲线正常,东西分量数据曲线反向西倾7.13ms,且05:59-06:06、07:36-07:46、18:42-18:56数据掉格,水管倾斜仪异常结束后1小时,在洞体应变仪异常过程中发生了乌什M_S 4.5级地震。水管仪东西分量震前反向西倾,洞体应变仪东西分量震前拉张加速,短临异常明显,且2套形变观测震前异常时间同步性较好。     

Comparative study of temporal variations in the earth’s gravity field using GRACE gravity models in the regions of three recent giant earthquakes

Comparative analysis of coseismic and postseismic variations of the Earth’s gravity field is carried for the regions of three giant earthquakes (Andaman-Sumatra, December 26, 2004, magnitude M _w = 9.1; Maule-Chile, February 27, 2010, M _w = 8.8, and Tohoku-Oki, March 11, 2011, M _w = 9.0) with the use of GRACE satellite data. Within the resolution of GRACE models, the coseismic changes of gravity caused by these seismic events manifest themselves by large negative anomalies located in the rear of the subduction zone. The real data are compared with the synthetic anomalies calculated from the rupture surface models based on different kinds of ground measurements. It is shown that the difference between the gravity anomalies corresponding to different rupture surface models exceeds the uncertainties of the GRACE data. There-fore, the coseismic gravity anomalies are at least suitable for rejecting part of the models that are equivalent in the ground data. Within the first few months after the Andaman-Sumatra earthquake, a positive gravity anomaly started to grow above the deep trench. This anomaly rapidly captured the area of the back-arc basin and largely compensated the negative coseismic anomaly. The processes of viscoelastic stress relaxation do not fully allow for these rapid changes of gravity. According to the calculations, even with a sufficiently low viscosity of the upper mantle, relaxation only covers about a half of the observed change of the field. In order to explain the remaining temporal variations, we suggested the process of downdip propagation of the coseismic rupture surface. The feasibility of such a process was supported by numerical simulations. The sum of the gravity anomalies caused by this process and the anomaly generated by the processes of viscoelastic relaxation accounts well for the observed changes of the gravity field in the region of the earthquake. The similar postseismic changes of gravity were also detected for the region of the Tohoku-Oki earthquake. Just as in the case discussed above, this earthquake was also followed by a rapid growth of a positive postseismic anomaly, which partially counterbalanced the negative coseismic anomaly. The time variations of the gravity field in the region of the Maule-Chile earthquake differ from the pattern of changes observed in the island arcs described above. The postseismic gravity variations are in this case concentrated in a narrower band above the deep trench and shelf, and they do not spread over the continental territory, where the negative coseismic anomaly is located. These discrepancies reflect the difference in the geodynamical settings of the studied earthquakes.     

基于同震GPS数据的汶川大震同震应变特征研究

利用同震GPS观测数据,采用多面函数法,以数据分片拟合方式对2008年5月12日汶川MS8.0大震同震面应变进行计算,评定了计算结果的精度,并分析与强震有关的面应变变化特征。结果表明:在计算同震应变变化时,分片拟合较整体拟合得到的应变结果精度更高;同震应变结果对龙门山断裂能量释放特征及地表破坏分布有一定的反映。     

From source to surface: dynamics of Etna’s lava fountains investigated by continuous strain, magnetic, ground and satellite thermal data

We investigated the eruptive episodes that occurred at Etna volcano on 15 November 2011 and 18 March 2012 using different types of data. We present novel data from two recently installed strainmeters that recorded unique signals during the lava fountain phases of these events. The strainmeter data, integrated with those recorded by the magnetic network, and with satellite and ground thermal data, allowed us to follow the path of a gas-rich magma batch from the source inside the volcano to the surface and atmosphere. The amplitude ratio of the volumetric strain changes constrained the storage depth of the magma feeding the lava fountains above 1.5 km below sea level. Magnetic data revealed an attempted shallow lateral intrusion, whereas ground and satellite thermal data furnished a quantification of the total erupted volumes of ～2.2?×?10⁶?m³ for the 15 November event and ～3.0?×?10⁶?m³ for the 18 March event. Despite different durations of the explosive and effusive phases of the two lava fountain events, the total erupted volume was quite similar, suggesting the emptying of a shallow storage system displaying a steady behaviour.     

Coseismic Three-Dimensional Displacements Determined Using SAR Data: Theory and an Application Test

We present a methodology to construct three-dimensional deformation maps using different parameters that can be extracted using SAR data. We apply the methodology using ENVISAT SAR data before and after the December 26^th, 2003 M_w 6.6 Bam earthquake in Iran to determine spatial quasi-continuous three-dimensional coseismic deformation maps. Two near vertical deformation offset components are computed using Envisat ASAR differential interferometry (DInSAR), while two horizontal deformation offset components are measured using sub-pixel correlation techniques applied to ASAR amplitude images. Using the presented methodology, we combine four unevenly precise independent projections of surface coseismic deformation to obtain the full three-dimensional coseismic deformation field caused by an earthquake. The full 3-D coseismic displacement vector is modeled using elastic deformation models constraining details of the fault geometry and slip distribution at depth. Results from the inversion are interpreted in the framework of the Iranian present-day tectonism. Full exploitation of dense 3-D coseismic surface deformation using SAR data, even for moderate earthquakes, should facilitate distinguishing between different interpretations of the mechanical properties of seismically active areas and within the inherent ambiguity of the geophysical inversion solutions.     

Seismicity and seismotectonic deformations of the crust in the Southern Baikal basin

This paper addresses the seismicity of the Southern Baikal basin, where the M _w = 6.0 earthquake of 1999 was the strongest over the period of instrumental observations in this region. Focal mechanisms of background earthquakes and aftershocks are analyzed in relation to faults mapped on flanks of and within the basin. Based on a supplemented catalog of focal mechanisms, the value and direction of seismotectonic strain are evaluated. The results show that the territory to the west of the transverse Angara fault (the Mishikhinskaya depression) experiences deformation of pure extension, while the E-W basin segment west of the fault is subjected to deformation of extension with shear (the transtension regime). The crustal deformation directions as determined from GPS measurements and seismological observations are found to agree well. The average seismotectonic strain rate of the crust amounts to 2.95 × 10^?9 yr^?1, which is about an order of magnitude smaller than the value obtained from geodetic observations.     

福建省钻孔体应变同震响应分析

通过福建省4个钻孔体应变仪对印尼强震的同震响应波对比分析,研究了福建省体应变变化特征,得出体应变幅度与震级成正比、响应延迟时间与震中距成正比的结论,进一步探讨了福建省各台站对印尼远强震的体应变变化特征及其与断层性质的关系。     

Groundwater Level Changes in Taiwan Caused by The Wenchuan Earthquake on 12 May 2008

Widespread persistent coseismic groundwater level changes induced by the M _w 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake were recorded in 80 wells in Taiwan, located approximately 2,000?km from the epicenter. The timing and magnitude of these changes, ranging from ?40 to +23?cm, have been examined by statistical evaluation. The coseismic fall dominated in the plain area, but in the mountainous area most changes are coseismic rises. Both the coseismic rise and the coseismic fall were observed in wells of different depths at two monitoring stations. The processes of the coseismic changes can be shown by the high-frequency well water level data. Analysis of the 1?Hz water level data and the broadband seismogram revealed that a temporary water level change, ranging from 0.2 to 2.3?cm, occurred at the arrival of high-energy Love waves and Rayleigh waves. However, a water level change of 0.3–6.4?cm occurred in 7–20?min after the passing of high-energy surface waves. It is doubtful that such a change could be induced directly by ground shaking. The cross-formational flow due to fracturing or unclogging of sediment pores was possibly too slow to cause the coseismic change. Further studies are required to understand the mechanism of coseismic groundwater level changes induced by a distant earthquake.     

A 100 m laser strainmeter system installed in a 1 km deep tunnel at Kamioka, Gifu, Japan

We have installed a laser strainmeter system in a deep tunnel about 1,000 m below the ground surface at Kamioka, Gifu, Japan. The system consists of three types of independent interferometers: (1) an EW linear strainmeter of the Michelson type with unequal arms, (2) an NS-EW differential strainmeter of the Michelson type with equal arms and (3) a NS absolute strainmeter of the Fabry–Perot type. These are configured in L-shaped vacuum pipes, each of which has a length of 100 m. (1) and (2) are highly sensitive (order of 10⁻¹³ strain) and have wide dynamical range (10⁻¹³–10⁻⁶). Observations with strainmeters (1) and (2) started on June 11, 2003. (3) is a new device for absolute-length measurements of the order of 10⁻⁹ of a long-baseline (100 m) Fabry–Perot cavity by the use of phase-modulated light. This third strainmeter will be ready for operation before the end of 2004. The laser source of strainmeters (1) and (2) is a frequency-doubled YAG laser with a wavelength of 532 nm. The laser frequency is locked onto an iodine absorption line and a stability of 2 × 10⁻¹³ is attained. The light paths of the laser strainmeter system are enclosed in SUS304 stainless steel pipes. The inside pressure is kept to be 10⁻⁴ Pa. Consequently, quantitative measurement of crustal strains of the order of 10⁻¹³ can be attained by employing the laser strainmeter system of (1) and (2) at Kamioka. This resolving power corresponds to that of a superconducting gravimeter. Using the laser strainmeter system, we expect to determine parameters related to fluid core resonance, core modes and core undertone as well as other geodynamic signals such as slow strain changes caused by silent earthquakes or slow earthquakes.