Possible strain events reflected in water levels in wells along San Jacinto fault zone,southern California

Water levels have been monitored in wells along the San Jacinto fault zone since 1977. The three largest earthquakes to occur within 30 km of the segment of the San Jacinto fault zone being monitored with continuous recorders showed magnitudesM of 4.5, 4.8, and 5.5. Two wells in Borrego Valley, 31 to 32 km southeast of theM=5.5 earthquake on 25 February 1980, showed anomalous spikes recording a probable strain event 88 hours before the earthquake. Two other wells 12 km northwest of the epicenter showed no water-level anomalies. No water-level anomalies preceded theM=4.8 earthquake near Anza on 15 June 1982. Anomalous water-level fluctuations occurred in a well near Ocotillo Wells, 13 km northeast of theM=4.5 earthquake on 22 March 1982, 19 to 23 days prior to the earthquake. Similar fluctuations in other wells have not been followed by sizable earthquakes. A simultaneous drop in water level occurred in four wells on 8 September 1982; this possible strain event was not associated with a sizable earthquake. The presumed strain events occur only in wells that show earth tides and may have been the result of creep on strands of the San Jacinto fault zone. Although water-level anomalies have occurred in only one or two wells prior to two out of three moderate (M=4.5–5.5) earthquakes, the simultaneous drop in water level on 8 September 1982 and the spikes in two wells before theM=5.5 earthquake on 25 February 1980 suggest that wells responsive to earth tides may detect strain events.     

Retardations in fault creep rates before local moderate earthquakes along the San Andreas fault system,central California

Records of shallow aseismic slip (fault creep) obtained along parts of the San Andreas and Calaveras faults in central California demonstrate that significant changes in creep rates often have been associated with local moderate earthquakes. An immediate postearthquake increase followed by gradual, long-term decay back to a previous background rate is generally the most obvious earthquake effect on fault creep. This phenomenon, identified as aseismic afterslip, usually is characterized by above-average creep rates for several months to a few years. In several cases, minor step-like movements, called coseismic slip events, have occurred at or near the times of mainshocks. One extreme case of coseismic slip, recorded at Cienega Winery on the San Andreas fault 17.5 km southeast of San Juan Bautista, consisted of 11 mm of sudden displacement coincident with earthquakes ofM _L =5.3 andM _L =5.2 that occurred 2.5 minutes apart on 9 April 1961. At least one of these shocks originated on the main fault beneath the winery. Creep activity subsequently stopped at the winery for 19 months, then gradually returned to a nearly steady rate slightly below the previous long-term average.The phenomena mentioned above can be explained in terms of simple models consisting of relatively weak material along shallow reaches of the fault responding to changes in load imposed by sudden slip within the underlying seismogenic zone. In addition to coseismic slip and afterslip phenomena, however, pre-earthquakeretardations in creep rates also have been observed. Onsets of significant, persistent decreases in creep rates have occurred at several sites 12 months or more before the times of moderate earthquakes. A 44-month retardation before the 1979M _L =5.9 Coyote Lake earthquake on the Calaveras fault was recorded at the Shore Road creepmeter site 10 km northwest of Hollister. Creep retardation on the San Andreas fault near San Juan Bautista has been evident in records from one creepmeter site for the past 5 years. Retardations with durations of 21 and 19 months also occurred at Shore Road before the 1974 and 1984 earthquakes ofM _L =5.2 andM _L =6.2, respectively.Although creep retardation remains poorly understood, several possible explanations have been discussed previously. (1) Certain onsets of apparent creep retardation may be explained as abrupt terminations of afterslip generated from previous moderate-mainshock sequences. (2) Retardations may be related to significant decreases in the rate of seismic and/or aseismic slip occurring within or beneath the underlying seismogenic zone. Such decreases may be caused by changes in local conditions related to growth of asperities, strain hardening, or dilatancy, or perhaps by passage of stress-waves or other fluctuations in driving stresses. (3) Finally, creep rates may be lowered (or increased) by stresses imposed on the fault by seismic or aseismic slip on neighboring faults. In addition to causing creep-rate increases or retardations, such fault interactions occasionally may trigger earthquakes.Regardless of the actual mechanisms involved and the current lack of understanding of creep retardation, it appears that shallow fault creep is sensitive to local and regional effects that promote or accompany intermediate-term preparation stages leading to moderate earthquakes. A strategy for more complete monitoring of fault creep, wherever it is known to occur, therefore should be assigned a higher priority in our continuing efforts to test various hypotheses concerning the mechanical relations between seismic and aseismic slip.     

Rundle模式地震滞后环和突变现象研究

基于耗散结构理论详细研究了地震活动的主要特征。研究结果表明，地震活动呈现双稳态及尖拐突变现象，主要表现是：发生在应力临界值区间[-pc,pc]内的滞后现象和发生在临界值pc和-pc处的突变现象，前对应系统变能积累过程，后（即强震过程）地该系统能量的主要耗散机制。     

Earthquake activity in the Aswan region,Egypt

The November 14, 1981 Aswan earthquake (M _L= 5.7), which was related to the impoundment of Lake Aswan, was followed by an extended sequence of earthquakes, and is investigated in this study. Earthquake data from June 1982 to late 1991, collected from the Aswan network, are classified into two sets on the basis of focal depth (i.e., shallow, or deeper than 10 km). It is determined that (a) shallow seismicity is characterized by swarm activity, whereas deep seismicity is characterized by a foreshock-main shock-aftershock sequence; (b) the b value is equal to 0.77 and 0.99 for the shallow and deep sequences, respectively; and (c) observations clearly indicate that the temporal variations of shallow seismic activity were associated with a high rate of water-level fluctuation in Lake Aswan; a correlation with the deeper earthquake sequence, however, is not evident. These features, as well as the tomographic characteristics of the Aswan region (Awad andMizoue, this issue), imply that the Aswan seismic activity must be regarded as consisting of two distinct earthquake groups.We also relocated the largest 500 earthquakes to determine their seismotectonic characteristics. The results reveal that the epicenters are well distributed along four fault segments, which constitute a conjugate pattern in the region. Moreover, fault-plane solutions are determined for several earthquakes selected from each segment, which, along with the 14 November 1981 main shock, demonstrate a prominent E-W compressional stress.     

Coherency of rupture and seismic spectrum

In considering the seismic spectrum, one of the methods to incorporate irregularity of fault motion statistically is to introduce the concept of coherency of fracture. In a classic paper,Aki (1967) investigated the scaling law of seismic spectrum on the basis of a statistical model in which an exponentially decaying function is fitted to the autocorrelation function of the dislocation velocity. It is found, however, thatAki's model does not necessarily express irregular fault motion, but corresponds to a smooth dislocation. We show that an analytical function of dislocation velocity gives the same autocorrelation function and the same seismic spectrum as those ofAki's model. In actual fault motion, there is considerable evidence which indicates that the dislocation is not continuous and smooth over the whole fault plane, but is often segmented in several parts. In order to take into consideration this feature we introduce a generalized autocorrelation function of the dislocation velocity in which many coherent fractures smaller than the size of the fault dimension are included. It is shown that the more small-scale coherent fractures, the larger the seismic wave energy in the high frequency range.Kanamori andAllen (1986) showed that a large ratio of seismic wave energy relative to the seismic moment means a large effective stress drop. On the other hand, it is well known that when a fault plane is segmented in several parts, stress drop becomes large (e.g.,Madariaga, 1979;Rudnicki andKanamori, 1981). These two results are fused in our model, because we find that large seismic wave energy is obtained when the fault motion includes small-scale fractures.Kanamori andAllen (1986) also showed that there is a tendency for earthquakes with long repeat times to have a large effective stress drop. Our model implies that a fracture corresponding to earthquakes with long recurrence intervals is more complex, and the strength is large, as also suggested byCao andAki (1986) using a numerical simulation. It should be noted that to the zeroth order, an approximate scaling relation is observed among earthquakes, which means that a large earthquake consists of a relatively large-scale coherent fracture. This fact seems to suggest that the condition of occurrence of a large earthquake is related to the maturing of a source region in which a large coherent fracture becomes feasible.     

Hydromechanical Heterogeneities of a Mature Fault Zone: Impacts on Fluid Flow

In this paper, fluid flow is examined for a mature strike‐slip fault zone with anisotropic permeability and internal heterogeneity. The hydraulic properties of the fault zone were first characterized in situ by microgeophysical (V_P and σ_c) and rock‐quality measurements (Q‐value) performed along a 50‐m long profile perpendicular to the fault zone. Then, the local hydrogeological context of the fault was modified to conduct a water‐injection test. The resulting fluid pressures and flow rates through the different fault‐zone compartments were then analyzed with a two‐phase fluid‐flow numerical simulation. Fault hydraulic properties estimated from the injection test signals were compared to the properties estimated from the multiscale geological approach. We found that (1) the microgeophysical measurements that we made yield valuable information on the porosity and the specific storage coefficient within the fault zone and (2) the Q‐value method highlights significant contrasts in permeability. Fault hydrodynamic behavior can be modeled by a permeability tensor rotation across the fault zone and by a storativity increase. The permeability tensor rotation is linked to the modification of the preexisting fracture properties and to the development of new fractures during the faulting process, whereas the storativity increase results from the development of micro‐ and macrofractures that lower the fault‐zone stiffness and allows an increased extension of the pore space within the fault damage zone. Finally, heterogeneities internal to the fault zones create complex patterns of fluid flow that reflect the connections of paths with contrasting properties.     

鲜水河断裂带上两次强震之间的断层蠕滑及其传播特征的模型研究

本文通过建立水准函数和基线函数,分析了形变介质位移场与地面各测线上不同点位间水准和基线测值变化的定量关系.据此并应用弹性和粘弹性介质断层位错理论,研究了断层运动及其发展和传播过程中断裂带附近的水准和基线测值变化的时空分布规律.参照理论分析结果,并结合跨断层位移的实测资料,反推了1973年炉霍7.9级地震至1981年道孚6.9级地震期间,鲜水河断裂的运动方式、发展趋势及蠕动传播形式,应用试错法给出了有关参数.结果表明,炉霍地震后该断裂带以滑动角为-10的方式作压性反扭运动,其发展趋势呈负指数的衰减形式,滑动区间长度为70km,大致位于炉霍地震产生的地表裂隙带;在道孚地震前,该带东南段发生了断层反扭运动的传播,其平均速度约150m/d,传播方向由西北向东南,终止于道孚西北.参考地震与断层运动的某些分析和实验研究结果,本文讨论了鲜水河断裂运动与炉霍、道孚地震的关系,认为这一时期的断层运动体现了炉霍地震后断层的继承性持续滑动和道孚地震前以蠕动传播为主要标志的前兆活动.上述现象可能反映了大地震前后断层运动的某种规律性.      

Effective medium theory and multiple linear regression-based velocity estimation in syn-rift clastic sequence of the Krishna–Godavari basin,India

An inclusion model, based on the Kuster–Toksöz effective medium theory along with Gassmann theory, is tested to forward model velocities for fluid-saturated rocks. A simulated annealing algorithm, along with the inclusion model, effectively inverts measured compressional velocity (V_P) to achieve an effective pore aspect ratio at each depth in a depth variant manner, continuously along with depth. Early Cretaceous syn-rift clastic sediments at two different depth intervals from two wells [well A (2160–2274 m) and well B (5222–5303 m)], in the Krishna–Godavari basin, India, are used for this study. Shear velocity (V_S) estimated using modelled pore aspect ratio offers a high correlation coefficient (>0.95 for both the wells) with measured data. The modelled pore aspect ratio distribution suggests the decrease in pore aspect ratio for the deeper interval, mainly due to increased effective vertical stress. The pore aspect ratio analysis in relation to total porosity and volume of clay reveals that the clay volume has insignificant influence in shaping the pore geometry in the studied intervals. An approach based on multiple linear regression method effectively predicts velocity as a linear function of total porosity, the volume of clay and the modelled pore-space aspect ratio of the rock. We achieved a significant match between measured and predicted velocities. The correlation coefficients between measured and modelled velocities are considerably high (approximately 0.85 and 0.8, for V_P and V_S, respectively). This process indicates the possible influence of pore geometry along with total porosity and volume of clay on velocity.     

Changes in complex resistivity during creep in granite

A sample of Westerly granite was deformed under constant stress conditions: a pore pressure of 5 MPa, a confining pressure of 10 MPa, and an axial load of 170 MPa. Pore volume changes were determined by measuring the volume of pore fluid (0.01M KCl_aq) injected into the sample. After 6 days of creep, characterized by accelerating volumetric stain, the sample failed along a macroscopic fault. Measurements of complex resistivity over the frequency range 0.001–300 Hz, taken at various times during creep, showed a gradual increase in both conductivity and permittivity. When analysed in terms of standard induced polarization (IP) techniques, the changing complex resistivity resulted in systematic changes in such parameters as percent frequency effect and chargeability. These results suggest that it may be possible to monitor the development of dilatancy in the source region of an impending earthquake through standard IP techniques.     

伴随断层蠕动传播的准静态变形——模型理论分析及唐山地震前孕震断裂运动过程的讨论

根据形变测量资料和有关实验结果以及某些地震前兆特征,本文提出了一种在粘弹性介质半空间中断层滑动面沿断裂带走向扩展,即断层蠕动传播的力学模型.为了研究其附近的形变特征,导出了蠕动传播所产生位移场的解析表达式,并通过数值积分计算了在广义开尔文介质中,滑动时间函数为△U=B(1-e-t/T),而蠕动事件沿断裂带单侧和双侧传播导致的附近介质位移的时空分布.根据1976年唐山地震前沧东断裂带上的短周期测量资料并参考模型所得出的结果,对震前的断层运动作了反推.结果表明,地震前沿沧东断裂带发生过明显的蠕动传播,其初始蠕动发生在小站和沧州之间,随后蠕动沿着断裂带向东北和西南传播,向西南扩展的滑动面是顺扭走滑运动,向东北扩展的滑动面以顺扭走滑运动为主并略有压性倾滑运动分量.      

Velocity changes associated with generalized triaxial deformation of pyrophyllite

Compressional and shear-wave velocities (V _p andV _s ) were measured during the generalized triaxial deformation (i.e. _{1 2}=2 ₃) of pyrophyllite. Observed velocity changes could be ascribed to crack development during dilatancy. Velocity changes were very localized with respect to the ultimate failure plane. The orientation and development of the failure plane was continuously observed with laser holography. Velocity reverals, i.e. changes from a decreasing trend to an increasing trend, were documented in a wet sample in bothV _p andV _s . These changes in bothV _p andV _p are inconsistent with dialatancy-diffusion models. The reversals were interpreted as a reflection of local stress reorientation caused by a slowly propagating fault.     

Controls on sonic velocity in carbonates

Compressional and shear-wave velocities (V _p andV _s) of 210 minicores of carbonates from different areas and ages were measured under variable confining and pore-fluid pressures. The lithologies of the samples range from unconsolidated carbonate mud to completely lithified limestones. The velocity measurements enable us to relate velocity variations in carbonates to factors such as mineralogy, porosity, pore types and density and to quantify the velocity effects of compaction and other diagenetic alterations.Pure carbonate rocks show, unlike siliciclastic or shaly sediments, little direct correlation between acoustic properties (V _p andV _s) with age or burial depth of the sediments so that velocity inversions with increasing depth are common. Rather, sonic velocity in carbonates is controlled by the combined effect of depositional lithology and several post-depositional processes, such as cementation or dissolution, which results in fabrics specific to carbonates. These diagenetic fabrics can be directly correlated to the sonic velocity of the rocks.At 8 MPa effective pressureV _p ranges from 1700 to 6500 m/s, andV _s ranges from 800 to 3400 m/s. This range is mainly caused by variations in the amount and type of porosity and not by variations in mineralogy. In general, the measured velocities show a positive correlation with density and an inverse correlation with porosity, but departures from the general trends of correlation can be as high as 2500 m/s. These deviations can be explained by the occurrence of different pore types that form during specific diagenetic phases. Our data set further suggests that commonly used correlations like Gardner's Law (V _p-density) or the time-average-equation (V _p-porosity) should be significantly modified towards higher velocities before being applied to carbonates.The velocity measurements of unconsolidated carbonate mud at different stages of experimental compaction show that the velocity increase due to compaction is lower than the observed velocity increase at decreasing porosities in natural rocks. This discrepancy shows that diagenetic changes that accompany compaction influence velocity more than solely compaction at increasing overburden pressure.The susceptibility of carbonates to diagenetic changes, that occur far more quickly than compaction, causes a special velocity distribution in carbonates and complicates velocity estimations. By assigning characteristic velocity patterns to the observed diagenetic processes, we are able to link sonic velocity to the diagenetic stage of the rock.     

Quantification relations between the sourc eparameters

The various useful source-parameter relations between seismic moment and common use magnitude lg(M ₀) andM _s,M _L,m _b; between magnitudesMs andM _L,M _s andm _b,M _L andm _b; and between magnitudeM _s and lg(L) (fault length), lg (W) (fault width), lg(S) (fault area), lg(D) (average dislocation);M _L and lg(f _c) (corner frequency) have been derived from the scaling law which is based on an “average” two-dimensional faulting model of a rectangular fault. A set of source-parameters can be estimated from only one magnitude by using these relations. The average rupture velocity of the faultV _r=2.65 km/s, the total time of ruptureT(s)=0.35L (km) and the average dislocation slip rateD=11.4 m/s are also obtained. There are four strong points to measure earthquake size with the seismic moment magnitudeM _w.

1. The seismic moment magnitude shows the strain and rupture size. It is the best scale for the measurement of earthquake size.
2. It is a quantity of absolute mechanics, and has clear physical meaning. Any size of earthquake can be measured. There is no saturation. It can be used to quantify both shallow and deep earthquakes on the basis of the waves radiated.
3. It can link up the previous magnitude scales.
4. It is a uniform scale of measurement of earthquake size. It is suitable for statistics covering a broad range of magnitudes. So the seismic moment magnitude is a promising magnitude and worth popularization.

     

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.     

Coupled simulation of transient bed evolution in alluvial channels

Abstract

In dealing with the transient sediment transport problem, the commonly used uncoupled model may not be suitable. The uncoupling technique is intended to separate the physical coupling phenomenon of water flow and sediment transport into two independent processes. Very often, as a result, severe numerical oscillation and solution instability problems appear in the simulation of transient sediment transport in alluvial channels. The coupled model, which simultaneously solves water flow continuity, momentum and sediment continuity equations, gives fewer numerical oscillation and solution instability problems. In this article, a coupled model using a matrix double-sweep method to solve the system of nonlinear algebraic equations has been developed. Several test runs designed on the basis of a schematic model have been performed. The numerical oscillation and solution instability problems have been investigated through a comparison with those obtained from an uncoupled model. Based on the proposed case studies, it can be concluded that, for transient bed evolution, the performance of the coupled model is much better than that of the uncoupled model. The numerical oscillation is reduced and the solution is more stable. This newly developed coupled model was also applied to the Cho-Shui River in Taiwan. This application study implied that the effect of the peaky flood wave propagation on the bed evolution could be simulated better by the coupled model than by the uncoupled model.     

Analysis of cut-and-cover tunnels against large tectonic deformation

Tunnels are believed to be rather “insensitive” to earthquakes. Although a number of case histories seem to favor such an argument, failures and collapses of underground structures in the earthquakes of Kobe (1995), Düzce–Bolu (1999), and Taiwan (1999) have shown that there are exceptions to this “rule”. Among them: the case of tunnels crossed by fault rupture. This paper presents the analysis and design of two highway cut-and-cover tunnels in Greece against large tectonic dislocation from a normal fault. The analysis, conducted with finite elements, places particular emphasis on realistically modeling the tunnel-soil interface. Soil behavior is modeled thorough an elastoplastic constitutive model with isotropic strain softening, which has been extensively validated through successful predictions of centrifuge model tests. A primary conclusion emerging from the paper is that the design of cut-and-cover structures against large tectonic deformation is quite feasible. It is shown that the rupture path is strongly affected by the presence of the tunnel, leading to development of beneficial stress-relieving phenomena such as diversion, bifurcation, and diffusion. The tunnel may be subjected either to hogging deformation when the rupture emerges close to its hanging-wall edge, or to sagging deformation when the rupture is near its footwall edge. Paradoxically, the maximum stressing is not always attained with the maximum imposed dislocation. Therefore, the design should be performed on the basis of design envelopes of the internal forces, with respect to the location of the fault rupture and the magnitude of dislocation. Although this study was prompted by the needs of a specific project, the method of analysis, the design concepts, and many of the conclusions are sufficiently general to merit wider application.     

Some reliable fault plane solutions

Summary The reliability of earthquake fault plane solutions usingP andPKP first motion data is discussed. Effects of the usefulness of the individual data, of the number and distribution of data around the focus, of great velocity contrasts in the focal region, and of the kind of projection technique are considered. The increase of the number of inconsistent data by a change in position of the three principal axes can be used as a more or less objective measure for the reliability of a solution.A selection of 52 mantle shock solutions is presented. More than 75% of these shocks is of the thrust (or block) and the normal or reverse fault motion type. Transcurrent type shocks decrease from 40 to 50% in the upper 200 km of the mantle to less than 15% below this level. Thrust (or block) type fault motions clearly represent the normal reaction of the deeper mantle material to earthquake generating stresses.     

A theoretical model for reverse water-level fluctuations induced by transient permeability in thrust fault zones

A numerical model was applied to simulate the poroelastic response to changes in fault permeability as a result of earthquakes. The ‘fault valve’ model describes faults as impermeable barriers for fluids except immediately after earthquakes, when fault zones are damaged and transient pathways for fluids are created. In this case the fault is viewed as a discharging well, draining fluids from the surrounding rock. The reverse water-level effect is characterized by the increase of water level in adjacent aquifers and aquitards, resulting from withdrawing fluids through a well. Theoretical calculations suggest that the reverse water-level effect exists also in earthquake cycling and is in the same order of magnitude as the co-seismic hydraulic head change. A significant rise of the hydraulic head (>1 m) occurs within the country rock from both sides of the fault. The rise of the water level takes months to years to occur, and perhaps that is why it cannot be easily distinguished from seasonal hydrologic changes observed in the field. The reverse water-level effect also propagates away from the fault at a rate of hundreds of meters per year, depending on the permeability of the country rock. In deep formations where the permeability is low, the propagation takes years. The magnitude of the reverse water-level effect is greater when the fault efficiently drains fluids, when it is highly permeable and slow to reseal.     

Interrelation between fault zone structures and earthquake processes

In order to develop capabilities for predicting earthquake processes on the basis of known fault zone structures and stress conditions, we need to find relations between seismogenic structures and processes. In the present paper we search for the scale dependence in various earthquake phenomena with the hope to find some structures in the earth that may control the earthquake processes. Among these phenomena, we shall focus on (1) geologic structures which play some role in nucleation and stopping of earthquake fault rupture, (2) depth ranges of the brittle seismogenic zone, (3) asperities and barriers distributed over a fault plane, (4) source-controlledf _max effect, (5) nonfractal behavior of creep events, and (6) temporal correlation between codaQ ^–1 and seismicity of earthquakes with magnitude characteristic to a given area. Our review of various scale-dependent phenomena leads us to propose a working hypothesis that the temporal change in codaQ ^–1 may reflect the activity of creep fractures near the brittle-ductile transition zone.     

THE GEOLOGICAL AND ROCK MECHANICAL DISTINCTION EVIDENCE BETWEEN STICK-SLIP AND CREEP IN HOST ROCK SEGMENTS OF FAULT

Paleo-seismic and fault activity are hard to distinguish in host rock areas compared with soft sedimentary segments of fault. However, fault frictional experiments could obtain the conditions of stable and unstable slide, as well as the microstructures of fault gouge, which offer some identification marks between stick-slip and creep of fault. We summarized geological and rock mechanical distinction evidence between stick-slip and creep in host rock segments of fault, and analyzed the physical mechanisms which controlled the behavior of stick-slip and creep. The chemical composition of fault gouge is most important to control stick-slip and creep. Gouge composed by weak minerals, such as clay mineral, has velocity weakening behavior, which causes stable slide of fault. Gouge with rock-forming minerals, such as calcite, quartz, feldspar, pyroxene, has stick-slip behavior under condition of focal depth. To the gouge with same chemical composition, the deformation mechanism controls the frictional slip. It is essential condition to stick slip for brittle fracture companied by dilatation, but creep is controlled by compaction and cataclasis as well as ductile shear with foliation and small fold. However, under fluid conditions, pressure solution which healed the fractures and caused strength recovery of fault, is the original reason of unstable slide, and also resulted in locking of fault with high pore pressure in core of fault zone. Contrast with that, rock-forming minerals altered to phyllosilicates in the gouges by fluid flow through degenerative reaction and hydrolysis reaction, which produced low friction fault and transformations to creep. The creep process progressively developed several wide shear zones including of R, Y, T, P shear plane that comprise gouge zones embedded into wide damage zones, which caused small earthquake distributed along wide fault zones with focal mechanism covered by normal fault, strike-slip fault and reverse fault. However, the stick-slip produced mirror-like slide surfaces with very narrow gouges along R shear plane and Y shear plane, which caused small earthquake distributed along narrow fault zones with single kind of focal mechanism.