The Portland Hills Fault: uncovering a hidden fault in Portland, Oregon using high-resolution geophysical methods

The Portland metropolitan area historically is the most seismically active region in Oregon. At least three potentially active faults are located in the immediate vicinity of downtown Portland, with the Portland Hills Fault (PHF) extending directly beneath downtown Portland. The faults are poorly understood, and the surface geologic record does not provide the information required to assess the seismic hazards associated with them. The limited geologic information stems from a surface topography that has not maintained a cumulative geologic record of faulting, in part, due to rapid erosion and deposition from late Pleistocene catastrophic flood events and a possible strike-slip component of the faults. We integrated multiple high-resolution geophysical techniques, including seismic reflection, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and magnetic methods, with regional geological and geophysical surveys to determine that the Portland Hills Fault is presently active with a zone of deformation that extends at least 400 m. The style of deformation is consistent with at least two major earthquakes in the last 12–15 ka, as confirmed by a sidehill excavation trench. High-resolution geophysical methods provide detailed images of the upper 100 m across the active fault zone. The geophysical images are critical to characterizing the structural style within the zone of deformation, and when integrated with a paleoseismic trench, can accurately record the seismic history of a region with little surface geologic exposure.     

The March–April 2014 sequence of earthquakes in North Chile

During March–April 2014 a series of earthquakes occurred around the Iquique city located in the northern Chile region. The two largest events of this sequence are the Mw8.2, April 1, 2014 and Mw7.7, April 4, 2014 quakes. Here we computed the nodal planes of eight of the large and well teleseismically recorded events of this series based on grid search, teleseismic moment tensors inversion, empirical Green's function deconvolution and its stack to average the deconvolutions for the Mw = 8.2, April 1, 2014, synthetic Green's function deconvolution and its stack to average the deconvolutions for the same event and 3D static deformation analysis of the above mentioned events based on the AK135 model. Grid search nodal planes and moment tensors suggest the dominance of reverse faulting. Almost all of the calculated teleseismic moment tensors represent a considerable amount of DC (usually more than 90%) and lower amount of CLVD for this sequence of events. Empirical and synthetic Green's function deconvolution showing down dip rupture propagation and 3D static deformation representing higher amount of vertical deformation in comparison with horizontal deformation components plus the existence of uplift and subsidence. According to the aftershocks distribution there is a bilateral distribution of the aftershocks around the first large event of this sequence that occurred March 16, 2014 (Mw6.7) so that they are approximately limited between the Mw8.2 (at north) and Mw7.7 (at south) quakes. Moreover there exist two bands of regional seismicity during early-mid 2014: a shallow off-shore band between the trench and coast and a deeper inland band under the active volcanic chain (both nearly parallel to the trench).     

临界超静孔压确定液化深度的方法研究

通过对地震时砂土层内超静孔压积累原理的研究, 提出了一种确定液化深度的方法, 并利用这一方法对 1976年唐山地震在沿海地区产生液化的深度进行了计算, 而且与实际资料进行了比较。     

临界超静孔压确定液化深度的方法研究

本文通过对地震时砂土层内超静孔压积累原理的研究,提出了一种确定液化深度的方法,并利用这一方法对１９７６年唐山地震在沿海地区产生液化的深度进行了计算,并与实际资料进行了比较。     

Soft-sediment deformation structures in NW Germany caused by Late Pleistocene seismicity

New data on seismically triggered soft-sediment deformation structures in Pleniglacial to Late Glacial alluvial fan and aeolian sand-sheet deposits of the upper Senne area link this soft-sediment deformation directly to earthquakes generated along the Osning Thrust, which is one of the major fault systems in Central Europe. Soft-sediment deformation structures include a complex fault and fold pattern, clastic dikes, sand volcanoes, sills, irregular intrusive sedimentary bodies, flame structures, and ball-and-pillow structures. The style of soft-sediment deformation will be discussed with respect to brittle failure, liquefaction and fluidization processes, and was controlled by (1) the magnitude of the earthquake and (2) the permeability, tensile strength and flexural resistance of the alluvial and aeolian sediments. It is the first time in northern Germany that fluidization and liquefaction features can be directly related to a fault. The occurrence of seismicity in the Late Pleistocene and in the seventeenth century indicates ongoing crustal movements along the Osning Thrust and sheds new light on the seismic activity of northern Germany. The Late Pleistocene earthquake probably occurred between 15.9 ± 1.6 and 13.1 ± 1.5 ka; the association of soft-sediment deformation structures implies that it had a magnitude of at least 5.5.     

河北省唐山地区丰台—野鸡坨断裂第四纪活动性——来自14C和磁性地层年代学的证据

丰台—野鸡坨断裂为唐山地区主要断裂之一，西侧为鸦鸿桥凹陷，东侧为唐山凸起，断裂两侧第四系厚度之差巨大。本文依据该断层两侧钻孔对其第四纪以来活动性进行初步的探讨。通过对丰台—野鸡坨断裂上下两盘PZK14和PZK20孔磁性地层学研究，并结合钻孔岩石地层，及浅部光释光和¹⁴C测年结果，建立第四纪地层格架。结果表明：两孔底部“泥包砾”为新近纪沉积；PZK14孔下更新统底界埋深为387 m，中更新统底界埋深为114 m，上更新统底界埋深为71 m，全新统底界埋深为6 m；PZK20孔下更新统底界埋深为155 m，中更新统底界埋深为73 m，上更新统底界为36 m，无全新世地层。丰台—野鸡坨断裂活动在早更新世时表现为逐渐增强的特点，活动速率由早期的5.4 cm/ka增加到13.9 cm/ka。中更新世断裂活动基本处于停滞状态，活动速率为1.0 cm/ka。晚更新世以后，断裂重新活动，且更加剧烈，活动速率达到了54.5 cm/ka。     

The Manyas fault zone (southern Marmara region,NW Turkey): active tectonics and paleoseismology

The Manyas fault zone (MFZ) is a splay fault of the Yenice Gönen Fault, which is located on the southern branch of the North Anatolian Fault System. The MFZ is a 38 km long, WNW–ESE-trending and normal fault zone comprised of three en-echelon segments. On 6 October 1964, an earthquake (Ms = 6.9) occurred on the Salur segment. In this study, paleoseismic trench studies were performed along the Salur segment. Based on these paleoseismic trench studies, at least three earthquakes resulting in a surface rupture within the last 4000 years, including the 1964 earthquake have been identified and dated. The penultimate event can be correlated with the AD 1323 earthquake. There is no archaeological and/or historical record that can be associated with the oldest earthquake dated between BP 3800 ± 600 and BP 2300 ± 200 years. Additionally, the trench study performed to the north of the Salur segment demonstrates paleoliquefaction structures crossing each other. The surface deformation that occurred during the 1964 earthquake is determined primarily to be the consequence of liquefaction. According to the fault plane slip data, the MFZ is a purely normal fault demonstrating a listric geometry with a dip of 64°–74° to the NNE.     

Radon in soil gas: How to identify anomalies caused by earthquakes

Anomalies have been observed in Rn content in soil gas from 3 boreholes at the Orlica fault in the Krško basin, Slovenia. To distinguish the anomalies caused by environmental parameters (air and soil temperature, barometric pressure, rainfall) from those resulting solely from seismic activity, the following approaches have been used: (i) deviation of Rn concentration from the seasonal average, (ii) correlation between time gradients of Rn concentration and barometric pressure, and (iii) regression trees within a machine learning program. Approach (i) is much less successful in predicting anomalies caused by seismic events than approaches (ii) and (iii) if ±2σ criterion is used and is equally successful if ±1σ is used. Approaches (ii) and (iii) did not fail to observe an anomaly preceding an earthquake, but show false seismic anomalies, the number of which is much lower with (iii) than with (ii). Model trees are shown to outperform other approaches. A model has been built which, in the seismically non-active periods when Rn is presumably influenced only by environmental parameters, predicts the concentration with a correlation of 0.8. This correlation is reduced significantly in the seismically active periods.     

Liquefaction phenomena associated with historical earthquakes in San Juan and Mendoza Provinces,Argentina

Mendoza and San Juan provinces which represent the most seismically active regions of Argentina have been affected by at least nine destructive earthquakes with magnitudes ⩾6.3 in the period 1861–1997. During these events, earthquake-induced liquefaction processes have caused the most severe damages in properties and fields impacting adversely on regional development and economy. Analysing historical liquefaction data we corroborated the relation between liquefaction phenomenon with sediment grain size and depth of phreatic level. We also noted that even the distance from liquefaction features to epicentres increases with earthquake magnitude, previous empirical relations for distance/magnitude are not enough accurate to predict liquefaction feature distance. Moreover, we suggest that when physical conditions of terrain are suitable, liquefaction phenomenon can occur even at greater distances than those established by empirical manner. In addition, regarding potential risk for this seismically region, the most liquefaction vulnerability areas were established taken into account the historical data and the presence of Holocene–Pleistocene deposits with present higher phreatic level. Our findings are essential for future proper territorial planning and they should be useful for minimize economical losses caused by secondary effects in these seismic regions of Argentina.     

Late Quaternary paleoseismic evidence on the Munébrega half-graben fault (Iberian Range,Spain)

The Munébrega Plio-Quaternary half-graben is a NW-SE trending neotectonic depression located in the central sector of the intraplate Iberian Range (NE Spain). The master fault of the half-graben offsets an Upper Pleistocene pediment deposit, forming an upslope-facing scarp. A trench dug across the fault scarp exposed a 25-m wide deformation zone consisting of graben and horst fault blocks with fissures in the upper part of the scarp, and a monoclinal flexure affected by normal and reverse faults in the lower part of the scarp. We infer a minimum of three faulting events over the past 72 ka, yielding an average (maximum) recurrence interval of 24 ka. The oldest event (72–41 ka) produced an antislope scarp on the relict pediment surface, confining deposition to the downthrown block. Cross-cutting faults affecting sedimentary units deposited in the sediment trap produced by the first event provide evidence for at least two younger events (33–19? ka). The measured cumulative vertical displacement (7.4 m) yield a minimum vertical slip rate of 0.10 ± 0.01 mm/year (2σ error) for the past 72 ka. If the paleoearthquakes ruptured the whole mappable length of the fault (ca. 20 km), they probably had moment magnitudes ca. 6.9 (Stirling et al. Bull Seismol Soc Am, 2002). Such earthquakes would have been more than a magnitude unit larger than the largest ones recorded historically in the Iberian Range. These results suggest that the official seismic hazard assessments, based solely on the historic and instrumental record, may underestimate the seismic hazard in the area.     

Seismicity of the Hellenic subduction zone in the area of western and central Crete observed by temporary local seismic networks

Temporary local seismic networks were installed in western Crete, in central Crete, and on the island Gavdos south of western Crete, respectively, in order to image shallow seismically active zones of the Hellenic subduction zone.More than 4000 events in the magnitude range between −0.5 and 4.8 were detected and localized. The resulting three-dimensional hypocenter distribution allows the localization of seismically active zones in the area of western and central Crete from the Mediterranean Ridge to the Cretan Sea. Furthermore, a three-dimensional structural model of the studied region was compiled based on results of wide-angle seismics, surface wave analysis and receiver function studies. The comparison of the hypocenter distribution and the structure has allowed intraplate and interplate seismicity to be distinguished.High interplate seismicity along the interface between the subducting African lithosphere and the Aegean lithosphere was found south of western Crete where the interface is located at about 20 to 40 km depth. An offset between the southern border of the Aegean lithosphere and the southern border of active interplate seismicity is observed. In the area of Crete, the offset varies laterally along the Hellenic arc between about 50 and 70 km.A southwards dipping zone of high seismicity within the Aegean lithosphere is found south of central Crete in the region of the Ptolemy trench. It reaches from the interface between the plates at about 30 km depth towards the surface. In comparison, the Aegean lithosphere south of western Crete is seismically much less active including the region of the Ionian trench. Intraplate seismicity within the Aegean plate beneath Crete and north of Crete is confined to the upper about 20 km. Between 20 and 40 km depth beneath Crete, the Aegean lithosphere appears to be seismically inactive. In western Crete, the southern and western borders of this aseismic zone correlate strongly with the coastline of Crete.     

基于年龄测试的黄庄—高丽营断裂活动性研究

黄庄—高丽营断裂是北京平原区一条重要的活动断裂,在庙城—高丽营段沿线发生地裂缝,造成大量房屋墙体开裂和道路破坏。在西王路村探槽揭示该断裂错断第四系地层,产生地表地裂缝。探糟断裂孢粉年龄测试,该断裂发生年龄大致在13～22ka,仍处于活动状态。     

U-series dating of co-seismic gypsum and submarine paleoseismology of active faults in Northern Chile (23°S)

The convergence of the Nazca and South American plates along the subduction margin of the central Andes results in large subduction earthquakes and tectonic activity along major fault systems. Despite its relevance, the paleoseismic record of this region is scarce, hampering our understanding about the relationship between the Andes building and earthquake occurrence. In this study, we used the U-series disequilibrium method to obtain absolute ages of paleoearthquake events associated with normal displacements along the active Mejillones and Salar del Carmen faults in the Coastal Range of the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The ²³⁰Th–²³⁴U disequilibrium ages in co-seismic gypsum salts sampled along the fault traces together with marine evidences indicate that earthquakes occurred at ca. 29.7 ± 1.7 ka, 11 ± 4 ka and 2.4 ± 0.8 ka. When coupled with paleoseismic marine and radiocarbon (¹⁴C) records in the nearby Mejillones Bay evidencing large dislocations along the Mejillones Fault, the geochronological dataset presented here is consistent with the notion that gypsum salts formed during large earthquakes as a result of co-seismic dilatancy pumping of saline waters along the major faults. Based on maximum observed cumulative vertical offsets in the studied faults, this phenomena could have occurred episodically at a rate in the order of 1:40 to 1:50 with respect to the very large subduction earthquakes during the latest Pleistocene–Holocene period. The results presented here reveal that the U-series disequilibrium method can be successfully applied to date the gypsum salts deposited along faults during seismic events, and therefore directly constrain the age of large paleoearthquakes in hyperarid and seismically active zones.     

基于端元法的银川盆地MIS6—MIS5气候变化探究

银川盆地位于东亚季风与西风带的交界带,地层沉积物记录着气候环境的演变信息。通过对银川盆地LS01钻孔沉积物进行光释光定年、粒度分析以及端元分析重建了该地区MIS6—MIS5时期的气候演变序列。结果表明,端元分析得到4个有具体环境指示意义的端元Em1—Em4:Em1代表了水动力较弱的弱流水或湖沼相沉积;Em2代表了水动力较强的河流沉积;Em3和Em4可指代区域构造抬升事件。气候演变分为6个阶段:150~137 ka(MIS6),银川盆地气候冷干,出现两次构造抬升事件;137~110 ka(MIS5),气候整体较为暖湿,期间有3次暖事件a1(137~129 ka)、a2(124~120 ka)和a3(118~111 ka);110~107 ka(MIS5),气候转向冷干;107~102 ka(MIS5),气候由冷转暖,出现冷事件b1(106~104 ka),整体偏暖湿;102~87 ka(MIS5),气候较冷干;87~75 ka(MIS5),出现冷事件b2(87~84 ka),但整体偏暖湿。该区域MIS6—MIS5阶段气候变化主要受夏季太阳辐射和岁差驱动。     

Liquefaction resistance evaluation of soils using artificial neural network for Dhaka City,Bangladesh

Natural Hazards - Soil liquefaction resistance evaluation is an important site investigation for seismically active areas. To minimize the loss of life and property, liquefaction hazard analysis is...     

Seismic activity at the MCT in Sikkim Himalaya

A microearthquake survey in the Sikkim Himalaya raised a question whether the north–south segment of the Main Central Thrust (MCT) in this part of the Himalaya is seismically active(?). Fault-plane solution of a cluster of events occurred below this segment of the MCT shows right-lateral strike-slip motion. The seismic observations and the geological evidences suggest that a NNE–SSW trending strike-slip fault, beneath this segment, caused right lateral movement on the MCT, and is seismically active.     

河套断陷带大青山山前断裂晚第四纪古地震完整性研究

通过沿大青山山前断裂 18个探槽的古地震分析 ,分别确定了 5个段落的 2 2次古地震事件。呼和浩特段 ,距今约 1.9万a以来 7次 ,平均重复间隔时间 (2 4 6 2± 4 13)a ;毕克齐段距今 2 .2万a以来 4次 ;土左旗西段距今 1.1万a以来 4次 ,平均重复间隔时间 (2 94 8± 5 6 0 )a ;土右旗西段距今约 1.1万a以来 5次 ,平均重复间隔时间 (2 2 89± 36 0 )a ;包头段距今 2 .3万a以来 2次。由断层位移量限定法和多探槽校验法判定 ,大青山山前断裂已揭露的古地震事件还不完全代表晚第四纪全断裂的大地震活动历史。只有在呼和浩特段 1.9万a以来、土左旗西段和土右旗西段约 1.1万a以来活动历史基本完整。其它两个段落不完整。这是用这些古地震资料评价该断裂未来地震危险性 ,以及今后进一步工作时应注意的问题。     

西藏安多最新史前大地震的地质证据及其年龄

在西藏安多地区进行活动断裂研究过程中,进行地表调查和探槽开挖,证实错那－安多地堑北缘主边界断裂上的最新地表断层陡坎实际是该区史前大地震的地表遗迹。根据地表观察和实地测量结果可知,该区最新古地震断坎的延伸范围可达 26～36km,平均垂直位移量达 1.0～1.4m。相关地层－地貌体的年代学测试结果和古地震破裂参数表明,最新的古地震发生在距今约 10.0～8.1ka期间,估计当时的古地震震级介于 6.9～7.3级之间,当时的极震区烈度可能≥Ⅸ度。此古地震破裂的发现表明,青藏高原中部正断层型大地震之后的沉寂时间可以长达近万年,明显长于藏南裂谷带上的正断层型古地震活动间隔。由于安多地区最新大地震之后的离逝时间已足以积累类似强度的大地震,因此,该区未来的大地震危险性较高。     

The identified origin of a linear slope near Chi–Chi earthquake rupture combining 2D, 3D resistivity image profiling and geological data

A slope on the west border of the foothill near 921 surface rupture (caused by the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake) in central Taiwan shows distinctive topographic expression that was prone to be considered as a fault scarp formed by a preexisting active fault. The 2D and 3D resistivity images clearly delineate rock surfaces which show steep, deep, gentle, and subvertical displacement beneath the slope, the toe of slope, the non-lateritic terrace, and 921 surface rupture, respectively, which can be attributed to the significant contrast of resistivity between gravel and rock. The horizontal sand bed and clast-supported gravel were deposited in a fluvial environment, whereas wedge-shaped gravel and colluvium were scarp-induced colluvial deposits in the trench profile. The layers shown in the depth of excavation, except for rock, has no offset or disturbance by fault ever since at least 2,480 ± 50 year B.P., based on carbon 14 dating of charcoal sample at the bottom of trench profile. According to information from two boreholes close to the slope, an over 20-m-thick marker bed with transported shell fragments, was found for correlation. This correlation further implies the slope was not formed by fault. On the other hand, two boreholes which are far from the slope and located on the flat non-lateritic terrace frequently show fractured and sheared features. By comparison, the locations around these two boreholes indicate a reverse fault or faults that occurred before the deposition of gravel. Later on, the paleostream was developed along the foot of fault scarp that was subjected to erosion and led to subsequent retrogression or retreat of the slope. Consequently, the incision of paleostream is believed to be responsible for the high relief of rock surface around the slope. Furthermore, from resistivity and borehole data, the rock surface underlying terrace is gentle where no faults occur after the deposition of gravel. The result of RIP crossing the 921 surface rupture displays about 10 m difference in elevation of rock surface on both sides, which is greater than that of 3–4 m caused by Chi-Chi earthquake. This indicates that the 921 surface rupture is a preexisting thrust fault that resulted from several thrusting events since terrace gravel was deposited. So it is not necessary to establish an extra restricted zone for construction in study area, except close to the 921 surface rupture.     

静力触探法对巴楚地震液化判别的适用性

2003年2月24日新疆巴楚-伽师地区发生的6.8级地震中出现了自1996年唐山大地震以来我国大陆境内最为严重的砂土液化现象。以此地震液化调查为基础,检验包括我国规范液化判别方法、Robertson方法和Olsen方法的国内外现有静力触探试验为指标的液化判别方法的适用性。结果表明,我国规范、Robertson方法、Olsen方法在对巴楚地震液化场地判别中,总体上非液化场地判别成功率高于液化场地判别成功率,非液化场地的判别成功率分别为88%、71%和88%,但对液化场地判别成功率分别为55%、73%和45%,明显偏于危险,原因需要进一步查明,建立适合局部地区的液化判别方法应是未来必须进行的工作。