Late Quaternary deformation on the island on Pantelleria: New constraints for the recent tectonic evolution of the Sicily Channel Rift (southern Italy)

Structural observations carried out on the volcanic Island of Pantelleria show that the tectonic setting is dominated by NNE trending normal faults and by NW-striking right-lateral strike-slip faults with normal component of motion controlled by a ≈N 100°E oriented extension. This mode of deformation also controls the development of the eruptive fissures, dykes and eruptive centres along NNE–SSW belts that may thus represent the surface response to crustal cracking with associated magma intrusions. Magmatic intrusions are also responsible for the impressive vertical deformations that affect during the Late Quaternary the south-eastern segment of the island and producing a large dome within the Pantelleria caldera complex. The results of the structural analysis carried out on the Island of Pantelleria also improves the general knowledge on the Late Quaternary tectonics of the entire Sicily Channel. ESE–WNW directed extension, responsible for both the tectonic and volcano-tectonic features of the Pantelleria Island, also characterizes, at a greater scale, the entire channel as shown by available geodetic and seismological data. This mode of extension reactivates the older NW–SE trending fault segments bounding the tectonic troughs of the Channel as right-lateral strike-slip faults and produces new NNE trending pure extensional features (normal faulting and cracking) that preferentially develop at the tip of the major strike-slip fault zones. We thus relate the Late Quaternary volcanism of the Pelagian Block magmatism to dilatational strain on the NNE-striking extensional features that develop on the pre-existing stretched area and propagate throughout the entire continental crust linking the already up-welled mantle with the surface.     

Study on distribution characteristics of strong earthquakes in Sichuan-Yunnan area and their geological tectonic background

Introduction Both Sichuan and Yunnan are provinces with more earthquakes. Based on catalogue of strong earthquakes in China compiled by the Prediction Department of China Earthquake Administration, there are 639 M5.0 earthquakes during 26 B.C.~A.D. 2001. Among them, 475 are M=5.0~5.9 events, 124 are M=6.0~6.9 events, 39 are M=7.0~7.9 events, and one is M=8 event occurred in Sichuan and Yunnan area. Here is one of the areas where seismic activities are most active in China. Sichuan-Yun…     

analyzing the variation characteristics of stress field in hetao seismic belt using focal mechanism data

Based on analysis of background of geological tectonic movement and strong earthquake activity, we first obtained the focal mechanism solutions using amplitude ratio and CAP method, then determined the characteristic of average stress field of the study area by inversion of the stress field. On this basis, we selected the source mechanism consistency parameter as the inspection index to obtain the latest changes of stress field in Hetao seismic zone based on its temporal and spatial analysis. Two methods were used in the stress field inversion for comparison and analysis, which are average stress axis tensor and LSIB(Linear stress inversion bootstrap, LSIB). According to the geological tectonic movement and focal mechanism solutions of M_S≥4.0 earthquakes from 1970, we judge that the stress field evolution process of Hetao seismic belt is controlled jointly by vertical difference movement and horizontal shear movement, resulting in that the normal fault and strike-slip fault mechanisms are dominating.Taking into account the station layout of the study area, and in order to ensure the accuracy of calculation, we calculated 224 earthquakes focal mechanism solutions by using amplitude ratio and CAP method, including 164 earthquakes with 2.8≤M_L<3.5, 42 earthquakes with 3.5≤M_L<4.0, and 18 earthquakes with M_L≥4.0; The statistical results on type of focal mechanisms show that, there are 142 strike-slip earthquakes(63.4%), 50 normal fault earthquakes(22.3%)and 32 thrust fault earthquakes(14.3%). In this study period(from 2001 to 2012), most earthquakes had a strike-slip mechanism in Hetao seismic belt, this is one of the inherent characteristics of the stress field.The result of average stress axis tensor and LSIB shows that, the azimuth of maximum compressional stress is 47°～52°, direction is NE-SW; The azimuth of minimum compressional stress is 313°～322°, direction is NW-SE; This indicates that, the stress field characteristics of Hetao seismic belt and its sub-block are not completely consistent. Linhe Basin exhibits coordinated stress field characteristics with Hetao seismic belt, but Hubao Basin exhibits regional differences, direction of compressive stress has clockwise deflection in Baotou area, and the compressive stress direction is NEE. This heteropical character of stress field is also confirmed by horizontal projection distribution of stress axis of historical strong earthquakes and recent moderate and small earthquakes. Since 2003, the temporal sequence curve of consistency parameter of Hetao seismic belt had a downward trend, this change was caused by focal mechanism consistency parameter of Linhe to Wuhai area, which indicates that this structural position is possible to be a priority area for stress accumulation and accelerated release in future.     

Seismicity in the vicinity of Ross Island, Antarctica

Earthquakes in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, are of two types: volcanic, and those which appear to be of tectonic origin. Volcanic events in the vicinity of Ross Island are associated exclusively with Mount Erebus, Ross Island; this volcano erupts regularly, generating several earthquakes per day whose characteristics are quite distinct from non-volcanic events. These nonvolcanic earthquakes are recognizable by their distinct P- and S-wave arrivals, and a lack of the high frequency, often monochromatic character typical of Erebus events.One hundred fifty-seven tectonic microearthquakes (M < 2.0) were recorded in 1983 and 1984 by the ten station network on Ross Island; these events were located using the least-squares routine, HYPOELLIPSE. Of these events, 106 have RMS residual traveltime errors of less than or equal to 0.6 seconds; they are clustered in the vicinity of Ross Island, but are not restricted to it. There is a linear trend of epicenters cutting across the island and continuing northward. Most activity seems to center beneath Mount Terra Nova, between Mount Erebus and Mount Terror. Mean depth for events is 8.2 km; however, depths are rather evenly distributed over a range of 0 to 25 km.Modelling based on Bouger gravity anomalies and seismic refraction studies indicates a depth to the Moho of about 40 km beneath the continent, shallowing to 27 km beneath the Ross Sea. This 27 km depth is approximately equal to the lower limit of the tectonic seismicity detected by the Erebus network; hence, events are of crustal origin. These data suggest, with the rift-type geochemistry of Erebus' magma, that the Ross Sea is a site of active crustal extension and rifting.     

用DSS资料研究首都圈地区的地壳结构

利用几种不同的一维反演方法对天津-北京-赤城剖面的DSS（deep seismic sounding）数据进行了处理．结果显示：沿剖面基底面北浅南深,但C界面和M界面北深南浅,存在镜像关系：地壳平均速度华北盆地较低,燕山下方较高;燕山隆起和华北盆地的交界处曾多次发生过5．0级以上地震。且在该过渡带上,多条深大断裂成北北东、北东向穿过该剖面,推断首都圈地区地震的发生与莫霍面的局部隆起、速度结构的急剧变化以及深大断裂的存在具有密切关系。     

豫北深、浅部构造特征与地震

通过对豫北地区浅层和深部地震地质构造特征及地震活动性的综合分析,以薄壁－新乡－商丘断裂带为划分为北部地区和南部地区,并分别进行了论述。认为北部地区构造线主体为北东向,与华北断块区的构造线一致,浅层构造沿区域构造线呈断隆和断陷相间展布,深部莫霍界面隆起凹陷也相间排列,南部地区的主体构造线基本为北西向,与北部地区截然不同,浅层构造豫东为在整体沉降的基础上有次级的隆起和凹陷,深部结构表现为大面积的莫霍面     

Historical seismicity near Chagos: a complex deformation zone in the equatorial Indian Ocean

Over the last twenty years, Chagos Bank has a seismicity rate disproportionate to its supposed intraplate location. Earthquake relocation also shows a high seismicity rate in pre-WWSSN time (1912–1963), with seven events located off of the Central Indian Ridge, including large events in 1912 (M = 6.8) and 1944 (M = 7.2). This study uses the moment variance technique, a systematic search for the mechanism which best fits P, PP, SH, Love and Rayleigh amplitudes, to determine the focal mechanisms of two pre-WWSSN earthquakes. A test with a recent event of known mechanism demonstrates that accurate focal parameter determination is possible even when only a few good records are available. Moment variance analysis shows a thrust faulting mechanism for the 1944 event, northeast of Chagos Bank near the Chagos-Laccadive ridge, and a strike-slip focal mechanism for a smaller 1957 event west of Chagos Bank. The 1944 event, one of the largest oceanic “intraplate” earthquakes known (moment 1.4 × 10²⁷ dyne-cm), indicates that the Chagos seismicity reflects not an isolated occurrence of normal faulting as previously thought, but rather regional tectonic deformation extending northeast of Chagos Bank and including thrust, normal and strike-slip events. This seismicity and previously studied seismicity near the Ninetyeast Ridge and Central Indian Basin suggest a broad zone of deformation stretching across the equatorial Indian Ocean. This zone contains all known magnitude seven oceanic “intraplate” earthquakes not associated with subduction zones or continental margins, suggesting that elsewhere such extensive deformation occurs only along plate boundaries. This study proposes that a slow, diffuse plate boundary extends east from the Central Indian Ridge to the Ninetyeast Ridge and north to the Sumatra Trench. A recent plate motion study confirms this boundary and suggests that it separates the Australian plate from a single Indo-Arabian plate.     

Miocene to Quaternary deformation in NE Slovenia: complex paleomagnetic and structural study

Combined paleomagnetic and structural research was carried out in the Mura-Zala Basin including the western and southern surrounding hills in northeastern Slovenia. The Mura-Zala Basin was formed due to ENE–WSW trending crustal extension in the late Early Miocene (18.3–16.5 Ma). First, marine sedimentation took place in several more or less confined depressions, then in a unified basin. During thermal subsidence in the late Miocene deltaic to fluvial sediments were deposited. After sedimentation, the southernmost, deepest depression was inverted. Map-scale folds, reverse and strike-slip faults were originated by NNW–SSE compression. This deformation occurred in the latest Miocene–Pliocene and is reflected also in the magnetic fabric (low field susceptibility anisotropy). After this folding, the Karpatian sediments of the Haloze acquired magnetization, then suffered 30° counterclockwise rotation relative to the present north (40° counterclockwise with respect to stable Europe). This Pliocene (Quaternary?) rotation affected a wide area around the Mura-Zala Basin. The latest Miocene to Quaternary folding and subsequent rotation may be connected to the counterclockwise rotation of the Adriatic microplate.     

华北强烈地震深部构造环境的探测与研究

20世纪六七十年代以来, 华北地区发生了一系列强烈地震． 强烈地震的孕育、 发生和发展与深部构造密切相关． 近50年来, 我国地震科学领域在强烈地震的地震构造和深部环境方面开展了大量的研究． 深部地球物理探测和地震层析成像结果揭示了华北地区地壳结构的基本特征, 并在强烈地震发生的深部构造环境等问题上取得了重要进展． 本文在回顾华北地区地壳上地幔结构探测的基础上, 对1966年邢台M_S7.2, 1976年唐山M_S7.8, 1975年海城M_S7.3和1679年三河—平谷M8.0地震的地震构造和深部构造环境进行评述． 深部地球物理数据的综合分析表明, 震源下方的低速异常带, 高角度超壳深断裂, 地壳深浅构造的不一致, 偏低的上地幔顶部速度和局部隆起的莫霍界面, 是华北伸展构造区深部孕震环境的共同特征．      

1976年唐山7.8级地震成因探讨

根据唐山地区莫霍面隆升、大地构造、新构造运动特征,探讨1976年唐山7.8级地震发生的地质构造背景。唐山地震区位于辽翼台向斜北部,北邻燕山台褶带,地表发育规模不大的基岩断裂,为燕山期活动形成,新生代断裂活动性不强;地下发育深切地幔的深大断裂,与地表断裂位置相当。由震前地震前兆及震后异常现象,提出了地震发生的成因机制。唐山地震是由震前地幔拱起、岩浆上涌垂直力作用下,受NEE-SWW向区域应力场水平挤压,NNE-NE向唐山右旋剪切逆断裂活动,受阻于NW向蓟运河左旋剪切正断裂,地壳岩石间摩擦、破裂,两断裂在深部共轭交汇区应力闭锁、释放,最终导致该次地震的孕育、发生。     

中国西部地区地壳结构特征与强震活动相关性研究

中国西部地区是地震活动十分强烈的地区,天山、阿尔泰、帕米尔和西昆仑都是著名的地震构造带,在这些地震构造带和周边地区发生了多次震级大于5级的强震.本文通过分析西部地区的重力场特征,根据重力数据结合地震剖面、应用Parker-Oldenburg方法反演得到了研究区莫霍面深度,通过对比地震层析成像的反演结果,分析了研究区的地壳结构特征.计算结果表明,研究区地壳结构不均匀特征明显,在造山带地区一般是莫霍面坳陷区,盆地则是莫霍面隆起区,主要造山带地壳速度结构表现为高速区,盆地和主要凹陷区为低速区.根据计算结果和以往强震震中位置分析了地壳构造与强震活动的相关性,西部地区的地震活动与地壳结构的横向不均匀密切相关,强震主要发生在地壳速度变化带附近和地壳速度结构差异较大的地区,在构造应力作用下,这些地壳介质非均匀地区易发生强震,这是中国西部造山带和盆-山边界附近频发强震的构造原因之一.     

Topography of the Moho and earth crust structure beneath the East Vietnam Sea from 3D inversion of gravity field data

The Moho depth, crustal thickness and fault systems of the East Vietnam Sea (EVS) are determined by 3D interpretation of satellite gravity. The Moho depth is calculated by 3D Parker inversion from residual gravity anomaly that is obtained by removing the gravity effects of seafloor and Pre-Cenozoic sediment basement topographies from the free air anomaly. The 3D inversion solution is constrained by power density spectrum of gravity anomaly and seismic data. The calculated Moho depths in the EVS vary from 30–31 km near the coast to 9 km in the Central Basin. A map of the lithosphere extension factor in the Cenozoic is constructed from Moho and Pre-Cenozoic sediment basement depths. The fault systems constructed by the maximum horizontal gradient approach include NE-SW, NW-SE, and N-S oriented faults. Based on the interpretation results, the EVS is sub-divided into five structural zones which demonstrated the different characteristics of the crustal structure.     

Observation and analysis of low-frequency crustal earthquakes in Lake Van and its vicinity,eastern Turkey

Lake Van is located in very intensely deformed tectonic settings in the eastern Turkey. The surrounding area of Lake Van has major tectonic structures; NE and NW trending active conjugate strike-slip faults, pull-apart basins along these faults, E-W trending active thrust faults, folds, compressional ramp basins, N-S trending folds, NE-SW aligned continental collision-related volcanoes and N-S trending tensional cracks functioned as magma conduits. Since the area is tectonically very active, the earthquake activity within the basin and the surrounding area of Lake Van is very high. In this study, we have analysed the records of VANB broadband station of Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute's network for the seismic events (2000–2004) that occurred in the basin and in the vicinity of Lake Van. Based on the spectral analysis of earthquake data, we have mainly observed three types of seismic events; hybrid event, long period event and tremor. We have suggested that the observed hybrid, long period and tremor type of seismic events that occurred in the study area are related to the upward moving materials and stress loading in the mid and lower crust based on the geophysical data.     

蒙古中南部地区地壳各向异性及其动力学意义

利用蒙古中南部地区布设的69套宽频带数字地震仪2011年8月—2013年7月记录的远震事件,使用时间域反褶积方法提取接收函数,并挑选高质量Pms震相,通过改进的剪切波分裂方法对研究区地壳各向异性参数进行了研究,最终获取了1473对各向异性参数.经过统计分析,有48个台站可以归纳出两个方向的各向异性,11台站得到单个方向的各向异性,而剩余10个台站各向异性方向比较发散.结果显示,各向异性在蒙古中南部地壳中呈不均匀分布,有54个台站得到了NE-SW向各向异性,快波偏振方向平均值为N58°E±16°,与最大水平主应力σHmax方向和区域内主要断层走向一致,说明这部分地壳各向异性的主要成因存在于上地壳,可能与流体填充的微裂隙有关.而NW-SE向各向异性在53个台站被观测到,各向异性方向变化范围平均N132°E±16°,与研究区大部分SKS分裂快波方向具有较好的一致性,说明下地壳成岩矿物晶体定向排列是各向异性的主要成因.研究区地壳各向异性的分层特征总体上支持岩石圈受到NE-SW向挤压的动力学模型.     

首都圈地区精细地壳结构——基于重力场的反演

本文以地质与地球物理资料作为约束条件,利用小波多尺度分析方法,对首都圈地区重力场进行了有效分离,应用Parker位场界面反演法及变密度模型对莫霍界面进行了反演分析,并构建了两条地壳密度结构剖面模型,对该区精细地壳结构进行了深入研究.研究结果表明首都圈地区受多期构造运动的改造,形成坳、隆相邻,盆、山相间,密度非均匀性,壳内结构与莫霍面埋深相差比较大的地壳分块构造格局.受华北克拉通岩石圈伸展、减薄以及岩浆的上涌底侵作用,首都圈地区莫霍面起伏比较大,莫霍面区域构造方向呈NE-NNE方向,在盆地向太行山、燕山过渡地带形成了莫霍面陡变带;盆地内部莫霍面形成东西向排列、高低起伏的框架,最大起伏约5 km,但平均地壳厚度比较小,北京、唐山地区地壳厚度最小约29 km,武清凹陷地壳厚度最大约34 km.在重力均衡调整作用下,西部太行山区地壳厚度较大,但地壳密度小于华北裂谷盆地内部;中上地壳重力场特征与地表地形及地貌特征具有很大的相关性.受新生代裂谷作用影响,首都圈中上地壳结构非常复杂,形成了NNE方向为主体的构造单元,断层多下延至中地壳;下地壳发生明显的褶曲构造,表现出高低密度异常相间排列的典型特征;首都圈地区地壳密度具有明显的非均匀性.研究认为首都圈地区地震的发生与上地幔顶部及软流层物质的上涌有一定关系.     

中蒙弧地区地震活动性及其地球动力学成因研究

应用中国地震局地球物理研究所和蒙古科学院天体和地球物理研究中心合作编制的蒙古国及邻区M≥3.5的地震目录,研究了中蒙弧地区的地震活动性特征.结果表明,与中国大陆的“南北地震带”相对应,研究区地震总体分布大致以107°E为界,呈现西强东弱的特点,7级以上的强震集中于贝加尔湖、萨彦、阿尔泰以及天山地区,107°E以东,除纬度40°线附近（燕山地震带）地震较集中且强度大之外,其它地区地震稀少,强度也低.通过断层的野外调查和本地区震源机制解,进一步研究了该地区地震活动性特征的构造应力场及地球动力学成因.研究区大部份地震都是走滑型断层活动的地震.逆断层活动的地震主要分布于中国的天山地区和中蒙边境一带的阿尔泰山地区,正断层活动的地震主要分布于俄罗斯的贝加尔湖裂谷带,走滑兼倾滑断层活动的地震主要分布在研究区域的西部地区.研究区域内的大部份地区主压应力轴（P）的倾角都小于30°,为水平或近水平的构造应力场,自西向东主压应力轴的走向从近南-北方向逐渐转为北东-南西方向.断层的野外调查、震源机制解和区域构造应力场的方向表明,中蒙弧地区主要来自西南面的印度洋板块向北偏东方向的碰撞挤压,通过青藏高原传递到本区,来自东面太平洋板块的影响已较微弱,这是研究区地震活动西强东弱、8级以上强震都发生在西部的主要原因.     

Relative location and source mechanism of inland earthquakes in Northern Egypt

We have relocated 259 inland earthquakes in northern Egypt using the double-difference hypocenter technique. Among this dataset we are able to determine source mechanisms of 200 events using P-wave polarities and amplitude ratios as well. The studied earthquakes have been recorded by the Egyptian National Seismological Network from October 1997 to December 2006 with local magnitude (M_L) varies between 1.5 and 5.0. Three earthquake dislocations have been defined namely: Dahshour, southeast Beni-Suef, and Cairo-Suez district. Earthquake activities tend to occur in clusters along the first dislocation (Dahshour) however, relatively scattered along the second (southeast Beni-Suef) and the third (Cairo-Suez district) dislocations. At Dahshour dislocation three distinct clusters have been distinguished. Source mechanism solutions of Dahshour earthquakes displayed normal faulting with a strike-slip component to strike-slip faulting with a minor normal dip-slip component. Most of earthquake focal mechanism orientations are varying from NE-SW to NW-SE. The fault plane solutions of Beni-Suef earthquakes represented normal faulting with a strike-slip component. If the NNW-SSE striking plane has been chosen to be the actual fault plane, some solutions would indicated normal faulting with a sinistral strike-slip motion and other reflect normal faulting with a dextral strike-slip component. The fault plane solutions of Cairo-Suez district earthquakes are compatible with E-W to ENE-WSW striking normal fault with a dextral strike-slip motion.     

Source mechanism studies of earthquakes in the Ibero-Maghrebian region and their tectonic implications

Seismicity of the Ibero-Maghrebian region includes the occurrence of shallow, intermediate depth, and very deep earthquakes. This is a very rare occurrence for a region not associated to an active subduction zone. Detailed studies of the source mechanism of these three types of earthquakes have been made possible through the collaboration with Prof. Madariaga. They give important information about the complex tectonic of the region. Shallow earthquakes at the west and east ends of the region have predominant reverse faulting with NW-SE trending horizontal pressure axes. The center part is the most tectonically complex. At the Strait of Gibraltar, there is a change on focal mechanisms from reverse faulting to strike-slip motion in northern Morocco, conserving the horizontal compression on NW-SE direction. In the Alboran Sea, mechanisms are of normal faulting with E-W trending horizontal tension axes, and in south Spain, mechanisms are of mixed solutions. The intermediate depth earthquakes (40–130 km) are located at both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, at the western part distributed in E-W direction. The most important concentration, however, is located at the east of Gibraltar in a N-S trending thin vertical body and has different mechanisms. The very deep earthquakes (650 km) are concentrated at a small volume, and their mechanism corresponds to N-S vertical planes or horizontal ones. A tectonic model for the region is presented to explain the shallow, intermediate, and deep earthquakes.     

渤海湾及其邻区地壳温度分布的有限单元模拟

根据地下三百米深处的温度与居里面深度分布的资料,利用伽勒金有限元法配合未知边界流量的杂交法,计算了渤海湾邻近的地壳剖面的温度分布。结果表明:(1)莫氏面上的温度不是常数,最高处可达810℃;(2)大地震往往发生在温度与重力梯度带附近而温度较低密度较小的一侧;(3)本区地壳低速层的温度约为600℃,在该层以下,随着温度的增高,介质的弹性模量或粘滞系数显著减少,而泊松比反而增大,故地壳深部的剪应力减小,这说明大陆内部地震大多发生在低速层以上的原因     

四川盆地荣县—威远—资中地区发震构造几何结构与构造变形特征:基于震源机制解的认识和启示

四川盆地荣县—威远—资中地区属于历史弱震区,然而2019年相继发生多次破坏性地震事件.本文基于四川区域地震台网宽频带地震仪记录波形资料,利用CAP （Cut and Paste）波形反演方法,获得了2016年以来发生在荣县—威远—资中地区的26个M_S≥3.0地震的震源机制解、震源矩心深度和矩震级,对该区域发震构造几何结构与变形特征及构造应力场特征进行了初步分析.主要获得如下认识：（1）26个M_S≥3.0地震的震源矩心深度在1.5~5 km之间,平均深度3.4 km,表明事件发生在上地壳浅部沉积层内;震源深度分布揭示发震断层面倾向SE、缓倾角.（2）26个地震的震源机制全部为逆冲型,表明发震构造整体为逆断层性质.节面优势方位NNE-NE,结合走向与倾角统计结果,本文推测发震构造可能为威远背斜南翼一系列倾向SE、走向NNE-NE的缓倾角盲冲断层.（3）P、T、B轴优势方位单一,表明研究区域处于相对简单的构造应力环境.区域应力场反演获得的最大主压应力轴σ₁方位NW-SE,近水平,与目前已知的该区域构造应力场水平主压应力方向一致,反映区内构造活动主要受区域构造应力场控制;其明显有别于四川盆地南缘2019年6月17日长宁M_S6.0地震余震区NE-SW向的最大主压应力轴方位也揭示出四川盆地构造应力场具有明显的分区特征.（4）26个地震整体的应变花表现为NW-SE向挤压白瓣形态,表明区内发震构造整体呈NW-SE向纯挤压变形模式,明显有别于2019年长宁M_S6.0地震序列NE-SW向挤压兼具小量NW-SE向拉张分量的构造变形模式,进一步表明四川盆地构造变形模式也具有明显的分区特征.