Rare earth elements record past earthquakes on exhumed limestone fault planes

Evaluating the timing and size of past earthquakes is a constant challenge in palaeoseismology. Here, we show that rare earth element (REE) concentrations can be used to constrain the number and slips of major past earthquakes. We focus on one of the rare faults worldwide – the Magnola normal fault, Italy – whose Holocene earthquake history is precisely known. We analysed 42 samples from along the 10 m that form the surface of the well‐preserved seismically exhumed fault scarp and seven samples extracted from the fault plane section buried in the ground. We show that the first metre of soil contaminates the scarp rocks, producing a marked concentration ‘peak’ in REE. Similar peaks are recognized on the exhumed scarp, at positions that coincide with the transitions between the known past ruptures. We conclude that the REE peaks locate palaeo‐ground levels and are excellent markers for the large earthquakes that exhumed the scarp. Terra Nova, 00, 000–000, 2010     

Structure of a normal seismogenic fault zone in carbonates: The Vado di Corno Fault,Campo Imperatore,Central Apennines (Italy)

The Vado di Corno Fault Zone (VCFZ) is an active extensional fault cutting through carbonates in the Italian Central Apennines. The fault zone was exhumed from ∼2 km depth and accommodated a normal throw of ∼2 km since Early-Pleistocene. In the studied area, the master fault of the VCFZ dips N210/54° and juxtaposes Quaternary colluvial deposits in the hangingwall with cataclastic dolostones in the footwall. Detailed mapping of the fault zone rocks within the ∼300 m thick footwall-block evidenced the presence of five main structural units (Low Strain Damage Zone, High Strain Damage Zone, Breccia Unit, Cataclastic Unit 1 and Cataclastic Unit 2). The Breccia Unit results from the Pleistocene extensional reactivation of a pre-existing Pliocene thrust. The Cataclastic Unit 1 forms a ∼40 m thick band lining the master fault and recording in-situ shattering due to the propagation of multiple seismic ruptures. Seismic faulting is suggested also by the occurrence of mirror-like slip surfaces, highly localized sheared calcite-bearing veins and fluidized cataclasites. The VCFZ architecture compares well with seismological studies of the L'Aquila 2009 seismic sequence (mainshock M_W 6.1), which imaged the reactivation of shallow-seated low-angle normal faults (Breccia Unit) cut by major high-angle normal faults (Cataclastic Units).     

From surface fault traces to a fault growth model: The Vogar Fissure Swarm of the Reykjanes Peninsula,Southwest Iceland

The Vogar Fissure Swarm is one of four en-echelon fracture swarms that connect the Reykjanes Ridge to the South Iceland Seismic Zone and the Western Volcanic Zone. Occurring in an area of flat topography, this fissure swarm is clearly visible at the surface, where it can be seen to affect recent postglacial lavas. Using remote sensing methods to identify and measure all the faults and fractures in the swarm, combined with additional field observations and measurements, we measured 478 individual fractures, 33% of them being faults and 67% being fissures. The fracture lengths show roughly log-normal distributions. Most of the individual fractures belong to 68 main composite fractures, seven of which are longer than 2500 m and correspond to the main fault scarps of the fissure swarm. We showed that these main faults are distributed along five, equally spaced zones, ∼500 m apart and a few kilometers long. We drawn 71 across-strike profiles to characterize the shape of the fault scarps, and 5 along-strike profiles to characterize the evolution of vertical throw along the main faults. Each fault consists of a coalescence of individual segments of approximately equal length. Fault throws are never larger than 10 m and are smallest at the junctions between individual segments. Analyses of along-strike throw profiles allowed us to determine the early stages of growth after coalescence. The earliest stage is characterized by an increase in the throw of the central parts of segments. This is followed by a second stage during which the throw increases at the junctions between segments, progressively erasing these small-throw zones.     

建立在雷达卫星影像判读基础上四川龙门山断裂晚第四纪活动特征研究

介绍了应用雷达卫星影像对四川龙门山活动断裂开展断错地貌判读结果,展示了龙门山构造带4条分支断裂9个点位的雷达卫星影像图像、11个点位的野外调查结果及6个点位与断层活动性有关的地层测年。在11个野外调查点位中,位于青城山北面4条断裂8个点位均出现2008年5.12汶川MS8.0地震的地表破裂,其中包括沿青川断裂青溪段及金山寺断层沟谷出现的两条地表破裂,沿后山断裂带茂县北断层和汶川南七盘沟断层出现的地表破裂;   沿中央断裂带北川和小鱼洞南2个点位出现的地表破裂;   以及沿前山断裂汉旺台地前缘和青城山山前地表破裂点位。在这些地表破裂中,中央断裂带地表垂直位移为 2～6m,青川断裂、后山断裂和前山断裂多数段地表断错垂直位移量为 10～40cm。后者位移量虽小,也不应被忽视。本项研究结果表明,雷达卫星影像显示青川断裂与后山断裂带和中央断裂带右旋走滑明显。雷达卫星影像实地调查表明,前山断裂带南段的水口场－横山庙断裂带醒目的断错地貌引人注目。     

Structure of pseudotachylyte vein systems as a key to co-seismic rupture dynamics: the case of Gavilgarh–Tan Shear Zone,central India

The secondary fractures associated with a major pseudotachylyte-bearing fault vein in the sheared aplitic granitoid of the Proterozoic Gavilgarh–Tan Shear Zone in central India are mapped at the outcrop scale. The fracture maps help to identify at least three different types of co-seismic ruptures, e.g., X–X′, T₁ and T₂, which characterize sinistral-sense shearing of rocks, confined between two sinistral strike-slip faults slipping at seismic rate. From the asymmetric distribution of tensile fractures around the sinistral-sense fault vein, the direction of seismic rupture propagation is predicted to have occurred from west-southwest to east-northeast, during an ancient (Ordovician?) earthquake. Calculations of approximate co-seismic displacement on the faults and seismic moment (M ₀) of the earthquake are attempted, following the methods proposed by earlier workers. These estimates broadly agree to the findings from other studied fault zones (e.g., Gole Larghe Fault zone, Italian Alps). This study supports the proposition by some researchers that important seismological information can be extracted from tectonic pseudotachylytes of all ages, provided they are not reworked by subsequent tectonic activity.     

汶川地震(Ms8.0）地表建筑体变形特征及其构造意义

通过汶川地震震区大量的实地考察已证实沿着早先活动断裂主要发育了两条地表破裂带：一条是沿着映秀－北川断裂产生的逆冲伴随右旋走滑破裂带,长275km,最大垂直位移达11m,水平位移达12m; 另一条纯逆冲性质的破裂带,沿着灌县－安县断裂发育,最大垂直位移达4m。活动断裂之上的地表破裂带是野外工作中确定地震断裂性质的重要现象。另外,在活动断裂相邻区域和远离区域的路面以及建筑体还大量存在变形现象。通常沿活动断裂产生的地表破裂是典型的同震破裂,相邻区域的地表路面及建筑体发育的变形属于次生变形,远离区域发育的变形则属于震后变形。对次生变形和震后变形测量数据的应用容易影响活动断裂特征的确定和性质的判断,因为路面等建筑体上的挤压拱起、叠置以及水平错断等现象多是受到地震过程中通过断裂活动突然释放的巨大能量作用在局部地表建筑体产生的变形。但是,分布广泛的挤压现象暗示了区域上挤压应力场环境,有利于地表同震破裂位置的推测及地震断裂性质的判断。     

龙门山中段彭灌断裂带汶川Ms8.0地震同震破裂断层识别及其浅、表构造特征

2008年汶川Ms8.0地震在龙门山中段的彭灌断裂带产生的地表破裂,是该地震产生的第二大地表破裂带.综合应用地质、钻井以及二维、三维地震数据,利用横贯前山带的多条人工地震反射剖面,对彭灌断裂带产生同震破裂的断层进行准确识别和解释.研究表明,龙门山中段的彭灌断裂带是一套由3条主要断层和次级广泛发育的断裂组合构成,浅层表现...     

Geometry and architecture of faults in a syn-rift normal fault array: The Nukhul half-graben, Suez rift, Egypt

The geometry and architecture of a well exposed syn-rift normal fault array in the Suez rift is examined. At pre-rift level, the Nukhul fault consists of a single zone of intense deformation up to 10 m wide, with a significant monocline in the hanging wall and much more limited folding in the footwall. At syn-rift level, the fault zone is characterised by a single discrete fault zone less than 2 m wide, with damage zone faults up to approximately 200 m into the hanging wall, and with no significant monocline developed. The evolution of the fault from a buried structure with associated fault-propagation folding, to a surface-breaking structure with associated surface faulting, has led to enhanced bedding-parallel slip at lower levels that is absent at higher levels. Strain is enhanced at breached relay ramps and bends inherited from pre-existing structures that were reactivated during rifting. Damage zone faults observed within the pre-rift show ramp-flat geometries associated with contrast in competency of the layers cut and commonly contain zones of scaly shale or clay smear. Damage zone faults within the syn-rift are commonly very straight, and may be discrete fault planes with no visible fault rock at the scale of observation, or contain relatively thin and simple zones of scaly shale or gouge. The geometric and architectural evolution of the fault array is interpreted to be the result of (i) the evolution from distributed trishear deformation during upward propagation of buried fault tips to surface faulting after faults breach the surface; (ii) differences in deformation response between lithified pre-rift units that display high competence contrasts during deformation, and unlithified syn-rift units that display low competence contrasts during deformation, and; (iii) the history of segmentation, growth and linkage of the faults that make up the fault array. This has important implications for fluid flow in fault zones.     

地层错动引起的上覆饱和黏土层变形特性的离心试验研究

地震断层错动会引起上覆土层变形,从而造成断层附近的建筑结构、管线产生附加的变形和内力引起破坏。通过一个土工离心机试验分析上覆饱和黏土层在4步连续断层错动作用下的静力响应行为。着重分析断层错动引起的地层变形的范围、不均匀沉降区的分布特点、剪切裂缝在土层传播路径及地表开裂的位置等工程上重点关注的问题。得到以下几点认识：(1) 基岩断层错动引起的地层变形范围基本上不受基岩错动量大小的影响。(2) 断层错动引起地层的不均匀沉降区基本呈三角形分布,其地表宽度约为1倍左右的土层厚度。(3) 基岩错动引起的主剪切裂缝基本沿竖直方向向上传播,其传播距离取决于基岩错动量及土体的破坏应变。(4) 基岩断层错动在主剪区的下盘一侧边缘会产生张拉裂缝,且产生张拉裂缝所需基岩错动量远小于产生剪切裂缝所需的错动量。     

Fault deformation mechanisms and fault rocks in micritic limestones: Examples from Corinth rift normal faults

A multidisciplinary study investigates the influence of different parameters on fault rock architecture development along normal faults affecting non-porous carbonates of the Corinth rift southern margin. Here, some fault systems cut the same carbonate unit (Pindus), and the gradual and fast uplift since the initiation of the rift led to the exhumation of deep parts of the older faults. This exceptional context allows superficial active fault zones and old exhumed fault zones to be compared.Our approach includes field studies, micro-structural (optical microscope and cathodoluminescence), geochemical analyses (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, trace elements) and fluid inclusions microthermometry of calcite sin-kinematic cements.Our main results, in a depth-window ranging from 0 m to about 2500 m, are: i) all cements precipitated from meteoric fluids in a close or open circulation system depending on depth; ii) depth (in terms of P/T condition) determines the development of some structures and their sealing; iii) lithology (marly levels) influences the type of structures and its cohesive/non-cohesive nature; iv) early distributed rather than final total displacement along the main fault plane is the responsible for the fault zone architecture; v) petrophysical properties of each fault zone depend on the variable combination of these factors.     

Fault zone development and strain partitioning in an extensional strike-slip duplex: A case study from the Mesozoic Atacama fault system, Northern Chile

Upper crustal strike-slip duplexes provide an excellent opportunity to address the fundamental question of fault zone development and strain partitioning in an evolving system. Detailed field mapping of the Mesozoic Atacama fault system in the Coastal Cordillera of Northern Chile documents the progressive development of second- and third-order faults forming a duplex at a dilational jog between two overstepping master faults: the sinistral strike-slip, NNW-striking, Jorgillo and Bolfin faults. These are constituted by a meter-wide core of foliated S-C ultracataclasite and cataclasite, flanked by a damage zone of protocataclasite, splay faults and veins. Lateral separation of markers along master faults is on the order of a few kilometers. Second-order, NW-striking, oblique-slip subsidiary fault zones do not show foliated ultracataclasite; lateral sinistral separations are in the range of  10 to 200 m with a relatively minor normal dip-slip component. In turn, third-order, east–west striking normal faults exhibit centimetric displacement. Oblique-slip (sinistral–normal) fault zones located at the southern termination of the Bolfin fault form a well-developed imbricate fan structure. They exhibit a relatively simple architecture of extensional and extensional-shear fractures bound by low displacement shear fractures. Kinematic analysis of fault slip data from mesoscopic faults within the duplex area, document that the NW-striking and the EW-striking faults accommodate transtension and extension, respectively. Examination of master and subsidiary faults of the duplex indicates a strong correlation between total displacement and internal fault structure. Faults started from arrays of en echelon extensional/extensional-shear fractures that then coalesced into throughgoing strike-slip faults. Further displacement leads to the formation of discrete bands of cataclasite and ultracataclasite that take up a significant part of the total displacement. We interpret that the duplex formed by progressive linkage of horsetail-like structures at the southern tip of the Bolfin fault that joined splay faults coming from the Jorgillo and Coloso faults. The geometry and kinematics of faults is compared with that observed in analog models to gain an insight into the kinematic processes leading to complex strike-slip fault zones in the upper crust.     

Formation and growth of normal faults at the divergent plate boundary in Iceland

The divergent plate boundary in Iceland is characterized by 40–80 km long and 5–10 km wide swarms of tension fractures (∼10² m long) and normal faults (∼10³ m long). The upper part of the crust is mainly composed of lava flows, with abundant columnar joints that are mostly perpendicular to the lava contacts. The lava flows are horizontal at the surface of the rift zone but become tilted at the rate of 1° for every 150 m depth in the crust. At the surface of the rift zone the joints are vertical and parallel to the vertical principal stress. Because of tilting of the lava pile, the columnar joints become oblique to this stress, hence becoming potential shear fractures, and form echelon sets at greater depths in the crust. Theoretical considerations suggest that normal faults start to nucleate on sets of en echelon columnar joints and/or large-scale tension fractures at crustal depths of 0.5–1.5 km. The width (depth) must be the smallest (controlling) dimension of many faults. Nevertheless, there is a positive linear relation (r = 0.91) between maximum throw and length of the Holocene faults. If the faults grow as self-similar structures, the throw-length relationship can be explained by a similar relation between fault length and width.     

四川汶川MS 8.0大地震地表破裂带的遥感影像解析

2008年5月12日发生于四川盆地西部龙门山断裂带的汶川MS 8.0级大地震造成巨大的人员伤亡和财产损失,并形成了空间上基本连续分布的地表破裂带（地震断层）。根据地表破裂带的解译标志及影像特征,我们充分利用震后中国科学院航空遥感飞机所获取的高分辨率航空遥感图像以及我国台湾福卫-2卫星遥感图像进行详细解译分析,并结合震后的多次野外科学考察与验证,初步查明了四川汶川MS 8.0级大地震所产生地表破裂带的空间分布特征。遥感解译分析表明汶川大地震产生的地表破裂带总计长约300 km,其几何学特征十分复杂,主要沿先存的NE走向活动断裂带呈不连续展布;变形特征以逆冲挤压为主兼具右旋走滑分量。按同震地表破裂带所在断裂带位置,可将其分为两条： 中央地表破裂带：沿映秀-北川断裂带分布,从西南开始呈北东向延伸至平武县水观乡石坎子北东一带,长约230 km,最大垂直位移量达6.0 m左右,最大右旋水平位移达5.8 m;山前地表破裂带：沿灌县-安县断裂带分布,由都江堰市向峨乡一带开始呈北东向延伸至安县雎水镇一带,长约70 km,以逆冲挤压为主,最大垂直位移量可达2.5 m。此外,遥感图像分析还表明上述地表破裂带与地质灾害分布在空间上具有十分密切的相关性,因此,挤压逆冲-走滑型地震断层的致灾效应研究是未来应该加以重视的研究课题。     

Faults and their associated host rock deformation: Part I. Structure of small faults in a quartz–syenite body,southern Israel

We analyze pervasive and discontinuous deformation associated with small faults in a quartz–syenite body in southern Israel. The analysis includes detailed mapping, measurement of in-situ mechanical rock properties and microstructural study of the faults. The mapped faults have 1–100-m-long horizontal traces, consisting of linked, curved segments; the segmented nature of the faults is also apparent at the 1–10 mm scale. The observed deformation features are breccia, as well as intra- and inter-granular fractures; these features are accompanied by reduction of the Young modulus and uniaxial strength of the host rock. The deformation features are zoned from a central fault-core through a damage-zone to the protolith at distances of 0.05–0.06 the fault length. Shear strains up to 300% were calculated from measured marker lines displacements and distortion in proximity to the faults. We argue here that the fault-related deformation during fault propagation is manifested by highly localized deformation in a process zone having a width of 0.001–0.005 of the fault length (fault-related deformation due to subsequent slip along the existing faults is analyzed in Part II). The observed self-similarity of the discontinuities over five length orders of magnitude and the outstanding lack of tensile microcracks suggest fault initiation and growth as primary shear fractures.     

玉树地震地表破裂特征及其破裂方式

北京时间2010年4月14日玉树Ms7.1级地震产生了长约50km的地表破裂带,地表破裂系统非常典型。本文通过对果庆益荣松多村附近河滩与结古镇西南河道两岸2个地表破裂点的野外观测和地表破裂的力学分析,探讨玉树地震地表破裂特征和方式。在果庆益荣松多村附近河滩地表破裂与地震陡坎呈间隔式左行右阶排列,具转换压缩性质;在结古镇西南河道北岸主地表破裂带中地表破裂非常发育,出露一处古断层面。地表破裂的野外调查与应力分析结果表明,玉树地震同震地表破裂带总体走向为125°,属于典型的左行走滑破裂带,最大左行走滑位移量1.75m,主压应力为近东西向,这一结果与美国地质调查局和中国地震局地震地球物理研究所公布的结果基本一致。     

Deformation style in the damage zone of the Mondy fault: GPR evidence (Tunka basin,southern East Siberia)

The Mondy strike-slip fault connects the W-E Tunka and N-S Hovsgol basins on the southern flank of the Baikal rift system. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys in its damage zone provide constraints on thicknesses, dips, and plunges of fault planes, as well as on the amount and sense of vertical slip. Strike-slip faulting in the southern segment of the Mondy fault within the territory of Russia bears a normal slip component of motion along the W-E and NW planes. These motions have produced negative flower structures in shallow crust appearing as grabens upon Pleistocene fluvioglacial terraces. The amount of normal slip estimated from the displacement of reflection events varies over the area and reaches its maximum of 3.4 m near Mondy Village. In the Kharadaban basin link, left-lateral strike slip displaces valleys of ephemeral streams to 22 m, while normal slip detected by GPR reaches 2.2 m; this normal-to-strike slip ratio corresponds to a direction of ~ 6° to the horizon. The angles of dips of faults are in the range 75°-79°; the thicknesses of fault planes marked by low- or high-frequency anomalies in GPR records vary from 2.5 to 17.0 m along strike and decrease with depth within a few meters below the surface, which is common to near-surface coseismic motions. Many ruptures fail to reach the surface but appear rather as sinkholes localized mainly in fault hanging walls. The deformation style in the damage zone of the Mondy fault bears impact of the NW Yaminshin fault lying between its two segments. According to photoelasticity, the stress field changes locally at the intersection of the two faults, under NE compression at 38°, till the inverse orientations of principal compression and extension stresses. This stress pattern leads to a combination of normal and left-lateral strike slip components.     

The nature and origin of off-fault damage surrounding strike-slip fault zones with a wide range of displacements: A field study from the Atacama fault system, northern Chile

Damage surrounding the core of faults is represented by deformation on a range of scales from microfracturing of the rock matrix to macroscopic fracture networks. The spatial distribution and geometric characterization of damage at various scales can help to predict fault growth processes, subsequent mechanics, bulk hydraulic and seismological properties of a fault zone. Within the excellently exposed Atacama fault system, northern Chile, micro- and macroscale fracture densities and orientation surrounding strike-slip faults with well-constrained displacements ranging over nearly 5 orders of magnitude (0.12 m–5000 m) have been analyzed. Faults have been studied that cut granodiorite and have been passively exhumed from 6 to 10 km depth. This allows direct comparison of the damage surrounding faults of different displacements. The faults consist of a fault core and associated damage zone. Macrofractures in the damage zone are predominantly shear fractures orientated at high angles to the faults studied. They have a reasonably well-defined exponential decrease with distance from the fault core. Microfractures are a combination of open, healed, partially healed and fluid inclusion planes (FIPs). FIPs are the earliest set of fractures and show an exponential decrease in fracture density with perpendicular distance from the fault core. Later microfractures do not show a clear relationship of microfracture density with perpendicular distance from the fault core. Damage zone widths defined by the density of FIPs scale with fault displacement but appear to reach a maximum at a few km displacement. One fault, where damage was characterized on both sides of the fault core shows no damage asymmetry. All faults appear to have a critical microfracture density at the fault core/damage zone boundary that is independent of displacement. An empirical relationship for microfracture density distribution with displacement is presented. Preferred FIP orientations have a high angle to the fault close to the fault core and become more diffuse with distance. Models that predict off-fault damage such as a migrating process zone during fault formation, wear from geometrical irregularities and dynamic rupture are all consistent with our data. We conclude it is very difficult to distinguish between them on the basis of field data alone, at least within the limits of this study.     

郯庐断裂带渤海段与沂沭断裂带衔接关系

以郯庐断裂带渤海段和沂沭断裂带的衔接点潍北凹陷为切入点,依据高精度大地电磁和地震剖面,解析了潍北凹陷的多条断裂,并结合地层发育等特征,研究渤海段中生代断裂活动及其与沂沭断裂带的构造关系。研究认为这些断裂可能属于不同的断裂体系。在潍北凹陷解析出的郯西(Fa)和郯东(Fb)两条断裂为古近纪正断裂系,呈现上陡下缓的勺状形态,消失在中地壳,切割部位较浅,主要控制新生界沉积。新生代正断裂系下部发育有6条显著的中生代断裂(F1—F6),为中生代伸展断裂系,其中东(F6)、西(F1)两条断裂的断裂面整体近直立,切穿深部的下地壳,并向下继续延伸,与中间4条断裂共同控制中生界沉积。结合区域地质背景和重磁延拓等资料,推断其向南分别与沂沭断裂带西支鄌郚—葛沟断裂和东支昌邑—大店断裂相衔接,向北伸入渤海湾盆地深部,并对浅部古近纪正断裂系的形成演化具有明显的约束作用。      

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。     

正断层破坏在砂土中传播规律试验模拟

断层错动不仅可以引起地震灾害,而且带来的地层永久性变形,对结构物特别是线性构造物,如地下管线,隧道等,造成很大影响,因此,研究断层破坏在上覆土层中传播规律是十分必要的。本文依据正断层砂箱模型试验,对断层在砂土中传播模式,断层在地表的露头位置,断层垂直位移与土体厚度关系等内容进行了分析,并认为:(1)砂土中正断层破裂面不唯一,出现分叉; (2)传至地表所需的断层垂直位移与倾角无关; (3)正断层传播形成三角剪切带,其宽度随断层倾角减小而增大。