Gravity anomaly, lithospheric structure and seismicity of Western Himalayan Syntaxis

A compiled gravity anomaly map of the Western Himalayan Syntaxis is analysed to understand the tectonics of the region around the epicentre of Kashmir earthquake of October 8, 2005 (Mw = 7.6). Isostatic gravity anomalies and effective elastic thickness (EET) of lithosphere are assessed from coherence analysis between Bouguer anomaly and topography. The isostatic residual gravity high and gravity low correspond to the two main seismic zones in this region, viz. Indus–Kohistan Seismic Zone (IKSZ) and Hindu Kush Seismic Zones (HKSZ), respectively, suggesting a connection between siesmicity and gravity anomalies. The gravity high originates from the high-density thrusted rocks along the syntaxial bend of the Main Boundary Thrust and coincides with the region of the crustal thrust earthquakes, including the Kashmir earthquake of 2005. The gravity low of HKSZ coincides with the region of intermediate–deep-focus earthquakes, where crustal rocks are underthrusting with a higher speed to create low density cold mantle. Comparable EET (∼55 km) to the focal depth of crustal earthquakes suggests that whole crust is seismogenic and brittle. An integrated lithospheric model along a profile provides the crustal structure of the boundary zones with crustal thickness of about 60 km under the Karakoram–Pamir regions and suggests continental subduction from either sides (Indian and Eurasian) leading to a complex compressional environment for large earthquakes.     

安宁河—则木河断裂带和大凉山断裂带孕震深度研究及其地震危险性

安宁河—则木河断裂带及东侧的大凉山断裂带作为大凉山次级块体西侧与东侧边界,具有发生大地震的活动构造背景.本文意在用有限的形变数据和地震数据两种资料评估大凉山次级块体边界断裂带的孕震深度及其地震危险性.采用弹性半空间模型对安宁河断裂、则木河断裂和大凉山断裂带滑动速率和闭锁深度进行了详细分析;计算了90%、95%和99%不同分位数的小震深度下界值并与GPS得到的闭锁深度进行对比,分析二者异同点.结果显示,安宁河断裂北段闭锁深度为6.2 km,不到90%分位小震震源深度16 km的一半,表明该段在1952年M_S6³/₄地震后,断层逐渐趋于闭锁;而在6~16 km深度主要以小地震和无震滑动两种形式释放能量,存在深部蠕滑运动.大凉山断裂北段在0~10 km范围内完全闭锁,而10~25 km闭锁程度较弱.安宁河断裂南段、则木河断裂、大凉山断裂中段和南段均处于完全闭锁阶段,闭锁深度接近90%分位数小震深度的下界值,标准差约为0.94 km.此外,A、B、C三个剖面的反演结果表明大凉山次级块体的运动自北向南具有顺时针旋转特性,与川滇块体顺时针运动特征吻合.大凉山次级块体北、中、南三段边界断裂及块体内部总的滑动速率分别为9.8 mm·a^-1、8.9 mm·a^-1和8.4 mm·a^-1,呈自北向南递减趋势.大凉山断裂南段布拖断裂和交际河断裂积累的能量分别能够发生一次矩震级为M_W7.5的地震,离逝时间已经接近地震平均复发间隔,未来100年大地震的发震概率分别为7.1%和5.9%,应对其地震危险性给予重视.     

2014年三峡秭归M4.5、M4.7震群序列定位及震源区三维P波速度结构研究

采用双差层析成像方法,对2014年3月27日M4.7和3月30日M4.5秭归震群重定位显示:0～5 km深度层P波高速区分布在仙女山断裂北中段和九畹溪断裂北段,天阳坪断裂一带为低速区;8 km深度层高速区分布在九畹溪断裂东侧,仙女山断裂较低;11 km层高速区仅分布在高桥断裂和周家山—牛口断裂之间地带。在地震集中区的下方(即8～12 km处)存在分布较为稳定的低速区,较大地震事件主要分布在高速区或高低速区交界地带,低速区内则很少有地震分布。局部高速体的存在为岩石发生瞬间破裂提供了物质基础,其与低速体间的梯度带是发震构造常发育的区域。研究区内的仙女山断裂北段、九畹溪断裂正是在该梯度带内发育的两条活动断裂。本地震序列的自地表至5 km和5～10 km深度范围内均有大量破裂存在表明,浅层地震仍在水库渗透范围内,而深部地震则与流体渗透无关。此次地震活动同时存在水库诱发地震和构造地震存在。     

永清MS4.3地震和廊坊MS3.0地震的发震构造研究

基于首都圈数字地震台网的宽频带资料,首先采用CAP方法确定了永清M_S4.3地震和廊坊M_S3.0地震的震源机制解:永清地震节面Ⅰ的走向、倾角和滑动角分别为52°,62°和?140°,节面Ⅱ的走向、倾角和滑动角分别为300°,55°和?35°;廊坊地震节面I的走向、倾角和滑动角分别为48°,57°和?147°,节面Ⅱ的走向、倾角和滑动角分别为299°,63°和?38°。两次地震的震源机制解较为一致,推测它们可能具有相同的发震断层。利用近震转换波获得两次地震的震源深度,分别为19 km和13 km。利用双差法对两次地震的主余震进行重新定位,结果显示:两个地震序列的震中均呈NE向分布,余震震源深度均浅于主震震源深度,震源深度分别集中在17—20 km和12—13 km范围内,两个序列的短轴剖面揭示了震源分布均呈现倾向SE,倾角陡立的特点。将地震序列的分布与震源机制解的结果进行对比,认为两个序列的水平展布方向与其对应的主震震源机制解中节面Ⅰ的走向比较接近,深度分布的高倾角特征也与节面Ⅰ比较相似,因此认为发震断层面均为节面Ⅰ。通过将震源机制解中节面Ⅰ的参数和地震序列的分布与区域活动断层的产状性质进行比较,取得了一些关于发震构造和地震成因的重要认识:① 永清M_S4.3地震和廊坊M_S3.0地震的发震构造不是上地壳的先存正断裂?河西务断裂,不排除与中下地壳的新生构造或深大断裂有关;② 永清、廊坊地震发生在13—19 km深度上,结合地壳结构、断裂构造以及区域流变结构等资料,推测该深度范围可能是廊固凹陷的壳内脆性?韧性转换区域,是地震孕育和发生的有利构造部位。      

Structural Properties and Deformation Patterns of Evolving Strike-slip Faults: Numerical Simulations Incorporating Damage Rheology

We present results on evolving geometrical and material properties of large strike-slip fault zones and associated deformation fields, using 3-D numerical simulations in a rheologically-layered model with a seismogenic upper crust governed by a continuum brittle damage framework over a viscoelastic substrate. The damage healing parameters we employ are constrained using results of test models and geophysical observations of healing along active faults. The model simulations exhibit several results that are likely to have general applicability. The fault zones form initially as complex segmented structures and evolve overall with continuing deformation toward contiguous, simpler structures. Along relatively-straight mature segments, the models produce flower structures with depth consisting of a broad damage zone in the top few kilometers of the crust and highly localized damage at depth. The flower structures form during an early evolutionary stage of the fault system (before a total offset of about 0.05 to 0.1 km has accumulated), and persist as continued deformation localizes further along narrow slip zones. The tectonic strain at seismogenic depths is concentrated along the highly damaged cores of the main fault zones, although at shallow depths a small portion of the strain is accommodated over a broader region. This broader domain corresponds to shallow damage (or compliant) zones which have been identified in several seismic and geodetic studies of active faults. The models produce releasing stepovers between fault zone segments that are locations of ongoing interseismic deformation. Material within the fault stepovers remains damaged during the entire earthquake cycle (with significantly reduced rigidity and shear-wave velocity) to depths of 10 to 15 km. These persistent damage zones should be detectable by geophysical imaging studies and could have important implications for earthquake dynamics and seismic hazard.     

On the seismicity of central Kamchatka before the 1997, M = 7.9 Kronotskii earthquake

We report results from a detailed study of seismicity in central Kamchatka for the period from 1960 to 1997 using a modified traditional approach. The basic elements of this approach include (a) segmentation of the seismic region concerned (the Kronotskii and Shipunskii geoblocks, the continental slope and offshore blocks), (b) studying the variation in the rate of M = 4.5–7.0 earthquakes and in the amount of seismic energy release over time, (c) studying the seismicity variations, (d) separate estimates of earthquake recurrence for depths of 0–50 and 50–100 km. As a result, besides corroborating the fact that a quiescence occurred before the December 5, 1997, M = 7.9 Kronotskii earthquake, we also found a relationship between the start of the quiescence and the position of the seismic zone with respect to the rupture initiation. The earliest date of the quiescence (decreasing seismicity rate and seismic energy release) was due to the M = 4.5–7.0 earthquakes at depths of 0–100 km in the Kronotskii geoblock (8–9 years prior to the earthquake). The intermediate start of the quiescence was due to distant seismic zones of the Shipunskii geoblock and the circular zone using the RTL method, combining the Shipunskii and Kronotskii geoblocks (6 years). Based on the low magnitude seismicity (M≥2.6) at depths of 0–70 km in the southwestern part of the epicentral zone (50–100 km from the mainshock epicenter), the quiescence was inferred to have occurred a little over 3 years (40 months) before the mainshock time and a little over 2 years (25 months) in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter (0–50 km). These results enable a more reliable identification of other types of geophysical precursors during seismic quiescences before disastrous earthquakes.     

Topography of the Moho and Conrad discontinuities in the Kyushu district,Southwest Japan

The first P-arrival time data from local earthquakes are inverted for two-dimensional variation of the depths to the Conrad and Moho discontinuities in the Kyushu district, southwest Japan. At the same time, earthquake hypocenters and station corrections are determined from the data. The depths to the discontinuities are estimated by minimizing the travel time residuals of first P-arrival phases for 608 earthquakes observed at 57 seismic stations. In the land area of Kyushu, the Conrad and Moho discontinuities are located within the depth ranges of 16–18 and 34–40 km, respectively. The Conrad discontinuity is not as largely undulated as the Moho discontinuity. The depth to the Moho is deep along the east coast of Kyushu, and the deepest Moho is closely related to markedly low velocity of P wave. We regard the deepest Moho as reflecting the Kyushu–Palau ridge subducting beneath the Kyushu district, together with the Philippine Sea slab. In western Kyushu, the shallow Moho is spreading in the north–northeast–south–southwest direction in the Okinawa trough region. Based on the presence of low-velocity anomaly in three-dimensional velocity structure and seismogenic stress field of shallow crustal earthquakes, the shallow Moho is interpreted as being due to lower crustal erosion associated with a small-scale mantle upwelling in the Okinawa trough region. The velocity discontinuity undulation basically has insignificant effect on hypocenter determination of the local earthquakes, but the Moho topography makes changes in focal depths of some upper mantle earthquakes. The depth variation of the Moho discontinuity has a good correlation with the Bouguer gravity anomaly map; i.e., the shallow Moho of western Kyushu and the deep Moho of eastern Kyushu closely correlate with the positive and negative Bouguer gravity anomalies, respectively.     

根据烈度分布确定华北历史地震破裂区的经验准则及其应用

地震破裂区是地震时沿发震断裂带的同震错动面或破裂面在地表的垂直投影区域,指示了震源断层/破裂的位置与尺度。确定过去长期的强震/大地震破裂区是鉴别地震空区、研究与预测强震危险性的重要基础。对于现代强震,破裂区可运用多种现代技术方法确定,但对于历史强震,破裂区确定的方法需要探索与发展。以华北地区为例,研究利用烈度/等震线资料、结合地震构造与震区地表地质环境等信息确定历史强震破裂区的方法,并开展应用试验。结果表明:研究区现代地震破裂区延伸的烈度区间与极震区烈度、震区环境之间存在密切关系,基于这种关系建立了2条经验准则,可分别用于根据烈度分布确定华北2类震区环境(基岩区和厚层第四纪松散堆积覆盖区)历史强震破裂区的位置与延伸。文中还提出通过综合地震构造、现代小震/余震分布等信息,辅助确定历史强震破裂区横向宽度的思路与途径。作为应用试验,文中确定了5次历史地震的破裂区,结果表明本文发展的经验准则及相应方法适用于华北地区历史强震破裂区的确定。     

Three-dimensional Q structure in Jiashi earthquake region of Xinjiang

3-D S-waveQ structure in Jiashi earthquake region is inverted based on the attenuation of seismic waves recorded from earthquakes in this region in 1998 by the Research Center of Exploration Geophysics (RCEG), CSB, and a rough configuration of deep crustal faults in the earthquake region is presented. First, amplitude spectra of S-waves are extracted from 450 carefully-chosen earthquake records, called observed amplitude spectra. Then, after instrumental and site effect correction, theoretical amplitude spectra are made to fit observed amplitude spectra with nonlinear damped least-squares method to get the observed travel time overQ, provided that earthquake sources conform to Brune’s disk dislocation model. Finally, by 3-D ray tracing method, theoretical travel time overQ is made to fit observed travel time overQ with nonlinear damped least-squares method. In the course of fitting, the velocity model, which is obtained by 3-D travel time tomography, remains unchanged, while onlyQ model is modified. When fitting came to the given accuracy, the ultimateQ model is obtained. The result shows that an NE-trending lowQ zone exists at the depths of 10–18 km, and an NW-trending lowQ zone exists at the depths of 12–18 km. These roughly coincide with the NE-trending and the NW-trending low velocity zones revealed by other scientists. The difference is that the lowQ zones have a wider range than the low velocity zones. Foundation item: Joint Seismological Science Foundation of China (957-07-414) and State Key Basic Research Development and Programming Project (95-13-02-02). Contribution No. RCEG200105, Research Center of Exploration Geophysics, China Seismological Bureau.     

Source study of two small earthquakes of Delhi, India, and estimation of ground motion from future moderate, local events

We study source characteristics of two small, local earthquakes which occurred in Delhi on 28 April 2001 (Mw3.4) and 18 March 2004 (Mw2.6). Both earthquakes were located in the heart of New Delhi, and were recorded in the epicentral region by digital accelerographs. The depths of the events are 15 km and 8 km, respectively. First motions and waveform modeling yield a normal-faulting mechanism with large strike-slip component. The strike of one of the nodal planes roughly agrees with NE–SW orientation of faults and lineaments mapped in the region. We use the recordings of the 2004 event as empirical Green’s functions to synthesize expected ground motions in the epicentral region of a Mw5.0 earthquake in Delhi. It is possible that such a local event may control the hazard in Delhi. Our computations show that a Mw5.0 earthquake would give rise to PGA of ~200 to 450 gal, the smaller values occurring at hard sites. The estimate of corresponding PGV is ~6 to 15 cm/s. The recommended response spectra, Sa, 5% damping, for Delhi, which falls in zone IV of the Indian seismic zoning map, may not be conservative enough at soft sites for a postulated Mw5.0 local earthquake.     

龙门山南段芦山震区浅层沉积与构造变形——对深部发震构造的约束

2013年4月20日在龙门山南段发生M_W6.7强震,造成重大人员伤亡和财产损失.芦山地震发生后,针对发震断层是高角度还是低角度断层?断层的归属、性质和地震构造模型等问题,一直存在不同的认识和争议.本次研究采用了芦山震区的三条高精度二维人工地震反射剖面,结合区域地质、钻井资料,对芦山震区浅层沉积与构造变形进行综合解释;研究同时综合了震源机制解、小震重定位结果以及深地震探测剖面,并结合龙门山地区古生代以来的构造演化史,对震区地质构造进行解析.研究认为龙门山南段主要发育了三套不同层次的滑脱层并控制了上地壳形变,呈现多层滑脱、多期变形、构造叠加的复杂特征.2013年芦山地震的主要活动断层发育在深部约20 km滑脱层之上,倾向NW、倾角较陡大约在45°~50°,并产生反冲断层形成Y字状结构.地震地质解释表明,芦山地震的同震活动断层没有突破中生界和新生界,并非先前认为的双石—大川断裂(F4)或山前大邑隐伏断裂(F6);芦山地震的发震断层为一基底盲冲断层;深地震反射结果进一步揭示芦山地震的发震断层为一早期(古生代)形成的正断层.研究认为芦山地震发震构造符合简单剪切断层转折褶皱模型(Simple-shear Fault-Bend Fold),2013年芦山地震为一次非特征型地震.晚新生代以来在青藏高原向四川盆地强烈挤压持续作用下,早期正断层重新活动并产生了芦山地震.这种深部隐伏断层活化产生的特殊型地震,无疑增加了龙门山地区地震灾害的风险和不确定性.     

THE SOURCE PARAMETERS AND SEISMOTECTONIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE SEPTEMBER 4, 2017 ML4.4 LINCHENG EARTHQUAKE

At 3:05, September 4, 2017, an M_L4.4 earthquake occurred in Lincheng County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province, which was felt obviously by surrounding areas. Approximately 60km away from the hypocenter of Xingtai M_S7.2 earthquake in 1966, this event is the most noticeable earthquake in this area in recent years. On the one hand, people are still shocked by the 1966 Xingtai earthquake that caused huge disaster, on the other hand, Lincheng County is lack of strong earthquakes. Therefore, this quake has aroused widespread concerns by the government, society and seismologists. It is necessary to clarify whether the seismogenic structure of this event is consistent with the previous seismicity and whether it has any new implications for the seismic activity and seismic hazard in this region. Therefore, it is of great significance to study its seismogenic mechanism for understanding the earthquake activity in Xingtai region where a M_S7.2 earthquake had occurred in 1966. In this study, the Lincheng earthquake and its aftershocks are relocated using the multi-step locating method, and the focal mechanism and focal depth are determined by the "generalized Cut and Paste"(gCAP)method. The reliability of the results is analyzed based on the data of Hebei regional seismic network. In order to better constrain the focal depth, the depth phase sPL fitting method is applied to the relocation of focal depth. The inversion and constraint results show that aftershocks are mainly distributed along NE direction and dip to SE direction as revealed by depth profiles. Focal depths of aftershocks are concentrated in the depths of 6.5~8.2km with an average of about 7km. The best double-couple solution of the mainshock is 276°, 69° and -40° for strike, dip and slip angle for nodal plane I and 23°, 53° and -153° for nodal plane Ⅱ, respectively, revealing that it is a strike-slip event with a small amount of normal-fault component. The initial rupture depth of mainshock is about 7.5km obtained by the relocation while the centroid depth is 6km derived from gCAP method which was also verified by the seismic depth phase sPL observed by several stations, indicating the earthquake is ruptured from deep to shallow. Combined with the research results on regional geological structure and the seismic sequence relocation results, it is concluded that the nodal plane Ⅱ is the seismogenic fault plane of this earthquake. There are several active faults around the hypocenter of Lincheng earthquake sequence, however, none of the known faults on the current understanding is completely consistent with the seismogenic fault. To determine the seismogenic mechanism, the lucubrated research of the M_S7.2 Xingtai earthquake in 1966 could provide a powerful reference. The seismic tectonic characteristics of the 1966 Xingtai earthquake sequence could be summarized as follows:There are tensional fault in the shallow crust and steep dip hidden fault in the middle and lower crust, however, the two faults are not connected but separated by the shear slip surfaces which are widely distributed in the middle crust; the seismic source is located between the hidden fault in the lower crust and the extensional fault in the upper crust; the earthquake began to rupture in the deep dip fault in the mid-lower crust and then ruptured upward to the extensional fault in the shallow crust, and the two fault systems were broken successively. From the earthquake rupture revealed by the seismic sequence location, the Lincheng earthquake also has the semblable feature of rupturing from deep to shallow. However, due to the much smaller magnitude of this event than that of the 1966 earthquake, the accumulated stress was not high enough to tear the fracture of the detachment surface whose existence in Lincheng region was confirmed clearly by the results of Lincheng-Julu deep reflection seismology and reach to the shallower fault. Therefore, by the revelation of the seismogenic mechanism of the 1966 Xingtai earthquake, the seismogenic fault of Lincheng earthquake is presumed to be a concealed fault possessing a potential of both strike-slip and small normal faulting component and located below the detachment surface in Lincheng area. The tectonic significance indicated by this earthquake is that the event was a stress adjustment of the deep fault and did not lead to the rupture of the shallow fault. Therefore, this area still has potential seismic hazard to a certain extent.     

Marine seismological observations in the Central Kurile segment before catastrophic earthquakes on November, 2006 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> = 8.3) and January, 2007 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> = 8.1)

The results of detailed seismological observations with bottom seismographs in the Central Kurile segment in August-September, 2006 are discussed. The system of six bottom seismographs was placed on the island slope of the Kurile deep-sea trench southeast of Urup Island and southwest of the Bussol Strait. Over 230 earthquakes with M _LH = 0.5–5.5 were registered in the area with a radius of 150 km around the center of the observation system at depths up to 300 km during 16 days. Records of 80 earthquakes with hypocenters in the earth crust (h = 0–30 km) beneath the island slope of the Kurile deep-sea trench were first obtained by bottom seismographs. These data are inconsistent with previous concepts of aseismicity of this zone. The discovery of the unique morphological structure of the Benioff zone beneath the central Kurile Arc represents the most important result of detailed seismological observations. The zone consists of an inner seismoactive subzone, which is located beneath the island slope of the arc at depths of 15–210 km, being characterized by an angle of incline of 50° under the latter and crosses the ocean bottom approximately 80 km away from the trench axis, and outer low-activity subzone. The latter is traceable beyond the trench almost parallel to the inner zone beginning from a depth of 50 km below the sea bottom up to a depth of approximately 300 km. Due to the slightly lower incline (∼45°) of the outer subzone, both subzones gradually converge downward. The integral thickness of the Benioff zone varies from 150 km in its upper part to 125 km at depths of 210–260 km. The medium sandwiched between these subzones is practically aseismic. The reality of this defined structure is confirmed by the distribution of aftershocks of the earthquake that occurred on November 15, 2006 (M = 8.3). These seismic events served as foreshocks for the subsequent strong earthquake of January 13, 2007 (M = 8.1) with the hypocenter located beyond the trench under the ocean bottom. Such a structure of this zone within the central Kurile Arc segment is unique, having no analogues either in the flanks of the Kurile-Kamchatka Arc or other arcs. The results of detailed seismological observations obtained two months before the first of the catastrophic Central Kurile earthquakes appeared to be typical for the period of foreshocks (the lower seismic activity of the Simushir block, which hosted the hypocenter of the earthquake that occurred on November 15, 2006, particularly at depths of 0–50 km, the gentler incline of the recurrence plot, and other features).     

Subduction zone seismicity and the thermo-mechanical evolution of downgoing lithosphere

In this paper we discuss characteristic features of subduction zone seismicity at depths between about 100 km and 700 km, with emphasis on the role of temperature and rheology in controlling the deformation of, and the seismic energy release in downgoing lithosphere. This is done in two steps. After a brief review of earlier developments, we first show that the depth distribution of hypocentres at depths between 100 km and 700 km in subducted lithosphere can be explained by a model in which seismic activity is confined to those parts of the slab which have temperatures below a depth-dependent critical valueT _cr.Second, the variation of seismic energy release (frequency of events, magnitude) with depth is addressed by inferring a rheological evolution from the slab's thermal evolution and by combining this with models for the system of forces acting on the subducting lithosphere. It is found that considerable stress concentration occurs in a reheating slab in the depth range of 400 to 650–700 km: the slab weakens, but the stress level strongly increases. On the basis of this stress concentration a model is formulated for earthquake generation within subducting slabs. The model predicts a maximum depth of seismic activity in the depth range of 635 to 760 km and, for deep earthquake zones, a relative maximum in seismic energy release near the maximum depth of earthquakes. From our modelling it follows that, whereas such a maximum is indeed likely to develop in deep earthquake zones, zones with a maximum depth around 300 km (such as the Aleutians) are expected to exhibit a smooth decay in seismic energy release with depth. This is in excellent agreement with observational data. In conclusion, the incoroporation of both depth-dependent forces and depth-dependent rheology provides new insight into the generation of intermediate and deep earthquakes and into the variation of seismic activity with depth.Our results imply that no barrier to slab penetration at a depth of 650–700 km is required to explain the maximum depth of seismic activity and the pattern of seismic energy release in deep earthquake zones.     

丁青地区地震重定位、震源机制及其发震构造初步分析

文中利用青海省地震台网的宽频带数字记录,通过CAP反演等方法获取了西藏丁青8次MS≥3.0地震的震源机制解(1次地震的震源机制解来自USGS).结果显示,7次地震以正断破裂为主,兼具少量右旋走滑分量,断层优势走向为NNE,P轴的优势方位为SWW,T轴的优势方位为SEE.同时,利用双差相对定位法获得了217个地震的重定位...     

京西北地区地震重定位分析

利用双差地震定位方法,针对京西北地区(39.5°—41.5°N,113.5°—116.5°E)2008—2016年记录的地震进行重新定位,最终得到1819次地震精定位结果。分析表明:地震密集区域多集中分布在NE和NW向断裂交汇区域,成条带的地震走向更加清晰,成簇性地震分布更加收敛,体现了断裂对震中分布具有较强的控制作用;震源深度优势分布主要集中在4—14 km范围,表明京西北地区地震主要发生在的中上地壳;震源深度剖面显示,在不同的地震密集区,孕震深度有一定差别,揭示了断裂的深部展布特征,反映了一些地区深部发震构造的复杂性。     

EARTHQUAKE LOCATION AND VELOCITY STRUCTURE IN YIBIN AREA,SICHUAN

Small earthquakes have been recorded in Yibin area, Sichuan Province since 1970, the frequency and intensity of seismicity have shown an increasing trend in recent ten years, and the earthquakes are distributed mainly in Changning, Gongxian and Junlian areas. Based on the seismic data from January 2008 to May 2015 recorded by Sichuan and Yunnan regional networks and Yibin local network, seismicity analysis, precise location and velocity structure inversion for earthquakes in Yibin area are carried out, the three-dimensional spatial distribution of seismic activity and the velocity structure at different depths in this region are investigated, trying to analyze the seismic activity law and seismogenic mechanism in Yibin area. The earthquake relocation result shows that the spatial cluster distribution of earthquakes is more obvious in Yinbin area, the earthquakes are concentrated in Changning-Gongxian and Gongxian-Junlian regions. The seismic activity presents two dominant directions of NW and NE in Changning-Gongxian region, and shows asymmetric conjugate distribution, the long axes of NW-trending and NE-trending seismic concentration area are about 30km and 12km respectively, and the short axes are about 5km. There is a seismic sparse segment near Gongxian, the frequency and intensity of seismicity in the southeast side are obviously higher than that in the northwest side, and the earthquakes with larger magnitude are relatively deep, the focal depth is gradually shallower with the distance away from Gongxian. Seismic activity is sparse in the west and dense in the east in Gongxian-Junlian region, the predominant direction of earthquakes in the seismic dense area of the eastern segment is NE. Seismic activity extends in opposite direction in the easternmost part of the two earthquake concentrated area. The P-wave velocity structure at different depths in the study area is obtained using joint inversion method of source and velocity structure. In view of the predominant focal depth in this region, this paper mainly analyzes the velocity structure of the upper crust within 10km. Within this study area, the P-wave velocity of earthquake concentration areas is relatively high within 10km of the predominant focal depth, especially in the northwest of Gongxian and eastern Junlian area, the P-wave velocity on the southeast of Gongxian increases gradually with depth, especially at 6km depth. These high-velocity zones are generally related to brittle and hard rocks, where the stress is often concentrated. Comparing earthquake distribution and velocity structure, seismic activity in this area mainly occurs in high-low velocity transition areas, the inhomogeneity of velocity structure may be one of the factors controlling earthquake distribution. The transition zone of high and low velocity anomalies is not only the place where stress concentrates, but also the place where the medium is relatively fragile, such environment has the medium condition of accumulating a large amount of strain energy and is prone to fracture and release stress.     

Three-dimensional Q structure in Jiashi earthquake region of Xinjiang

Introduction It is well known that the occurrence of moderate and strong earthquakes and the distribution of seismically active belts are most directly related to deep crustal faults. Therefore, studying geometrical spreading and physical state of medium of deep crustal faults has always been a major subject in earthquake science. It is not only of great significance to the understanding of deep structural background and seismogenic mechanism of strong earthquakes, but also of great help to se…     

MECHANISM OF THE 2016 HUTUBI,XINJIANG, MS6.2 MAINSHOCK AND RELOCATION OF ITS AFTERSHOCK SEQUENCES

A strong earthquake with magnitude M_S6.2 hit Hutubi, Xinjiang at 13:15:03 on December 8th, 2016(Beijing Time). In order to better understand its mechanism, we performed centroid moment tensor inversion using the broadband waveform data recorded at stations from the Xinjiang regional seismic network by employing gCAP method. The best double couple solution of the M_S6.2 mainshock on December 8th, 2016 estimated from local and near-regional waveforms is strike:271°, dip:64ånd rake:90° for nodal plane I, and strike:91°, dip:26ånd rake:90°for nodal plane Ⅱ; the centroid depth is about 21km and the moment magnitude(M_W)is 5.9. ISO, CLVD and DC, the full moment tensor, of the earthquake accounted for 0.049%, 0.156% and 99.795%, respectively. The share of non-double couple component is merely 0.205%. This indicates that the earthquake is of double-couple fault mode, a typical tectonic earthquake featuring a thrust-type earthquake of squeezing property.The double difference(HypoDD)technique provided good opportunities for a comparative study of spatio-temporal properties and evolution of the aftershock sequences, and the earthquake relocation was done using HypoDD method. 486 aftershocks are relocated accurately and 327 events are obtained, whose residual of the RMS is 0.19, and the standard deviations along the direction of longitude, latitude and depth are 0.57km, 0.6km and 1.07km respectively. The result reveals that the aftershocks sequence is mainly distributed along the southern marginal fault of the Junggar Basin, extending about 35km to the NWW direction as a whole; the focal depths are above 20km for most of earthquakes, while the main shock and the biggest aftershock are deeper than others. The depth profile shows a relatively steep dip angle of the seismogenic fault plane, and the aftershocks dipping northward. Based on the spatial and temporal distribution features of the aftershocks, it is considered that the seismogenic fault plane may be the nodal plane I and the dip angle is about 271°. The structure of the Hutubi earthquake area is extremely complicated. The existing geological structure research results show that the combination zone between the northern Tianshan and the Junggar Basin presents typical intracontinental active tectonic features. There are numerous thrust fold structures, which are characterized by anticlines and reverse faults parallel to the mountains formed during the multi-stage Cenozoic period. The structural deformation shows the deformation characteristics of longitudinal zoning, lateral segmentation and vertical stratification. The ground geological survey and the tectonic interpretation of the seismic data show that the recoil faults are developed near the source area of the Hutubi earthquake, and the recoil faults related to the anticline are all blind thrust faults. The deep reflection seismic profile shows that there are several listric reverse faults dipping southward near the study area, corresponding to the active hidden reverse faults; At the leading edge of the nappe, there are complex fault and fold structures, which, in this area, are the compressional triangular zone, tilted structure and northward bedding backthrust formation. Integrating with geological survey and seismic deep soundings, the seismogenic fault of the M_S6.2 earthquake is classified as a typical blind reverse fault with the opposite direction close to the southern marginal fault of the Junggar Basin, which is caused by the fact that the main fault is reversed by a strong push to the front during the process of thrust slip. Moreover, the Manas earthquake in 1906 also occurred near the southern marginal fault in Junggar, and the seismogenic mechanism was a blind fault. This suggests that there are some hidden thrust fault systems in the piedmont area of the northern Tianshan Mountains. These faults are controlled by active faults in the deep and contain multiple sets of active faults.     

On the influence of earthquake energy range on the estimated seismicity parameters before the magnitude 7.9 Kronotskii earthquake of 1997

Results are reported from a detailed study of central Kamchatka seismicity for the period 1962–1997 based on a modification of the traditional approach. The approach involves (a) a detailed structure of the seismic region that recognizes the Kronotskii and Shipunskii geoblocks and two further blocks, the continental slope, and the offshore portion, (b) a study of variations in the rate of M = 3.0–7.2 earthquakes and the amount of seismic energy released at depths of 0–50 and 51–100 km, (c) a study of seismicity variability, and (d) separate estimates of the recurrence of crust-mantle earthquakes (depths 0–50 km) and mantle events (51–100 km). As a result, apart from corroborating the fact of a quiescence preceding the December 5, 1997 Kronotskii earthquake (M 7.9), we also found that a relationship exists between its beginning and the position of the earthquake-generating region relative to the mainshock epicenter. The quiescence dominates the seismic process during the pre-mainshock period and is characterized by a decreased rate of earthquakes (the first feature) and a decreased amount of seismic energy release (the second feature). Based on the first feature, we found that the quiescence started in 1987 throughout the entire depth range (0–100 km) in both parts of the Kronotskii geoblock close to the rupture zone of the eponymous earthquake. As to the Shipunskii geoblock, which is farther from the rupture zone, the quiescence began in the mantle of the inner area first (1988) and somewhat later at depths of 0–50 km within the continental slope (1989). By the second feature, the quiescence began at shallower depths in the inner area of the Kronotskii geoblock at the same time and later on (a year later) in the mantle (1988). Under the continental slope of the trench in the Shipunskii geoblock the shallower quiescence also began in 1987, while it was 3 years late in the inner zone (1990) and involved the earthquake-generating earth volume at depths of 0–100 km. These data are identical with or sufficiently close to the estimate for the beginning of this quiescence using a circular area of radius 150 km that combines the Kronotskii and Shipunskii geoblocks by the RTL method (1990).