Focal Fault of the 1999 Datong Ms5.6 Earthquake in Shanxi Province

Several earthquakes with Ms≥5.0 occurred in the Datong seismic region in 1989,1991 and 1999,The precise focus location of the earthquake sequence was made by the records of the remote sensing seismic station network in Datong.Using that data together with macro-intensity distribution and focal mechanism solutions,we analyze the difference among three subsequences.The results show that the focal fault of the 1999 Ms 5.6 earthquake was a NWW-trending left-lateral strike-slip fault.It is 16km long and 12km wide.It developed at the depth of 5km and is nearly vertical in dip.The two previous earthquake subsequences,however,were generated by activity along NNE-trending right-lateral strike-slip fault.It can be found that the rupture directioin of the 1999 earthquake has changed.It is generally found that a rupture zone has more than two directions and has different strength along these two directions.The complicate degree of focal circumstance is related to the type of earthquake sequences.There is the NE-trending Dawangcun fault and the NW-trending Tuanbu fault in the seismic region,but no proof indicates a connection between focal faults and these two tectonic faults.The feature that focal faults of three subsequences are strike-slip is different from that of the two tectonic faults.It is suggested that the 1999 earthquake subsequence was possibly generated by a new rupture.     

Discussion on the Seismogenic Fault of the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake

The opinions of two papers carried in the journal "Seismology and Geology" are discussed in the paper.One is that the Tangshan fault is a high-angle,west-dipping and thrust with strike-slip fault.The other is that the Fuzhuang-Xihe fault distributed on the east side of Tangshan city is the seismogenic fault that caused the Tangshan earthquake.For the former opinion,it needs to explain the relationship between the active style of the thrust Tangshan fault and the formation genesis of a Quaternary depression along the west side of Tangshan city.For the latter opinion,if the Fuzhuang-Xihe fault is the seismogenic fault of the Tangshan earthquake,it needs to explain the genesis relationship between this west-dip slip fault zone and the strike-slip surface fissure zone that extends through Tangshan city.And it needs more evidence exclude the possibility that the surface rupture belongs to the rupturing of a secondary structure.This paper suggests doing more work on the active fault that controls the Caobo Quaternary depression.     

A Discussion of Some Problems Concerning the Tosonhu Lake Ms7.5 Earthquake in 1937

The East Kunlun active fault zone, which lies in the valley of the Kunlun Mountains above an elevation of 4,000 meters, is an important active fault zone in the Northeast Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau. The 1937, the Tosonhu lake M_S7.5 earthquake occurred in the eastern segment of the East Kunlun active fault zone. Four field investigations were launched on this seism in 1963, 1971, 1980, and between 1986 and 1990. However, due to different extents of the investigations, four different conclusions have been gained. Concerning the length aspect of the surface rupture zone of this earthquake, the unanimous consensus is that its eastern end lies in the west side of the main Ridge of the A'nyêmaqên Mountains, but opinions about the western end and the location of the macro-epicenter are different. Based on investigation and comprehensive study, a series of scientific problems like geometric and kinetic characteristics, the length of the rupture zone, the maximum sinistral horizontal displacement and the macro-epicenter were re-evaluated. We believe that the total length of this earthquake's surface deformation zone is at least 240km; the western end of the zone is at the west of Wusuwuwoguole; the maximum sinistral horizontal displacement is 8m to the west of Baerhalasha gully on the east side of Sanchakou; the maximum vertical displacement is 3.5m in the south of Sanchakou and the macro-epicenter is in Sanchakou.     

Studies on the Surface Rupture Zone of 1303 Hongdong Earthquake of M =8 and Paleoearthquakes of Huoshan Fault in Shanxi Province

An earthquake of M=8 occurred in the Linfen Basin of the Shanxi graben system in 1303,producing a surface rupture zone about 45km long.Compiling a geological map at 1:10,000 and studying in detail the rupture zone,its dextral strike-slip displacement is determined to be 4-8.6 m,and normal dip-slip displacement up to 3.5-5 m.In this paper the geochronological evidence for the formation of the surface rupture zone is provided and the Huoshan fault is confirmed to be the seismogenic structure for the M=8 earthquake.Field trenching enables us to identify two paleoseismic events having occurred along the Huoshan fault since the middle Holocene before the M8 earthquake.A recurrence interval of these three events including 1303 Hongdong M 8 earthquake is determined to be up to 1500-2000 years.The result corresponds to the mean recurrence interval calculated from slip rate on the Huoshan fault during Holocene.     

Earthquake probabilities and magnitude distribution (M ≥ 6.7) along the Haiyuan fault, northwestern China

Introduction Haiyuan fault is a major seismogenic fault in north-central China. One of the most devastat-ing great earthquake in the 20th century occurred near Haiyuan in northwestern China on Decem-ber 16, 1920. More than 220 000 people were killed and thousands of towns and villages weredestroyed during the devastating earthquake. A 230 km long left-lateral surface rupture zone wasformed along the Haiyuan fault during the earthquake with maximum left-lateral displacement of10 m. Pale…     

Characteristics of Late Quaternary Activity of the Gadê Segment in the Madoi-Gadê Fault Zone

Madoi-Gadê fault is an active fault in the Bayan Har block.According to field investigation,there is an earthquake surface rupture fairly well preserved on the Gadê segment of the Madoi-Gadê fault zone.The length of the rupture is approximately 50km,with a general strike of NW.The maximum horizontal sinistral displacement is about 7.6m and the maximum vertical displacement is about 4m.A large number of earthquake traces are to be found along the rupture zone,and the phenomena on the surface rupture are also...     

From active fault segmentation to risks of earthquake hazards and property and life losses——A case study from the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault zone

Strong earthquakes generally rupture along active faults, and associated ground motion can cause earthquake disasters, property losses, and casualties from kilometers to tens of kilometers away. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to find earthquake’s dangerous parts of faults is to study the seismic hazards on fault segments. After that, we can also evaluate the probabilities of landslides hazard, property losses, and casualties. In this study, using fault slip rates and magnitude-frequen...     

Fracture Characters and Seismogenic Fault of the Yajiang Earthquake Sequence with Ms6.0 in Sichuan in 2001

The Yajiang earthquake sequence in 2001, with the major events of Ms5.1 on Feb. 14 and of Ms6.0 on Feb.23, are significant events in the Sichuan region during the last 13 years. Eighty-eight earthquakes in the sequence with at least 5 distinct onset parameters for each recorded by the Sichuan Seismic Network in the period of Jan. 1 through June 30,2001 were chosen for this study. The events are relocated and the focal mechanism is derived from P-wave onsets for 13 events with relatively larger magnitudes. The focal depth of all earthquakes fall between a range of 2km to 16km, with dominant distribution between 9km to 11km. Theforeshocks, the Ms5.1 earthquake and the Ms6.0 earthquake and their aftershocks are all located close to the Zihe fault and the dominant epicentral distribution is in NW direction, identical to that of the fault. The fracture surface of the focal mechanism is determined in accordance to the mass transfer orientation in the recent earth deformation field in the Yajiang region. The P axes of the principal compressive stress in focal mechanism solutions of the 13 events show bigger vertical components, and the horizontal projection trending SE. The earthquakes are of left-lateral, strike-slip normal, and normal strike-slip types. The rupture surface of most earthquakes strike NW-SE, dipping SW. Based on the above information, we conclude that the Zihe fault that crosses the earthquake area, striking NW and dipping SW, is the seismogenic fault for the Yajiang earthquake sequence.     

Examination of Historical Data of the 1125 Lanzhou M7.0 Earthquake and Analysis of Seismogenic Structure

Detailed examination of historical data of earthquakes and field investigations of loess landslide caused by the earthquake and tracing of active faults in Lanzhou area indicate that the Yijitanpu town,one of six towns of Jincheng city,was devastated by the 1125 Lanzhou earthquake.The citly is now located in the Vinylon Factory south of Hekou(River Mouth)in the Xigu distict of Lanzhou city.We delermined that the six old towns mentioned in historical records lie in an area stretching from the south of Xigu district to Hekou in Lanzhou.This is consistent with the distibution of loess landslides caused by the earthquake,the extension of Holocene active faults,and the distribution of traces of the seismic rupture zone.A comprehensive analysis shows that the seismogenic structure for the 1125 Lanzhou M7.0 earthquake should be the Xianshuigou fault segment at the western termination of the north-border active fault zone of the Maxianshan Mountains which are located in south of Lanzhou city with the distance of only 4km.     

Study of the Activity and Segmentation of Active Faults Using Measurements of Radon and Mercury Gases

In this paper,measurements of gaseous radon and gaseous mercury densities were conducted for the first time along the Haiyuan active fault zone,including three longer secondary shear faults from Biangou to Shaokou,faults in the Ganyanchi pull-apart basin,and the Biangou push-up structure as well as the thrust fault at the eastern pediment of Liupanshan Mountain in the terminal compressional area.Then relations between fracture gas densities and faulting activity were analyzed.The results show that there is a distinct corresponding relation between gaseous radon and gaseous mercury densities and faulting activity,when the measurement conditions are basically the same,and it proves that the fault gasmetry method is an effective technique for study the activity and segmentation of active faults.     

The Fractal Feature of Granulometric Composition in Fault Gouges from the Yishu Fault Zone and Adjacent Northwest-Trending Faults and Its Seismo-geological Implications

In this work,the fractal dimension of granulometric composition in the fault gouge from the Yishu fault zone and northwest-trending faults on its west side is calculated and studied based on the fractal theory of rock fragmentation.The seismo-geological implications of the fractal dimension of granulometric composition in fault gouges are also discussed.The results show that the Yishu fault zone is more active than the northwest-trending faults and the Anqiu-Juxian fault is the most active in the Yishu fault zone.The fractal dimension of fault gouge is a parameter describing the relative active age and rupture mode of the fault and forming age of the fault gouge.The fractal dimension value is also related to the parent rock,thickness,structural position,and clay content of the fault gouge.     

Interpretation of the Spatial Distribution Characteristics of the Co-seismic Landslides Induced by the 1920 Haiyuan M8 1/2 Earthquake Using Remote Sensing Images

Analyzing the spatial distribution characteristics of earthquake-induced secondary disasters based on advanced techniques is significantly important, especially in understanding the process of strong earthquakes in the Loess Pateau. Using ArcGIS, this study interprets multi-temporal high-resolution satellite images, field investigation data, and historical seismic records. Major conclusions are obtained as follows:① Landslides induced by the Haiyuan earthquake are mainly distributed in the intersection area of the end of the Haiyuan fault and Liupanshan fault, as indicated by multiple dense distribution centers; ② The landslide distribution of the Haiyuan Earthquake is determined by the distance to the fault, topographic relief, slope, lithology, and other factors. In detail, the closer the distance to the fault, the greater the density of the landslide. The greater the slope and relief of the terrain, the greater the density and the smaller the average area of a landslide. Compared with tertiary strata, Quaternary strata has a larger average area, and the density of the landslides is smaller; ③ The density curve of the death toll in the Haiyuan earthquake can be used as a reference for the distribution of co-seismic landslides. Several Haiyuan co-seismic landslides are distributed in the Tongwei landslide area; however, the major landslides here are induced by the 1718 Tongwei earthquake rather than the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake; ④ The co-seismic landslides of the Haiyuan earthquake exhibits the "slope effect" in the south-west plate of Haiyuan fault, presenting the dominant sliding direction towards the fault and epicenter; however, the "slope effect" is not evident in the northeast plate of the fault.     

Characteristics of Tectonic Deformation and Mechanisms for the Active Maxianshan-Xinglongshan Fault System in the Lanzhou Area

A detailed investigation permitted us to obtain quantitative data concerning fine geometric structures of 4 faults of the active Maxianshan-Xinglongshan fault system and the latest movement along them. Of them the northern Maxianshan border fault is a large-scale, strongly active Holocene reverse sinistral strike-slip fault, the other 3 faults, the southern Maxianshan border fault and the southern Xinglongshan border and the northern Xinglongshan border faults are the accompanying active late-Pleistocene thrust faults, which are incorporated into the main strike-slip fault, the northern Maxianshan border fault at depth. It is the most important earthquake-controlling fault in the Lanzhou area, the fault influences and constrains the seismic activity in the area.     

Characteristics of Energy Accumulation and Release of Seismogenic Tectonics and Seismic Risk Analysis in Some Areas in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang

Comparative analysis between the quantitative data of active faults and seismicity reveals that a complete earthquake recurrence cycle includes the characteristic earthquake and the submaxima earthquakes in-between. The magnitude of the sub-maxima events is correlated with the elapsed time of the characteristic earthquake and the slip rate of the fault. The fault displacement includes the major stick-slip generated by the characteristic earthquakes and the minor stick-slip by the sub-maxima ones. The magnitude-frequency relationship still works in the complete recurrence cycle. The energy accumulation in the cycle is divided approximately into four phases, and the seismicity differs at each phase. The relation of the maximum displacement with the average displacement of the characteristic earthquake suggests the partitioning of deformation between the characteristic and the sub-maxima earthquakes. Based on the above analysis, relevant mathematical equations are put forward for the quantitative assessment of the potential magnitude and earthquake risk of seismogenic tectonics. Tentative study has been carried out in this aspect in some areas of Tianshan.     

Geometric form of Haiyuan fault zone in the crustal interior and dynamics implications

Introduction The deep faults in the crust have direct relation to the occurrence of earthquakes and the dis-tribution of active seismic zones, so the researches on the geometric form and physical parametersof deep crustal faults are always an important problem in seismology. The researches are not onlysignificant to knowledge the deep tectonic background of strong earthquake and seismogenicmechanism, but also play a very important role in earthquake hazard estimation and earthquakeprevent…     

A Study on the Tectonic Characteristics of Shallow Faults in the East of Zhengzhou City

Study on fault activity is a fundamental part of earthquake prediction and earthquake relief in big cities.In the active fault exploration in Zhengzhou,the spatial distribution,geological features and activity of the Huayuankou fault,the Shangjie fault and the Xushui fault were determined using the seismic prospecting method.New understanding about the characteristics of the faults was gained.This provides reliable basic data for future earthquake forecast and earthquake relief work in Zhengzhou.In addition,we proposed some ways to identify fault activity through analyzing the characteristics of the activity of a fault and raised an effective method for exploring active faults in big cities and exploring concealed faults in regions covered with thick overburdens.     

Coseismic deformation of the 2020 Yutian M_W 6.4 earthquake from Sentinel-1A and the slip inversion

A remarkable earthquake struck Yutian, China on June 26~(th), 2020. Here, we use Sentinel-1 images to investigate the deformation induced by this event. We invert the In SAR observations using a two-step approach: a nonlinear inversion to constrain fault geometries with uniform slip based on the rectangular plane dislocation in an elastic half-space, followed by a linear inversion to retrieve the slip distribution on the fault plane. The results show that the maximum LOS displacement is 22.6 cm, and the fault accessed to the ruptured characteristics of normal faults with the minor left-lateral strike-slip component. The fault model indicates a 210° strike. The main rupture zone concentrates in the depth of 5–15 km, and the fault slip peaks at 0.89 m at the depth of 9 km. Then, we calculate the variation of the static Coulomb stress based on the optimal fault model, the results suggest that the Coulomb stress of the Altyn Tagh fault and other neighboring faults has increased and more attention should be paid to possible seismic risks.     

Accurate Location of the Yao＇an Earthquake Sequence and the Yongsheng Earthquake Sequence

The Yao＇an Ms6.5 earthquake occurred on Jan. 15, 2000 and the Yongsheng Ms6.0 earthquake occurred on Oct. 27, 2001 in Yunnan Province, China. They are both located in the middle of the Dian block. Their epicenters are close to each other, the tectonic and strain characters of the earthquakes were similar, and there were many aftershocks after the two main shocks. In order to further study the spatial-temporal distributions and fault rupture characters of the main shocks and aftershocks, the latter are located using the Geiger earthquake location algorithm （Geiger） and the double difference earthquake location algorithm （DD） based on the seismic phase data of the two earthquake sequences. They were recorded by two Near Source Digital Seismic Networks （YNSSN and YSNSSN） deployed by the Yunnan Seismological Bureau （YNSB）. Then, two main shock parameters were relocated using DD based on the data of larger magnitude aftershocks and the two main shocks that were recorded by the Kunming Regional Digital Seismic Network （KMSN）. Combining the spatial- temporal distributions of the two earthquake sequences, the tectonic and strain characters of earthquakes, the rupture processes of the two aftershock sequences along faults are analyzed and discussed contrastively.     

Development of attenuation relation for the near fault ground motion from the characteristic earthquake

A composite source model has been used to simulate a broadband strong ground motion with an associated fault rupture process. A scenario earthquake fault model has been used to generate 1 000 earthquake events with a magni-tude of Mw8.0. The simulated results show that, for the characteristic event with a strike-slip faulting, the character istics of near fault ground motion is strongly dependent on the rupture directivity. If the distance between the sites and fault was given, the ground motion in the forward direction (Site A) is much larger than that in the backward direction (Site C) and that close to the fault (Site B). The SH waves radiated from the fault, which corresponds to the fault-normal component plays a key role in the ground motion amplification. Corresponding to the sites A, B, and C, the statistical analysis shows that the ratio of their aPG is 2.15:1.5:1 and their standard deviations are about 0.12, 0.11, and 0.13, respectively. If these results are applied in the current probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA), then, for the lower annual frequency of exceedance of peak ground acceleration, the predicted aPG from the hazard curve could reduce by 30% or more compared with the current PSHA model used in the developing of seismic hazard map in the USA. Therefore, with a consideration of near fault ground motion caused by the rupture directivity, the regression model used in the development of the regional attenuation relation should be modified accordingly.     

Earthquake behavior of variable rupture-scale on active faults and application of the cascade-rupturing model

IntroductionThe earlier concept of the characteristic earthquakes means those earthquakes recurring along the same portion of active fault zones, and having nearly the same size, displacement and rupture scale (Schwartz, Coppersmith, 1984). However, more and more evidences have suggested that the rupture(s scale of earthquakes recurred on an individual fault portion has variability (Thatcher, 1990). For instance, the rupture of the 1906 San Francisco, California, earthquake with magnitude 8.…