Contractional tectonics and magma paths in volcanoes

This study aims to contribute a possible explanation for magma migration within volcanoes located in contractional tectonic settings, based on field data and physically-scaled experiments. The data demonstrate the occurrence of large stratovolcanoes in areas of coeval reverse faulting, in spite of the widely accepted idea that volcanism can develop only in extensional/transcurrent tectonic settings. The experiments simulate the propagation of deformation from substrate reverse faults with different attitudes and locations into volcanoes. The substrate fault splits into two main shear zones within the volcano: A shallow-dipping one, with reverse motion, propagates towards the lower volcano flank, and a steeper-dipping one, with normal motion, propagates upwards. In plan view, the reverse fault zone is arcuate and convex outwards, whereas the normal fault zone is rectilinear. Structural field surveys at volcanoes located in contractional settings show similar features: The Plio–Quaternary Trohunco and Los Cardos–Centinela volcanic complexes (Argentina) lie above Plio–Quaternary reverse faults. The Late Pleistocene–Holocene El Reventador volcano (Ecuador) is also located in a coeval contractional tectonic belt. These volcanoes show curvilinear reverse faults along one flank and rectilinear extensional fracture zones across the crater area, consistent with the experiments. These data consistently suggest that magma migrates along the substrate reverse fault and is channelled along the normal fault zone across the volcano.     

THE FLUID GEOCHEMICAL VARIATION CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WUSU MUD VOLCANOES BEFORE THE JINGHE EARTHQUAKE OF MS6.6 ON AUGUST 9, 2017

Mud volcano is a conical sedimentary body formed by high-pressure mud and gas-dominated fluid migrated to the surface through faults and other channels deep underground, which looks like a volcanic cone formed by magma-volcanism. As a product of crustal movement, mud volcano can bring a large amount of valuable information from deep to the surface when erupting. Therefore, mud volcano is called "god-given borehole" with a depth of 7~12km. Mud volcanoes are the result of upthrust of trapped gases released by the pressure in the stratum and also the channel for the upward migration of gases in the earth. The submarine mud volcano is one of the signs of hydrate and the living evidence of hydrate. The Wusu mud volcanoes are located in the northern Tianshan tectonic belt. Since the mud volcamoes locate in the active part of the tectonic belt and are well connected to the underground, their active degree has a good correlation with the seismicity. The earthquake cases studies based on the 7a long real-time macroscopic monitoring data and the more than 3a long geochemical monitoring data of the Wusu mud volcanoes show that in the earthquake cases of M_S ≥ 5.0 within the range of 300km around the Wusu mud volcanoes, the abnormal mud gushing quantity obviously increased by macroscopic monitoring before 9 out of 13 earthquakes. The geochemical microcosmic monitoring data showed obvious abnormal changes before 3 out of 6 earthquakes. The anomalous duration from the emergence of the anomaly to the occurrence of the earthquake is mainly of the mid-term(6~12 months). Before the Jinghe M_S6.6 earthquake on August 9, 2017, the Wusu mud volcanoes spewed violently and the chemical components showed an obvious high value anomaly. In January 2017, there was a significant increase in the amount of mud spewing in Aiqigou No.1mud volcano and Baiyanggou No.1mud volcano, and one month before the earthquake, there was the phenomenon that mud gushing amount of Aiqigou No.2 mud volcano gradually increased and the volcano was from dormant to active. There were obvious high values appearing before the earthquake in F^-and SO₄^2- in the Aiqigou No.1mud volcano and in F^-, CO₃^2-, SO₄^2-, Rn(gas), CH₄, Ar and N₂ in Baiyanggou(No.1 and 2)mud volcanoes. The values of F^-, CO₃^2-, SO₄^2-, Ar and N₂ showed short-term anomalies, while CH₄ and Rn(gas)showed medium term anomalies. Giggenbach triangular diagram (Na-K-Mg) indicates that the water-rock reaction of Baiyanggou mud volcanoes is complete and little disturbed by the outside. The water-rock reaction of the Aiqigou mud volcanoes is still ongoing, which can explain why the precursor anomaly of the chemical components of the Baiyanggou mud volcanoes is more obvious than that of the Aiqigou mud volcanoes. The geothermal reservoir temperature of the study area is estimated by using a cationic (Na-K, K-Mg, Na-K-Ca) geothermometer. The geothermal reservoir temperature of the Wusu mud volcanoes is about 70℃, and the circulation depth is about 3km. In the process of earthquake preparation, the mud carries deep chemical components to the ground surface due to the effect of compression stress(the result of focal mechanism)or the concentration of regional tectonic stress with earthquake preparation; Or the rock strata in or near the seismogenic area are deformed, the depth of liquid circulation will increase, and the water-rock reaction will be accelerated, which will increase the concentration of some ionic components, and the squeezing process will cause a large number of mud to gush out of the ground, carrying geochemical components. Therefore, the gushing quantity and some chemical components of the mud volcanoes were obviously abnormal before the earthquake.     

中国新疆北天山和台湾南部陆地泥火山研究进展

在系统介绍中国新疆北天山地区和台湾南部地区泥火山研究进展的基础上, 对其地质特征进行了对比分析。结果显示, 北天山和台湾南部地区的泥火山均沿着断裂带分布, 主要位于背斜轴部, 泥火山分布区地层多出露为含泥岩层。对两个地区泥火山喷出物物理特征进行了对比分析, 固体喷发物的矿物成分相似, 如石英、 蒙脱石等; 液体喷出物的泥浆温度与冒泡频率相近, 但最大气泡直径与气体流量有很大差别。又分别对两地区液体、 气体喷出物的化学特征进行了对比分析, 液体喷出物均盐度高; 甲烷是大多数泥火山喷发气体的主要成分, 一些泥火山喷发的气体主要是二氧化碳。区域构造地质和气候条件不同, 导致两地泥火山喷出物存在差异。从现有研究来看, 两地泥火山的喷发都是岩层的孔隙压力增大造成的。两个地区泥火山与当地地震活动之间表现出良好的对应关系。泥火山的地球化学参数可能是地震活动的潜在指标。     

南海北部深水盆地流体活动系统及其成藏意义

根据高精度的3D和2D地震资料,对南海北部深水盆地的流体活动系统的类型、影响因素和它们之间的演化关系进行了研究.南海北部深水区存在着包括:泥火山、泥底辟、气烟囱、管状通道、多边形断层和构造断层等多种类型的流体活动系统.根据地震反射特征,可以把它们划分为断层有关的流体活动系统和柱状流体活动系统两大类.研究发现研究区内的流体活动系统主要受构造和沉积两方面的影响.并且,气烟囱、泥底辟和泥火山存在着单向演化的关系,可以从是否有沉积物参与运移及是否喷出海底将它们区分开来.最后,本文探讨了流体活动系统对深水油气和天然气水合物成藏的重要影响,建立了南海北部流体活动系统的存在模式.     

天然气水合物体系动态演化研究(Ⅲ):水合物的产生、聚集和分解

从天然气水合物的产生、聚集和分解，分析天然气水合物的动态演化过程，沉积压实、地温梯度、构造运动以及深部流体对水合物产生的效率起决定作用，根据流体的运移和天然气水合物在水合物稳定带中的分布状况，天然气水合物的聚集可以分为构造聚集、地层聚集和混合聚集三种模式，当由于各种原因引起海底温压条件变化时，天然气水合物会发生分解，水合物也会在水体中上浮，在这个过程中，水合物的分解速率能高出其溶解速率二至三个数量级，海底泥火山、甲烷气柱、甲烷气裂缝、双似海底反射等大量的证据，都有助于揭示天然气水合物体系的动态演化的特征，弄清楚天然气水合物的动态演化过程对于我们未来对这种潜在能源的开发利用，并分析其在全球变化、碳循环以及海底滑坡中所起的作用有着相当重要的意义。     

唐山断裂带气体组分变异函数空间分布特征

气体是识别构造带展布和活动的敏感组分。对唐山断裂带高空间分辨率气体地球化学测量数据进行了变异函数计算,分析了断裂带活动性与断裂带气体浓度的定量关系。结果表明,断裂带本身结构特性是控制断裂带气体空间分布的主要因素,高倾角断裂在地表以狭长条带状为主要特征,分布气体浓度高值异常,交会处气体浓度高值异常以环带形式围绕断裂分布。沿断裂带走向,各气体浓度呈高值分布,利用变异函数计算,确定各气体组分在测量区域内气体浓度与构造相关的空间范围,据此确定了唐山断裂各段构造敏感气体组分,在断裂带周边圈定出断裂带活动性重点监测区域。断裂带气体浓度克里金插值分析结果表明,唐山地区滦县—乐亭断裂带活动性较强,唐山断裂带次之,蓟运河断裂带活动性最弱。断裂带交会处,浓度高值异常分布更加明显。     

The Neftegorsk, Sakhalin Island, earthquake of 27 May 1995

Abstract Past seismic catastrophes were unknown in Sakhalin Island before 1995 except those suggested from findings of paleoseismodislocations. The first time that dwellers have experienced such a catastrophe in the Sakhalin Island history was on 27 May 1995. The devastating Neftegorsk earthquake occurred in Northern Sakhalin (?= 52.8° north; δ= 143.2° east; H = 18 km; M_s= 7.2), killed almost 2000 people in the small city of Neftegorsk, caused damage and destruction of buildings, bridges, railways and roads, breakage of oil and gas pipelines, electric and communication lines, and was accompanied by large-scale surface phenomena within a source area. It was felt all over the Sakhalin Island, as well as over the closest part of the Eurasian continent. Surface fracturing was the most impressive effect of the Neftegorsk earthquake. The 37-km long, right-lateral strike-slip fault, with a strike of north 15° east and a horizontal displacement up to a maximum of 8 m, has been observed from Taxon Mountain at the south to the junction of the Cadylanye and Keniga Rivers at the north. According to the results of a detailed geological survey and study of the aftershocks, the total extent of the source area was - 80 km. Various secondary phenomena have been observed at the Earth's surface, such as landslides, falls, soil liquefaction, mud volcanoes etc. The earthquake was followed by hundreds of aftershocks within the following 1-2 months. Spatially, the earthquake fault coincides with the pre-existing Upper Piltun fault, known earlier from geological studies. Recent high activity of the latter fault has been recognized only after the Neftegorsk event because of findings of traces of significant past dislocations within the fault zone. From a tectonic viewpoint it can be suggested that the Upper Piltun fault is a Riedel-type shear fracture located between two main regional faults: the Gyrgylanye-Dagy fault at the west and the Piltun-Ekhaby fault at the east. Therefore, its present activity, expressed by the destructive Neftegorsk earthquake, seems to be explained by a long strain accumulation within a broad zone of regional right-lateral shear faulting.     

Spatial variations of methane distribution in marine environment and its fluxes at the water–atmosphere interface in the western Sea of Okhotsk

Data of integrated gas-geochemical studies in the 45 cruise of the R/V Akademik M.A. Lavrent’ev in July 2008 were used to study the spatial distribution of methane in the surface seawater layer, the distribution and qualitative composition of hydrocarbon gases in bottom sediments of the northwestern continental shelf, northeastern slope of Sakhalin Island, and Deryugin depression in the Sea of Okhotsk. The specific features of the methane anomalies that form in this case are considered. Tectonic faults and the distribution of oil-and-gas-bearing structures are the main factors governing the formation of hydrocarbon gas fluxes in the study area. The surface water in the entire examined area was found to be oversaturated with methane. A developed model was used to calculated methane fluxes at the water–atmosphere interface and to identify areas with maximal fluxes (up to 324 mol/(km² day).     

Mathematical simulation and experimental studies of the shugo mud volcano

This paper considers the theoretical and experimental principles of a monitoring system for mud volcanoes using powerful vibroseismic sources. A mathematical method has been developed to simulate magma chambers of arbitrary geometry with allowance for deep-seated faults near the volcano, overlapping layers, etc. Results are reported from calculations of the seismic field for the source zone of the Shugo mud volcano. Mathematical modeling served as a basis to develop a technique of vibroseismic sounding using powerful controlled sources yielding a force of 40–100 tons on the ground. For the first time in the history of observations on mud volcanoes, two mud volcanoes on land have been subjected to active vibroseismic sounding. These are the Akhtanizovskii and Shugo volcanoes in the Taman’ mud-volcanic province. The results of experimental investigations are reported. Numerical simulation has helped refine the earth model in the Shugo area, which was previously derived from vibroseismic sounding data.     

3-D geologic architecture of Xiong’an New Area: Constraints from seismic reflection data

Studying the geologic architecture of the Xiong’an New Area will provide important basis for the evaluation of crustal stability, urban planning and infrastructural projects in this region, and it is also of great significance in exploring the occurrence of oil and gas, geothermal, hot dry rock and other resources. The stratigraphic system of the study area is established by using latest high quality seismic reflection and deep borehole data. Characteristics of the major faults developed in the study area are finely depicted with the method of structural analysis. Tectonic evolution of Xiong’an and adjacent areas is reconstructed by using balanced geological cross-section technique. The tectonic activity of the study area is discussed on the basis of the development of secondary faults and the distribution of active earthquakes across the region. This study demonstrates that Xiong’an New Area is located at the transfer zone of the central and northern Jizhong Depression. There are three regional unconformities developed in this area, by which four structural layers are sub-divided. Controlled by the Taihang Mountain piedmont fault, the Daxing fault, the Rongcheng fault and the Niudong fault, the structural framework of the study area is characterized by intervening highs with sags. This structural pattern has an important controlling over the reservoir characteristics, hydrocarbon accumulation and the distribution of geothermal resources and hot dry rock within this region. Rifting in this area began in the early Paleogene, exhibiting typical episodic character and became inactive in Neogene. The development feature of secondary faults along with the distribution of active earthquakes indicate that Xiong’an New Area has been in a relatively stable tectonic setting since the Neogene, while the Baxian Sag and other structural units to the east of it have obviously been in a rather active environment.     

麻坑、泥火山在南海北部与西部陆缘的分布特征和地质意义

本文利用新的高分辨率海底多波束地形数据与以往研究资料对南海台西南盆地及以西和中建南盆地北部及以北陆缘区域内的麻坑与泥火山分布区进行了统计、分析与总结.本文提出根据麻坑的个体平面形态、规模量级和组合形式建立麻坑的三类分类体系并进行总结阐述.麻坑的直径与坑深总体具有线性变化关系但又有区域性分布特征,可能反映了不同海区底质性质、浅地层构造活动、海底倾斜程度和海底底流等因素的不同影响;同一区域泥火山的直径与高度具有线性关系而不同区域拟合斜率差异较大,可能说明同区域泥火山形态、流体成分和来源具有高度一致性,但其分布具有区域差异性特征.研究表明,麻坑、泥火山的产生与近5Ma新构造运动期内台湾南部和南海西缘区域性走滑断裂活动相一致,主要分布在构造活动较为活跃,沉积较为薄弱的近坡折带和大陆坡区域,在具有走滑性质的台西南、莺歌海和中建南盆地分布较广、规模较大,而在其他主要张裂性质盆地中分布较少,规模较小.其分布特征一方面能够说明某些区域流体的大量渗漏与逸散,另一方面也能够说明某些区域持续的构造活动有利于该区域深部流体的重新聚集与成藏,从而成为指导油气资源勘探的重要参考指标.     

Relationships between volcanic patterns and neotectonics in Eastern Anatolia from analysis of satellite images and DEM

The late Neogene to Quaternary volcanism in Eastern Anatolia is related to the Arabia–Eurasia convergence but a clear deformation pattern has not yet been established in this region. We have used the distribution and shape of volcanoes and fault geometry as indicators of the tectonic regime. Volcanic edifices and related faults were analyzed in vertical view using SAR–ERS, Spot images and a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). In several places, adjacent volcanoes that form linear clusters or elongated volcanoes are clearly rooted on vertical tension fractures. These are compatible with horizontal σ₃ striking 90°N, associated with σ₁ horizontal (strike-slip regime) or vertical (extensional regime). We mapped the recent faults that are directly associated to volcanoes. Volcanic vents are related to tail-crack, horsetail or releasing bend structures. In this work, it has been possible to define the ESE-striking, 270-km-long Tutak–Hamur–Çaldiran fault that forms a releasing bend testifying to right-lateral motion. Extension is well documented for few places but no recent fold has been observed. Since 8 Ma, the tectonic system is principally strike-slip. Most of the tension fractures being 2 to 10 km in length, so we infer that they affect only part of the crust. Most strike-slip fault zones are of several tens to a few hundred kilometers long and thus not of lithospheric scale. Therefore, the channels used by the magma to reach the surface are crustal structures.     

巴颜喀拉地块东部及邻区重力均衡与岩石圈有效弹性厚度

基于SIO(Scripps Institute of Oceanography)最新全球重力和高程模型,计算了巴颜喀拉地块东部及邻区的布格重力异常、均衡重力异常、岩石圈有效弹性厚度及荷载比.结合大地热流、地震速度结构、地震活动和断裂构造分布等,分析了地壳均衡状态和岩石圈有效弹性厚度、地质构造单元间的差异及与地震活动的相关性特征.研究结果表明,该区域布格重力变化范围约为-500～0mGal(1mGal=10~(-5)m·s~(-2),下同),在巴颜喀拉块体东部区域形成弧形重力梯度带,近年来的中强地震活动频发于该梯度带不同部位,应与其应力依次释放有关;均衡重力异常结果表明,其变化范围约为-80～+100mGal,且大部分区域处于±20mGal以内的被认为处于重力均衡的状态,重力非均衡(正或负)多出现于块体边界带附近,地震多发生在靠近块体边界的均衡重力异常(正或负,主要为正)区域内;巴颜喀拉地块东部及邻区岩石圈有效弹性厚度(T_e)为10～65km,不同构造单元之间T_e空间分布差异明显,较低的T_e值出现在龙门山构造带附近,T_e值为20km左右,岩石圈荷载加载比为0.5～0.8,表明现今的岩石圈挠曲状态主要由莫霍面加载形成.进一步分析表明,巴颜喀拉地块东部挤压增生与横向流动同时发生,是造成该区域地震发生与重力均衡异常高值重合、岩石圈有效弹性厚度和大地热流值较低的主要原因.本文获得的地壳均衡特征及岩石圈有效弹性强度结果,加深了对巴颜喀拉东部及邻区岩石圈构造演化过程的认识.     

Deep structure and tomographic imaging of strong earthquake source zones

This work generalizes the results of tomographic imaging performed by the authors for epicentral zones. Seismic events in North Africa (the M _w = 5.8 earthquake of 1985 near the town of Constantine), eastern Anatolia (the Erzincan M _w = 6.7 earthquake of 1992), the Lesser and Greater Caucasus (the 1988 Spitak M _w = 6.8 and the 1991 Racha M _w = 7.0 earthquakes), and northern Sakhalin (the 1995 Neftegorsk M _w = 7.1 earthquake) are examined. It is shown how various morphokinematic types of active faults differ in the resulting tomographic images at various depths. A classification of tomographic images of strong earthquake source zones is proposed in accordance with the rank of their generating faults. The sources of the Spitak, Racha, and Erzincan earthquakes are confined to large boundary faults separating tectonic zones. Lower velocity bands are revealed in the tomographic images, and low velocity “pockets” 1–2 km or somewhat more in width penetrating to a depth of up to 15 km are observed near the fault zones. The Constantine and Neftegorsk earthquakes were generated by faults of a lower rank. The source zones of these events are imaged tomographically as narrow gradient zones.     

Abnormal Variation of H2, Hg and Other Fault Soil Gases Before Earthquake

By observing the variation of fault soil gases,we can understand the activity of faults and information on earthquake precursors.Two fault soil gas observation spots were set up at the Xiadian fault east of Beijing and at the Houhaoyao geothermal area in Huailai(Hebei Province)during November-December 1989.Concentrations of fault soil gases H2,Ar,CO2,CH4,Hg,etc.were observed.Before several moderate-strong earthquakes in 1990,the concentrations of fault soil gases such as H2 and Hg all showed abnormal variations quite significantly.In this paper,we mainly discuss the relation of these fault soil gases to earthquake activity.     

吉兰泰断陷盆地周缘断裂带气体释放及其对断层活动性的指示意义

为了研究吉兰泰断陷盆地周缘断裂带气体排放及其对断层活动性的指示意义,在盆地周缘4条活动断裂上布设了5条土壤气测量剖面和1条电磁测量剖面,观测了土壤气中Rn,Hg和CO₂的浓度、释放通量和地电阻率,对各测量剖面进行了土壤化学组分分析,计算得到了断层活动性相对指数K_Q。研究结果显示:土壤气体CO₂和Rn受渗透性较低的粉砂土阻挡,主要沿结构破碎的断层上盘逃逸,并形成浓度高峰;吉兰泰盆地南缘土壤气Rn,Hg和CO₂的浓度和释放通量最高,可能与盆地西南缘花岗岩中U和Ra的运移以及盆地南缘碳酸盐岩的分解有一定的关系。各测量剖面的断层活动性相对指数K_Q值的变化特征表明,正断层和逆断层的K_Q值大于走滑断层,且巴彦乌拉山山前断裂上的K_Q值最高,揭示其活动性最强,有可能是地震发生的潜在危险区。      

The detection and interpretation of hydrogen in fault gases

Hydrogen gas can be released by chemical and mechanical changes in crustal rocks. Once released, it is highly mobile, buoyant, and almost insoluble in groundwater. A fault system may act as a conduit, allowing hydrogen to accumulate in soil gases near a surface expression. Since hydrogen is scarce in ambient air, its presence at elevated levels in soil gases may be a tool for fault mapping. In order to evaluate this tool, we surveyed eleven different faults by measuring the concentration of hydrogen and methane in 2 to 21 soil-gas samples that were collected near each of them. The sense of motion at four of those faults is normal (western United States, Greece), at five it is strike-slip or dip-slip (California, Colorado, Japan), and at two it is thrusting (California). At four of these faults (Hebgen Lake, Yellowstone, Yamasaki, Burro Mountain) maximum concentrations of hydrogen ranged from 80 ppm to 70% and methane from 300 ppm to 5%. All other sites showed ambient levels of both gases, except for one sample taken at Mt. Borah, Idaho, that was 2% methane. From this preliminary study it is not clear whether the presence of hydrogen is correlated uniquely to the location of faults or whether it occurs randomly. The conditions required to produced and accumulate hydrogen are also not clear. Excess hydrogen may well be produced by different mechanisms in different geological regimes. For example, if ferrous hydroxide is present in local rocks, it may react to produce hydrogen. Detailed and extensive studies are needed to clarify the connection between hydrogen and tectonic faulting.     

南海琼东南盆地天然气水合物稳定域分布特征及资源预测

琼东南盆地油气地质显示盆地内具有生物成因和热成因天然气的巨大生成能力和远景. 地震剖面显示盆地内发育有泥底辟和气烟囱、沟通泥底辟和气烟囱与海底的断裂及可能正在活动的天然气冷泉,这些特征非常有利于天然气水合物的发育. 通过天然气水合物热力学稳定域预测,确定了琼东南盆地天然气水合物的平面和剖面分布特征. 生物成因甲烷水合物分布于水深大于约600m的海底,稳定带最大厚度约314m;热成因天然气水合物分布于水深大于约450m的海区,稳定带最大厚度约410m. 盆地内天然气水合物远景总量约10×109m3,水合物天然气远景为1.6×1012m3.     

Seismo-Geochemical Variations in SW Taiwan: Multi-Parameter Automatic Gas Monitoring Results

Gas variations of many mud volcanoes and hot springs distributed along the tectonic sutures in southwestern Taiwan are considered to be sensitive to the earthquake activity. Therefore, a multi-parameter automatic gas station was built on the bank of one of the largest mud-pools at an active fault zone of southwestern Taiwan, for continuous monitoring of CO₂, CH₄, N₂ and H₂O, the major constituents of its bubbling gases. During the year round monitoring from October 2001 to October 2002, the gas composition, especially, CH₄ and CO₂, of the mud pool showed significant variations. Taking the CO₂/CH₄ ratio as the main indicator, anomalous variations can be recognized from a few days to a few weeks before earthquakes and correlated well with those with a local magnitude >4.0 and local intensities >2. It is concluded that the gas composition in the area is sensitive to the local crustal stress/strain and is worthy to conduct real-time monitoring for the seismo-geochemical precursors.     

鲁西隆起重磁异常特征及其构造活动性分析

通过对鲁西隆起区重磁资料的分析和反演计算,研究了沂沭断裂带、齐河—广饶断裂带、聊城—兰考断裂带、丰沛断裂带以及地块内部断裂的重磁异常、莫霍面和居里面深度特征,并讨论了鲁西隆起的地质构造特征和构造活动性.结果显示:鲁西隆起基底广泛出露,沉积层主要分布在由断裂下降盘控制的凹陷内,区内断裂深度达20 km以上,其中蒙山断裂深入至上地幔,控制了蒙山金伯利岩型金刚石矿的产出;鲁西隆起区莫霍面深度为30—35 km,整体呈向西开口的箕形,地块中部地壳厚度较厚,除西侧地壳呈阶梯状增厚外隆起地块四周地壳逐渐减薄;居里面深度介于20—33 km之间,中部地区较深,为整体稳定的地块,断裂带分布位置对应于居里面梯度带;地震活动主要集中于断裂带与莫霍面梯度带交会区以及断裂带上的居里面突变区.