Variation of ground-motion amplification and structural dynamic characteristics of Amman citadel

Structural remains of the site refer to clear evidence of large historical earthquakes that strongly affected the site during the last 2,000 years. In this work, we present a study of dynamic behavior of Jabal Al-Qalaa site as well as the dynamic behavior of some archeological remaining structures on the site using the free oscillation of surface geology and structures. In this study, seven ground records were obtained along approximately east–west profile, crossing the top of the hill zone. Structural records were obtained at three selected structures following administrative requirements. All structural records were conducted at the top level of each structure using three components seismometer of 2 Hz free oscillation. Horizontal sensors were oriented with respect to the longitudinal and transverse direction of structural horizontal projection. Used orientations are essential for obtaining both structural fundamental modes in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Moreover, damping factors for each horizontal fundamental mode were calculated based on the obtained FFT spectrums of each orientation using half-width band method. Analysis shows that all inspected structures in this study are of high frequency. Interesting results of records obtained at the Umayyad Alcazar, relatively low damping factor as well as sharp fundamental modes in its both longitudinal and transverse directions are recorded at this well-preserved old historical structure. Free-field records were conducted along approximately E-W profile crossing the top of the hill. The purpose of this methodology is to identify the variation of H/V amplification along with, and to find out the topographical effect of this convex geological feature. Obtained H/V ground resonance dominant modes as well as the site amplification reflect well the topographical effect of the citadel hill zone. Amplification gradually increases to reach 4.5 at the top of the hill.     

Seismicity of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

The Sinai Peninsula has a triangular shape between the African and Arabian Plates and is bounded from the western and eastern borders by the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba–Dead Sea rift systems, respectively. It is affected by strong and destructive earthquakes (e.g., March 31, 1969 and November 22, 1995) and moderate earthquakes (m _b?>?5) throughout its history. After the installation of the Egyptian National Seismic Network (ENSN), a great number of earthquakes has been recorded within and around Sinai. Consequently, the seismogenic source zones and seismotectonic behavior can be clearly identified. Available data, including both historical and instrumental (1900–1997), have been collected from national and international data centers. While the data from 1998 till December 2007 are gathered from ENSN bulletins. The seismogenic source zones that might affect Sinai Peninsula are defined more precisely in this work depending on the distribution of earthquakes, seismicity rate (a value), b value, and fault plane solution of the major earthquakes. In addition, the type of faults prevailed and characterized these zones. It is concluded that the Gulf of Aqaba zone–Dead Sea transform zone, Gulf of Suez rift zone, Cairo–Suez District zone, and Eastern Mediterranean dislocation zone represent the major effective zones for Sinai. Furthermore, there are two local seismic zones passing through Sinai contributing to the earthquake activities of Sinai, these are the Negev shear zone and Central Sinai fault (Themed fault) zone. The source parameters, a and b values, and the maximum expected moment magnitude have been determined for each of these zones. These results will contribute to a great extent in the seismic hazard assessment and risk mitigation studies for Sinai Peninsula to protect the developmental projects.     

Tectonic stress,seismicity, and seismic hazard in the southeastern Carpathians

Intermediate-depth earthquakes in the Vrancea region occur in response to stress generation due to descending lithosphere beneath the southeastern Carpathians. In this article, tectonic stress and seismicity are analyzed in the region on the basis of a vast body of observations. We show a correlation between the location of intermediate-depth earthquakes and the predicted localization of maximum shear stress in the lithosphere. A probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) for the region is presented in terms of various ground motion parameters on the utilization of Fourier amplitude spectra used in engineering practice and risk assessment (peak ground acceleration, response spectra amplitude, and seismic intensity). We review the PSHA carried out in the region, and present new PSHA results for the eastern and southern parts of Romania. Our seismic hazard assessment is based on the information about the features of earthquake ground motion excitation, seismic wave propagation (attenuation), and site effect in the region. Spectral models and characteristics of site-response on earthquake ground motions are obtained from the regional ground motion data including several hundred records of small and large earthquakes. Results of the probabilistic seismic hazard assessment are consistent with the features of observed earthquake effects in the southeastern Carpathians and show that geological factors play an important part in the distribution of the earthquake ground motion parameters.     

Stress tensor and focal mechanisms along the Dead Sea fault and related structural elements based on seismological data

The Dead Sea fault is among the largest active strike–slip fault of the world. This study is focused on the southern part of this fault, from the Sea of Galilee to the Gulf of Aqaba, as monitored mainly by the Jordanian and Israeli seismic networks. The data of arrival times and polarities allowed relocation of earthquakes with a better azimuthal coverage and computation of focal mechanisms. This last step has been realized by inverting the polarities to determine a unique stress tensor for the region and the compatible focal mechanisms. Inversion with different subsets of the data set, based on tectonic regionalization, has also been performed to evaluate the impact of each cluster of earthquakes on the global solution. The population of focal mechanisms is clearly dominated by strike–slip events, with the notable exception of a cluster of earthquakes, south of the Dead Sea, which displays several normal focal mechanisms. This last cluster forces σ₁ to be vertical and σ₂ to be horizontal. A large number of fault planes, however, are close to the vertical, inhibiting the action of the vertical component of the stress tensor, and acting like under strike–slip stress regime. We observed a good agreement between the location of the earthquakes and the active faults, based on geological data. In addition, there is a good agreement between the fault plane solutions and the orientation of the active faults.     

Soft-sediment deformation structures from the Diexi paleo-dammed lakes in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River,east Tibet

The north–south-trending upper reaches of the Minjiang River run along the Longmen Shan–Min Shan fault zone, a zone of abrupt topographic change along the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Multiple levels of well-preserved soft-sediment deformation structures (seismites) occur in sediments deposited in paleo-dammed lakes in the upper part of the Minjiang River Valley. These deformation structures include liquefied convolute deformation, water-escape structures, flame structures, pseudonodules, ball-and-pillow structures, sedimentary dykes, mud lenses, and large-scale folds. Several kilometers from the barrier bar of the Diexi paleo-dammed lakes, seven deformed structural layers were identified at different heights in late Quaternary stratigraphic sequences near Shawan Village, Maoxian County. Analyses of the deformation structures, landforms, and the structural environment indicate that these deformation structures were caused by earthquakes, slumps, and landslides.OSL (optical stimulated luminescence) and ¹⁴C dating of soft-sediment layers from the Shawan site indicate that intense earthquakes occurred during the period 25–20 ka B.P. Therefore, accurate geological dating of deformed features in dammed lake deposits in high mountains and canyons enables the record of moderate- to large-magnitude earthquakes to be extended to the late Pleistocene–Holocene upon the eastern Tibetan Plateau.     

库车坳陷克拉苏构造带大北-克深区段差异变形特征及其成因分析

库车坳陷克拉苏构造带发育大量与膏盐相关的收缩构造,其深、浅构造变形不协调具有明显差异性。构造建模表明:克拉苏构造带属于库车坳陷北部强变形带,自西向东具有不同的变形样式。西部大北区段受前缘拜城断裂控制,发育断层规模小的基底卷入冲断叠瓦扇,东部克深区段则受后缘克拉苏断裂控制,发育大位移断层控制的盖层滑脱冲断叠瓦扇。克拉苏构造带基底断裂位移分布具有差异平衡的特点,基底断裂活动对膏盐层厚度及分布具有再调整作用。砂箱物理模拟结果显示,构造变形强度、膏盐层厚度及其分布差异是克拉苏构造带东、西段结构和垂向变形差异的主要控制因素。     

Relocation processing of selected earthquakes in the Gulf of Aqaba region

Earthquakes in the Gulf of Aqaba were compiled from the Jordan Seismological Observatory bulletins, Saudi Arabia (SNSN, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology), and Egypt (National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Helwan) sources and were relocated after reexamining the P and S arrival times, testing the efficiency of stations used to determine the location of Aqaba events, calculating the average value of V _p/V _s, and choosing the best crustal model for the study area. The earthquake epicenters are distributed along the eastern side of the Gulf of Aqaba.     

Shallow-focus seismicity and tectonic structure of the Sea of Japan

The analysis of the available seismological data on the Sea of Japan region made it possible to prepare the first complete unified catalog of earthquakes with M ? 3.0 and h ? 60 km for the period of 1975–2010. Four maps of epicenters for different depth intervals (0–10, 11–20, 21–30, and 31–60 km) and three sublatitudinal sections 1° wide are constructed. The analysis includes the structural features and the probable tectonic nature of the seismoactive zone along the underwater margin or borderland of the Japan-Sakhalin island arc: the regional or, more exactly, megaduplex of compression faults determined by the crust sliding in the back part of the frontal deep-seated thrust. The crustal seismicity in the southeastern margin of the Korean Peninsula (the Sino-Korean Shield) is likely related to the Tsushima and Ullyndo faults. It is assumed that it may provoke block, potentially thsunamigenic landslides in the southern and eastern cirques of the Ullyndo Basin incised into the underwater delta of the Huanghe River.     

The role of geophysical and seismological data in evaluating the subsurface structures and tectonic trends of Nile Delta, Egypt

In the present study, the Bouguer, aeromagnetic, and seismological data analysis for Nile Delta including the Greater Cairo region and its surroundings was used to examine and trace the tectonic framework for some deep-seated faults (mostly normal faults with a small strike–slip component) and their orientation, on which most earthquakes have occurred. The new tilt derivative (TDR) geophysical map and Euler deconvolution presented here can be used to trace the structural relationships and their depth investigations across the entire region. Generally, most of the Euler deconvolution results especially from the gravity map were well coincided with the location of contacts derived by TDR particularly NNW to NS, EW, and NE trended structures. The depths to the gravity or magnetic sources, and the locations of the contacts of density contrast were estimated. Results of the Euler deconvolution method suggested that, in the southeastern part of the area, the basement could be observed to be shallow and has become deeper beneath the northern part. Furthermore, the resulting structural map of this study is well correlated with previous geological and seismological data analyses. At least two sets of predominant faults are suspected, faults with a NNW strike (Clysmic trend) which are particularly felt in the southern portion of the Delta, and some of them give it the shape of a “graben like structure.” Another parallel set of faults, having NE–SW strike (Pelusium trend), was also obvious in the southern part between Cairo and Suez cities (at Abu Zabal area). The evaluated trending faults (NNW–SSE or NE–SW) are intersecting with predominant major WNW–ESE to E–W (Tethys trend) striking faults. These intersections may generate more additional seismic pulses and consequently increase the seismic activity for these structures. However, minor NW (Najd Fault System) is obvious in the TDR magnetic map, whereas less attendance NS (East African trend) structural trends are evident in the TDR gravity map. Moreover, it could be said that the southeastern portion of the Nile Delta (especially the eastern portion of Greater Cairo) is affected by highly tectonic fault systems. Finally, a new tectonic map was also evaluated from the resulting structural map, which helps to quantify different structural patterns (faults and/or contacts), and their relations with the regional tectonic trends are discussed.     

吉林东南部区域地球物理场及岩石圈结构特征

吉林东南部重力场呈现东南低、西北高的场值特征,等值线走向以北东向及北西向为主,航磁异常轴向亦有北东及北西两个方向,反映出老的构造格局与新构造叠加的特点,计算得出的莫霍面及康氏面均为西北深,东南浅。尤其长白地区独特的弧形幔凹以及东西、南北走向的断裂构造,显示出有别于其它地区的形成、演化特征。     

准噶尔盆地西北缘红3 井东侧断层构造几何学、运动学模型

红3井东侧断层的成因与中拐凸起的形成与演化密切相关,解析其构造几何学与运动学特征对于揭示中拐凸起自晚古生代以来的构造变形具有积极作用,并对于研究区的油气勘探具有重要意义。本文利用断层相关褶皱理论,不整合面识别及平衡剖面的方法,对红3井东侧断层进行精细的构造解析、建模与构造复原。中拐凸起发育白垩系-侏罗系、侏罗系-三叠系、三叠系-上乌尔禾组、上乌尔禾组底界及佳木河组-石炭系5个区域不整合面。研究认为,红3井东侧断层为一断层传播褶皱模型,发育生长三角,平面上分为北段、中段和南段。受海西晚期及燕山期的区域挤压作用的影响,红3井东侧断层在早二叠世末期（P₁f末期）至中二叠世晚期（P₂w）及早侏罗世晚期（J₁s）至晚侏罗世发生两期传播活动,并在中段发生分支,分支断层的断距较小。早期的断层活动在中段最强,南段其次,北段最弱。中-下二叠统被抬升,遭受大面积剥蚀,地层缩短量约为3.8 km。晚期的断层活动微弱,且只发生在中段和北段,地层缩短量约为200 m。红3井东侧断层自北东向南西方向的传播、推覆作用控制了中拐凸起的主体构造形态,整体具有“南北分段、早晚期构造叠加”的特征。     

Spatial distribution of earthquakes in the Kii peninsula,Japan, south of the Median Tectonic Line

Precise data obtained by a high-sensitivity micro-earthquake observatory network are used to determine simultaneously the crustal structure and the spatial distribution of small earthquakes in the Kii peninsula region, Japan. The spatial distribution of hypocenters thus determined clearly shows two distinct groups of earthquakes: (1) a group of shallow (H ? 10 km) earthquakes on the western coast of the Kii peninsula near Wakayama; (2) a group of mantle earthquakes, having a depth ranging from 30 to 70 km and trending NE-SW, in the central part of the Kii peninsula. Along the trend of the second group, a marked structural anomaly is found which suggests the presence of a high-velocity zone at depths below 20 km. A projection of the hypocenters of the earthquakes belonging to the second group onto a vertical plane strikingNW-SE shows a wedge-like distribution to a depth of 70 km. The spatial relation between this wedge-like distribution and the 1944 Tonankai earthquake (M = 8.0) suggests a common tectonic process which is now taking place in the Kii peninsula region. The activity of the earthquakes of the first group terminates abruptly to the north at the Median Tectonic Line. This activity is represented by numerous but relatively small events (M < 5) without any conspicuous major earthquakes in history. It is suggested that the strength of the crust in this region of shallow activity is too weak to sustain stresses large enough to be released in a major event; rather, the stresses which probably originate from the tectonic activity represented by the earthquakes of the second group are released by numerous minor fracturings of the low-strength crust. A possibility of using the weak crust for detecting a remote stress accumulation is suggested.     

Time-dependent analysis of aftershock events and structural impacts on intraplate crustal seismicity of the Van earthquake (Mw 7.1, 23 October 2011), E-Anatolia

The Van earthquake (M _W 7.1, 23 October 2011) in E-Anatolia is typical representative of intraplate earthquakes. Its thrust focal character and aftershock seismicity pattern indicate the most prominent type of compound earthquakes due to its multifractal dynamic complexity and uneven compressional nature, ever seen all over Turkey. Seismicity pattern of aftershocks appears to be invariably complex in its overall characteristics of aligned clustering events. The population and distribution of the aftershock events clearly exhibit spatial variability, clustering-declustering and intermittency, consistent with multifractal scaling. The sequential growth of events during time scale shows multifractal behavior of seismicity in the focal zone. The results indicate that the extensive heterogeneity and time-dependent strength are considered to generate distinct aftershock events. These factors have structural impacts on intraplate seismicity, suggesting multifractal and unstable nature of the Van event. Multifractal seismicity is controlled by complex evolution of crustal-scale faulting, mechanical heterogeneity and seismic deformation anisotropy. Overall seismicity pattern of aftershocks provides the mechanism for strain softening process to explain the principal thrusting event in the Van earthquake. Strain localization with fault weakening controls the seismic characterization of Van earthquake and contributes to explain the anomalous occurrence of aftershocks and intraplate nature of the Van earthquake.     

淮北刘店煤矿构造特征及其形成机制分析

刘店煤矿地质构造复杂,严重影响了采区布置和综采块段的选择,制约了煤矿效益的发挥。依据矿井勘查及生产揭露资料系统地分析了矿井构造发育特征,并从矿区所处聚煤盆地构造演化人手,探讨了不同期次构造应力场特征及对研究区的影响,揭示了矿井构造的形成机制。研究结果显示：区内总体构造形态为一倾向北北西的单斜,次级褶皱、断层发育;矿区东部构造简单,西部构造复杂,次级褶皱被一系列断层所切割,早期的东西向褶皱被后期北东向褶皱叠加改造;矿区构造是经历了五期构造变动的结果,矿区西部的构造是影响煤矿生产的主要地质因素。     

Interpretation of gravity anomalies to delineate some structural features of Biga and Gelibolu peninsulas,and their surroundings (north-west Turkey)

On the basis of gravity data, derived anomaly traces were presented for the interpretation of some shallow structural features of Biga and Gelibolu peninsulas. Since building general understanding of subtle details about subsurface geology is of great importance considering that the study area is tectonically important, some advanced data processing techniques were implemented to gravity anomalies in a detailed manner. The procedures were performed using a MATLAB-based software package (Gravity and Magnetic Interpretation – GMINTERP). First, a finite element method was utilised to produce the residual data-set which is expected to reflect short wavelength anomalies arising from shallower geological structures, and thereafter some derivative-based algorithms were executed to analyse the residual data. The general anomaly patterns obtained from the applications clearly corresponded to the well-known surface geology map of the study area. Derivative-based anomaly maps put forward some findings about the existence of an old caldera structure in the western part of the Biga Peninsula. Additionally, abrupt lateral changes in anomaly amplitudes indicated the presence of some major structural discontinuities. Thus, findings yielded to make significant geological interpretations that might be important for further investigations. This study also showed that GMINTERP software package proved useful in assisting geological interpretation using geophysical potential field data-sets.     

辽河东部凹陷大平房地区走滑活动及其对构造圈闭的控制作用

辽河东部凹陷由于潜在的油气资源和复杂的构造条件(郯庐断裂穿过此凹陷),走滑活动及其对构造圈闭的控制作用对于揭示郯庐断裂北段新生代的活动及渤海湾盆地的油气勘探有重要意义。以大平房地区为实例,根据地震、钻井和测井资料,揭示了大平房地区存在走滑构造活动的行迹,包括平面上的雁列构造及其对火山岩分布的影响,剖面上的负花状构造样式及断层倾向和背斜轴向沿构造走向的变化。发育的荣兴屯走滑断裂控制并改造大平房断背斜的构造格局,东营组二段沉积开始,致使地层反转,形成透镜状地层。荣兴屯走滑活动产生的构造圈闭具有纵向分段、平面分带的特征。     

库车冲断带秋里塔格构造带东段构造样式与构造演化

秋里塔格构造带位于库车褶皱冲断前缘,其东段包括东秋里塔格背斜和库车塔吾背斜。野外调查和地震剖面解释表明:秋里塔格构造带东段盐下发育断层转折褶皱; 盐上东秋里塔格背斜为滑脱箱状背斜,库车塔吾背斜核部为南倾逆冲断层所破坏。演化剖面显示秋里塔格构造带东段在侏罗纪断陷期发育了正断裂,其后为平静期,直到库车晚期后逆冲断层和褶皱快速发育,背斜最终形成。膏盐岩及古构造对构造变形具有重要影响,一方面作为滑脱层,分割了盐下层与盐上层,导致二者形成不同的构造样式; 另一方面塑性流动充填于背斜核部。由于膏盐岩的厚度差异,东秋里塔格背斜盐上发育褶皱,而库车塔吾背斜核部被逆冲断层破坏,膏盐层厚度还影响了膏盐层上下构造高点的相对位置。盐下构造的发育受侏罗纪古构造控制,进而影响了盐上构造的发育。     

Crustal structure of the Gujarat region,India: New constraints from the analysis of teleseismic receiver functions

In this study, receiver function analysis is carried out at 32 broadband stations spread all over the Gujarat region, located in the western part of India to image the sedimentary structure and investigate the crustal composition for the entire region. The powerful Genetic Algorithm technique is applied to the receiver functions to derive S-velocity structure beneath each site. A detail image in terms of basement depths and Moho thickness for the entire Gujarat region is obtained for the first time. Gujarat comprises of three distinct regions: Kachchh, Saurashtra and Mainland. In Kachchh region, depth of the basement varies from around 1.5 km in the eastern part to 6 km in the western part and around 2–3 km in the northern part to 4–5 km in the southern part. In the Saurashtra region, there is not much variation in the depth of the basement and is between 3 km and 4 km. In Gujarat mainland part, the basement depth is 5–8 km in the Cambay basin and western edge of Narmada basin. In other parts of the mainland, it is 3–4 km. The depth of Moho beneath each site is obtained using stacking algorithm approach. The Moho is at shallower depth (26–30 km) in the western part of Kachchh region. In the eastern part and epicentral zone of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake, large variation in the Moho depths is noticed (36–46 km). In the Saurashtra region, the crust is more thick in the northern part. It varies from 36–38 km in the southern part to 42–44 km in the northern part. In the mainland region, the crust is more thick (40–44 km) in the northern and southern part and is shallow in Cambay and Narmada basins (32–36 km). The large variations of Poisson’s ratio across Gujarat region may be interpreted as heterogeneity in crustal composition. High values of σ (∼0.30) at many sites in Kachchh and few sites in Saurashtra and Mainland regions may be related to the existence of high-velocity lower crust with a mafic/ultramafic composition and, locally, to the presence of partial melt. The existing tectono-sedimentary models proposed by various researchers were also examined.     

Sequential granite emplacement: a structural study of the late Variscan Strzelin intrusion, SW Poland

The Strzelin Massif in SW Poland (Central European Variscides) records a protracted igneous evolution, with three main magmatic stages: (1) tonalitic I, (2) granodioritic and (3) tonalitic II/granitic. In the northern part of this Massif, the Strzelin intrusion proper comprises three successively emplaced rock types: a medium-grained biotite granite (303 ± 2 Ma), a fine-grained biotite granite (283 ± 8 Ma) and a fine-grained biotite-muscovite granite; based on field evidence, the third variety postdates both types of the biotite granites. The structural data from the three granites, including their parallel, approximately E–W striking and steeply dipping lithological contacts and ENE–WSW trending subhorizontal magmatic lineations, suggest that the emplacement of all three successive granite varieties was controlled by an active, long-lived strike-slip fault, striking ESE–WNW, with a dextral sense of movement. After the emplacement of the youngest biotite-muscovite granite, the intrusion underwent brittle extension which produced “Q joints” striking NNW–SSE to N–S and dipping at 55–70° WSW to W, and showing evidence of broadly N–S directed sinistral displacements. The structural observations, supported by new geochronological data, indicate that the internal structure of the composite granitoid intrusion, including the faint magmatic foliation and lineation, formed in a long-lived strike-slip setting, different from the subsequent, post-emplacement extensional tectonics that controlled the development of brittle structures.     

Seismic hazard assessment in the Jia Bhareli river catchment in eastern Himalaya from SRTM-derived basin parameters,India

SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission), Landsat ETM+ satellite image analysis along with earthquake data in the Jia Bhareli river catchment, an eastern Himalayan tributary of the Brahmaputra indicates neotectonic activities in the region. We have envisaged from the study that the western part of the river catchment (western tectonic domain) is highly tectonically active as indicated by earthquake data, and SRTM DEM-derived longitudinal profiles, valley profiles, valley asymmetry, hypsometric integral values. On the other hand, the eastern part of the catchment has no sign of such active tectonics (eastern tectonic domain) except the south convex fan-shaped zone further east with linear ridges paralleling the convex shape deforming the Miocene–Pleistocene Siwalik sediments and the Quaternary piedmont deposits in the Himalayan foothills. The catchment seems tilting to the east due to the ongoing tectonic activities propagating the deformational activities, generating folded structures, to the east and yielding earthquakes due to rigid deformation in the western part of the catchment. From the study, seismic risk in the south–central part of eastern Himalayas around Bomdila in the state of Arunachal Pradesh appears to be high.