Current crustal movement in Chinese mainland

The quantification of tectonic deformation in the Eastern and Central Asia is of great significance for the study on global plate motion and lithospheric dynamics. In the past four years, the velocity field of horizontal crustal movement for the Chinese mainland has been established for the first time thanks to the intensified GPS measure-ments and its improved accuracy. The velocity field derived from GPS measurements delineates the patterns of tectonic deformation in the Chinese mainland in the unprecedented detail, and thus reveals the new features of the ongoing tectonic process resulted from the collision of Indian plate to Eurasian plate. Meanwhile, the surface offset induced by two strong earthquakes occurred in Chinese mainland was sampled precisely using InSAR technique.     

中国大陆现今地壳水平运动

在重新仔细处理了1994和1996年中国大陆地壳运动监测网两次GPS测量资料的基础上,采用较为完善的块体相对运动和块体内变形叠加的变形模型和相应的分析方法,研究了中国大陆现今地壳运动的运动学特征,并定量计算和比较了主要活动构造块体边界带的活动性质和强度,得到了一些新的认识．      

General characteristics of the recent horizontal crustal movement in Chinese mainland

1 Introduction of GPS observation dataThe Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) is a major scientific project in China organized by China Seismological Bureau and paticipated by the Bureau of Surveying and Mapping of the General Staff, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Bureau of Surveying and Mapping. Based on the observation data of 25 fiducial stations and 56 basic stations in CMONOC (Figure 1 and Table 1), collected from August 26 to September…     

Horizontal crustal movement in Chinese mainland from 1999 to 2001

Introduction In the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) there are 25 fiducialstations, 56 basic stations and 1 000 regional stations. They are scattered on 10 major blocks inChinese mainland with high density of observation stations on the blocks of high seismic activityin the regional networks. 10 major blocks or regions (they will be referred to as blocks in the paper,a letter is used as a symbol for each block) were divided during the design of the regionalnetwo…     

Horizontal crustal movement in Chinese mainland from 1999 to 2001

The paper introduces the horizontal crustal movement obtained from GPS observations in the regional networks (including the basic network and the fiducial network) of the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) carried out in 1999 and 2001. This paper is characterized by the acquisition of the horizontal displacement velocities during the period from 1999 to 2001 at the observation stations in the regional networks with datum definition of a group of stable stations with small mutual displacements in east China. Based on the most detailed map of horizontal crustal movement in Chinese mainland, the division of blocks, their displacements and deformations are studied. An approach to analysis of the intensity of the horizontal crustal deformation is proposed. The general characteristics of the recent horizontal crustal movement in Chinese mainland and that before the Kunlunshan earthquake of M=8.1 on November 14, 2001 are analyzed. Foundation item: The National Development and Programming Project for Key Basic Research (95-13-03-07).     

A preliminary research establishing the present-time intraplate blocks movement model on the Chinese mainland based on GPS data

The Chinese mainland is regarded as the best area for studying the continental crustal movement and dynamics. In the past, based on the ground surface observation, it was very difficult to study the movement of the intraplate blocks within a range of larger space and a time scale of several years quantitatively. In this paper, a method of calculating the Euler vectors of present-time motion among blocks by using Cardan angles has been given completely based on two periods of GPS repetition measurement data of the National Ascending Plan of China (NAPC) — the study and application of current crustal movement and geodynamics in 1994 and 1996. A present-time blocks movement model on the Chinese mainland (PBMC-1), which describes the motion of seven blocks—Tibet, Chuan-Dian, Gan-Qing, Xinjiang, South China, North China and Heilongjiang block, is established preliminarily. The velocity field of the relative motion among the intraplate blocks and boundary motion in the Chinese mainland are firstly given within several years time scale. It is shown by the results calculated with the model that the velocity-rate of each block is reduced gradually from the south to north and from the west to east, and the motion direction changes gradually from NNE to E, even SEE or SE. The collision of Indian plate plays a leading role in the movement of the intraplate blocks in the Chinese mainland, while the motion manner and velocity-rate of block boundary zone (fracture zone) depend on the motion of every block again. The present-time motion of a time scale of several years computed with the model is not only largely consistent with the average motion of a time scale of several million years derived from geology, but also very coincident with the results of geophysical and astronomic observation. It is shown preliminarily that the observed results of space geodesy techniques such as GPS etc. are capable of discovering the crustal movement at present. This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC), National Ascending Plan of China (NAPC) and Chinese Joint Seismological Science Foundation (CJSSF).     

Preliminary division of active block boundary in Chinese mainland based on recent vertical crustal movement

IntroductionSituated in the southeastern part of Eurasia Plate and surrounded by the India Plate, Eurasia Plate, Pacific Plate and Philippine Sea Plate, Chinese mainland especially the area of Qinghai-Xizang (Qingzang) Plateau and the south-north tectonic zone is the area with the most intensive neotectonic deformation. The main component of tectonic activity in Chinese mainland is active blocks. Therefore, it is quite important to study active blocks in the research of tectonic activit…     

Crustal block rotations in Chinese mainland revealed by GPS measurements

We simulate GPS horizontal velocity field in terms of rotations of crustal blocks to describe deformation behavior of the Chinese mainland and its neighboring areas.31 crustal blocks are bounded primarily by~30 Quaternary faults with distinct geometries and variable long-term rates of<20 mm/a,and 1 683 GPS velocities were determined from decade-long observations mostly with an averaged uncertainty of 1?2 mm/a.We define GPS velocity at a site by the combination of motion of rigid block and elastic strain ind...     

Characteristics of horizontal crustal move-ment in Weihe basin and adjacent zones by GPS observation

Introduction GPS observation results provide high-accuracy and large-range crustal movement data with real time, which makes it possible to obtain the velocity field of current crustal movement in Chi-nese mainland within a short time and check the previous tectonic deformation model. Geoscien-tists at home and abroad have made a great number of researches on the crustal movement in Chi-nese mainland and have obtained many results in this field (JIANG, et al, 2001; WANG, et al, 2001; ZHA…     

Current crustal motion and deformation in the Chinese mainland and its surrounding area determined from GPS data

Based on the geodetic data taken from the National GPS Network established by China Climbing Program "Investigation of Crust Motion and Geodynamics in Modern Time",we derived the movement velocities of the GPS sites. In terms of the power series expansion of a rotation function for horizontal velocities on a spherical surface proposed by Haines and Holt (1993), we computed the horizontal velocity and strain-rate field. We preliminarily studied the appearances and characteristics of the present-day crustal movement and deformation in the Chinese mainland with the computed results. The researches demonstrated: ① The present-day crustal movement and deformation in the Chinese mainland are being jointly controlled by Indian, Pacific and Philippines Ocean Plates and Siberia-Mongolia block, and these three large plates and block form a situation of tripartite confrontation, but Indian Plate seems to play a leading role; ② The North-South Earthquake Zone plays an important adjustment role in the present-day crustal movement and deformation process, displaying clear characteristics of demarcation line of tectonics in large areas; ③ There seems to be another adjustment zone along the latitude line approximate N35°, but its characteristics are less obvious than that of the former; ④ Dynamic actions of these three large plates and block on the Chinese mainland are dynamic stable; appearing in stable push-press velocities. These results are generally accorded with the results determined from geology, geophysics, and seismology. By the contrast with seismicities, it appears preliminarily that there is some corresponding relation between intense shear strain zone and future strong seismicity area, but this problem needs further examination of earthquake examples.     

中国大陆主要构造块体现今运动的基本特征

为了研究中国大陆现代地壳运动和地球动力学,在９０年代初布设了由２２个站组成的全国ＧＰＳ监测网,测站均匀布设在中国大陆不同块体上,１９９２、１９９４和１９９６年对该网进行了３次观测,本文主要评述了３次观测的资料处理和精度,分析了３次测获得的中国大陆现今块体运动的基本特征。研究结果表明,ＧＰＳ网３次观测获得的资料精度均达到１０＾－８～１０＾－９,能满足地壳运动监测的需要,利用３次复测资料结果所建立的我国大陆块体运动模型,有效地检验了地质学和地球物理学的研究结果,在全球框架中,我国大陆整体存在着明显的向东运动,相对于西伯亚的区域性运动特征是：我国西部地区主要受印度板向北的俯冲和推挤的影响,青藏高原在南北向压缩的同时,存在着明显的向东的侧向滑移,这对大陆逃逸模型是较为有利的支持;东部地区的块体运动,同时受到印度板以及太     

Aseismic negative dislocation model and deformation analysis of crustal horizontal movement during 1999~2001 in the northeast margin of Qinghai-Xizang block

Introduction So small is the hypocenter area of strong earthquake, but its formation is controlled by time-space evolution of present-day crustal movement in wider-range area, and related to motion and deformation of active blocks and their boundary faults. Aseismic negative dislocation model presented by Matsuura, et al (1986) is that, the relative motion between blocks driven by present-day crustal movement may be partly locked at the block …     

Aseismic negative dislocation model and deformation analysis of crustal horizontal movement during 1999——2001 in the northeast margin of Qinghai-Xizang block

Through numerical simulation for GPS data, aseism/c negative dislocation model for crustal horizontal movement during 1999-2001 in the northeast margin of Qinghai-Xizang block is presented, combined with the spatial distri-bution of apparent strain field in this area, the characteristics of motion and deformation of active blocks and their boundary faults, together with the place and intensity of strain accumulation are analyzed. It is shown that: a) 9 active blocks appeared totally clockwise motion from eastward by north to eastward by south. Obvious sinistral strike-slip and NE-NEE relative compressive motion between the blocks separated by Qilianshan-Haiyuan fault zone was discovered; b) 20 fault segments (most of them showed compression) locked the relative motion between blocks to varying degrees, among the total, the mid-east segment of Qilianshan fault (containing the place where it meets Riyueshan-Lajishan fault) and the place where it meets Haiyuan fault and Zhuanglanghe fault, more favored accumulation of strain. Moreover, the region where Riyueshan-Lajishan fault meets north boundary of Qaidam block may have strain accumulation to some degree, c) Obtained magnitude of block velocities and locking of their boundaries were less than relevant results for observation in the period of 1993-1999.     

Horizontal crustal movement in Chinese mainland before and after the great Kunlun Mountain M=8.1 earthquake in 2001

Introduction The great Kunlun Mountain earthquake occurred on November 14, 2001 on the border be-tween Xinjiang and Qinghai in west China (36.2N, 90.9E). It was the largest earthquake oc-curred in Chinese mainland in the last 50 years. The Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) established in 1998 mainly for the purpose of earthquake prediction with only 25 fiducial stations for continuous GPS observations, has recorded the precious information of the crustal movement …     

Assessment of strong earthquake risk in the Chinese mainland from 2021 to 2030

The long-term earthquake prediction from 2021 to 2030 is carried out by researching the active tectonic block boundary zones in the Chinese mainland. Based on the strong earthquake recurrence model, the cumulative probability of each target fault in the next 10 years is given by the recurrence period and elapsed time of each fault, which are adopted from relevant studies such as seismological geology, geodesy, and historical earthquake records. Based on the long-term predictions of large earthquakes throughout the world, this paper proposes a comprehensive judgment scheme based on the fault segments with the seismic gap, motion strongly locked, sparse small-moderate earthquakes, and apparent Coulomb stress increase. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the relative risk for strong earthquakes that may occur in the coming 10 years on the major faults in the active tectonic block boundary zones in the Chinese mainland. The present loading rate of each fault is first constrained by geodetic observations; the cumulative displacement of each fault is then estimated by the elapsed time since the most recent strong earthquake.     

Crustal movement in Chinese mainland observed from 1998 to 1999

IntroductionTheCrustalMovementObservationNetworkofChina(CMONOC)isoneofmajorscientificprojectsinChinaduringthe9thFive-YearPlan.ThefirstGPSobservationsof25fiducialstationsand56basicstationsinthenetworkwerecompletedfromAugust26toSeptember6,1998andallthe81stationswereobservedsimultaneously.25fiducialstationshavebeenincontinuousoperationsincelateMarch1999.Inaddition,dataofcontinuousobservationfromtheIGS(InternationalGPSService)stationXIANinXi(anarealsoavailable.Figure1showsthelocation…     

Current horizontal strain field in Chinese mainland derived from GPS data

Introduction In the years when the reliable data could not be obtained and in the analysis of strain property and magnitude in history, the intensity, property and activity pattern of strain field were mainly inferred on the bases of geometric characters of surface traces and behaviors (especially the faults) as well as the characteristics of petrology (XIE, et al, 1993; Molnar, Tapponnier, 1975, 1977; Tapponnier, Molnar, 1977; FU, et al, 2000). However, they are the averaged results accumu…     

Monitoring the horizontal movement along the Shanxi fault zone by GPS measurement

IntroductionShanxi is a significant seismic activity area in North China (WANG, 1995), named as Shanxi fault zone. One can see how important it is by the name. Up to now, a large number of achievements have been obtained from the studies mainly by the geological method. In order to improve the seismic research and carry out earthquake monitoring and prediction in this area, a GPS horizontal deformation monitoring network is established along the fault from the north to the south by the Se…     

Horizontal crustal movement before the great Wenchuan earthquake obtained from GPS observations in the regional network

The great Wenchuan earthquake of M8.0 on May 12, 2008, occurred in an area with dense GPS observation stations in the regional network of the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC). Non-continuous observations were carried out at the 1 000 GPS stations of the regional network in 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2007. The horizontal displacements at GPS stations in the regional network before the Wenchuan earthquake show that the main driving tectonic force of the earthquake was the northward pushing of the Indian plate, added at the same time by the pushing of plates on the east and south. In comparison to the displacements in other regions, the horizontal displacements near and around the seismic area is characterized by diverging eastward displacements, that is, the stations to the north of the epicenter moved in the ENE direction while those to the south of epicenter moved in ESE direction with smaller displacements at stations near the epicenter. The accuracy of the estimated strain results is briefly discussed. In order to obtain the anomalous information before the earthquake, the methods of both best fits by trend surface and statistics have been used in the study for finding the future epicentral area from the strain accumulations in the regional network observed from 1999 to 2007 before the Wenchuan earthquake. Besides the epicentral area of the western Kunlun mountain pass earthquake of M8.1 in 2001, the results of best fits by trend surfaces of the strain accumulations from 1999 to 2007 in the regional network show that the Wenchuan earthquake occurred at the eastern fringe of a large area with relatively large accumulations of the first shear strains and also at the northeastern fringe of a smaller area with significant accumulated areal compressions. The statistics of the accumulations of the strain components demonstrates that they also showed anomalous distribution patterns in this area and its neighborhood with increasing accumulations of both shear strains and areal compressions.