Lower crustal fluid distribution in the northeastern Japan arc revealed by high-resolution 3D seismic tomography

The Ou Backbone Range strikes northwards through the central northeastern Japan arc and is bounded on both sides by the active reverse Uwandaira and Sen'ya faults. We have applied a traveltime inversion method (seismic tomography) with spatial velocity correlation to active and passive seismic data in order to investigate a three-dimensional (3-D) velocity structure. The data set contains 33,993 P- and 18,483 S-wave arrivals from 706 natural sources and 40 blasts, as well as 2803 P-wave traveltime data from 10 explosions detonated during the 1997 controlled source experiment. The traveltime inversion reveals a zone beneath the Ou Backbone Range in which P-wave velocities (V_P) are approximately 6–8% lower than the average velocity at equivalent depths. The low V_P and a low V_P to S-wave velocity (V_S) ratio (V_P/V_S) of about 1.65 suggest the presence of aqueous fluids in the middle crust.     

Seismogenic structures along continental convergent zones: from oblique subduction to mature collision

We summarize seismogenic structures in four regions of active convergence, each at a different stage of the collision process, with particular emphases on unusual, deep-seated seismogenic zones that were recently discovered. Along the eastern Hellenic arc near Crete, an additional seismogenic zone seems to occur below the seismogenic portion of the interplate thrust zone—a configuration found in several other oblique subduction zones that terminate laterally against collision belts. The unusual earthquakes show lateral compression, probably reflecting convergence between the subducting lithosphere's flank and the collision zone nearby. Along oblique zones of recent collision, the equivalence between space and time reveals the transition from subduction to full collision. In particular, intense seismicity beneath western Taiwan indicates that along the incipient zone of arc–continent collision, major earthquakes occur along high-angle reverse faults that reach deep into the crust or even the uppermost mantle. The seismogenic structures are likely to be reactivated normal faults on the passive continental margin of southeastern China. Since high-angle faults are ineffective in accommodating horizontal motion, it is not surprising that in the developed portion of the central Taiwan orogen (<5 Ma), seismogenic faulting occurs mainly along moderate-dipping (20–30°) thrusts. This is probably the only well-documented case of concurrent earthquake faulting on two major thrust faults, with the second seismogenic zone reaching down to depths of 30 km. Furthermore, the dual thrusts are out-of-sequence, being active in the hinterland of the deformation front. Along the mature Himalayan collision zone, where collision initiated about 50 Ma ago, current data are insufficient to distinguish whether most earthquakes occurred along multiple, out-of-sequence thrusts or along a major ramp thrust. Intriguingly, a very active seismic zone, including a large (M_w=6.7) earthquake in 1988, occurs at depths near 50 km beneath the foreland. Such a configuration may indicate the onset of a crustal nappe, involving the entire cratonic crust. In all cases of collision discussed here, the basal decollement, a key feature in the critical taper model of mountain building, appears to be aseismic. It seems that right at the onset of collision, earthquakes reflect reactivation of high-angle faults. For mature collision belts, earthquake faulting on moderate-dipping thrust accommodates a significant portion of convergence—a process involving the bulk of crust and possibly the uppermost mantle.     

大陆地震构造系统: 以青藏高原及邻区为例

青藏高原及邻区三角形发震构造域是全球大陆最显著的地震多发区.脆性活动断层及其弹性回跳模式无法合理解释该区深度集中分布在10~40 km的点状震源.针对发震构造和地震机理不明确这一重大科学问题, 以大陆动力学和地球系统动力学新思想为指导, 对青藏高原及邻区发震构造系统进行域、层、带、点相关研究, 阐明大陆地震构造系统的结构型式, 认为下地壳固态流变及其韧性剪切带是提供地震能量的孕震构造, 中地壳韧-脆性剪切带是累积地震能量的发震构造, 上地壳脆性断裂是释放地震能量的释震构造.在研究青藏高原及邻区地震构造系统及其形成背景的基础上, 进一步论证了大陆地震热流体撞击的形成机理: 地幔墙导致大洋中脊之下的软流圈热流物质层流到大陆特定部位汇聚加厚并底辟上升, 造成大陆下地壳部分熔融和固态流变, 并改变莫霍面的产状, 固态流变物质侧向非均匀流动, 形成大陆盆山体系, 流动的韧性下地壳与脆性上地壳之间具有韧-脆性剪切滑脱性质的中地壳不断积累由下地壳热能转换而来的应变能, 形成发震层, 震源定位于下地壳热流物质富集带("热河")中的固态-半固态流变物质撞击到强弱层块之间的构造边界, 不同热构造环境和撞击角度产生5种不同类型的地震.从而为大陆地震的科学预测奠定了全新的理论基础.      

青藏高原东北缘推覆体构造稳定性定量化评价——以龙门山推覆体为例

2008年5月12日汶川特大地震震害调查及分析表明,目前以活动断裂和历史地震调查为重点的工程区域构造稳定性评价方法存在漏判与误判特大地震问题,从而为工程安全埋下重大安全隐患。以龙门山活动推覆体为例,在已有研究成果基础上,利用岩体结构控制论、拜尔利定律等普适性原理对龙门山地壳岩体结构力学特征、控震结构面的抗剪强度与地震震级的线性相关性、地震震级与抗震设防烈度的关系进行了定量研究,对评价区域构造稳定性的关键问题进行了探讨。结果表明,推覆体型活动地块边界带中的滑脱层是对推覆体区域构造稳定性起主要控制作用的构造结构面--控震结构面,地震震级与滑脱层的埋深、抗剪切强度存在显著相关性：8级地震的震源深度接近20 km、7级地震的震源深度接近14 km、6级地震的震源深度接近10 km,据此对研究区及邻近的古地震进行了深度核定,圈定了龙门山活动推覆体-岷山地块的6级以上强震可能发生的范围、对应Ⅶ－Ⅺ度的抗震设防烈度范围。此研究成果弥补了以往根据活动断裂-发震断裂-历史最大震级与对应地震烈度评价工程区域构造稳定性,因历史地震资料疏漏不全、活动断裂带研究平面与深度范围局限以及忽视区域构造稳定性的岩体力学实质而导致评价结果常常出现误判与漏判的诸多缺陷。     

龙山门断裂带活动特征与工程区域地壳稳定性评价理论

2008年5月12日发生的里氏8.0级汶川地震处于龙门山造山带与四川盆地的构造边界上。350km长的地表破裂带呈右行左阶雁行排列在具有逆冲和右行走滑性质的汶川茂县青川、映秀北川和江油都江堰3条断层带上。下地壳的韧性流动伴随中地壳韧-脆性剪切带应力和应变的积累,产生上地壳脆性发震断层,并控制地表破裂带和滑坡的分布。震源出现在上地壳脆性断层与中地壳脆-韧性剪切带的交汇部位。〖KG2〗以汶川地震为例,结合板内地震基本特征,提出引入大陆动力学理论完善工程区域稳定性理论基础,构建基于板块学说、地质力学和大陆动力学理论的相互补充的工程区域稳定性评价体系;对活断层与地震活动性预测提出见解,强调仅仅从活断层的存在及其活动强度来预测地震活动性与强度是远远不够甚至是错误的,必须将下地壳、中地壳和上地壳结构作为一个整体加以研究和判别;提出工程区域地壳稳定性评价指标体系,指出了大陆内部安全岛划分应采用的核心指标。     

The role of small‐scale fold and fault development in seismogenic zones: example of the western Huércal‐Overa Basin (eastern Betic Cordillera,Spain)

The NW–SE shortening between the African and the Eurasian plates is accommodated in the eastern Betic Cordillera along a broad area that includes large N‐vergent folds and kilometric NE–SW sinistral faults with related seismicity. We have selected the best exposed small‐scale tectonic structures located in the western Huércal‐Overa Basin (Betic Cordillera) to discuss the seismotectonic implications of such structures usually developed in seismogenic zones. Subvertical ESE–WNW pure dextral faults and E–W to ENE–ESW dextral‐reverse faults and folds deform the Quaternary sediments. The La Molata structure is the most impressive example, including dextral ESE–WNW Neogene faults, active southward‐dipping reverse faults and associated ENE–WSW folds. A molar M1 assigned to Mimomys savini allows for precise dating of the folded sediments (0.95–0.83 Ma). Strain rates calculated across this structure give ～0.006 mm a^?1 horizontal shortening from the Middle Pleistocene up until now. The widespread active deformations on small‐scale structures contribute to elastic energy dissipation around the large seismogenic zones of the eastern Betics, decreasing the seismic hazard of major fault zones. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Gibraltar Arc seismogenic zone (part 1): Constraints on a shallow east dipping fault plane source for the 1755 Lisbon earthquake provided by seismic data, gravity and thermal modeling

The Great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 with an estimated magnitude of 8.5–9.0 is the most destructive earthquake in European history, yet the source region remains enigmatic. Recent geophysical data provide compelling evidence for an active east dipping subduction zone beneath the nearby Gibraltar Arc. Marine seismic data in the Gulf of Cadiz image active thrust faults in an accretionary wedge, above an east dipping decollement and an eastward dipping basement. Tomographic and other data support subduction and rollback of a narrow slab of oceanic lithosphere beneath the westward advancing Gibraltar block.Although, no instrumentally recorded seismicity has been documented for the subduction interface, we propose the hypothesis that this shallow east dipping fault plane is locked and capable of generating great earthquakes (like the Nankai or Cascadia seismogenic zones). We further propose this east dipping fault plane to be a candidate source for the Great Lisbon earthquake of 1755. In this paper we use all available geophysical data on the deep structure of the Gulf of Cadiz–Gibraltar region for the purpose of constraining the 3-D geometry of this potentially seismogenic fault plane. To this end, we use new depth processed seismic data, have interpreted all available published and unpublished time sections, examine the distribution of hypocenters and perform 2-D gravity modeling. Finally, a finite-element model of the forearc thermal structure is constructed to determine the temperature distribution along the fault interface and thus the thermally predicted updip and downdip limits of the seismogenic zone.     

Systematization of active faults for the assessment of the seismic hazard

A systematization of active faults has been developed based on the progress of scientists from the leading countries in the world in the study of seismotectonics and seismic hazard problems. It is underlain by the concept of the fault-block structure of the geological-geophysical environment governed by the interaction of differently oriented active faults, which are divided into two groups—seismogenic and nonseismogenic faults. In seismogenic fault zones, the tectonic stress accumulated is relieved by means of strong earthquakes. Nonseismogenic fault zones are characterized by creep displacement or short-term, oscillatory, and reciprocal movements, which are referred to local superintense deformations of the Earth’s crust (according to the terminology used by Yu.O. Kuz’min). For a situation when a strong earthquake happens, a subgroup of seismodistributing faults has been identified that surround the seismic source and affect the distribution of the seismic waves and, as a consequence, the pattern of the propagation of the coseismic deformations in the fault-block environment. Seismodistributing faults are divided into transit and sealing faults. Along transit faults, secondary coseismic effects (landfalls, landslides, ground fractures, liquefaction, etc) are intensified during earthquakes. In the case of sealing faults, enhancement of the coseismic effects can be observed on the disjunctive limb nearest to the epicenter, whereas, on the opposite limb, the intensity of such effects appreciably decreases. Seismogenic faults or their systems are associated with zones of earthquake source origination (ESO), which include concentrated seismicity regions. In such zones, each earthquake source is related to the evolution of a fault system. ESO zones also contain individual seismogenic sources being focuses of strong earthquakes with M of ≥5.5 in the form of ruptures, which can be graphically represented in 2D or 3D as a surface projection of the source. Depending on the type of data based on which they are identified, individual seismogenic sources are divided into geological-geophysical and macroseismic sources. The systematization presented is the theoretical basis for and the concept of the relational database that is being developed by the authors as an information system for the generation of seismotectonic GIS projects required for the subsequent analysis of the seismic hazard and the assessment of the probability of the origination of macroseismic earthquake effects in a predetermined location.     

东昆仑、玉树、汶川地震的发生规律和形成机理:兼论大陆地震成因与预测

青藏高原东北部东昆仑、汶川、玉树等强震的同震地表破裂不对称发育,伴随余震有规律地分别向东、南东和北北东方向迁移,很可能是源于恒河盆地流经亚东、当雄、安多、库赛湖、治多、玉树、甘孜、汶川的弧形下地壳“热河”的流速和流向变化形成的,下地壳热流物质正在向云南及邻区汇聚形成下地壳“热海”,导致长时间跨季度构造热干旱,其影响超过大气环流的作用。地表破裂不一定受断层控制,震源也不在断层面上,下地壳流动导致中地壳发震并进一步影响上地壳形成同震脆性破裂系统。大陆板内盆山过渡带地震密集,大陆板内地震是在下地壳层流的热动力作用下导致活动地壳分层变形的产物。在大陆盆山耦合、圈层耦合的非线性开放系统中,从大洋底部的软流圈层流进入大陆底部使得地幔软流圈加厚,底辟上升为大陆下地壳流动,为地震活动提供了巨量热能;热软化的下地壳缓慢的韧性流动孕育了大陆板内地震;中地壳韧 脆性剪切带易于积累能量,发生热能与应变能的转化,产生地震,形成震源层;上地壳脆性断层活动和地表破裂是地震释放深部能量的载体和方式之一。地壳稳定性评价的依据应当是地壳的活动性而不是断层的活动性。大陆活动构造区地震活跃期与平静期交替实际上是下地壳地震能量的聚散过程,体现在下地壳热主导的韧性流动构造与上地壳应力主导的脆性破裂构造之间的相互作用。下地壳热软化物质流动过程中流速、流向等突然改变触发地震,并产生共振波。大陆下地壳流层在厚度、温度、粘度、流速、流向上的变化产生一定程度的温度异常、流体异常及与其相关的大气层、电场、磁场、重力场、地球化学场、应力场、应变场、生物场等异常。合理布置天空网、地面网、地下网,综合立体监测有效的地震前兆,系统地开展长期、中期和短临地震预测,能够不断地提高地震预测水平。     

华北克拉通破坏区最新构造运动起始时间讨论

华北克拉通破坏区是历史破坏性地震频发区,震源机制解和地震地表破裂带等反映出历史地震的发震断层为新生走滑断层,很难用地壳的伸展构造系统来合理解释.首先对1679年三河-平谷M8.0级地震的大厂隐伏凹陷西边界夏垫断裂进行高分辨率地震勘探和上盘钻孔地层进行标定,然后在河套断陷盆地带大青山南麓晚更新世湖相地层中识别出2期角度不整合面(UC1和UC2),并进行了系统测年,综合近年来活动断层比例尺填图和城市活动断层探测成果,明确指出,在华北克拉通破坏区,代表新生代早期地壳伸展运动的铲形正断层的活动性在上新世至第四纪早期逐渐减弱,到晚更新世早期基本停止活动;晚更新世中期以来大青山构造运动为华北克拉通破坏区最新一期构造运动,主要表现为区域剪切应变条件下新生走滑断层形成和扩展,并伴随相关地震活动.最新构造运动的主要动力来源于青藏高原物质东向挤出,以及其对鄂尔多斯块体西南缘强烈东向推挤作用.这些新认识对深化华北克拉通破坏区地震发震机理研究,理解板内最新变形动力学,均具有十分重要的科学价值.     

Quaternary fault segmentation and interaction in the epicentral area of the 1561 earthquake (Mw = 6.4), Vallo di Diano, southern Apennines, Italy

The main structural characteristics of the Caggiano and Polla faults, exposed in the epicentral area of the 1561 earthquake (Mw = 6.4), southern Italy, have been investigated in detail to assess their spatial and temporal properties, and to evaluate their seismogenic potential. These right stepping normal faults show an overlap of about 7 km and an across strike separation of about 4 km. The geometric relationships between the Caggiano and Polla faults, but also the displacement distribution along each fault, demonstrate that they have been strongly interacting throughout the Pleistocene. Nevertheless, geological evidence of Holocene tectonic activity was mainly recognized along the Caggiano Fault (faulted late glacial deposits) and in the southernmost part of the Polla Fault (faulted deposits of probably Late Pleistocene age). This suggests that the Caggiano Fault can be considered as the most tectonically active fault in the Vallo di Diano Fault System. By calculating Coulomb stress changes, we have constrained modes of mechanical interactions between the two faults in a scenario compatible with the 1561 earthquake. This approach allows us to argue that both the Caggiano and the Polla Faults are probably linked at depth, and part of the same seismogenic structure which may be potentially responsible for composite ruptures with magnitude ≥ 6.5.     

地震孕育机制与破裂机制的研究

在理论上得出地震孕育发生的普遍物理机制是:地震前孕震区在垂直向会逐步形成、发展弹性的“拉疏隆起—压缩凹陷”的不稳结构,在水平向也多会形成对称相间分布的两个弹性压缩区及两个弹性拉疏区。应变的“压缩区与拉疏区同时产生、对应存在、共为一体”的这种双向应变结构是地壳构造运动中形成孕震体与非孕震体的根本区别,也是能用以首先找到孕震地区的主要依据;地震的破裂机制是:孕震体形成的双向应变结构,构成了应力集中后的失稳与剪切破裂的必要条件,当初始破裂后,就会引起压缩区与拉疏区发生逆转性的弹性膨胀与收缩的相互配合而不断提供位错空间,从而能使应力与破裂快速地传递与扩张。这一地震孕育与破裂机制的认识,几乎能解释绝大多数的地震前兆现象及震时震后的冒砂、冒水与断层的破裂、错动现象。     

Magnetotelluric Constraints on the Occurrence of Lower Crustal Earthquakes in the Intra-plate Setting of Central Indian Tectonic Zone

Lower crustal earthquake occurrence in the Central Indian Tectonic Zone(CITZ) of the Indian sub-continent was investigated using magnetotelluric(MT) data. MT models across the CITZ, including the new resistivity model across the 1938 Satpura lower crustal earthquake epicenter, show low resistive(80 ?m) mid-lower crust and infer small volume(1 vol%) of aqueous fluids existing in most part of lower crust. This in conjunction with xenoliths and other geophysical data supports a predominant brittle/semi-brittle lower crustal rheology. However, the local deep crustal zones with higher fluid content of 2.2%–6.5% which have been mapped imply high pore pressure conditions. The observation above and the significant strain rate in the region provide favorable conditions(strong/moderate rock strength, moderate temperature, high pore pressure and high strain rate) for brittle failure in the lower crust. It can be inferred that the fluid-rich pockets in the mid-lower crust might have catalyzed earthquake generation by acting as the source of local stress(fluid pressure), which together with the regional stress produced critical seismogenic stress conditions. Alternatively, fluids reduce the shear strength of the rocks to favor tectonic stress concentration that can be transferred to seismogenic faults to trigger earthquakes.     

青藏高原板内地震震源深度分布规律及其成因

青藏高原板内地震以浅源地震为主, 下地壳基本上没有地震, 地震震源多集中在15~40 km的深度范围, 主要在中地壳内, 呈似层状弥散分布.其中30~33 km深度是一个优势层, 与壳内分层有关.总体上青藏高原南、北部的震源面略呈相向倾斜特征.70~100 km深度区间出现了比较集中的震级较小的地震, 可能与壳幔过渡带的拆离作用有关.高原内部的正断层系与板内地震密切相关, 是板内浅源地震的主控构造.总之, 青藏高原地震震源沿着活动的上地壳脆性层与软弱层之间的脆-韧性过渡带分布.这些板内地震活动属于大陆动力学过程, 与板块碰撞和板块俯冲无关.初步认为青藏高原浅层到深层多震层的成因分别是韧性基底与脆性盖层、韧性下地壳与脆性上地壳、韧性下地壳与脆性上地幔的韧-脆性转换、拆离和解耦的产物.      

Late Holocene earthquakes in southern Apennine: paleoseismology of the Caggiano fault

Although southern Apennines are characterized by the strongest crustal earthquakes of central-western Mediterranean region, local active tectonics is still poorly known, at least for seismogenic fault-recognition is concerned. Research carried out in the Maddalena Mts. (southeast of Irpinia, the region struck by the M _w=6.9, 1980 earthquake) indicates historical ruptures along a 17-km-long, N120° normal fault system (Caggiano fault). The system is characterized by a bedrock fault scarp carved in carbonate rocks, which continues laterally into a retreating and eroded smoothed scarp, affecting the clayey-siliciclastic units, and by smart scarps and discontinuous free-faces in Holocene cemented slope-debris and in modern alluvial fan deposits. The geometry of the structure in depth has been depicted by means of electrical resistivity tomography, while paleoseismic analysis carried out in three trenches revealed surface-faulting events during the past 7 ky BP (¹⁴C age), the latest occurred in the past 2 ky BP (¹⁴C age) and, probably, during/after slope-debris deposition related to the little ice age (∼1400–1800 a.d.). Preliminary evaluation accounts for minimum slip rates of 0.3–0.4 mm/year, which is the same order of rates estimated for many active faults along the Apennine chain. Associated earthquakes might be in the order of M _w=6.6, to be compared to the historical events occurred in the area (e.g., 1561 and 1857 p.p. earthquakes).     

滇西南2014年景谷中-强震群的地质构造成因——茶房-普文断裂带贯通过程的构造响应

2014年10—12月期间,云南景谷接连发生了Ms6.6、Ms5.8、Ms5.9三次中-强地震。为确定地震的地质构造成因,在地表调查的基础上,综合该区的地质构造情况、烈度与余震分布、震源机制解等资料,确定此次震群活动的宏观震中位于永平盆地东南侧山地,发震断层为地质与地貌表现不显著的NW向右旋走滑断层。此次震群活动及余震迁移过程指示,由于断层斜接部位岩桥的临时阻碍,Ms6.6地震破裂在向南东扩展过程中发生短暂停滞,突破障碍后进一步引发了Ms5.8和Ms5.9地震,这符合震源破裂沿NW向发震断裂分段破裂的行为。区域活动断裂的遥感解译结果发现,发震断层位置恰好处于NW向右旋走滑的茶房断裂与普文断裂之间,区域上属于该断裂带的不连贯部位,指示此次中-强震群活动应该是茶房-普文断裂带贯通过程的构造活动表现。结合思茅地块的历史地震资料发现,思茅地块地震活动多以小于等于6.8级为主,发震构造多为NW向断裂。指示在现今构造应力场作用下,该区NW向断裂的活动性相对NE向断裂更加显著,属于该区主要控震构造,应在今后的地震地质工作中给予更多关注。     

尼泊尔Ms 8.1级地震活动构造及次生地质灾害研究

2015年4月25日,尼泊尔境内发生Ms 8.1级地震,诱发了较大面积的崩塌、滑坡灾害。笔者通过遥感构造解析和野外实地调查取得以下主要认识:（1）中尼边境的喜马拉雅地区活动构造以NWW向挤压逆冲断裂最为显著,从南到北大致可分南、中、北三个带,中带由众多短小、密集的逆冲断裂构成一个网络状断裂带,是这次Ms 8 1级地震的发震断裂;（2）喜山中段NNE—SN向横张断裂将该地区分割成几个东西向块体,吉隆—樟木近南北向断裂带控制了这次强震的余震分布;（3）本次地震引发了至少445处地震崩塌、滑坡、堰塞湖以及融雪形成的泥石流灾害,这些灾害主要分布在NWW向发震断裂的北侧上盘,受发震断裂控制,其中面积超过2.4×104 m2的地震滑坡有30处;（4）中国境内的NNE—SN向深切河谷是滑坡、崩塌等地质灾害的主要发生带,而这些河谷多为公路沿线和村镇居住地,应成为重点防范区。     

Fault plane solutions of the january 26th, 2001 bhuj earthquake sequence

A 12-station temporary microearthquake network was established by the Geological Survey of India for aftershock monitoring of the January 26th, 2001 Bhuj earthquake (M _w 7.6) in the Kutch district of Gujarat state, western India. The epicentres of the aftershocks show two major trends: one in the NE direction and the other in the NW direction. Fault-plane solutions of the best-located and selected cluster of events that occurred along the NE trend, at a depth of 15–38 km, show reverse faulting with a large left-lateral strike-slip motion, which are comparable with the main-shock solution. The NW trending upper crustal aftershocks at depth <10 km, on the other hand, show reverse faulting with right-lateral strike-slip motion, and the mid crustal and lower crustal aftershocks, at a depth of 15–38 km, show pure reverse faulting as well as reverse faulting with right-lateral and left-lateral strike-slip motions; these solutions are not comparable with the main-shock solution. It is inferred that the intersection of two faults has been the source area for stress concentration to generate the main shock and the aftershocks.     

Buckle-controlled seismogenic faulting in peninsular India

As intraplate earthquakes are often not associated with major known faults their location as well as their timing is unpredictable. In peninsular India the larger (M5.0) events occur mainly on reverse faults in a series of belts 400–800 km apart which are aligned roughly normal to the azimuth of convergence between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The location of the belts is controlled largely by the buckling wavelength of the lithosphere, and the seismogenic faults do not generate folding and sometimes result from it. There is consequently no need to postulate the creation of regularly spaced normal faults in an antecedent extensional phase, and the deformation is consistent with a plate-driving force such as gravity glide which is unlikely to reverse its polarity and which creates structures that are influenced by plate geometry at the leading edge. The thesis is potentially of value to seismic hazard mitigation as it identifies the zones that are most at risk.     

Seismotectonics of strike–slip earthquakes within the deep crust of southern Italy: Geometry, kinematics, stress field and crustal rheology of the Potenza 1990–1991 seismic sequences (Mmax 5.7)

We present a revision and a seismotectonic interpretation of deep crust strike–slip earthquake sequences that occurred in 1990–1991 in the Southern Apennines (Potenza area). The revision is motivated by: i) the striking similarity to a seismic sequence that occurred in 2002  140 km NNW, in an analogous tectonic context (Molise area), suggesting a common seismotectonic environment of regional importance; ii) the close proximity of such deep strike–slip seismicity with shallow extensional seismicity (Apennine area); and iii) the lack of knowledge about the mechanical properties of the crust that might justify the observed crustal seismicity. A comparison between the revised 1990–1991 earthquakes and the 2002 earthquakes, as well as the integration of seismological data with a rheological analysis offer new constraints on the regional seismotectonic context of crustal seismicity in the Southern Apennines. The seismological revision consists of a relocation of the aftershock sequences based on newly constrained velocity models. New focal mechanisms of the aftershocks are computed and the active state of stress is constrained via the use of a stress inversion technique. The relationships among the observed seismicity, the crustal structure of the Southern Apennines, and the rheological layering are analysed along a crustal section crossing southern Italy, by computing geotherms and two-mechanism (brittle frictional vs. ductile plastic strength) rheological profiles. The 1990–1991 seismicity is concentrated in a well-defined depth range (mostly between 15 and 23 km depths). This depth range corresponds to the upper pat of the middle crust underlying the Apulian sedimentary cover, in the footwall of the easternmost Apennine thrust system. The 3D distribution of the aftershocks, the fault kinematics, and the stress inversion indicate the activation of a right-lateral strike–slip fault striking N100°E under a stress field characterized by a sub-horizontal N142°-trending σ1 and a sub-horizontal N232°-trending σ3, very similar to the known stress field of the Gargano seismic zone in the Apulian foreland. The apparent anomalous depths of the earthquakes (> 15 km) and the confinement within a relatively narrow depth range are explained by the crustal rheology, which consists of a strong brittle layer at mid crustal depths sandwiched between two plastic horizons. This articulated rheological stratification is typical of the central part of the Southern Apennine crust, where the Apulian crust is overthrusted by Apennine units. Both the Potenza 1990–1991 and the Molise 2002 seismic sequences can be interpreted to be due to crustal E–W fault zones within the Apulian crust inherited from previous tectonic phases and overthrusted by Apennine units during the Late Pliocene–Middle Pleistocene. The present strike–slip tectonic regime reactivated these fault zones and caused them to move with an uneven mechanical behaviour; brittle seismogenic faulting is confined to the strong brittle part of the middle crust. This strong brittle layer might also act as a stress guide able to laterally transmit the deviatoric stresses responsible for the strike–slip regime in the Apulian crust and may explain the close proximity (nearly overlapping) of the strike–slip and normal faulting regimes in the Southern Apennines. From a methodological point of view, it seems that rather simple two-mechanism rheological profiles, though affected by uncertainties, are still a useful tool for estimating the rheological properties and likely seismogenic behaviour of the crust.