Study of theQ-value in and around Minle Basin

The digital seimograph network set up by China and France in Zhangye of China had been operated in 1988. The Zhangye network is situated in the middle segment of Hexi corridor and Qilina mountain, which was regarded as a monitoring earthquake area. Using the records of Zhangye digital network theQ-values in and around Minle basin have been measured. The results of this study showed that theQp-values range from 500 to 780, andQs-values range from 230 to 460. TheQ-values of inside of Minle basin are higher than that around the basin. The greater parts of moderate and strong earthquakes occurred along tectonic belts around the Minle basin. Moreover, TheQ-values increased with the depth of penctration of wave ray. The attenuation of S wave is stronger than P wave in shallow layer of crust. Some problems ofQ-value change versus time before and after Sunan eathquake (M _s=5.7) have been also disscussed. These results can be applied to study and to monitor seismic danger of the Minle monitoring area.     

Inversion of source parameters and attenuation of the Tangshan aftershocks

Source parameters and characteristics of regional attenuation of Tangshan aftershocks are studied by using digital records of Tangshan aftershocks. An inversion method of P wave spectra to reduce influence on the ambiguity in the estimates of parameters by the usual spectrum analysis method is developed. By testing with digital simulation data and applying to actual data, it is confirmed that the method is usable. Source parameters of the Tangshan Luanxian area are obtained by using records of 35 earthquakes at 5 stations.Q values of P wave and high frequency decay rate γ of source spectrum at 5 stations are obtained. TheQ values range from 408 to 847, and the mean value is 520; whiley ranges from 1.54 to 3.22, and the mean value is 2.41. In the studies of spectra of the micro-earthquakes in the Luanxian area, that stress drop increases with increasing earthquake moment is found. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,13, 430–441, 1991.     

The Q value variations in the preparing process of rock rupture

In this paper, the "spectral amplitude ratio method" (SAR), "energy method" (EN) and "coda wave method" (CW) are used to calculate theQ value variations of gneiss in the preparing rupture process. The obtained results show that the variation state ofQ values by SAR features the shape of relative stability—gradual increment to the maximum—then decrement and final rupture. The variation state ofQ values by EN is just contrary to that by SAR, i. e. with the shape of stability—decrement—increment—and final rupture. The varation state ofQ values by CW is similar to that by EN, its main frequency features the shape of relatively high value—decrement to the minimum—increment—and final rupture. But to the high frequency (higher than the main frequency), the variation state ofQ values features the shape of the stable value-increment to the maximum-decrement-and final rupture. At the same time, the results by coda wave amplitude spectrum show that, when stress reaches 70% of rupture stress, the high frequency component of S wave rapidly reduces (Q _c increasing); at the time of impending the main rupture, the main frequency component reduces with a large scale (Q _c increasing again), this may be the reason which causes the different variation states of two codaQ values. The result of amplitude spectra of P, S (initial wave) waves also show that with the appearance of microcracks the frequency band of S wave turn to be narrow, the high frequency component is reduced quickly, i. e. the S wave spectra have different variation states with different frequency components. That is why theQ _s obtained by different methods have different variation characteristics.     

Regional characteristics of coda attenuation after the lancang-Gengma earthquake

In the light of the single scattering model of coda originating from local earthquakes, and based on the aftershock coda registered respectively at the 4 short period stations installed near the foci shortly after theM7.6 Lancang andM7.2 Gengma earthquakes, this paper has tentatively calculated the rate of amplitude attenuation and theQ _c-value of the coda in the Lancang and Gengma areas using a newly-founded synthetic determination method. Result of the study shows the rate of coda amplitude attenuation demonstrates remarkable regional differences respectively in the southern and northern areas. The southern area presents a faster attenuation (Q _c=114), whereas the northern area shows a slower attenuation (Q _c=231). The paper also discusses the reasons causing such differences. Result of the study also suggests a fairly good linear relation between the coda source factorA _o(f) and the seismic moment and the magnitude. Using the earthquake scaling law, the following formulas can be derived: lgM ₀=lgA ₀(f)+17.6,M _D=0.67lgA ₀(f)+1.21 and logM ₀=1.5M _D+15.79. In addition, the rates of amplitude attenuationβ _s andβ _m are respectively calculated using the single scattering and multiple scattering models, and the ratioβ _s/β_m=1.20−1.50 is found for the results respectively from the two models. Finally, the mean free pathL of the S-wave scattering in the southern and northern areas are determined to be 54 km and 122 km respectively by the relations which can distinguish between the inherentQ _i and scatteringQ _s, testify to this areas having lowQ-values correspond to stronger scatterings. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,14, 71–82, 1992. This study is partly supported by the Seismological Science Foundation of the State Seismological Bureau of China, and the present English version of the paper is translated from its Chinese original by Wenyi Xia, Seismological Bureau of Yunnan Province.     

民乐盆地及其周围地区小震震源参数的研究

本文利用中国和法国合作建立的张掖数字化地震台网记录的小震资料,测定了民乐、肃南、张掖和临泽4个地区的小震震源参数。用P波测定的上述4个地区的应力降为6.1—9.5bar,用S波测定的应力降为26—60bar。在肃南5.7级地震发生前一个月左右,出现应力降减小的现象,这可能是一种前兆信息。本文还对用两种波测定的应力降的差异进行了初步讨论。     

CodaQ as a combination of scattering and intrinsic attenuation: Numerical simulations with the boundary integral method

Numerical modelling ofSH wave seismograms in media whose material properties are prescribed by a random distribution of many perfectly elastic cavities and by intrinsic absorption of seismic energy (anelasticity) demonstrates that the main characteristics of the coda waves, namely amplitude decay and duration, are well described by singly scattered waves in anelastic media rather than by multiply scattered waves in either elastic or anelastic media. We use the Boundary Integral scheme developed byBenites et al. (1992) to compute the complete wave field and measure the values of the direct waveQ and coda wavesQ in a wide range of frequencies, determining the spatial decay of the direct wave log-amplitude relation and the temporal decay of the coda envelope, respectively. The effects of both intrinsic absorption and pure scattering on the overall attenuation can be quantified separately by computing theQ values for corresponding models with (anelastic) and without (elastic) absorption. For the models considered in this study, the values of codaQ ^–1 in anelastic media are in good agreement with the sum of the corresponding scatteringQ ^–1 and intrinsicQ ^–1 values, as established by the single-scattering model ofAki andChouet (1975). Also, for the same random model with intrinsic absorption it appears that the singly scattered waves propagate without significant loss of energy as compared with the multiply scattered waves, which are strongly affected by absorption, suggesting its dominant role in the attenuation of coda waves.     

Coda-Q before and after the 1983 Misasa earthquake of M 6.2, Tottori Prefecture,Japan

To detect any temporal change in coda-Q associated with an earthquake of M 6.2, digitized data from analog magnetic records of microearthquakes for a small confined region just around its hypocenter have been processed, with special attention to measuring errors. The M 6.2 earthquake took place at the Misasa town, Tottori Prefecture, in southwest Japan with preceding anomalous seismicity changes. TheQ values were elevated 20% around three years before the M 6.2 event for frequencies of 5 to 20 Hz, and tended to decrease around two years before. Data with high quality show undulated temporal variation with a period of 5–6 years before the earthquake, which is correlated with the regional seismic activity. There is a possibility that the observedQ change stands for precursory effect of the medium-scale earthquake. The aftershock sequence also shows an undulated temporal variation ofQ with a period of 150 days for around 10Hz, correlating also with the seismic activity. The fracturing processes by numerous microearthquakes may be responsible for the attenuation property of randomly scattered seismic waves.     

Distribution of<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Subscript>g</Subscript> coda<Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis> in the Chinese continent and its adjacent regions

785 traces of vertical components from shallow earthquakes recorded by 10 CDSN (Chinese Digital Seismographic Network) stations and 5 GSN (Global Seismographic Network) stations were collected to study the attenuation characteristics ofL _g coda in the Chinese continent and its adjacent regions. The records were processed first using the stack spectral ratio method to obtain the average values ofQ ₀ (Q at 1Hz) and η, the frequency dependence, ofL _g coda in the ellipses corresponding to the paths. The back-projection technique was then employed to obtain the tomographic maps ofQ ₀ and η values, and the distribution of their errors. Results indicate that in the studied areaQ ₀ varies between 200 and 500. The lowest value ofQ ₀ exists in the Yun-nan-Tibetan region, while the highest value ofQ ₀ occurs in the southern edge of Siberian platform. η varies between 0.3 and 0.8. For most part of the studied area η varies inversely withQ ₀.     

The revised m Lg scale in six eastern provinces of China

The influence of the four different methods of measuring Lg amplitude, and the selection of different geometrical attenuation coefficient ζ-values (=5/6 or 1) on the determination ofγ value of Lg wave are discussed.γ=0.0034±0.0001km⁻¹ (when ζ=5/6) for six eastern provinces is redetermined. The revised magnitude calibration function ofm _Lg (mxh),q _E (Δ)=(5/6)logΔ+0.00147Δ+1.81 is deduced. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,13, 171–178, 1991. Projects sponsored by the Chinese Joint Seismological Science Foundation.     

Propagation and attenuation characteristics of the crustal phaseLg

TheLg wave consists of the superposition ofS waves supercritically reflected, and thus trapped, in the crust. This mode of propagation explains the strong amplitude of this phase and the large distance range in which it is observed. The numerical simulation leads to successful comparison between observed seismograms in stable continental areas and synthetics computed for simple standard crustal models. In regions with strong lateral variations, the influence of large-scale heterogeneities on theLg amplitude is not yet clearly established in terms of the geometrical characteristics of the crustal structure.The analysis of the decay of amplitude ofLg with epicentral distance allows the evaluation of the quality factor ofS waves in the crust. The results obtained show the same trends as codaQ: a clear correlation with the tectonic activity of the region considered, both for the value ofQ at 1 Hz and for its frequency dependence, suggesting that scattering plays a prominent part among the processes that cause the attenuation.The coda ofLg is made up of scatteredS waves. The study of the spatial attenuation of the coda indicated that a large part of the arrivals that compose the coda propagate asLg. The relative amplitude of the coda is larger at sites located on sediments because, in these conditions, a part ofLg energy can be converted locally into lower order surface modes.     

Research on the regionalQ values of coda waves for the aftershocks in Luquan,Yunnan of 1985

Based on the scattering coda model by which local and regional earthquakes are interpreted (K. Aki, 1969), and using observational coda data of 68 aftershocks of the 1985 Luquan, Yunnan earthquake registered by the VGK seismographs installed at 12 stations in the Yunnan regional short-period network, theQ-values of coda waves are calculated respectively for 6 time intervals. It is observed that within the frequency range of 0.40–1.65 Hz of the observed data, theQ-values are closely related with the frequencies and the calculated codaQ ranges between 80–240 with the coefficient of frequency dependence η=0.45. The calculated source factorsB(f> _p) of the coda waves which indicate the scattering strength are mostly within the order 10^?23–10^?24. Areas with lowQ-values present high scattering. It should be noted that by comparing data obtained before and after the Luquan earthquake, clear changes can be detected in theQ-values measured at stations close to the epicentral region, and that theQ-values of the aftershock coda are less than about one half of the pre-shock values. It may be mentioned that the time-dependent regional variations of theQ-values might possibly bring about practical significance in earthquake prediction. Moreover, aftershock focal parameters are determined. Through discussions on the quantitative relations between the focal parameters, we get: 1gE=1.59M _L+ 11.335;E=(2.10 × 10^?5)M ₀; length of focal rupturea=0.40?0.80 km for 3.0≤M _L<5.0 events; stress drop Δσ=(6.0–130) ×10⁵ Pa. Through interpretation of the data, we have also learned the important characteristics that there is no linear relation between the stress drops and the earthquake magnitudes.     

Research on the diffusion of pore fluid and in-situ hydraulic diffusivity in the epicentral region of Xinfengjiang reservoir earthquakes

According to the fact that the Xinfengjiang reservoir earthquakes are caused mainly by water seepage, this paper using the data ofM _s⩾2. 0 earthquakes, studies the hydraulic diffusivity of the mainshock zone by the expansion of the distribution area of epicenters. It is indicated thatin-situ hydraulic diffusivity during the preshock activity of the Xinfengjiang reservoir region was about 6. 2 m²/s. However, after the main shock, thein-situ hydraulic diffusivity in the main shock region increased by fifty percent, that is to say, to 9. 7 m²/s. During the long period after main shock occurrence thein-situ hydraulic diffusivity was affected by significant anisotropy of the medium and fluctuation of water level. No regularity can be found. In addition, we compare the diffusivity found by experiment with rock samples collected with thein-situ hydraulic diffusivity estimated. It is shown that the diffusivity of rock samples with fractures is about the same as the diffusivity estimatedin-situ. However, the diffusivity of whole rock samples is 3 orders of magnitudes smaller than that estimatedin-situ. Finally, we discuss the limits on the method by the expansion of distribution area of epicenters in the study of reservoir induced seismicity. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,13, 364–371, 1991. This subject is sponsored by the Chinese Joint Seismological Science Foundation.     

Scattering and anelastic attenuation of seismic energy in northern Greece

The relative contribution of scattering (Q _s ^–1 ) and intrinsic (Q _i ^–1 ) attenuation to the totalS-wave attenuation for the frequencies of 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 and 12.0 Hz has been studied by applying the radiative energy transfer theory, Data of local earthquakes which occurred in northern Greece and were recorded by the permanent telementered network of the Geophysical Laboratory of the University of Thessaloniki have been used. The results show that in this area the scattering attenuation is dominant over all frequencies while intrinsic attenuation is significantly lower. The estimatedQ _s ^–1 andQ _i ^–1 values have frequency dependences off ^–0.72 andf ^–0.45, respectively. The frequency dependence ofQ _s ^–1 is the same as that of the codaQ _c ^–1 , obtained by applying the single scattering model, which probably implies that the frequency dependence of the coda wave attenuation is attributed to the frequency dependence of the scattering attenuation.Q _c ^–1 values are very close to scattering attenuation for short lapse times, (10–20 sec), and intermediate between scattering and intrinsic attenuation for the longer lapse times, (50–100 sec). This difference is explained as the result of the depth-dependent attenuation properties and the multiple scattering effects.     

Determination of Q S, spreading factor and S-wave acceleration by inversion of seismic intensity data

In this paper, on the basis of intensity data from 85 earthquakes occurred in China, the method of resolving overdetermined equations by using the damped least squares method is applied to inversing for the mean value of 1 s. S wave quality factor, the spreading factor and the S-wave acceleration at the foci of earthquakes in 7 regions of China. The relation between S-wave acceleration at the foci of earthquakes and magnitude is discussed. As an example, 2-DQ _S distribution in Taiwan Province is obtained by inversion. It is found that there exists some corresponding relation between this distribution and Bouguer gravitational anomaly and seismicity. Preliminary analysis and discussion on results of the inversion, and estimation of error inQ _S are made. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,13, 202–211, 1991. The English version of this paper is improved by Professor Yushou Xie.     

Estimation of codaQ using the maximum likelihood method

A seismic coda wave from local earthquakes is an indication of heterogeneity in the crust and upper mantle, and codaQ (Q _c ) is the parameter defining the temporal decay of the coda wave. ButQ _c estimates obtained with the conventional least-square method are not based on any solid statistical background, assuming the Gaussian distributiona priori. In this study, we propose a statistically reliable estimation method of estimatingQ _c using the maximum likelihood method, and show its validity and usefulness with the data from the 1986 Joint Seismological Research in the western Nagano Prefecture. We found first that theQ _c estimation with the maximum likelihood method is statistically valid and its reliability can be checked with the -square test. Next,Q _c around Ohtaki village, within the studied area, is estimated using the maximum likelihood method. The averageQ _c value at low frequencies (up to 2 Hz) is one of the lowest in the world, which is in harmony with the geological setting of the site condition directly above an active fault.     

Frequency characteristics of coda and determination of medium parameters in Lingwu region, China

In this paper, considering the influences of source spectrum, the scattering property of medium and instrument response on the dominant frequency of coda, a method of using the coda of local earthquake to determine the correlation length of medium andQ-value is given. We find the following formula as: {fx719-1} wheret* =t/Q, f is the dominant frequency of coda,u ₁ andu ₂ are the parameters depend on the correlation length and the corner frequency of the source spectrum respectively,I(f) is a function of instrument response. If the source parameter is given, we can obtain the correlation length andQ-value by means of the inversion of observed curves off-t of coda. We processed the data of coda wave of more than 40 earthquakes from 1982 to 1989 in Lingwu region, China, determined the correlation length andQ-value, and preliminarily studied the temporal change of correlation length before and after moderately strong earthquakes. The result suggests that there are indications that the correlation length of medium decreases before the moderate earthquake. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,14, 62–70, 1992.     

Frequency-dependence of velocity and attenuation of elastic waves in granite under uniaxial compression

Velocity as well as attenuation factorQ ^–1 ofP-wave in a dry granitic rock sample under uniaxial compressions were measured in the range of frequency between 100 kHz and 710 kHz by using the pulse transmission technique. Above the stress of 0.5 _f , where _f is the fracture stress, theP-wave velocity decreases with increasing axial stress, whereasQ ^–1 increases. Particularly, the change ofQ ^–1 is greater for high frequency than for low frequency. At a given stress level, the higher the frequency, the higher theP-wave velocity and the largerQ ^–1. This result means that the velocity decrease with increasing stress is smaller for higher frequency. Because of this frequency-dependence of velocity decrease, theP-wave in the rock under dilatant state shows dispersion. The body wave dispersion is more remarkable at higher stress, and is not found in a homogeneous material with no cracks. Thus the disperison is attributed to the generation of cracks. When the frequency-dependence ofQ ^–1 is approximated asf ⁿ in the present frequency range, the exponentn takes a value from 0.63 to 0.77.     

The experimental research on b value of AE for the rock specimens with pre-existing crack or notch under uniaxial compression

A lot of researches onb value have been made in seismology. Since the 1960’s Mogi, Scholz and others have studied AE of rock specimens in laboratory and discovered that it is related to natural earthquakes. All former researchers used integral specimens to studyb value in the laboratory. However a major earthquake is usually related to a existing seismic-fault in that area. For this reason, a series of fracture experiments with rock and glass specimens having pre-existing crack or notch is performed in order to examine the effect of preexisting crack tob value. The experimental results show that theb value begins to decrease as soon as the initiation of the crack and finally drop to a very low value when the specimen breaks unstably. Based on these, a brief discussion on the possible mechanism ofb value change for natural earthquakes is given. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,9, 393–400, 1987. Projects sponsored by the Chinese Joint Seismological Science Foundation.     

TheQ value variations in the preparing process of rock rupture

In this paper, the "spectral amplitude ratio method" (SAR), "energy method" (EN) and "coda wave method" (CW) are used to calculate theQ value variations of gneiss in the preparing rupture process. The obtained results show that the variation state ofQ values by SAR features the shape of relative stability—gradual increment to the maximum—then decrement and final rupture. The variation state ofQ values by EN is just contrary to that by SAR, i. e. with the shape of stability—decrement—increment—and final rupture. The varation state ofQ values by CW is similar to that by EN, its main frequency features the shape of relatively high value—decrement to the minimum—increment—and final rupture. But to the high frequency (higher than the main frequency), the variation state ofQ values features the shape of the stable value-increment to the maximum-decrement-and final rupture. At the same time, the results by coda wave amplitude spectrum show that, when stress reaches 70% of rupture stress, the high frequency component of S wave rapidly reduces (Q _c increasing); at the time of impending the main rupture, the main frequency component reduces with a large scale (Q _c increasing again), this may be the reason which causes the different variation states of two codaQ values. The result of amplitude spectra of P, S (initial wave) waves also show that with the appearance of microcracks the frequency band of S wave turn to be narrow, the high frequency component is reduced quickly, i. e. the S wave spectra have different variation states with different frequency components. That is why theQ _s obtained by different methods have different variation characteristics.