Normal Faulting Type Earthquake Activities in the Tibetan Plateau and Its Tectonic Implication

Abstract: This paper analyzes various earthquake fault types, mechanism solutions, stress field as well as other geophysical data to study the crust movement in the Tibetan plateau and its tectonic implications. The results show that a lot of normal faulting type earthquakes concentrate in the central Tibetan plateau. Many of them are nearly perfect normal fault events. The strikes of the fault planes of the normal faulting earthquakes are almost in the N-S direction based on the analyses of the equal area projection diagrams of fault plane solutions. It implies that the dislocation slip vectors of the normal faulting type events have quite great components in the E-W direction. The extension is probably an eastward extensional motion, mainly a tectonic active regime in the altitudes of the plateau. The tensional stress in the E-W or WNW-ESE direction predominates the earthquake occurrence in the normal event region of the central plateau. A number of thrust fault and strike-slip fault type earthquakes with strong compressive stress nearly in the NNE-SSW direction occurred on the edges of the plateau. The eastward extensional motion in the Tibetan plateau is attributable to the eastward movement of materials in the upper mantle based on seismo-tomographic results. The eastward extensional motion in the Tibetan plateau may be related to the eastward extrusion of hotter mantle materials beneath the east boundary of the plateau. The northward motion of the Tibetan plateau shortened in the N-S direction probably encounters strong obstructions at the western and northern margins. Extensional motions from the relaxation of the topography and/or gravitational collapse in the altitudes of the plateau occur hardly in the N-S direction. The obstruction for the plateau to move eastward is rather weak.     

青藏高原中部的东西向扩张构造运动

系统分析了1933~2003年间青藏高原及其周缘发生的745个中、强地震的震源机制解,研究了高原地壳构造运动及其动力学特征。结果表明,大量正断层型地震集中发生在青藏高原中部海拔4000m以上的地区,其中许多地震是纯正断层型地震。震源机制结果显示,该区正断层型地震的断层走向多为南北方向,断层位错矢量的水平分量均位于近东西方向,这表明青藏高原高海拔地区存在着近东西方向的扩张构造运动。地震震源应力场的研究结果表明,在高原中部高海拔地区,E-W向或WNW-ESE向的水平扩张作用控制着该区的地壳应力场。青藏高原高海拔地区近东西方向的扩张构造运动是该区引张应力场的作用结果,其动力学原因可能与持续隆升的高原自重增大引起的重力崩塌及其周边区域构造应力状况有关。而青藏高原周缘地区,除了东部边缘外,南部的喜马拉雅山前沿以及青藏高原的北部、西部边缘所发生的绝大部分地震都是逆断层型或走滑逆断层型地震。在青藏高原周缘地区,北东或者北北东方向水平挤压的构造应力场为优势应力场。在中国西部的大范围内,主压应力P轴水平分量位于NE-SW方向,形成了一个广域的NE-SW方向的挤压应力场。青藏高原及其周缘应力场特征表明,印度板块的北上运动以及它与欧亚板块之间的碰撞所形成的挤压应力场是高原强烈隆起的直接原因。在青藏高原中南部形成了近东西向引张应力场为主的区域,并以东西向扩张构造运动部分释放其应力积累。研究高原高海拔地区的引张应力场和近东西向扩张构造运动的特征,对于认识青藏高原强烈隆起的地球动力学过程与机制,有着重要的理论意义。     

Active Faulting Pattern,Present-day Tectonic Stress Field and Block Kinematics in the East Tibetan Plateau

This paper examines major active faults and the present-day tectonic stress field in the East Tibetan Plateau by integrating available data from published literature and proposes a block kinematics model of the region.It shows that the East Tibetan Plateau is dominated by strike-slip and reverse faulting stress regimes and that the maximum horizontal stress is roughly consistent with the contemporary velocity field,except for the west Qinling range where it parallels the striking of the major strike-slip...     

Active Faulting Pattern,Present‐day Tectonic Stress Field and Block Kinematics in the East Tibetan Plateau

Abstract: This paper examines major active faults and the present-day tectonic stress field in the East Tibetan Plateau by integrating available data from published literature and proposes a block kinematics model of the region. It shows that the East Tibetan Plateau is dominated by strike-slip and reverse faulting stress regimes and that the maximum horizontal stress is roughly consistent with the contemporary velocity field, except for the west Qinling range where it parallels the striking of the major strike-slip faults. Active tectonics in the East Tibetan Plateau is characterized by three faulting systems. The left-slip Kunlun-Qinling faulting system combines the east Kunlun fault zone, sinistral oblique reverse faults along the Minshan range and two major NEE-striking faults cutting the west Qinling range, which accommodates eastward motion, at 10–14 mm/a, of the Chuan-Qing block. The left-slip Xianshuihe faulting system accommodated clockwise rotation of the Chuan-Dian block. The Longmenshan thrust faulting system forms the eastern margin of the East Tibetan Plateau and has been propagated to the SW of the Sichuan basin. Crustal shortening across the Longmenshan range seems low (2–4 mm/a) and absorbed only a small part of the eastward motion of the Chuan-Qing block. Most of this eastward motion has been transmitted to South China, which is moving SEE-ward at 7–9 mm/a. It is suggested from geophysical data interpretation that the crust and lithosphere of the East Tibetan Plateau is considerably thickened and rheologically layered. The upper crust seems to be decoupled from the lower crust through a décollement zone at a depth of 15–20 km, which involved the Longmenshan fault belt and propagated eastward to the SW of the Sichuan basin. The Wenchuan earthquake was just formed at the bifurcated point of this décollement system. A rheological boundary should exist beneath the Longmenshan fault belt where the lower crust of the East Tibetan Plateau and the lithospheric mantle of the Yangze block are juxtaposed.     

中国岩石圈应力场与构造运动区域特征

笔者系统分析了1918—2005年间中国大陆及其周缘发生的3130个中、强地震的震源机制解,根据其特征进行了岩石圈应力场构造分区,首次得到区域应力场的压应力轴和张应力轴空间分布的统计数字结果。在此基础上研究了应力场的区域特征、探讨了其动力学来源以及构造运动特征。总体结果表明,中国大陆及其周缘岩石圈应力场和构造运动可以归结为印度洋板块、太平洋板块、菲律宾海板块与欧亚板块之间相对运动,以及大陆板内区域块体之间的相互作用的结果。印度洋板块向欧亚板块的碰撞挤压运动所产生的强烈的挤压应力,控制了喜马拉雅、青藏高原、中国西部乃至延伸到天山及其以北的广大地区。在青藏高原周缘地区和中国西部的大范围内,压应力P轴水平分量方位位于20～40°,形成了近NE方向的挤压应力场。大量逆断层型强震集中发生在青藏高原的南、北和西部周缘地区,以及天山等地区。而多数正断层型地震集中发生在青藏高原中部高海拔的地区,断层位错的水平分量位于近东西方向。表明青藏高原周缘区域发生南北向强烈挤压短缩的同时,中部高海拔地区存在着明显的近东西向的扩张运动。中国东部的华北地区受到太平洋板块向欧亚板块俯冲挤压的同时,又受到从贝加尔湖经过大华北直到琉球海沟的广阔地域里存在着的统一的、方位为170°的引张应力场的控制。华北地区大地震的震源机制解均反映出该区地震的发生大体为NEE向挤压应力和NNW向张应力的共同作用结果。台湾纵谷断层是菲律宾海板块与欧亚板块之间碰撞挤压边界。来自北西向运动的菲律宾海板块构造应力控制了从台湾纵谷、华南块体,直到中国南北地震带南段东部地域的应力场。地震的震源机制结果还表明,将中国大陆分成东、西两部分的中国南北地震带是印度洋板块、菲律宾海板块与太平洋板块在中国大陆内部影响控制范围的分界线。     

2019年5月18日松原M5.1地震构造机制分析

基于区域地震台网的数字化波形资料,使用ISOLA方法对2019年5月18日吉林松原M5.1地震进行矩张量反演,研究地震的震源机制,并且收集了地震序列中M_L2.5以上地震的震源机制解,采用FMSI（focal mechanism stress inversion）方法反演震中区构造应力场。结果显示：松原M5.1地震的矩震级为4.9,矩心深度为6 km,双力偶分量为91.5%,主压应力P轴方位角、倾角分别为76°和3°,主张应力T轴方位角、倾角分别为166°和16°,震源机制解显示典型的构造地震特征;震中区构造应力场理论应力轴σ₁方位角、倾伏角分别为88.0°和0.9°,σ₂方位角、倾伏角分别为178.2°和9.6°,σ₃方位角、倾伏角分别为352.5°和80.4°,这一结果与区域构造应力场一致。推断认为区域构造应力场触发了2019年松原M5.1地震活动,地震震源机制解的北西向节面与震中区附近的第二松花江断裂现今活动性质完全一致,认为第二松花断裂可能是松原M5.1地震的发震断层。     

2017年九寨沟7.0级地震序列震源机制解和构造应力场特征

九寨沟余震序列的震源机制和构造应力场有助于认识本次地震的发震构造和孕震机理。本文基于四川区域地震台网的波形资料, 采用波形拟合(CAP)方法和P波初动+振幅比(HASH)方法反演得到2017年8月8日九寨沟7.0级地震序列中59次ML≥3.0地震的震源机制解, 并基于该结果采用阻尼线性逆推法(DRSSI), 计算研究区域的平均构造应力场, 给出该区域的应力场特征。结果显示, 利用CAP方法反演得到的本次主震的最佳双力偶机制解节面I: 走向248°/倾角86°/滑动角–169°, 节面II: 走向157°/倾角79°/滑动角–4°, 矩震级为Mw6.31, 矩心深度5 km, 属走滑型地震事件; 大部分余震的震源机制解错动类型与主震一致, 矩心深度集中在3~10 km; 应力场反演结果显示, 该区域周边的应力性质为走滑型, 最大主应力方向呈NWW–SEE向, 与该区域的应力场方向一致, 表明本次地震主要受区域应力的控制。结合该区域的地震地质构造等已有研究成果, 分析认为此次地震的发震断层为走向NW–SE、倾向SW的左旋走滑断裂——树正断裂, 巴颜喀拉块体向E-SE向的水平运动受到华南块体的强烈阻挡导致此次地震的发生, 汶川地震的发生对本次地震具有一定的促进作用。     

青藏高原及其周围地区区域应力场与构造运动特征

本文系统解析并分析了1931年8月-2005年10月期间青藏高原及其周围发生的905个震级M4．5-8．5地震的震源机制结果,研究了青藏高原岩石圈的区域应力场与构造运动特征。结果表明,来自印度板块的北北东或北东方向的水平挤压应力控制了青藏高原及其周缘地区的岩石圈应力场。从喜马拉雅到贝加尔湖以南包括中国西部的广大范围内,主压应力P轴的水平分量位于近NE-SW方向,形成了一个广域的NE-SW方向的挤压应力场。特别是青藏高原周缘地区,除其东部边缘外,南部的喜马拉雅山前沿以及青藏高原的北部、西部边缘地区所发生的绝大部分地震都属于逆断层型或走滑逆断层型地震,表现出周缘地区的水平挤压应力更为强势。应力场特征充分表明, 印度板块的北上运动,以及它与欧亚板块之间的碰撞,所形成的挤压应力场是青藏高原强烈隆起的直接原因。在青藏高原周缘地区受到强烈挤压应力场控制的同时,有大量正断层型地震集中发生在青藏高原中部海拔4000m以上的地区,其中许多地震是纯正断层型地震。震源机制结果显示,近E-W向或WNW-ESE向的水平扩张应力控制着该区的岩石圈应力场;正断层型地震的断层走向多为南北方向,断层位错矢量的水平分量大体位于近东西方向。这表明青藏高原中部高海拔地区存在着近东西方向的扩张构造运动,且扩张构造运动是该区引张应力场的作用结果。其动力学原因可能与持续隆升的高原自重增大引起的重力崩塌及其周边区域构造应力状况有关。研究青藏高原存在挤压应力场与引张应力场及其构造运动的区域特征,对于认识青藏高原形成、发展的地球动力学机制,有着极其重要的意义。     

青藏高原东北缘4个强震重点监视区库仑破裂应力的近百年变化和危险性分析

针对青藏高原东北缘地区前人基于多学科研究资料圈定的4个未来强震重点监视区,构建了顾及到中下地壳黏弹性弛豫效应的区域岩石圈模型;考虑1920-2010年期间发生在本区域及其周边的18次Ｍ_s≥７级强震在这一区域的黏弹性静态库仑破裂应力变化,和长期构造背景加载下的应力积累情况,定量分析了每个重点监视区近百年来的库仑破裂应力变化,并在此基础上初步分析了各重点监视区的未来发震危险性程度。结果表明：西秦岭断裂带监视区和六盘山断裂带监视区均处于长期构造背景场和历史地震影响共同加载应力的状况;而海原断裂带监视区和东昆仑断裂带监视区,如果不考虑长期构造背景的应力加载,则处于地震影响的卸载状况。考虑到这4个重点监视区的大震平均复发周期及上次大震事件的离逝时间,认为西秦岭断裂带监视区的未来强震危险性程度最高,海原断裂带次之,然后是东昆仑断裂带和六盘山断裂带。     

青藏高原地震断裂共轭角分布特征及其大陆动力学意义

青藏高原走滑型地震断裂共轭角的分布范围约为 5 0°～ 110°,总的趋势是随着与喜马拉雅驱动边界距离的增大而减小 ,并具有波状起伏的特征 ,反映多震层内应变随距离的变化。该层共轭角的波状起伏与岩石圈下层的应变起伏相互对应 ,前者滞后于后者 ,表明上层共轭角的变化主要受控于下层应变的波动传播。对于地震断裂共轭角分布特征的研究为多震层应变场的推测提供了新的途径     

Tectonic Stress State Changes Before and After the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 Earthquake in the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

Crustal tectonic activities are essentially the consequences of the accumulation and release of in situ stress. Therefore, studying the stress state near active faults is important for understanding crustal dynamics and earthquake occurrences. In this paper, using in situ stress measurement results obtained by hydraulic fracturing in the vicinity of the Longmenshan fault zone before and after the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 earthquake and finite element modeling, the variation of stress state before and after the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 earthquake is investigated. The results show that the shear stress, which is proportional to the difference between principal stresses, increases with depth and distance from the active fault in the calm period or after the earthquakes, and tends to approach to the regional stress level outside the zone influenced by the fault. This distribution appears to gradually reverse with time and the change of fault properties such as frictional strength. With an increase in friction coefficient, low stress areas are reduced and areas with increased stress accumulation are more obvious near the fault. In sections of the fault with high frictional strengths, in situ stress clearly increases in the fault. Stress accumulates more rapidly in the fault zone relative to the surrounding areas, eventually leading to a stress field that peaks at the fault zone. Such a reversal in the stress field between the fault zone and surrounding areas in the magnitude of the stress field is a potential indicator for the occurrence of strong earthquakes.     

Crustal Motion Characteristics in the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau and Adjacent Regions after the Wenchuan Earthquake

The Wenchuan earthquake has altered the crustal motion characteristics in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions.Using discontinuous GPS survey data for 2008–2012, the velocity field for the Eurasia reference framework has been obtained, and the general trend of contemporary crustal motion after the occurrence of the Wenchuan earthquake has been studied.In addition, using the velocity field, the block movement velocity has been estimated by least-squares fitting.Furthermore, the properties and displacement rates of main faults have been obtained from the differences in velocity vectors of the blocks on both sides of the faults.The results reveal that there are no obvious changes in the general characteristics of crustal motion in this area after the Wenchuan earthquake.The earthquake mainly changed the rate of the movement of the Chuan-Qing block and caused variation in the movement direction of the South China block.The effect of the earthquake on faults is mainly reflected in variations in fault displacement velocity; there is no fundamental change in the properties of fault activity.The displacement rates of the Xianshuihe fault decreased by 3–4 mm/a, the Longmenshan fault increased by 9–10 mm/a, and the northern segment of the Anninghe fault increased by approximately 9 mm/a.Furthermore, the displacement rates of the Minjiang, Xueshan, Huya, Longquanshan, and Xinjin faults increased by 2–3 mm/a.This implies that the effects of the Wenchuan earthquake on crustal movement can mainly be observed in the Chuan-Qing, South China, and N-Chuan-Dian blocks and their internal faults, as well as the Xianshuihe and Longmenshan faults and the northern section of the Anninghe fault.The reason for this is that the Wenchuan earthquake disturbed the kinematic and dynamic balance in the region.     

苏鲁-大别造山带岩石圈应力场、构造运动特征以及超高压变质带折返机制的研究

苏鲁-大别造山带是华北、华南地块之间的大地构造交界带.本文分析研究了我国东部地区的3000余年的地震活动性,并根据1918～2006年问苏鲁-大别及其周围地区发生的1000余个地震的震源机制解,系统研究了地壳应力场和构造运动的区域特征,探讨了超高压变质带的折返机制.结果表明,苏鲁带以及华北地区受到太平洋板块向欧亚板块俯冲挤压的同时,受到从贝加尔湖经过大华北直到琉球海沟的广阔地域里存在着的统一的、方位为170°的引张应力场的控制.右旋走滑运动是苏鲁地区和郯庐断裂带的现代构造运动的主要特征.地震发生类型多为右旋走滑型或右旋走滑正断层型地震.华南地区构造应力场主要表现为,受北西西向运动的菲律宾板块向欧亚板块碰撞挤压运动所产生的方位为110～120°挤压应力的控制.华北、华南地块之间现代地壳应力场的分界线,西部与秦岭带大致相符,在大别东开始则逐渐偏离大地构造,到黄山附近向东南偏转,在温州附近转为向东延伸,最终穿过东海直至琉球海沟.研究结果还表明,苏鲁-大别超高压变质带的折返运动机制,即致使大量超高压变质岩折返到上地壳或地表的岩石圈应力场背景原因为,中生代以来大华北地区存在着较强扩张应力场的主控作用.此外,岩石圈地幔的蘑菇云构造增强了华北地区扩张应力场及扩张构造运动,导致形成大量深裂谷、裂隙,深部物质上涌.苏鲁及东大别地带处于或接近蘑菇云构造运动发育地区的中心,深部地幔物质的上涌导致并加剧了超高压变质岩折返到上地壳或地表,形成了世界著名的苏鲁-别超高压变质带.     

苏鲁-大别造山带及其周围现代地壳应力场与构造运动区域特征

苏鲁-大别造山带是中国东部华北、华南地块之间的大地构造交界带.本文分析研究了我国东部的地震活动性,并根据1918～2005年间苏鲁-大别及其周围地区发生的1000余个地震的震源机制解,系统研究了应力场的区域特征以及华北、华南地壳应力场构造分区,探讨了其动力学来源以及构造运动特征.结果表明,中国东部大陆华北、华南地块地壳现代应力场和构造运动可以归结为太平洋板块和菲律宾海板块与欧亚板块之间相对运动,以及大陆板内区域块体之间相互作用的结果.华北地区受到太平洋板块向欧亚板块俯冲挤压的同时,受到从贝加尔湖经过大华北直到琉球海沟的广阔地域里存在着的统一的、方位为170°的引张应力场的控制.华北地区大地震的震源机制解均反映出震源应力场为ENE向挤压应力和NNW向张应力的共同作用.郯庐断裂带等华北地区的北北东走向的断裂带,表现为右旋走滑的现代构造运动特征.来自台湾纵谷的北西西向挤压应力控制了华南块体直至南北地震带南段东部地域的地壳应力场.本文研究结果表明,将中国东部大陆划分成华北、华南两部分的现代地壳应力场分界线,其西部大致与秦岭带相同,然而在大别及其以东地区则逐渐偏离大地构造带,到北纬30°后向东南偏转,在温州附近的北纬27°左右转为向东延伸,最终穿过东海直至琉球海沟.     

The Late Triassic I–Type Granites from the Longmu Co–Shuanghu Suture Zone in the interior of Tibetan Plateau, China: Petrogenesis and Implication for Slab Break–Off

The Jiangaidarina granitic mass(JM) is an important part of the magmatic belt in Longmu CoShuanghu Suture Zone(LSSZ) in the central Tibetan Plateau. An integrated research involving wholerock geochemistry, zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions was carried out to define the timing, genesis and tectonic setting of the JM. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages have been obtained ranging from 210 to 215 Ma, rather than the Early Jurassic as previously thought. Fifteen granite samples contain hornblendes and show a negative correlation between P_2 O_5 and SiO_2, indicating that the JM is an I-type granite. All the granites are enriched in LREE relative to HREE, with negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu*=0.56-0.81), and have similar trace elements patterns, with depletion of Ba, Nb, Sr and P. These suggest that the JM was fractionated, and this is also proved by the characteristic of negative correlations between oxide elements(TiO_2, MgO, FeOt, MnO, CaO) and SiO_2. Almost all ε_(Hf)(t) values of the granites are between-10.3 and-5.8, implying that the JM has a crustal source intimately related with the South Qiangtang Block(SQB), except for one(+10.2), showing a minor contribution from mantle source.Moreover, relatively low Na_2 O/K_2 O ratios(0.42-0.93) and high A/CNK values(0.91-1.50) reflect that the JM was predominately derived from the medium-high potassium basaltic crust, interacted with greywacke. Our new geochemical data and geochronological results imply that the Late Triassic magmas were generated in a post-collisional tectonic setting, probably caused by slab break-off of the Longmu Co-Shuanghu Tethyan Ocean(LSTO). This mechanism caused the asthenosphere upwelling, formed extension setting, offered an enormous amount of heat, and provided favorable conditions for emplacement of voluminous felsic magmas. Furthermore, the LSTO could be completely closed during the Middle Triassic, succeed by continental collision and later the slab broke off in the Late Triassic.