山西断陷带南部三维P波速度结构及地震分布特征

本研究使用山西测震台网记录的2010年1月～2019年12月地震观测数据,使用TomoDD方法,反演得到了山西断陷带南部（110°～114°E,34.5°～38.5°N）分辨率为0.2°的三维P波速度结构以及该区域地震重定位结果。反演结果显示：研究区的地壳速度结构与该区域的地表地质构造和沉积作用有关,5～10 km太原盆地、临汾盆地显示明显V_p低速分布,灵石隆起是以沉积作用为主导的地质活动,存在较大范围的沉积物,在5～10 km同样显示低速分布;峨眉山地台、吕梁山脉、太行山山区显示高速分布。而吕梁山脉在10 km以上为低速分布,可能与大同火山的上地幔岩浆构造活动有关;太原盆地自15 km深度不再延续5～10 km的低速分布而显示高速分布,说明太原盆地不受大同火山区上地幔构造活动影响,受青藏高原的推挤作用形成的可能性更大。重定位结果显示：地震丛集在断陷带内分布,震源深度集中在0～30 km。太原盆地内地震丛集事件发生在太原盆地北部,深度集中在20～25 km之间,速度剖面显示位于低速向高速转换区域内;交城断裂的应力集中以及介质结构的高低速变换是太原北部地震从集的主要原因。运城盆地内地震分布除盐湖序列外没有明显的丛集性。2016年3月12日发生的M_L4.8盐湖序列,主震发生在低速向高速过度区域内,其余震震源深度较主震浅,且基本发生在下方存在高速分布的低速区域内。盐湖序列M_L4.8主震的震源机制解与附近中条山北麓断裂的高角度正断层性质一致,说明主震受中条山北麓断裂活动影响。余震震源类型复杂,其中,逆断和逆断兼走滑机制与该地区区域背景应力场不符。综合机制解和速度结构的结果认为盐湖序列的发生机理较复杂,可能受该区域介质结构、隐伏断裂分布等综合作用,还需进一步研究。     

华南东南部上地幔远震P波速度结构及意义

本研究利用114个固定台站记录的121个远震事件,以钦杭结合带为中心,采用天然地震层析成像构建了华南东南部上地幔P波速度结构模型。研究结果表明：（1）钦杭结合带、武夷成矿带以及南岭成矿带的深部结构存在着差异,说明3个成矿带经历了不同的构造演化过程;（2）江绍断裂的上地幔中存在着低速异常,推测该低速异常为从地幔过渡带或者下地幔上涌的热物质,与钦杭结合带和武夷成矿带的成矿作用有着密切的关系;（3）下扬子地区上地幔底部的高速异常可能为拆沉的岩石圈,而华夏板块上地幔顶部的高速异常则有待进一步研究。本研究的结果为认识华南东南部的深部结构提供了新的证据。     

P-wave velocity and gradient images beneath the Okinawa Trough

To investigate the influence of spatial change of viscosity on postseismic deformation associated with the interplate 1946 Nankai earthquake (M 8.0) at the Nankai Trough, southwest Japan, we newly constructed a realistic viscoelastic structure model, taking into account temperature- and depth-dependent viscosity of materials. For this purpose, we first compiled leveling and triangulation data during postseismic periods and clarified characteristics of the amount and spatial patterns of postseismic vertical displacement and principal strain fields. Then, we calculated the spatial distributions of viscosity from temperature and flow fields, which were obtained from 2D subduction models. By incorporating the obtained viscosity structure into 3D viscoelastic finite element models, we constructed a temperature- and depth-dependent viscosity structure model (MODEL P2). Based on MODEL P2, we constructed a viscoelastic structure model, taking into account Poisson's ratio for the oceanic plate and low-velocity regions and the existence of low-viscosity materials beneath the Shikoku and Chugoku districts (MODEL P3), which were revealed from seismic tomography. We also constructed a conventional layered viscoelastic structure model (MODEL L1) and plate subduction model (MODEL P1) with constant viscosity for each region and evaluated the effects of different viscoelastic structures on postseismic surface deformations, using the coseismic slip distribution obtained by inversion analyses of geodetic data. We also compared the calculated surface deformations with the observed postseismic crustal deformations in and around Shikoku. The results show that postseismic surface deformation fields for the newly constructed MODEL P2 are rather different from those for MODELs L1 and P1. Landward horizontal displacements for MODEL P2 are smaller than those for MODELs L1 and P1, seaward horizontal displacements are negligible, and vertical displacement is characterized by small subsidence over Shikoku. The postseismic horizontal principal strain field for MODEL P2 is characterized by contractions in the N–S to NW–SE directions at amounts smaller than those for MODELs L1 and P1. Postseismic surface deformations for MODEL P3 are almost the same as those for MODEL P2. The observed postseismic vertical displacement and horizontal principal strain fields could not be explained by the viscoelastic response for the realistic viscoelastic structure models P2 and P3. This indicates that the effects of elastic and viscoelastic responses due to interplate coupling on the plate interface, after-slip at the extension of the coseismic slipped region, and poroelasticity should be taken into account to precisely estimate postseismic surface deformation. This also suggests that, in order to evaluate postseismic crustal deformations derived from a large interplate subduction zone earthquake, it is essential to use realistic temperature- and depth-dependent viscoelastic structure models.     

Calculations of upper-mantle P-wave velocity anisotropies

Discovery of anisotropy for upper-mantle P-wave velocities has resulted recently in many laboratory determinations of velocities for natural mantle material, either by direct measurement on rock samples or through calculations based on single-crystal elastic constants, fabrics and modal compositions Comparison of field and laboratory data provides gross constraints for convection processes and flow mechanisms. As natural peridotites yeidl a wide range of maximum seismic anisotropies, their depth of origin and deformation history are inferred from pyroxene geobarometry and geothermometry, and from stress estimates derived from neoblast grain sizes. Large maximum anisotropies (ca. 1.0 km/s) are typical of samples with fabrics strengthened by low-temperature/highstress deformation related to emplacement. Other highly anisotropic mantle material includes peridotites beneath continental rifts and thinned continental crust. Maximum anisotropies for ordinary suboceanic and infracontinental peridotites are generally in the range of the field data (0.3–0.6 km/s) and support a model with [010]_ol nearly vertical (in accord with observations on ophiolites) and [100]_ol subparallel to the spreading direction. On the basis of fabric data, seismic anisotropy should decrease with depth.     

Three-dimensional P-wave velocity image under the Carpathian arc

An inversion of P-wave travel time residuals from selected earthquakes in the distance range 30°–98° to two seismic station networks was used to model P-wave velocity anomalies down to 250 km depth. In the first inversion experiment a region between 43.5°–47.5°N and 21°–29°E was modelled, using 35 seismic stations, while in the second one a region between 44°–47°N and 25°–29°E was modelled, using 19 seismic stations. The 4-layer block model of the first inversion offers 19% reduction in residual variance, while the 5-layer block model of the second one offers 26% reduction, the rest being explained by noise and smaller scale heterogeneities. The obtained velocity anomalies correlate remarkably well with the gravity anomalies and with the tectonic model for the Vrancea region of Fuchs et al. (1979).     

Three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure beneath the Indonesian region

We present the P-wave seismic tomography image of the mantle to a depth of 1200 km beneath the Indonesian region. The inversion method is applied to a dataset of 118,203 P-wave travel times of local and teleseismic events taken from ISC bulletins. Although the resolution is sufficient for detailed discussion in only a limited part of the study region, the results clarify the general tectonic framework in this region and indicate a possible remnant seismic slab in the lower mantle.

Structures beneath the Philippine Islands and the Molucca Sea region are well resolved and high-velocity zones corresponding to the slabs of the Molucca Sea and Philippine Sea plates are well delineated. Seismic zones beneath the Manila, Negros and Cotabato trenches are characterized by high-velocity anomalies, although shallow structures were not resolved. The Molucca Sea collision zone and volcanic zones of the Sangihe and Philippine arcs are dominated by low-velocity anomalies. The Philippine Sea slab subducts beneath the Philippine Islands at least to a depth of 200 km and may reach depths of 450 km. The southern end of the slab extends at least to about 6°N near southern Mindanao. In the south, the two opposing subducting slabs of the Molucca Sea plate are clearly defined by the two opposing high-velocity zones. The eastward dipping slab can be traced about 400 km beneath the Halmahera arc and may extend as far north as about 5°N. Unfortunately, resolution is not sufficient to reveal detailed structures at the boundary region between the Halmahera and Philippine Sea slabs. The westward dipping slab may subduct to the lower mantle although its extent at depth is not well resolved. This slab trends N-S from about 10°N in the Philippine Islands to northern Sulawesi. A NE-SW-trending high-velocity zone is found in the lower mantle beneath the Molucca Sea region. This high-velocity zone may represent a remnant of the former subduction zone which formed the Sulawesi arc during the Miocene.

The blocks along the Sunda and Banda arcs are less well resolved than those in the Philippine Islands and the Molucca Sea region. Nevertheless, overall structures can be inferred. The bowl-shaped distribution of the seismicity of the Banda arc is clearly defined by a horseshoe-shaped high-velocity zone. The tomographic image shows that the Indian oceanic slab subducts to a depth deeper than 300 km i.e., deeper than its seismicity, beneath Andaman Islands and Sumatra and may be discontinuous in northern Sumatra. Along southern Sumatra, Java and the islands to the east, the slab appears to be continuous and can be traced down to at least a depth of the deepest seismicity, where it appears to penetrate into the lower mantle.     

层状介质P波非双曲走时速度误差分析

为提高各向异性非双曲速度分析的精度, 以适应大偏移距和复杂介质条件下的速度分析, 通过总结层状介质非双曲线速度参数估计的基本步骤, 同时利用数值模拟及相似度分析方法验证了非双曲线速度分析的可靠性, 反演出的速度结果与理论值的误差为1% ±。同时, 对各向异性参数η进行了误差分析, 发现η对误差相当敏感, 直接反演所得的η值与理论计算值误差高达12.87% , 因此最好进行直接拾取, 以提高速度分析的精度。     

Some remarks on the assessment of P-wave velocity in laboratory tests for evaluating the degree of saturation

Acta Geotechnica - This work stems from the need to validate a technique for a reliably measurement of the degree of saturation (Sr) in deposits composed of sandy soils to improve their...     

华南东部地区上地幔P波速度结构研究

基于华南东部宽频地震流动台阵的观测资料,采用三维有限差分走时成像法(FDtomo),开展了华南东部地区地壳-上地幔三维P波速度结构成像研究,结果显示华南东部地区水平面内速度分布差异较大,约163 km以上的地壳到上地幔下扬子地块存在近EW向的相对低速异常,而华夏地块则为高速异常,约163 km以下的上地幔下扬子地块和华夏板块速度异常发生反转,且两者大致以江山—绍兴断裂带为界呈反对称,对比显著。笔者认为该结构特征反映了晚中生代扬子克拉通岩石圈的拆沉过程。这一成果对理解中国东部中生代以来的构造演化以及壳幔的动力学过程提供了新的证据。     

3-D P-wave velocity structure of the crust beneath the Loess Plateau and surrounding regions of China

The crustal P-wave velocity structure beneath the Loess Plateau and surrounding regions, which is a transition zone between the Tibetan Plateau and the Huabei and Huanan Blocks of China, was tomographically imaged for the first time down to the depth of 80 km. The seismic sources comprised both local and regional earthquakes and the reconstruction was accomplished using a newly developed simultaneous inversion procedure, which solves for both the earthquake hypocentres and the 3-D velocity field. Special features of the procedure include a modified shortest path algorithm for the bent ray tracing, an analytic Jacobian matrix for solution updating, and a damped, minimum norm, constrained non-linear solver based on a CG approach. The velocity structure obtained is more complex than previously thought. The lateral velocity variations are consistent with the U-shaped seismic ring structure but the vertical variations along the Fenwei seismic belt are consistent with the mechanism of the Mountain-Basin generalized system formation. The velocity images of Loess Plateau, the transition zone may help to build a geodynamic mechanism for inland China, to explain the formation of ground fissures so prevalent in the Loess Plateau.     

苏鲁—大别超高压变质带地壳速度结构及其俯冲、折返机制

三维P波速度解析研究结果表明，苏鲁-大别超高压变质带岩石圈地壳速度结构均具有上地壳明显高速且上凸、中地壳增厚、下地壳埋藏较深且莫霍面下凹等基本特征。与大别地区相比较，苏鲁超高压变质带存在着上地壳波速更高，且地表高速区面积与上地壳高速体体积大于大别；而莫霍面下凹程度不如大别地区，地壳山根已逐步趋向消失等独特的区域特征。显示了苏鲁地区曾发生过更激烈的俯冲与折返构造运动，与大别地区相比，有更多高速、高密度的超高压变质岩折返到上地壳与地表；然而在造山运动过程中比大别更早进入了造山运动后期等特征。对比研究结果表明，苏鲁-大别地段的造山、演化过程中，在构造运动基本相似的背景下，存在着区域性特征。苏鲁地区的造山运动以及超高压变质作用，有起始略晚、发生时期较短但相对激烈、结束早、比大别更早进入了造山运动的后期等特征。笔者分析了苏鲁区域性特征形成的主要构造原因是，郯庐断裂带的大规模左旋走滑运动以及通过中国华北区域的大范围NXV—SE向扩张应力场的影响。其中，中生代以来大华北地区的大区域扩张应力场的影响可能是该区俯冲到地幔内的超高压变质岩能够大量折返回地表或上地壳的重要构造原因。     

The heterogeneous upper mantle low velocity zone

The upper mantle low velocity zone (LVZ) is a depth interval with slightly reduced seismic velocity compared to the surrounding depth intervals. The zone is present below a relatively constant depth of 100 km in most continental parts of the world, both in cratonic areas with high average velocity and tectonically active areas with low average velocity. Evidence for the low velocity zone arises from controlled and natural source seismology, including studies of surface waves and of primary and multiple reflections of body waves from the bounding interfaces, calculations of receiver functions, and absolute velocity tomography. The available data indicates a more pronounced reduction in seismic velocity and Q-value for S-waves than P-waves as well as high electrical conductivity in the LVZ. Seismic waves are strongly scattered by the zone, which demonstrates the existence of small-scale heterogeneity. The depth to the base of the LVZ is systematically shallower in cold, stable cratonic areas than in hot, active regions of the world. Because of its global occurrence below a relative constant depth of 100 km, the LVZ cannot be explained by metamorphic or compositional variation and rheological changes. Calculated upper mantle temperatures indicate that the rocks are close to the solidus in an interval with variable thickness below 100 km depth, provided that the rocks contain water and carbon dioxide. The presence of, even small amounts of such fluids in the mantle rocks will lower the solidus by several hundred degrees and introduce a characteristic kink on the solidus curve around 80–100 km depth. The seismic velocities and Q-values are significantly reduced of rocks, which are close to the solidus or contain small amounts of partial melt. Hence, the LVZ may be explained by upper mantle temperatures being close to the solidus in a depth interval below 100 km. Assuming that the rocks contain only limited amounts of fluids, this mechanism may explain the low velocities, Q-values, and resistivity, as well as the intrinsic scattering, and the characteristic variation in thickness of the low velocity zone.     

A correlation between P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness with mechanical properties of travertine building stones

As known, P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness are non-destructive tests, which have been used for many years in geological, geotechnical, and civil engineering as an index tests for a quick assessment of rocks mechanical properties due to its rapidity and easiness, and non-destructiveness. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness with some of mechanical properties of travertine building stones by empirical equations. Moreover, we have compared the accuracy of P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness to estimate the mechanical properties of rocks. For this purpose, 15 types of travertine have been collected from various quarries of Iran and tested. The tests include the determination of P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness, and mechanical properties include the unconfined compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength, and point load strength. Using data analysis, empirical equations have been developed for estimating the mechanical properties from P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness. To check the validity of the empirical equations, a t test was performed, which confirmed the validity of the proposed empirical equations. Moreover, the results show that P-wave velocity appears to be more reliable than the Schmidt hardness for estimating the mechanical properties. Consequently, we propose empirical equations avoiding from cumbersome and time consuming tests for determining the mechanical properties of rocks.     

The effect of specimen diameter size on uniaxial compressive strength,P-wave velocity and the correlation between them

Estimation of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) by P-wave velocity (V_P) is of great interest to geotechnical engineers in various design projects. The specimen diameter size is one of the main factors that influence rock parameters such as UCS and V_P. In this study, the diameter size of specimens that effect UCS and V_P is investigated. Moreover, the correlation between UCS and V_P are examined via empirical analysis. For this purpose, 15 travertine samples were collected and core specimens with a diameters size of 38, 44, 54, 64 and 74 mm were prepared. Then, uniaxial compressive strength and P-wave velocity tests were conducted according to the procedure suggested by ISRM (1981). It is concluded that the diameter size of the specimen has a significant effect on UCS and V_P. Moreover, it was found that the best correlation between relevant parameters obtained for the specimen diameter of 38 mm.     

P-wave velocity structure under the Changbaishan volcanic region, NE China, from wide-angle reflection and refraction data

We present velocity models determined by inverting refracted and reflected arrivals along two active source lines in the Changbaishan volcanic region, NE China. We resolve a prominent low-velocity zone (LVZ) in the crust, with velocities as low as 5.4 km/s. Away from the LVZ, the velocity gradients in the crust are relatively smooth, with average P-wave velocities of about 6.0–6.5 km/s. The Moho is at about 35 km depth, thickening to about 40 km under the Tianchi volcano, and thinning to about 30 km under the LVZ. The LVZ is located about 30–60 km to the north of the summit of the Tianchi volcano (the most recently active volcano in the region), is about 30–75 km in north–south extent, is at most 35 km in east–west extent, and is in the depth range of about 10–25 km below the surface. We use these results to constrain receiver function inversions, and show that the receiver functions in the region are compatible with our findings. With these data alone, the significance of the LVZ in non-unique, although we do not see any evidence to support the presence of partial melt in the crust, and favor the interpretation that the LVZ indicates a residual crustal magma chamber.     

地幔转换带中的水及其地球动力学意义

综述了近20年国际上地幔转换带中水的研究进展。前人研究表明,地球深部的水主要以OH-(hy-droxyl)形式存储在名义上无水矿物(NAMs)中。高温高压实验研究表明,地幔转换带中的主要矿物均具有较高的储水能力,且在转换带的温压条件下,其储水能力随着温度的升高而降低,其中瓦兹利石(β-Ol)和林伍德石(γ-Ol)的储水能力为2%～3%,超硅石榴子石(Mj)的储水能力为0.1%左右,据此估算地幔转换带的储水能力约为1.2%～1.91%,是地表水总量的3.9～6.2倍;而转换带除外的上地幔和下地幔主要矿物的含水量或储水能力均小于0.1%,因此与上、下地幔相比,地幔转换带可能是地幔的主要储水库。尽管地幔转换带具有较强的储水能力,但对地幔转换带的实际含水量还存在干、湿两方面的地质和地球物理证据和争议。地幔转换带中的水会对转换带中一系列的过程产生重要影响,当水含量增加时,橄榄石(Ol)向β-Ol、γ-Ol分解以及超硅石榴石的分解反应分别向低压、高压和低压方向迁移,从而由橄榄石向β-Ol和γ-Ol分解两个相变反应界定的转换带宽度也会增加;水还会使地幔深部的部分熔融温度降低,熔体的密度降低;同时,水的加入可以很好地解释地幔岩pyrolite模型在410km不连续面处产生的与地震波测量不相符突变,也可以解决全地幔对流模式所不能解释的地幔成分分层问题。因此,深入研究和探讨转换带中的水对地球深部动力学过程的影响,包括中国东部地区受太平洋板块深俯冲作用的影响,均具有重要的约束和研究意义。     

Temperature and density of the Tyrrhenian lithosphere and slab and new interpretation of gravity field in the Tyrrhenian Basin

The gravity anomaly field of the Tyrrhenian basin and surrounding regions reflects the complex series of geodynamic events active in this area since the Oligocene–Miocene. They can resume in lithospheric thinning and asthenospheric rising beneath the Tyrrhenian Basin, coexisting with the roll-back subduction of the African plate margin westward sinking beneath the Calabrian Arc. The geographic closeness between these processes implies an intense perturbation of the mantle thermal regime and an interference at regional scale between the related gravity effects.A model of the litho-asthenospheric structure of this region is suggested, showing a reasonable agreement with both the evidences in terms of regional gravity anomaly pattern and the results concerning thermal state and petro-physical features of the mantle. The first phase of this study consisted of the computation of the isotherms in the crust–mantle system beneath the Tyrrhenian Basin and, afterwards, of the density distribution within the partially melted upwelling asthenosphere. The second phase consisted of a temperature/density modelling of the slab subducting beneath the Calabrian Arc. Finally, a 2^1 / 2 interpretation of gravity data was carried out by including as constraints the results previously obtained. Thus, the final result depicts a model matching both gravity, thermal and petrographic data. They provide (a) a better definition of the thermal regime of the passive mantle rise beneath the Tyrrhenian basin by means of the estimation of the moderate asthenospheric heating and (b) a model of lithospheric slab subducting with rates that could be smaller than generally suggested in previous works.     

北山构造带南部上地壳二维初至波层析成像

花海盆地—北山构造带南部位于青藏高原东北缘以北地区,是特提斯洋和古亚洲洋两大构造域的交接部位,自新元古代晚期以来经历了多期次、多阶段的板块裂解-俯冲-碰撞-拼合的演化历史,尤其是中生代以来的逆冲推覆和走滑作用,以及受新生代以来印度板块和欧亚板块碰撞的远程效应影响,导致青藏高原东北缘的向北扩展,形成了现今复杂的地质地貌结构。其地壳结构记录了多期构造作用的叠加,上地壳结构更是促进我们理解青藏高原东北缘向外的扩展机制及其对周缘块体的改造作用的天然记录本。本文利用2018年中国地质科学院在北山构造带南部完成的180 km深反射地震剖面的初至波(Pg震相)数据,通过层析成像反演方法,获得了花海盆地—北山构造带4 km深度范围内的上地壳P波速度结构。其主要特征为:花海盆地、总口子盆地和扎格高脑盆地均表现为较低的速度和较小的垂向速度梯度;研究区内的晚古生代花岗岩体具有明显的高速异常和较大的垂向速度梯度特征;左行走滑的阿尔金断裂带在花海盆地内表现为向北倾的高角度走滑性质,深度至少切穿花海盆地基底;北山南缘断裂带的推测隐伏区呈现速度等值线下凹的低速异常特征。同时,反演揭示的多处低速异常区指示了北山构造带南部的多处断层发育情况。     

P-wave velocity structure of the margin of the southeastern Tsushima Basin in the Japan Sea using ocean bottom seismometers and airguns

The Tsushima Basin is located in the southwestern Japan Sea, which is a back-arc basin in the northwestern Pacific. Although some geophysical surveys had been conducted to investigate the formation process of the Tsushima Basin, it remains unclear. In 2000, to clarify the formation process of the Tsushima Basin, the seismic velocity structure survey with ocean bottom seismometers and airguns was carried out at the southeastern Tsushima Basin and its margin, which are presumed to be the transition zone of the crustal structure of the southwestern Japan Island Arc. The crustal thickness under the southeastern Tsushima Basin is about 17 km including a 5 km thick sedimentary layer, and 20 km including a 1.5 km thick sedimentary layer under its margin. The whole crustal thickness and thickness of the upper part of the crust increase towards the southwestern Japan Island Arc. On the other hand, thickness of the lower part of the crust seems more uniform than that of the upper part. The crust in the southeastern Tsushima Basin has about 6 km/s layer with the large velocity gradient. Shallow structures of the continental bank show that the accumulation of the sediments started from lower Miocene in the southeastern Tsushima Basin. The crustal structure in southeastern Tsushima Basin is not the oceanic crust, which is formed ocean floor spreading or affected by mantle plume, but the rifted/extended island arc crust because magnitudes of the whole crustal and the upper part of the crustal thickening are larger than that of the lower part of the crustal thickening towards the southwestern Japan Island Arc. In the margin of the southeastern Tsushima Basin, high velocity material does not exist in the lowermost crust. For that reason, the margin is inferred to be a non-volcanic rifted margin. The asymmetric structure in the both margins of the southeastern and Korean Peninsula of the Tsushima Basin indicates that the formation process of the Tsushima Basin may be simple shear style rather than pure shear style.     

Multiple generations of pseudotachylyte in the Wenchuan fault zone and their implications for coseismic weakening

Pseudotachylytes are generally considered to be remnent products of past earthquakes, conveying significant information, which provide improved insight into the fault behavior and their mechanical properties. Pseudotachylytes and cataclastic rocks are exposed in the Pengguan complex along the Yingxiu-Beichuan fault zone, which ruptured during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau in Sichuan province, China. From outcrop investigations, pseudotachylyte veins are gray, dark-gray, brown and black, with thicknesses ranging from several mm to ∼10 cm. Microstructural observations, via optical microscope and SEM, show that distinct textures, such as spherulites, microlites, honeycomb-like vesicle structures, flow textures, irregularly shaped and deep embayed clasts, are present in the pseudotachylytes, suggesting that the pseudotachylytes are indeed melt-origin. Different colored veins and their overprinting relations observed at both macroscopic and microscopic scales, demonstrate that seismic faulting events and the associated generations of pseudotachylyte occurred repeatedly along the Yingxiu-Beichuan fault zone. Friction melt lubrication, thermal pressurization and mechanical lubrication, all can exist during one fault slip motion, indicating that multiple fault weakening mechanisms may work during a single coseismic event.