Earthquake swarms in the Kamchatka subduction zone and estimation of possible tsunami generation locations

An analysis of the space-time locations of earthquake swarms in the Kamchatka subduction zone showed that the source zones of these earthquake swarms, as well as of the epicenters of most tsunami-generating earthquakes, are confined to the seamounts in the barrier ridge between Kamchatka and the deep-sea trench. The ??dot clouds?? of hypocenters of practically all earthquake swarms dip toward the trench on seismic sections that are oriented across the subduction zone trend; this fits the auxiliary focal solution of tsunami-generating earthquakes as was first noticed by L.M. Balakina and is in agreement with the model experiment carried out by L.I. Lobkovskii et al. We discuss a likely scenario for the generation of reverse-thrust blocks whose movements are accompanied by earthquake swarms and by tsunami-generating earthquakes. We estimate the locations of the most probable tsunami generation.     

板片深部俯冲动力学研究的新进展

高精度的层析成像结果显示了全球范围内形态各异的俯冲板片,这充分表明地球动力学过程的复杂性.本文简单回顾了影响板片俯冲的主要因素和对俯冲板片有关的,如对地震、火山、弧后变形等地球物理现象的各种合理解释.讨论中国东北新生代火山的地球动力学背景可能是不同于一般俯冲带火山的成因.     

Kamchatka subduction zone,May 2013: the Mw 8.3 deep earthquake,preceding shallow swarm and numerous deep aftershocks

A sequence of 98 teleseismically recorded earthquakes occurred off the east coast of Kamchatka at depths between 10-90 km around latitude 52.5°N and longitude 160°E on May 16–23, 2013. The swarm occurred along the northern limit of the rupture area of the 1952 M_w 9.0 great Kamchatka earthquake, the fifth largest earthquake in the history of seismic observations. On May 24, 2013 the strongest deep earthquake ever recorded of M_w 8.3 occurred beneath the Sea of Okhotsk at a depth of 610 km in the Pacific slab of the Kamchatka subduction zone, becoming the northernmost deep earthquake in the region. The deep M_w 8.3 earthquake occurred down-dip of the shallow swarm in a transition zone between the southern deep and northern shallow segments of the Pacific slab. Several deep aftershocks followed, covering a large, laterally elongated part of the slab. We suppose that the two described earthquake sequences, the May 16–23 shallow earthquake swarm and the May 24–28 deep mainshock-aftershock series, represent a single tectonic event in the Pacific slab having distinct properties at different depth levels. A low-angle underthrusting of the shallow part of the slab recorded by the shallow earthquake swarm activated the deep part; this process induced the deep mainshock-aftershock series only three days after the swarm. The domain of the subducting slab activated by the May 2013 earthquake occurrence was extraordinarily large both down-dip and along-strike.     

The seismogenic zone of subduction thrust faults

Abstract Subduction thrust faults generate earthquakes over a limited depth range. They are aseismic in their seaward updip portions and landward downdip of a critical point. The seaward shallow aseismic zone, commonly beneath accreted sediments, may be a consequence of unconsolidated sediments, especially stable-sliding smectite clays. Such clays are dehydrated and the fault may become seismogenic where the temperature reaches 100--150°C, that is, at a 5--15 km depth. Two factors may determine the downdip seismogenic limit. For subduction of young hot oceanic lithosphere beneath large accretionary sedimentary prisms and beneath continental crust, the transition to aseismic stable sliding is temperature controlled. The maximum temperature for seismic behavior in crustal rocks is ～ 350°C, regardless of the presence of water. In addition, great earthquake ruptures initiated at less than this temperature may propagate with decreasing slip to where the temperature is ～ 450°C. For subduction beneath thin island arc crust and beneath continental crust in some areas, the forearc mantle is reached by the thrust shallower than the 350°C temperature. The forearc upper mantle probably is aseismic because of stable-sliding serpentinite hydrated by water from the underthrusting oceanic crust and sediments. For many subduction zones the downdip seismogenic width defined by these limits is much less than previously assumed. Within the narrowly defined seismic zone, most of the convergence may occur in earthquakes. Numerical thermal models have been employed to estimate temperatures on the subduction thrust planes of four continental subduction zones. For Cascadia and Southwest Japan where very young and hot plates are subducting, the downdip seismogenic limit on the subduction thrust is thermally controlled and is shallow. For Alaska and most of Chile, the forearc mantle is reached before the critical temperature, and mantle serpentinite provides the limit. In all four regions, the seismogenic zones so defined agree with estimates of the extent of great earthquake rupture, and with the downdip extent of the interseismic locked zone.     

俯冲带库仑楔形体力学

楔形体理论研究楔形体在底部摩擦力、重力和边界外力共同作用下内部的应力状态,有助于我们定量分析断层强度和岩石性质与楔形体稳定状态之间的关系.本文首先简要介绍基于不同楔形体材料而得出的应力解析解.然后介绍基于理想弹塑性材料的俯冲带库仑楔应力解析解.最后介绍基于该解析解而提出的动态库仑楔形体理论.俯冲带地震反射剖面数据表明,弧前靠近海沟部分地表坡度比较陡,其内部经历复杂永久塑性变形（称为外部楔形体,outer wedge）.而靠近内陆部分地表坡度比较平缓,反射剖面显示沉积层呈水平规则分布,常伴随沉积盆地（称为内部楔形体,inner wedge）.动态库仑楔形体理论认为弧前这种地表形态和内部构造特征的不同,可能反映了断层面摩擦性质的差异性.内部楔形体对应于断层面上的生震带,在地震周期可能主要经历弹性变形.而外部楔形体对应于断层面上的无震蠕滑部分,在地震发生时可能产生塑性破坏、永久变形.

     

西北太平洋俯冲带及其深震活动

俯冲带是理解地球内部物质循环和能量交换、大陆岩石圈演化、地震和火山活动及矿产资源分布等的重要环节.本文聚焦于西北太平洋俯冲带,通过汇集多种地震观测研究结果,清晰地揭示了由日本海沟至中国东北的俯冲板片整体活动图像,即整个西北太平洋俯冲板片的主压应力轴一致地稳定在俯冲方向上,俯冲板片上深浅部的显著地震活动存在密切的关联性;俯冲板片深处的亚稳态橄榄岩楔形区及其周边是深源地震多发区,深源地震可能是由亚稳态橄榄岩楔形区内的相变断层开始破裂的;在410~660 km深的地幔过渡带内处观测到的俯冲板片上下界面,揭示了俯冲板片的层状组分结构和板块下侧的高含水量.为更好地约束日本海下方的俯冲板片结构和深入探讨西太平洋的俯冲动力作用,有待于在全球罕有的大陆深部不断发生深震的西北太平洋俯冲区,开展海陆联合的地球物理探测及岩石高温高压实验和地球动力学模拟等研究.

     

Seismotectonic analysis of the Yana-Indigirka segment of the Chersky zone

Kinematic types of seismogenerating structures, morphotectonic features of the present-day topography, and the corresponding tectonic stress fields derived from the focal mechanisms of local earthquake and the types of Late Cenozoic folding and faulting are analyzed to create a model of current geodynamics in the Yana-Indigirka segment of the Chersky seismotectonic zone. The kinematic environment in the Yana-Indigirka segment of the Chersky seismotectonic zone is a result of the interaction of conjugate differently oriented strike-slip displacements under transpression conditions (a compression with strike-slip). It is possible to reconstruct these conditions, if we assume that the Kolyma-Omolon block (superterrain) located in the frontal part of the North American Plate played the role of an active indenter during the approach of the North American and Eurasian Plates.     

Reverse metasomatism of subduction zone fluids

<正>1. Fluid metasomatism in subduction zones Subduction zones are the key tectonic setting that links Earth’s surficial sphere to deep sphere(Zheng and Chen,2016). Fluid action occurring in subduction zones is closely related to many important geological processes such as volcanic and seismic activity, the migration, enrichment and mineralization of metallogenic elements, mass transport and crust-mantle material cycling,     

Upper mantle structure in the ocean-continent transition zone: Kamchatka

We consider results from modeling the crustal and upper mantle velocity structure in Kamchatka by seismic tomography and compare these with gravity data and present-day tectonics. We found a well-pronounced (in the physical fields) vertical and lateral variation for the upper mantle and found that it is controlled by fault tectonics. Not only are individual lithosphere blocks moving along faults, but also parts of the Benioff zone. The East Kamchatka volcanic belt (EKVB) is confined to the asthenospheric layer (the asthenosphere lens) at a depth of 70–80 km; this lens is 10–20 km thick and seismic velocity in it is lower by 2–4%. The top of the asthenosphere lens has the shape of a dome uplift beneath the Klyuchevskoi group of volcanoes and its thickness is appreciably greater; overall, the upper mantle in this region is appreciably stratified. A low-velocity heterogeneity (asthenolith) at least 100 km thick has been identified beneath the Central Kamchatka depression; we have determined its extent in the upper mantle and how it is related to the EKVB heterogeneities. Gravity data suggest the development of a rift structure under the Sredinnyi Range volcanic belt. The Benioff zone was found to exhibit velocity inhomogeneity; the anomalous zones that have been identified within it are related to asthenosphere inhomogeneities in the continental and oceanic blocks of the mantle.     

The exhumation of high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terranes in subduction zone: Questions and discussions

Science China Earth Sciences - In terms of petrology, thermomechanical simulation is an important frontier to study the geodynamic process of the exhumation and uplift of high pressure (HP) to...     

阿留申—阿拉斯加俯冲带及周边地区地幔过渡带结构研究

利用国家测震台网固定台站和"中国地震科学台阵探测"项目在南北地震带北段布设的宽频带流动台阵记录到的极远震事件,通过SS前驱波震相研究,获得了阿留申—阿拉斯加俯冲带东段及邻区下方410 km和660 km间断面的埋深和起伏形态特征.为增强对SS前驱波震相的识别,我们采用了时差校正和共反射点叠加分析.叠加结果显示,毗邻阿留申俯冲带的白令海、阿拉斯加半岛、以及阿拉斯加中南部和东部地区下方,410 km和660 km间断面的埋深基本呈正相关关系,因而具有正常的过渡带厚度.这表明在阿留申—阿拉斯加俯冲带东段,北太平洋板块还没有俯冲到地幔过渡带深度范围内.其次,在阿拉斯加西部地区下方,660 km间断面出现明显下沉,而上覆的410 km间断面埋深接近于全球平均值,从而导致过渡带明显加厚.据此,我们推测在阿拉斯加西部地区下方地幔过渡带底部可能存在库拉残留板块.     

A proterozoic subduction zone in southern Sweden

Optical microscopy and chemical analyses for major and trace elements have been performed on 27 Proterozoic metavolcanics from southern Sweden. The metavolcanics and associated metasediments are part of a large arced structure around a vast region with granitic batholiths.The compositional data show that the rocks are altered basalts and andesites and the Si, Ti, Zr and Cr relations demonstrate that almost half of the metabasalts are in accordance with present day arc volcanics and that another large fraction represents ocean floor tholeiites. These relations suggest that major plate tectonic processes occurred already during the Proterozoic in southern Sweden and that during these processes arc volcanics and ocean floor basalts were mixed at a subduction zone.     

Precursory seismic quiescence along the Sumatra-Andaman subduction zone: past and present

In this study, the seismic quiescence prior to hazardous earthquakes was analyzed along the Sumatra-Andaman subduction zone (SASZ). The seismicity data were screened statistically with mainshock earthquakes of M _w?≥?4.4 reported during 1980–2015 being defined as the completeness database. In order to examine the possibility of using the seismic quiescence stage as a marker of subsequent earthquakes, the seismicity data reported prior to the eight major earthquakes along the SASZ were analyzed for changes in their seismicity rate using the statistical Z test. Iterative tests revealed that Z factors of N?=?50 events and T?=?2?years were optimal for detecting sudden rate changes such as quiescence and to map these spatially. The observed quiescence periods conformed to the subsequent major earthquake occurrences both spatially and temporally. Using suitable conditions obtained from successive retrospective tests, the seismicity rate changes were then mapped from the most up-to-date seismicity data available. This revealed three areas along the SASZ that might generate a major earthquake in the future: (i) Nicobar Islands (Z?=?6.7), (ii) the western offshore side of Sumatra Island (Z?=?7.1), and (iii) western Myanmar (Z?=?6.7). The performance of a stochastic test using a number of synthetic randomized catalogues indicated these levels of anomalous Z value showed the above anomaly is unlikely due to chance or random fluctuations of the earthquake. Thus, these three areas have a high possibility of generating a strong-to-major earthquake in the future.     

马尼拉俯冲带的地震层析成像研究

基于国际地震中心的P波走时数据和层析成像反演方法,获得了具有较高分辨率的马尼拉俯冲带的深部速度模型.结果表明,（1）高速的南海俯冲板片沿马尼拉俯冲带的俯冲形态随纬度发生变化,在14°N和16°N之间,板片俯冲角度较大,俯冲深度可达400~500 km,在17°N附近,俯冲板片角度和深度较南部变小,而在18°N附近,俯冲板片以近垂直角度俯冲到地幔转换带;（2）17°N和18°N之间俯冲角度的变化意味着南海板片发生了撕裂;（3）在14°N附近,南海板片由300 km以上的近垂直俯冲转为200~300 km深度的近水平展布,与震源分布存在较大的差异,表明南海板片发生了撕裂,并且导致410 km间断面抬升.根据成像结果计算的不同位置南海板片的俯冲长度和时间表明,南海板片俯冲之前的面积为现今面积的两倍,14°N最先开始发生俯冲,并由南向北扩展.     

Blueschist: A window into high-pressure/low-temperature metamorphism and subduction zone dynamics

Science China Earth Sciences - Blueschist is a regional metamorphic rock formed under high-pressure (HP) low-temperature (LT) conditions. It is formed in the subduction zone environment with low...     

Source spectra and RMS acceleration of Mexican subduction zone earthquakes

Strong motion (SM) data of six Mexican subduction zone earthquakes (6.4M _S8.1) recorded near the epicentral zone are analyzed to estimate their far-field source acceleration spectra at higher frequencies (f0.3 Hz). Apart from the usual corrections such as geometrical spreading (1/R), average radiation pattern (0.6), free surface amplification (a factor of 2), and equal partitioning of the energy into two orthogonal horizontal components (a factor of 1/ ), the observed spectra are corrected for a frequency dependentQ(Q=100f), a site dependent filter (e ^–kf ), and amplification ofS waves near the surface (a factor of about 2 atf2Hz). We takeR as the average distance from the rupture area to the site. If we model the high frequency plateau (f1 Hz) of the source spectra, by a point source ^–2-model, and interpret them in terms of Brune's model we obtain between 50 and 100 bars for all earthquakes. The low-frequency broadband teleseismicP wave spectra, corrected witht ^*=1.0 s, agrees within a factor of two with SM source spectra near 1 Hz. The ^–2-model is inadequate to explain the observed source spectra in a broad frequency range; these resemble spectra given byGusev (1983) with some differences.SM source acceleration spectra require significant corrections to explain observed spectra and RMS acceleration (a_rms) (a) at farther coastal sites for extended sources due to directivity effect and (b) at inland sites (100R200 km) because of unaccounted path and site amplification and/or invalidity of body-wave approximation. The observed spectra and a_rms at these sites are significantly greater than the predicted values from the estimated source spectra.     

Seismotectonic models and CN algorithm: The case of Italy

The CN algorithm is utilized here both for the intermediate term earthquake prediction and to validate the seismotectonic model of the Italian territory. Using the results of the analysis, made through the CN algorithm and taking into account the seismotectonic model, three main areas, one for Northern Italy, one for Central Italy and one for Southern Italy, are defined. Two transition areas between the three main areas are delineated. The earthquakes which occurred in these two areas contribute to the precursor phenomena identified by the CN algorithm in each main area.     

西北太平洋俯冲地区410-km间断面上覆低速层探测

自20世纪90年代首次探测到410-km间断面上覆低速层以来,全球多个俯冲带和大陆克拉通地区都陆续发现了该低速层结构.对其特性及形成机理的探讨是深部地幔结构、物性和动力学研究的热点问题.本文聚焦于西北太平洋俯冲地区410-km间断面上覆低速层的探测及特性研究上.通过对发生于日本北海道地区两个中等深度地震区域波形资料的分析,利用三重震相波形拟合方法获得了我国东北及日本海西北部下方410-km间断面附近的P波速度结构.速度模型明确显示,410-km间断面上方存在厚~47±14 km,异常值~2%的低速层,横向展布近700 km.结合区域地震层析成像、矿物高温高压物理实验及动力学模拟结果,我们否定了"从下至上"的上涌热物质导致410-km间断面上覆低速层的模型;认为较老且快速俯冲的太平洋板块在地幔过渡带顶部脱水导致硅酸盐矿物的部分熔融,由于熔体密度较大能够稳定存在于410-km间断面之上,从而产生了观测到的横向展布较广的410-km间断面上覆低速层结构.     

日本海沟俯冲带热结构与深源地震

本文利用有限差分方法,计算了全地幔对流模式和双层地幔对流模式下日本海沟俯冲带热结构、浮力及P波速度异常分布,基于亚稳态橄榄石相变模型推测亚稳态橄榄石的存在范围,同时分析了热传导系数、热膨胀系数和热源对俯冲带热结构的影响,以及俯冲带所受浮力与俯冲带形态的关系.结果表明,双层地幔对流模式下模拟的P波速度异常分布与层析成像结果更为相符,也与深源地震的分布有较好的相关性.板块内部亚稳态橄榄石的存在范围随热传导系数和热膨胀系数的减小而增大,同时忽略相变潜热和剪切生热的影响也会造成模型所预测的亚稳态橄榄石范围偏大.俯冲带所受负浮力在400 km深度附近达到最大值,亚稳态橄榄石的存在使负浮力逐渐减小,甚至在板块内部产生正浮力,不利于俯冲带穿透660 km相变界面.