Observations of mine seismicity in the eastern Wasatch Plateau,Utah, U.S.A.: A possible case of implosional failure

In the summer of 1984, a three-dimensional, high-resolution microearthquake network was operated in the vicinity of two coal mines beneath Gentry Mountain in the eastern Wasatch Plateau, Utah. During a six-week period, approximately 3,000 seismic events were observed of which the majority were impulsive, higher frequency (>10 Hz), short duration (<2–3 sec) events probably associated with the caving of the roof from a longwall operation. In contrast, 234 of the largest located events appeared to occur predominantlybeneath the mines to a depth of 2 to 3 km consistent with previous studies. The magnitudes of these events ranged from less thanM _c 0 to 1.6. In addition to the unusual depths of these latter events, an anomalous aspect displayed by the events was an apparent dilatational focal mechanism suggesting a non-double-couple, possibly implosional source. Implosional events have been observed in other studies of mine seismicity; however, the generally inadequate instrumental coverage of the focal sphere has cast some doubt on the validity of such mechanisms. Previously suggested source mechanisms for such implosional events have included tensional failure through strata collapse, and a shear-implosional displacement mechanism. Shear failure must be involved in the failure process of the Gentry Mountain implosional events as evidenced by well-defined shear waves in the observed seismograms. Simultaneous monitoring in the East Mountain coal mining area to the south by the University of Utah revealed typical shear failure events mixed with implosional events. The observed double-couple, reverse focal mechanisms at East Mountain were similar to mechanisms determined in previous studies and a composite focal mechanism determined in this study for a sequence outside the mining areas. This suggested that the shear events within the mining areas are being influenced by the regional tectonic stress field. Thus in addition to the seismic events associated with caving of the roof from the longwall operation, there appear to be at least two other types of mining-induced seismic events occurring in the eastern Wasatch Plateau, both submine in origin: (1) events characterized by apparent non-double-couple possibly implosional focal mechanisms and well-defined shear waves; and (2) shear events, which are indistinguishable from tectonic earthquakes and may be considered mining triggered earthquakes. The small mining-induced stress changes that occur beyond a few hundred meters from the mine workings suggest both types of seismic events are occurring on critically stressed, pre-existing zones of weakness. Topography, overburden, method of mining, and mine configuration also appear to be significant factors influencing the occurrence of the implosional submine events.     

Source process of the 1990 Gonghe,China, earthquake and tectonic stress field in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) plateau

TheM _s =6.9 Gonghe, China, earthquake of April 26, 1990 is the largest earthquake to have been documented historically as well as recorded instrumentally in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) plateau. The source process of this earthquake and the tectonic stress field in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang plateau are investigated using geodetic and seismic data. The leveling data are used to invert the focal mechanism, the shape of the slipped region and the slip distribution on the fault plane. It is obtained through inversion of the leveling data that this earthquake was caused by a mainly reverse dip-slipping buried fault with strike 102°, dip 46° to SSW, rake 86° and a seismic moment of 9,4×10¹⁸ Nm. The stress drop, strain and energy released for this earthquake are estimated to be 4.9 MPa, 7.4×10^–5 and 7.0×10¹⁴ J, respectively. The slip distributes in a region slightly deep from NWW to SEE, with two nuclei, i.e., knots with highly concentrated slip, located in a shallower depth in the NWW and a deeper depth in the SEE, respectively.Broadband body waves data recorded by the China Digital Seismograph Network (CDSN) for the Gonghe earthquake are used to retrieve the source process of the earthquakes. It is found through moment-tensor inversion that theM _s =6.9 main shock is a complex rupture process dominated by shear faulting with scalar seismic moment of the best double-couple of 9.4×10¹⁸ Nm, which is identical to the seismic moment determined from leveling data. The moment rate tensor functions reveal that this earthquake consists of three consecutive events. The first event, with a scalar seismic moment of 4.7×10¹⁸ Nm, occurred between 0–12 s, and has a focal mechanism similar to that inverted from leveling data. The second event, with a smaller seismic moment of 2.1×10¹⁸ Nm, occurred between 12–31 s, and has a variable focal mechanism. The third event, with a sealar seismic moment of 2.5×10¹⁸ Nm, occurred between 31–41 s, and has a focal mechanism similar to that inverted from leveling data. The strike of the 1990 Gonghe earthquake, and the significantly reverse dip-slip with minor left-lateral strike-slip motion suggest that the pressure axis of the tectonic stress field in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang plateau is close to horizontal and oriented NNE to SSW, consistent with the relative collision motion between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The predominant thrust mechanism and the complexity in the tempo-spatial rupture process of the Gonghe earthquake, as revealed by the geodetic and seismic data, is generally consistent with the overall distribution of isoseismals, aftershock seismicity and the geometry of intersecting faults structure in the Gonghe basin of the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang plateau.Contribution No. 96 B0006 Institute of Geophysics, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China.     

The effectiveness of trenches in reducing seismic motion

The effect of placing barriers in the travel path of P, SV and SH seismic waves has been studied using time-domain solutions of plane-strain finite element programs for two-dimensional crustal models. The wavefields considered propagate parallel to the free surface of an elastic medium consisting of a single layer over a halfspace. Barriers take the form of open-air trenches. Effects of damping are assessed by considering representative viscoelastic conditions. Computations are presented as the ratio of spectral energy observed at a point with the barrier system in place in the model to the spectral energy observed at the same point without the barrier system in the model. These spectral ratios are dependent upon the direction of wave propagation. The calculations brought to light the marked role of surficial layering and attenuation properties of the surface rocks or soils on the effectiveness of seismic trench barriers. Barrier models without these features cannot in general reliably predict seismic wavefields at the surface. In the range of cases studied, trench depth d rather than width is the most sensitive parameter. When the ratio d/λ, the ratio of trench depth to the wavelength of shear waves, is greater than about 0·6, power spectral ratios of 0·06 and less are found for SH waves and the vertical component of SV motion for frequencies of 4–6 Hz. By contrast, for frequencies less than 3–4 Hz, power spectral ratios from unity to about two and greater are observed, indicating amplification for the horizontal component of wave motion. Spectral ratios calculated at some locations in front of the barrier system show over two-fold amplification. Spectral ratios also change significantly with the relative location of the free surface observation point.     

The Boumerdes (Algeria) earthquake of May 21, 2003 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>w</Subscript> = 6.8): Ground deformation and intensity

A destructive earthquake of magnitude M_w = 6.8 hit the region of Boumerdes and Algiers (Algeria) on May 21, 2003. This is among the strongest seismic events of the mediterranean region and the most important event in the capital Algiers since 1716. It caused a widespread damage in the epicentral region, claimed 2271 human lives, injured 10000, about 20000 housing units affected and left about 160000 homeless. The main shock was felt about 250 km far from the epicenter and triggered sea waves of 1–3 m in amplitude in Balearic islands (Spain). Based on field observations and press report an intensity IX (MSK scale) is attributed to the epicentral area. The main shock was followed by many aftershocks among them several are of magnitude greater than 5.0, which added panic to inhabitants. The main shock triggered ground deformation, particularly liquefaction whose features are in different forms and sizes and caused damage and collapse of roads. The focal mechanism determined by worldwide institutions yield a pure reverse faulting with a compressional axis striking NE-SW. The epicenter is located offshore about 7 km from the Boumerdes-Dellys coast. Field observations show 0.7 m of coseismic uplift of shoreline between Boudouaou and Dellys. This uplift is about a half of the extracted coseismic slip from the seismic moment. On the other hand there is no clear surface break onshore, confirming hence, that the causative active fault is offshore. However, the rupture may propagate onshore to the SE near the Boudouaou region where ground cracks showing reverse faulting are observed a long a corridor of about 1 km wide. These fissures may correspond to a diffuse coseismic deformation.     

Coal Mining Induced Seismicity in the Ruhr Area, Germany

Over the last 25 years mining-induced seismicity in the Ruhr area has continuously been monitored by the Ruhr-University Bochum. About 1,000 seismic events with local magnitudes between 0.7 ≤ M _L ≤ 3.3 are located every year. For example, 1,336 events were located in 2006. General characteristics of induced seismicity in the entire Ruhr area are spatial and temporal correlation with mining activity and a nearly constant energy release per unit time. This suggests that induced stresses are released rapidly by many small events. The magnitude–frequency distribution follows a Gutenberg–Richter relation which is a result from combining distributions of single longwalls that themselves show large variability. A high b-value of about 2 was found indicating a lack of large magnitude events. Local analyses of single longwalls indicate that various factors such as local geology and mine layout lead to significant differences in seismicity. Stress redistribution acts very locally since differences on a small scale of some hundreds of meters are observed. A regional relation between seismic moment M ₀ and local magnitude M _L was derived. The magnitude–frequency distribution of a single longwall in Hamm was studied in detail and shows a maximum at M _L = 1.4 corresponding to an estimated characteristic source area of about 2,200 m². Sandstone layers in the hanging or foot wall of the active longwall might fail in these characteristic events. Source mechanisms can mostly be explained by shear failure of two different types above and below the longwall. Fault plane solutions of typical events are consistent with steeply dipping fracture planes parallel to the longwall face and nearly vertical dislocation in direction towards the goaf. We also derive an empirical relation for the decay of ground velocity with epicenter distance and compare maximum observed ground velocity to local magnitude. This is of considerable public interest because about 30 events larger than M _L ≥ 1.2 are felt each month by people living in the mining regions. Our relations, for example, indicate that an event in Hamm with a peak ground velocity of 6 mm/s which corresponds to a local magnitude M _L between 1.7 and 2.3 is likely to be felt within about 2.3 km radius from the event.     

爆破、塌陷识别研究进展综述

简要介绍当前国内外关于天然地震与爆破、塌陷等非天然地震特征研究及事件类型识别的进展。对各类事件的定义及主要波形特征进行简要综述,重点介绍了事件类型判定的各类识别方法。与自然界天然地震不同,非天然地震由人工干预或人类活动间接引发。爆破是炸药在爆炸瞬间能量迅速释放,部分能量以地震波形式向外传播,引起地表振动而产生破坏效应的一种地震;塌陷是由于岩层崩塌陷落而形成的地震。虽然在地震台网记录到的天然地震与爆破、塌陷的波形存在一定的共性特征,但由于震源类型、波的传播路径、震源深度等不同,各类事件的波形记录在P波初动、P波与S波最大振幅比、持续时间、震相、短周期面波发育情况、发震时刻、空间位置分布以及频谱特征等方面差异明显。目前主要有两类方法来识别地震与爆破、塌陷等非天然事件。一类为直接基于波形在信号、数据方面的特征,通过定性分析来进行事件类型判定,如波形时频分析对比法、小波变换、相关系数等;另一类为统计学领域诸如模式识别等算法,利用统计算法综合考虑多个事件特征判据的定量判定阀值来实现地震与爆破、塌陷事件类型的识别,如最小距离法、改进的连续亨明方法、Fisher方法、逐步代价最小决策法、支持向量机、前馈神经网络等。两类方法本质上均为提取有效特征判据,即对数据进行降维使用,未将事件记录的全部信息用于事件判定。因此,有必要使用一种可从全部事件记录中自动提取各类信息并可组合底层特征的算法来对各类事件进行判断识别。     

2013年6月2日台湾南投地震强地面运动模拟

2013年6月2日台湾省南投县发生一次里氏6.5级地震,这次地震是最近几年内发生的最大的一次地震,台湾大部分地区以及中国大陆东南沿海城市均有明显震感.为了更深入的理解此次地震的地震波能量传播过程以及强地面运动过程,本文采用三维有限差分方法对此次地震的强地面运动过程进行了模拟.结果显示,台湾中央山脉起伏的地形对此次地震的强地面运动分布特征具有较大的影响,出现了比较明显的地形放大效应;此外,台湾的平原和盆地中的沉积层也对地震波有较强的放大效应.     

Seismic wave attenuation in fluid-saturated porous media

Contrary to the traditional view, seismic attenuation in Biot's theory of fluid-saturated porous media is due to viscous damping of local (not global) pore-fluid motion. Since substantial inhomogeneities in fluid permeability of porous geological materials are to be expected, the regions of highest local permeability contribute most to the wave energy dissipation while those of lowest permeability dominate the fluid flow rate if they are uniformly distributed. This dichotomy can explain some of the observed discrepancies between computed and measured attenuation of compressional and shear waves in porous earth. One unfortunate consequence of this result is the fact that measured seismic wave attenuation in fluid-filled geological materials cannot be used directly as a diagnostic of the global fluid-flow permeability.     

Estimation of the Change in Hydraulic Conductivity Above Mined Longwall Panels

The change in hydraulic conductivity (K) above subsided longwall panels at underground coal mines is determined using a data base of pre‐mining and post‐mining K measurements made at multiple locations down the depth profile at each of a number of sites worldwide. Results show that, following caving of roof strata, there is a clear difference in the magnitude of changes in K above and below the top of the collapsed zone. Within the collapsed zone, relative increases in K are larger, even when taking account of measurements made in potentially unsaturated strata. A generalized conceptual model is presented for K change above subsided longwall panels. These results form a third independent database supporting the height of desaturation reported in an earlier study.     

Analysis of mining-induced microseismic events at Strathcona Mine,Subdury, Canada

Rockbursts and mining-induced seismic events have serious socio-economic consequences for the Canadian mining industry, as their mines are extended to greater depths. Automatic multichannel monitoring systems (Electro-Lab MP250s) are routinely, used to detect the arrival times of seismic waves radiated by mining-induced events and sensed on an array of single component transducers installed throughout a mine. These arrival times are then used to locate the events and produce maps of areas of high activity for use in mine planning and design. This approach has limitations in that, it does not allow a detailed analysis of source mechanisms, which could be extracted if whole waveform signals are recorded and analyzed.A major research project, sponsored by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) with the collaboration of the Canadian mining industry, is aimed at enhancing existing mine seismic monitoring technology in Canada, in order to carry out more advanced processing of data to obtain fundamental scientific information on mining-induced seismic events This paper describes preliminary results from seismic monitoring experiments carried out in a hard rock nickel mine in Sudbury, Canada. Existing seismic monitoring instrumentation was enhanced with a low cost microcomputer-based whole waveform seismic acquisition system. Some of the signals recorded during this experiment indicate anisotropic wave propagation through the mine rock masses, as observed by the splitting of shear waves and the relative arrival of two shear waves polarized in directions which may be related to the structural fabric and/or state of stress in the rock mass. Analysis of compressional wave first motion shows the predominance of shear events, as indicated by focal mechanism studies and is confirmed by spectral analysis of the waveforms. The source parameters were estimated fro typical low magnitude localized microseismic events during the initial monitoring experiments. The seismic moment of these events varied between 10⁶ N.m and 2.10⁸ N.m. with a circular source radius of between 1 m and 2 m with an estimated stress drop of the order of 1 MPa.     

银川盆地有感地震活动特征及其震感强烈原因分析

通过对银川盆地1970年以来中小有感地震活动特征的研究,认识到有感地震的优势分布空间、时间和震级范围。再研究中小有感地震地质构造背景和震源深度,分析银川盆地的沉积地层厚度,来解释中小地震震感强烈的原因。其结果可对有感地震突发后民众和政府采取正确应对措提供依据。     

长周期地震动输入下大型建筑剪力墙振动台试验

为优化处于长周期地震动输入下的大型建筑剪力墙结构,进行了振动台试验。分析普通地震动与长周期地震动波的区别,证明了长周期地震波具有显著长周期分量的特性。将某一高层酒店剪力墙作为研究案例,设计模拟实验台的构建流程与传感器布局,将建筑模型缩尺比例设置为1∶10。选择CA波、RG波、EL波作为实验用地震波,从位移与结构周期、层间剪力与位移比、易损性以及损失评估等方面对大型建筑剪力墙的抗震性能进行了评估。振动台试验结果表明,在位移相同的情况下,长周期地震波下的建筑极限承载力最小;在经历CA波、RG波、EL波后,模型的自振周期均发生变化,而EL波作用下模型的自振周期始终比基本周期略长;不同地震波下,X、Y向层间剪力变化基本趋于一致;CA波、EL波作用下,X向位移比较为接近,而剪力墙Y向上位移比在三种地震波作用下具有较大差异性;在长周期地震波作用下,大型建筑剪力墙损伤最为严重。     

Mining-related and tectonic seismicity in the East Mountain area Wasatch Plateau,Utah, U.S.A.

As part of a larger multi-institutional seismic monitoring experiment during June–August 1984 in the eastern Wasatch Plateau, Utah, data from a subarray of 20 portable seismographs were used to investigate seismicity in the East Mountain area, an area of active underground coal mining and intense microseismicity. Eight stations of the subarray were concentrated on top of East Mountain, about 600 m above mine level, at an average spacing of 2 to 3 km. The primary objective was the accurate resolution of hypocenters and focal mechanisms for seismic events originating at submine levels. Data from high-resolution seismic reflection profiles and drill-hole sonic logs yielded a detailed velocity model. This model features a strong velocity gradient in the uppermost 1 km, which has a significant effect on takeoff angles for first-arrivingP-waves from shallow seismic events. Two hundred epicenters located with a precision of ±500 m cluster within an area about 5 km in diameter and show an evident spatial association with four sites of longwall mining during the study period. A special set of foci rigorously tested for focal-depth reliability indicates submine seismicity predominating within 500 m of mine level and extending at least to 1 km, and perhaps to 2 km, below mine level. Continuous monitoring for a 61-day period (June 15–August 15) bracketed a 16-day mining shutdown (July 7–22) during which significant seismicity, comparable to that observed before the shutdown, was observed. Ten focal mechanisms for seismic events originating at or down to 2 km below mine level nearly all imply reverse faulting, consistent with previous results and the inferred tectonic stress field. Enigmatic events recorded with all dilatational first motions can be fit with double-couple normal-faulting solutions if they in fact occurabove mine level, perhaps reflecting overburden subsidence. If these events are constrained to occur at mine level, their first-motion distributions are incompatible with a double-couple source mechanism.     

Threshold seismic energy and liquefaction distance limit during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake

Estimating the possible region of liquefaction occurrence during a strong earthquake is highly valuable for economy loss estimation, reconnaissance efforts and site investigations after the event. This study identified and compiled a large amount of liquefaction case histories from the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, China, to investigate the relationship between the attenuation of seismic wave energy and liquefaction distance limit during this earthquake. Firstly, we introduced the concept of energy absorption ratio, which is defined as the absorbed energy of soil divided by the imparted energy of seismic waves at a given site, and the relationship between the energy absorption ratio and the material damping ratio was established based on shear stress–strain loop of soil element and the seismic wave propagation process from the source to the site. Secondly, the threshold imparted seismic energy of liquefaction was obtained based on existing researches of absorbed energy required to trigger liquefaction of sandy soils and the ground motion attenuation characteristics of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, and the liquefaction distance limit of this earthquake was estimated according to the proposed magnitude–energy–distance relationship. Finally, the field liquefaction database of 209 sites of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake was used to validate such an estimation, and the field observed threshold imparted seismic energy to cause liquefaction in recent major earthquakes worldwide was back-analyzed to check the predictability of the present method, and several possible mechanisms were discussed to explain the discrepancy between the field observations and the theoretical predictions. This study indicates that seismic energy attenuation and liquefaction distance limit are regional specific and earthquake dependent, and 382 J/m³ is the average level of threshold imparted seismic energy to cause liquefaction for loose saturated sandy soils, and the corresponding liquefaction distance limit is approximately 87.4 km in fault distance for a M_w?=?7.9 event in the Chengdu Plain. The proposed regional energy attenuation model and threshold imparted seismic energy may be considered as an approximate tool in evaluating the liquefaction hazard during potential earthquakes in this area.     

Application of Analytical Modeling to the Far-field Investigation of Tsunami and Oceanic Rayleigh Waves from the 1998 Papua New Guinea Earthquake

We analyze far-field Rayleigh and tsunami waves generated by the 1998 Papua New Guinea (PNG) earthquake. Using the normal mode theory and Thomson-Haskell matrix formalism we calculate synthetic mareograms of oceanic surface waves excited by finite-dimensional line source and propagated in a flat, multilayered oceanic structure. Assuming that the source of destructive sea waves was the main shock of the PNG event and based on the expression for seismic wave displacement in the far-field zone, we compute the energy of the seismic and tsunami waves and the E_z /E_ts ratio. The results of our modeling are generally consistent with those obtained empirically for events with magnitude 7. Also, treating the results of a submarine slide as a single solitary wave and using the theoretical arguments of Striem and Miloh (1976) we estimate the energy of the tsunami induced by a landslide. The difference between the energy of the seismic tsunami and of the aseismic one is about one order of magnitude.The results of our theoretical modeling show that surface sea waves in the far-field zone account well for seismic origin, although additional tsunami energy from a landslide source could be required to explain the local massive tsunami in the Sissano Lagoon.     

Fault proximity surveys in coal using guided seismic waves—Numerical modelling

Guided seismic waves are generated at lateral discontinuities in coal seams as an integral part of the mechanics of scattering downgoing body waves from a surface energy source.Numerical and laboratory model studies undertaken for both thin and thick coal seam waveguides show that small faults generate recognizable diffraction patterns by convertingP andS waves into channel wave arrivals at in-seam geophones on a walkawayVSP profile.These results suggest that in-seam geophones can be used during subsequent surface reflection surveys so as to improve mine profitability by optimising longwall layout in faulted ground.     

The Influence of a Local Fault Zone on High Energy Tremor Occurrence During Longwall Mining of a Coal Seam

Underground mining of coal seams in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin in Poland is accompanied by seismic activity of varying magnitude. The investigations which have been performed for several years distinguished high energy mine tremors connected directly with mining or coupled with geological structures, such as large faults. In mined seams, local fault zones occur. Faults in these zones are usually small, with throws comparable with coal seams thicknesses. Local fault zone may be responsible for the occurrence of high energy tremors as well as large faults, as presented in this article. An analysis of source mechanism of high energy tremors generated during longwall mining of the coal seam No. 510, with presence of a local fault zone, in one of the Polish hard coal mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin was performed. For this purpose, the seismic moment tensor inversion method was used. In most of foci, the process of shear predominated. Determined nodal plane parameters were correlated with parameters of faults forming the local fault zone. High energy tremors were generated mostly by dislocations on faults of the local fault zone. Weakening of roof rocks in the neighborhood of local fault zone takes an important role too, and was responsible for share of implosion in the focal mechanism.     

Microseismic Monitoring of a Controlled Collapse in Field II at Ocnele Mari, Romania

Several decades of faulty exploitation of salt through solution mining led to the creation of an underground cavern containing several million cubic meters of brine. To eliminate the huge hazard near a densely inhabited area, a technical solution was implemented to resolve this instability concern through the controlled collapse of the roof while pumping the brine out and filling the cavern with sterile. To supervise this, an area of over 1 km² was monitored with a staggered array of 36 one-component, 15 Hz geophones installed in 12 boreholes about 160–360 m deep. A total of 2,392 seismic events with M _w ?2.6 to 0.2 occurred from July 2005 to March 2006, located within an average accuracy of 18 m. The b-value of the frequency-magnitude distribution exhibited a time variation from 0.5 to 1 and from there to 1.5, suggesting that the collapse initiated as a linear fracture pattern, followed by shear planar fragmentations and finally a 3-D failure process. The brunching ratio of seismicity is indicative of a super-critical process, except for a short period in mid-February when temporary stability existed. Event relocation through the use of a collapsing technique outlines that major clusters of seismicity were associated with the main cavern collapse, whereas smaller clusters were generated by the fracturing of smaller size nearby caverns. It is shown that one-component recordings allow for stable and reliable point source event mechanism solutions through automatic moment tensor inversion using time domain estimates of low frequency amplitudes with first polarities attached. Detailed analysis of failure mechanism components uses 912 solutions with conditional number CN < 100 and a correlation coefficient r ² > 0.5. The largest pure shear (DC) components characterize the events surrounding the cavern ceiling, which exhibit normal and strike-slip failures. The majority of mechanism solutions include up to 30% explosional failure components, which correspond to roof caving under gravitational collapsing. The largest vertical deformation rate relates closely to the cavern roof and floor, as well as the rest of the salt formation, whereas the horizontal deformation rate is most prominent in areas of detected collapses.     

山西运城振动事件S变换时频分析

基于S变换,对2005年以来山西南部运城及其附近地区的振动事件波形进行时频分析,并与山西南部地区的天然地震、爆破和塌陷地震波谱特征进行对比分析。结果表明：天然地震一般S波携带能量较大,衰减较慢,震相高低频成分呈现均匀分布;一般近台记录的人工爆破P波比S波发育,能量衰减较快,震相急促短暂;塌陷地震波列能量随时间和频率的展布相对集中,一般分布在频率较低区域;振动事件震相简单,被不同台站记录的波形能量优势分布及频率分布范围差异较大,衰减特征不明显。据此,基本可以排除山西南部及附近区域的振动事件为天然地震、爆破和塌陷事件的可能。     

Focal mechanisms of intraplate earthquakes in Bolivia,South America

Intraplate seismic activity in Bolivia is mainly located in the central region (16°–19°S, 63°–67°W) which includes the East Andean Cordillera and the Sub-Andean Sierras. At this region there is a bend in the trend of the main geological structures from NW-SE in the north to N-S in the south. Focal mechanisms have been calculated for 10 earthquakes of magnitudes 4.9–5.6, using first motionP-waves from long period instruments. Their solutions correspond to reverse faulting, some with a large component of strike-slip motion. Their solutions can be grouped into two types; one with pure reverse faulting on planes with azimuth NW-SE and the other with a large strike-slip component on planes with azimuths nearly N-S or WNW-ESE. The maximum stress axis (P-axis) is practically horizontal (dipping less than 5°) oriented in a mean N56°E direction. This orientation may be related with the direction of compression resulting from the collision of the Nazca plate against the western margin of the South American continent. Wave-form analysis of long-periodP-waves for one event restricts the focal depth to 8 km in the Sub-Andean region. Seismic moments and source dimensions determined from spectra of Rayleigh waves are in the range of 10¹⁶–10¹⁷Nm and 17–24 km, respectively. The Central Bolivia region can be considered as a zone of intraplate deformation situated between the Bolivian Altiplano and the Brazil shield.