Tectonics and Seismicity of the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon Region

The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon region is located in the frontal zone of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, where neo-tectonics and seismicity are intensive and closely related to each other. In the region, two sets of fault structures have developed, striking NNE-NE and NWW-NW, respectively. Investigation shows that they differ markedly in terms of scope, property, active times and intensity. The NWW-NW trending faults are large in size, and most are thrust and thrust strike-slip faults, formed in earlier times. The NEE-NE-strike faults are relatively small in size individually, with concentrated distribution, constituting the NNE-trending shear extensional fault zone, which is relatively younger with evident late Quaternary activities. Strong earthquakes occur mainly in the areas or zones of intensive differential movement of the Himalayas, e.g. along the deep and large fault zones around the crustal blocks. Most earthquakes of M≥7.0 are closely related to tectonics, where large-scale Holocene active faults are distributed with complicated fault geometry, or the faults of multiple directions intersect. Among them, earthquakes of M≥7.5 have occurred on the NW and NE-trending faults with a greater strike-slip component in the fault tectonic zones.     

The Microstructural Characteristics of Fault Rocks from the Wasatch Fault Zone in Utah (USA) Under Polarizing and Electronic Microscope and Its Seismogeologic Significance

The microstructures of fault rocks from the Wasatch fault zone in Utah (USA) have been studied using a polarizing microscope,a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an ultrahigh-voltage electron microscope (HVHM).This fault zone may be recognized as one a with long history of seismic activity according to the microstructural characteristics such as type, deformation characteristics,melting structure and surface textures of the fault rocks.However,the main fault now present seems not to have been noticeably active since the late Pleistocene (Q_3),as shown by the eroded-surface texture on the quartz fragments in the fault gouge.Meanwhile,those faults supposed to be strongly active in modern times are branching faults much closer to the basin side and are covered by the Holocene sediments in the basin.     

High-Resolution Seismic Reflection Profiling of the Fenhe Fault in Taiyuan City

In this paper, we demonstrate the high-resolution seismic reflection data for a depth range of several hundred meters across the Fenhe fault in Taiyuan city, China. In combination with the relevant borehole logs, these data provide useful constraints on the accurate position, geometry and deformation rate of the fault, as well as the kinematics of recent fault motion. The highresolution seismic reflection profiling revealed that the western branch of the Fenhe fault is a high angle, eastward dipping, oblique-normal fault, and cutting up to the lower part of the Quaternary system. It was revealed that the top breaking point of this fault is at a depth of～70m below the ground surface. A borehole log across the Fenhe fault permitted us to infer that there are two high-angle, oppositely dipping, oblique-normal faults. The eastern branch lies beneath the eastern embankment of the Fenhe river, dipping to the west and cutting into the Holocene-late Pleistocene strata with a maximum vertical offset of～8m. Another borehole log across the northern segment of the Fen]he fault indicates that the western branch of this fault has cut into the Holocene-late Pleistocene strata with a maximum vertical offset of～6m. The above-mentioned data provide a minimum average Pieistocene-Holocene vertical slip rate of 0.06～0.08mm/a and a maximum average large-earthquake recurrence interval of 5.0～6.7ka for the Fenhe fault.     

Features and origin time of Mesozoic strike-slip structures in the Yilan-Yitong Fault Zone

The NE-striking Yilan-Yitong Fault Zone(YYFZ) with a length of ca. 900 km is an important major fault zone in northeastern China. Its origin has been a controversial issue for a long time. Detailed field investigation and comprehensive analyses show that strike-slip faults or ductile shear belts exist as the origination structures on the both shoulders of the Cretaceous-Paleogene grabens. These strike-slip structures are dominated by brittle transcurrent faults, and appear as ductile shear belts only in the Weiyuanpu-Yehe and Shulan parts in the south and middle of the fault zone, respectively. The shear belts strike NE-SW and show steep mylonitic foliation and gentle mineral elongation lineation. Outcrop structures, microstructures and quartz c-axis fabrics demonstrate a sinistral shear sense with minor reverse component for the ductile shear belts. The microstructures suggest deformation temperatures of 400–450°C for the Weiyuanpu-Yehe shear belts and 350–400°C for the Shulan shear belt. A series of zircon U-Pb dating results for deformed and undeformed plutons or dikes in the shear belts constrain the strike-slip motion to the time between 160 and 126 Ma. It is further inferred from ages of main geological events in this region that the fault zone originated in the earliest Early Cretaceous. It is suggested therefore that the southern and middle parts of the Tan-Lu Fault Zone, which originated in Middle Triassic, propagated into northeastern China along the sinistral YYFZ under the earliest Early Cretaceous regional compression that is referred to as the Yanshan B event. The earliest Early Cretaceous initiation of the YYFZ results from both the high-speed oblique subduction of the Izanagi Plate and the final closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean, but the Izanagi Plate subduction played a major dynamic role in the fault zone origin.     

Study on shallow structural features Changbaishan Tianchi volcanic region

A seismic survey by 10 shallow profiles and 6 ultra-shallow profiles was performed in Changbaishan Tianchi volcanic region in 2002. The result shows that there are three （in some areas as many as seven） stable interfaces in the survey region, but no reflection phases are found in depths greater than 500 m. The number of interfaces in the southwestern part is obviously greater than in the northwestern part of Tianchi volcano, which suggests that the faults in the southwest have a stronger controlling power over the flow direction of volcano-spewed lava as compared with those in the northwest. Six shallow faults exist in the survey region. The shallow faults are nearly vertical graben-like faults and are mostly distributed on the southwest of Tianchi crater, indicating that volcanic activities in the southwest are stronger than in the northwest. On this ground, it could be further deduced that the NE-trending major fault of Tianchi volcano （ the Liudaogou-Tianchi-Zengfengshan fault） is more active than the NW-trending Baishanzhen-Tianchi-Jince fault.     

Experiments on exploring and monitoring landslip-mass using geoelectric resistivity observations

In the experiments, a high-density resistivity method is used to explore the electric structure of landslip mass, and a resistivity-changing anisotropy method is used to monitor the orientation and speed of main fracture extending of landslip mass. The results are as follows. 1 The exploring experiments have verified a part of creep deformation borderline, the depth and thickness of groundwater horizon, and the property of superstrata in the landslip mass investigated formerly, which have proved that the landslip belts contain rich groundwater; 2 The main fracture extending orientation inferred from the resistivity-changing anisotropy accords with the strike of fracture belt of landslip mass deduced from GPS displacement. Moreover, the changing rates of resistivity-changing anisotropy coefficient matches with the changing speeds of deep displacement of landslip mass were measured by suing clinometer in the borehole.     

Characteristics of the Zhengzhou Laoyachen Fault Revealed by Seismic Exploration Data

Exploration and research of fault activities are the fundamentals of earthquake prediction and prevention and disaster reduction. In order to determine the location, characteristics and activities of the Zhengzhou-Laoyachen fault, shallow seismic prospecting with different exploration depth across the Laoyachen fault was carried out in the northern suburbs of Zhengzhou city in 2006. The images of the subterranean structure and tectonics at depths of 30m～6000m have been available by applying the combined methods of explosive seismic sources and vibrator seismic sources, as well as the combination of diverse observation systems with different parameters. The outcome indicates that the Laoyachen fault is a normal fault running NW and dipping NE, which offsets stratums ahead of Neogene (N). However, no fault displacements are found in the interior stratums of Q+N.     

GPS-constrained inversion of present-day slip rates along major faults of the Sichuan-Yunnan region, China

A linked-fault-element model is employed to invert for contemporary slip rates along major active faults in the Sichuan-Yunnan region (96°-108°E, 21°-35°N) using the least squares method. The model is based on known fault geometry, and constrained by a GPS-derived horizontal velocity field. Our results support a model attributing the eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau driven mainly by the north-northeastward indentation of the Indian plate into Tibet and the gravitational collapse of the plateau. Resisted by a relatively stable south China block, materials of the Sichuan-Yunnan region rotate clockwise around the eastern Himalayan tectonic syntaxis. During the process the Garzê-Yushu, Xianshuihe, Anninghe, Zemuhe, Daliangshan, and Xiaojiang faults, the southwest extension of the Xiaojiang fault, and the Daluo-Jinghong and Mae Chan faults constitute the northeast and east boundaries of the eastward extrusion, with their left slip rates being 0.3-14.7, 8.9-17.1, 5.1 ± 2.5, 2.8 ± 2.3, 7.1 ± 2.1, 9.4 ± 1.2, 10.1 ± 2.0, 7.3 ± 2.6, and 4.9 ± 3.0 mm/a respectively. The southwestern boundary consists of a widely distributed dextral transpressional zone other than a single fault. Right slip rates of 4.2 ± 1.3, 4.3 ± 1.1, and 8.5 ± 1.7 mm/a are detected across the Nanhua-Chuxiong-Jianshui, Wuliangshan, and Longling-Lancang faults. Crustal deformation across the Longmenshan fault is weak, with short-ening rates of 1.4 ± 1.0 and 1.6 ± 1.3 mm/a across the Baoxing-Beichuan and Beichuan-Qingchuan segments. Northwest of the Longmenshan fault lies an active deformation zone (the Longriba fault) with 5.1±1.2 mm/a right slip across. Relatively large slip rates are detected across a few faults within the Sichuan-Yunnan block: 4.4±1.3 mm/a left slip and 2.7±1.1 mm/a shortening across the Litang fault, and 2.7±2.3 mm/a right-lateral shearing and 6.7±2.3 mm/a shortening across the Yunongxi fault and its surrounding regions. In conclusion, we find that the Sichuan-Yunnan region is divided into more than a dozen active micro-blocks by a large number of faults with relatively slow slip rates. The eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau is absorbed and adjusted in the region mainly by these faults, other than a small number of large strike-slip faults with fast slip rates.     

Establishment of the GPS Crustal Deformation Monitoring Network in North China

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a new method to monitor the crustal deformation for earthquake prediction.Now a four-dimensional crustal deformation monitoring network applying GPS techniques has been established in North China,which is an important seismic monitoring area.Results with high precision have been achieved in the first measurement since a series of advanced methods and measures were adopted,and thus a good foundation has been laid for future researches on earthquake prediction and geodynamics.     

Response of vertical deformation on faults to remote strong earthquakes

Vertical coseismic deformation on non-causative fault caused by remote strong earthquakes(epicentral distance≥1500 km,MS≥7.0)are observed by fault-monitoring instruments of new type during recent two years.The monitor-ing result shows,delay time,maximum amplitude and duration of vertical deformation on the non-causative faulthave remarkable close relationship with earthquakes magnitude and epicentral distance.The delay time of verticalcoseismic deformation have positive linear relationship with epicentral distance.The velocity of coseismic defor-mation is 5.5 km/s,close to the velocity of surface wave in granite.The logarithms of maximum amplitude of co-seismic deformation and epicentral distance have remarkable linear relationship with magnitude.The greater themagnitude and the closer the epicentral distance are,the bigger the maximum amplitude of coseismic deformationon non-causative fault will be.Relative to the epicentral distance,the magnitude is the most important factor to theduration of coseismic vertical deformation on the non-causative fault.Stronger earthquake causes longer vibrationduration of coseismic deformation.The experiential equation of co-seismic deformation faults obtained by thiswork is significant on the coseismic deformation research.     

应对汶川特大地震波及乐山事件的做法及思考

2008年5月12日汶川8.0级地震是有史以来对乐山市波及范围最广、人员伤亡最多、经济损失最大、社会影响最强烈的地震。本文回顾了近几年乐山市在地震应急准备方面所做的工作和汶川特大地震波及乐山后的应急工作,认为坚持不懈地抓好地震应急准备是做好大地震之后应急工作的重要前提,及时有效地开展应急工作是防震减灾部门的重要职责,震后恢复重建中防震减灾部门可以发挥重要作用。     

地震大小的度量

The paper begins with a brief review of the research history of earthquake size measurement. On this basis, the author pointed out the following points： ① In recent decades, ML, mb （mH ）, Ms magnitude scales are widely used as measures of earthquake size. However, these magnitude scales have a deficiency of ＂overgeneralization＂ and ＂magnitude saturation＂. Moreover, since they do not fully take into account the regional difference of seismic attenuation, especially the difference of site effects on the amplification of ground motion, these magnitude scales are but inaccurate measures of earthquake size. ② Seismic moment M0 not only has clear physical meaning, but also overcomes the deficiencies existing in ML, mb （mB ） and Ms magnitude scales, so it is the most suitable physical quantity for measuring earthquake size scientifically. In order to continue to use the term ＂magnitude＂, Kanamori defined the moment magnitude scale Act. Although its prerequisite assumptions remain to be studied, it is still a reasonable scale used as a measure of the relative size of an earthquake. ③ For measuring the earthquake size more scientifically, we must make full use of a large amount of waveform data from modern regional digital seismograph networks, strengthen the research on seismic wave attenuation characteristics, site effect, calculation of source parameters and the related scaling relations. In improving the measurement methods for ML, mb （mB ） and Ms magnitude, we should focus on the improvement of Mw scale and carry forward the work as gradually taking Mw magnitude scale as the uniform physical quantity to measure the relative size of earthquakes, so as to lay a more solid foundation for research in earthquake science and earthquake prediction.     

Research on the Application of Time Structure Variation Analysis to the Jiashi-Bachu Earthquake Swarm Sequence

In 1997 - 2003, 27 earthquakes with M≥ 5.0 occurred in the Jiashi-Bachu area of Xinjiang. It was a rare strong earthquake swarm activity. The earthquake swarm has three time segments of activity with different magnitudes in the years 1997, 1998 and 2003. In different time segments, the seismic activity showed strengthenin-qguiet changes in various degrees before earthquakes with M ≥ 5.0. In order to delimitate effectively the precursory meaning of the clustering （strengthening） quiet change in sequence and to seek the time criterion for impending prediction, the nonlinear characteristics of seismic activity have been used to analyze the time structure characteristics of the earthquake swarm sequence, and further to forecast the development tendency of earthquake sequences in the future. Using the sequence catalogue recorded by the Kashi Station, and taking the earthquakes with Ms≥ 5.0 in the sequence as the starting point and the next earthquake with Ms = 5.0 as the end, statistical analysis has been performed on the time structure relations of the earthquake sequence in different stages. The main results are as follows： （1） Before the major earthquakes with M ≥ 5.0 in the swarm sequence, the time variation coefficient （δ-value） has abnormal demonstrations to different degrees. （2） Within 10 days after δ= 1, occurrence of earthquakes with M ≥ 5.0 in the swarm is very possible. （3） The time variation coefficient has three types of change. （4） The change process before earthquakes with M5.0 is similar to that before earthquakes with M6.0, with little difference in the threshold value. In the earthquake swarm sequence, it is difficult to delimitate accurately the attribute of the current sequences （foreshock or aftershock sequence） and to judge the magnitude of the follow-up earthquake by δ-value. We can only make the judgment that earthquakes with M5.0 are likely to occur in the sequence. （5） The critical clustering characteristics of the sequence are hierarchical. Onl     

汶川8.0级地震前龙门山断裂带孕震构造运动特征分析?

On the basis of elastic rebound theory, using the horizontal velocity field of the Chinese mainland calculated from GPS data during three observation periods from 1999 to 2007, the velocity components that are parallel and plumb to the fault zone are calculated respectively for different periods, and then relative ground movements of two sides of the fault zone are analyzed with power function fitting and graphics. The results show that the relative ground movement shows right-lateral shear deformation before the Wenchuan Ms8. 0 earthquake, and at the same time the movement was hindered by the Longmenshan fault zone. Thus, this result has positive significance for distinguishing the elastic strain energy accumulation and deformation anomaly in an earthquake preparation process, and for conducting further research on earthquake prediction.     

A rotary-shear low to high-velocity friction apparatus in Beijing to study rock friction at plate to seismic slip rates

This paper reviews 19 apparatuses having highvelocity capabilities,describes a rotary-shear low to highvelocity friction apparatus installed at Institute of Geology,China Earthquake Administration,and reports results from velocity-jump tests on Pingxi fault gouge to illustrate technical problems in conducting velocity-stepping tests at high velocities.The apparatus is capable of producing plate to seismic velocities（44 mm/a to 2.1 m/s for specimens of 40 mm in diameter）,using a 22 kW servomotor with a gear/belt system having three velocity ranges.A speed range can be changed by 103 or 106by using five electromagnetic clutches without stopping the motor.Two cam clutches allow fivefold velocity steps,and the motor speed can be increased from zero to 1,500 rpm in 0.1-0.2 s by changing the controlling voltage.A unique feature of the apparatus is a large specimen chamber where different specimen assemblies can be installed easily.In addition to a standard specimen assembly for friction experiments,two pressure vessels were made for pore pressures to 70 MPa;one at room temperature and the other at temperatures to 500 °C.Velocity step tests are needed to see if the framework of rate-and-state friction is applicable or not at high velocities.We report results from velocity jump tests from 1.4 mm/s to 1.4 m/s on yellowish gouge from a Pingxi fault zone,located at the northeastern part of the Longmenshan fault system that caused the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.An instantaneous increase in friction followed by dramatic slip weakening was observed for the yellowish gouge with smooth sliding surfaces of host rock,but no instantaneous response was recognized for the same gouge with roughened sliding surfaces.Instantaneous and transient frictional properties upon velocity steps cannot be separated easily at high velocities,and technical improvements for velocity step tests are suggested.     

新疆喀什-乌恰交汇区地震活动潮汐触发的统计检验

A statistical analysis on earthquake activity in the Kashi-Wuqia intersection area triggered by earth tide is done by Schuster＇s test and the Permutation test on daily and monthly scales. The north-south, east-west component of the tidal force and tidal body stress are chosen as the tidal curve in the daily scale. The results show that most of the earthquakes occurred near the maximum 0° of the three kinds of tidal curves, the predominant tidal phases of the earthquake are - 5. 86°, 6. 60° and - 15. 52°, and the frequency of the earthquakes increases with the increase of the tide; with three kinds of tidal curves （the north-south, east-west component of the tidal force and tidal body stress ）, the Ps of Schuster＇s test for all the earthquakes is 10. 52 %, 2. 40 % and 2. 06 %, and the pp of the Permutation test is 10. 90%, 2. 40% and 2. 06%, and the results ofps andpp based on the east-west component of the tidal force and tidal body stress are below the threshold of 0. 05 that tidal triggering of earthquakes. In the monthly scale, both the Ps and pp are very low （ close to 0 ）, far below the threshold of 0. 05 of tidal triggering of earthquakes, and the predominant tidal phase for earthquake triggering is - 18. 95°, close to the maximum 0° （ new moon and full moon） of the earth tide in monthly scale. Regarding the statistical test result of tidal triggering of earthquakes, a preliminary explanation is given as to why the trigger effect in the east-west direction is greater than that in north-south direction.     

2013 年芦山MS7.0 地震前甘孜台地电阻率变化分析

A trend increase in apparent resistivity has been observed in the N30°E monitoring direction at Garze Seismic Station since July 2011. This increase trend in geo-electric resistivity has been observed in the N60°W direction since 2012. During the period of the increase, the national highway No.317 was expanded in the monitoring area, so the potential electrodes in the N30°E direction had to be moved 10m towards the current electrodes. We interpreted the electric sounding data of Garz6 Seismic Station with a horizontally layered model. Analysis based on this model showed that the shift of potential electrodes can cause a 4 l-l.m rise to the measurements in the N30°E direction. Therefore, apparent resistivity of the two directions increased in the same time in 2012 after offsetting the effects from electrodes shift. Sensitivity coefficients of the two observation directions were also obtained using the model. Sensitivity coefficients of both directions were negative for the shallow layers, which can well explain the unexpected annual variations of Garze Seismic Station. In order to quantitatively analyze the effects from the expansion of the national highway on the observation, we constructed a finite element model based on the electrical structure. Analysis results also suggested that the expansion of the national highway could only cause a 0. 15 Ω·m decrease in the N60°W monitoring direction and 0. 1 Ω· m increase in the N30°E direction. Additionally, the valley values of annual variation of 2013 were distinctively higher than that of other years since 2008, meaning that there was an abnormal rise in apparent resistivity in the two observation directions at Garz~ Seismic Station before the Lushan earthquake. However, the rise was contrary to the decline variation before the Wenchuan earthquake. Therefore, it is still unsure whether or not the rise variation is related to the Lushan earthquake.     

Heating Stage Experimental Study of Melt Inclusions in Feldspars from Three Holocene Eruptions of Changbaishan Tianchi Volcano

There occurred several eruptions from Changbaishan Tianchi volcano in Holocene, and at least three of them were believed to be true according to the formal studies. The products of three eruptions were yellow comenditic pumice of - 5000a B.P. （Eruption Ⅰ ）, gray comenditic pumice and pyroclastic flow of - 1000a B.P. （ Eruption II, i.e. the millennium explosive eruption）, black trachy pumice and welded tuff of - 300a B.P. （ Eruption Ⅲ ） respectively. There were a large number of melt inclusions found in phenocrysts, which differ in size and color. The Leitz 1350 heating stage experiments for melt inclusions in host feldspars from three Holocene eruptions of Changbaishan Tianchi volcano imply that there were little differences between the homogenization temperatures of melt inclusions from Eruptions Ⅰ and Ⅲ, whereas it was rather complicated for Eruption H, i.e. there might be two kinds of melt with different homogenization temperature periods, which gave the evidence for the assumption that the explosive millennium eruption of Tianchi volcano was triggered by injection and mixing of two different magmas. The experimental results also indicate that （ 1 ） small melt inclusion is easy to be homogenized, while the large one, especially the one with lots of daughter crystals, is rather difficult to be homogenized; （2） homogenization temperature closely correlates with the size of melt inclusion within host crystal, with the temperature point switching from high heating rate to low heating rate, and correlates with whether it is the first time to obtain homogenization as well; and （3） a melt inclusion can get different homogenization temperatures when it is repeatedly heated. Even more, the next homogenization temperature is usually higher than the former one, which testifies the phenomenon that hydrogen migration occurs during repeated heating.     

由四川省防震减灾科普示范学校引发的思考

5·12汶川特大地震造成人民生命财产重大损失。四川省防震减灾科普示范学校由于平时注重在学生中进行防震减灾知识教育和避震应急演练,在此次地震中均能做到临危不乱,快速撤到安全地带,将灾害损失降到了最低。鲜活的事例说明,有无防震减灾知识和自救互救技能,地震后的效果大不一样。     

Study on Holocene Paleoearthquakes in Xizhang Trench on the Jiaocheng Fault Zone,Shanxi Province

Xizhang trench is located 10 km northwest of Taiyuan city, Shanxi Province, in front of a NNW-trending scarp of 4.6m height on the northern segment of the Jiaocheng fault zone. The dimensions of the trench are 108m in length, 8m in width, and 10m in depth. There are 18 horizons revealed in the trench. The upper strata are sandy loam; the upper strata of the downthrown block of the fault are gravels, the lower ones are an interbed of brown loam and sandy loam. The strata on the upthrown block of the fault are sandy loam containing gravel. The trench shows 3 fault planes, and the upper offset point on the fault plane is 1.5m below the ground surface, the newest dislocated stratum is （3.74±0.06） ka BP. The trench reveals a lot of deformation traces, such as fault planes, dislocated strata, colluvial wedges and formation tilting. The relationship between strata and faults in the trench shows that 3 paleoearthquake events have occurred at the Jiaocheng fault zone since the Early Holocene, they are about （3.74±0.06）- （3.06±0.26）ka BP, （8.35±0.09）ka- （3.74±0.06）ka BP, and（ 10.66±0.85） - （8.35±0.09）ka BP. The average interval among the events is 2.6 - 3.6ka. The minimum coseismic vertical displacements of the 3 events are 3.0m, 2.5m and 3.2m, respectively. The significance of Xizhang trench is that the Jiaocheng fault used to be active thousands of years ago, though there is no M ≥ 7.0 earthquake recorded in historical documents. Evidence of new Jiaocheng fault zone activity during the Holocene is important for the earthquake safety assessment of Taiynan city in the future.