Research on an intraplate movement model by inversion of GPS data in North China

In this paper, data obtained by the 1995, 1996 and 1999 three GPS campaigns in North China have been used to study intraplate tectonic block movements in this area (N36°–N42°, and E112°–E120°). By a Bayesian inversion method, negative dislocation distributions on three main fault zones and individual relative movements between four intraplate tectonic blocks have been obtained based on these GPS data. The results show that the relative movements between four intraplate tectonic plates are several millimeters per year. The obtained negative dislocation values on the Front Tai-Hong Mountain fault are −5±2 mm/a in tensile component, and 2±2 mm/a in both strike and dip component, which indicates that this fault mainly suffers pull apart tectonic movements. On the Tangshan–Ninghe fault, the obtained negative dislocation values are −3±3 mm/a in dip, −2±2 mm/a in tensile and −1±3 mm/a in strike, which indicates that the east part of this fault still undergoes upward movement. On the Zhangjiako–Beipiao fault, the obtained negative dislocation values are −4±2 mm/a in strike, 0±2 mm/a in dip, and 1±2 mm/a in tensile, which indicates that this fault has sinistral strike movement. According to the inversion results, the southern part of the Zhangjiako-Beipiao fault suffers pull tectonic movements caused by recent upward movement of the eastern part. The pulling tectonic movements are almost totally blocked on the Front Tai-Hong Mountain fault and this fault is more likely to be a potential earthquake source.     

Vertical movements of the Earth's crust on the continents

Vertical oscillating movements of the Earth's crust on continents have occurred and are occurring everywhere on the Earth's surface, continuously throughout the entire geological history of the Earth. This provides grounds to consider them as the basic type of tectonic movements, which form the general background of the tectogenetic process, on which locally, and only at separate moments of time, other tectonic movements and deformations appear.According to the time of occurrence, the vertical movements are divided into recent, young, modern, and ancient. In compliance with this subdivision, different methods are applied to define and study the movements. The major characteristic of the vertical movements is their rhythm, or periodic change in sign of movement, which caused them to be calledoscillating. Rhythms of movements are of several orders. The largest rhythms, which comprise tectonic cycles, are manifested on a global scale; smaller rhythms have a local distribution. It is significant that, in the beginning and in the end of each tectonic cycle, an increase of intensity and contrast of movements is observed, no matter in which region or regime, whether stable or mobile, it occurs.     

Relationship between faults and generation of inland shallow earthquakes: enlightenment of the M=7.2 southern Hyogo prefecture earthquake

The M=7.2 southern Hyogo prefecture earthquake, which occurred on January 17, 1995, destroyed the region severely. Further researches are necessary to explain the problems obtained from this earthquake. We have discussed some characteristics correlating with this earthquake, such as distribution of aftershocks and disaster, relationship between fault and generation of inland shallow earthquakes, strong motion and so on. The tectonic movements of surface faults may be different from those of deep faults. Earthquakes may not be restricted directly by the tectonic movements of surface faults. The strong motion zone is often appeared in the region a little away from the both ends or from the single side of a fault instead of the region of a focal fault. Some mechanisms of strong motion have also been discussed.     

Three-dimensional modelling of crustal temperature and MOHO heat flow density in Central Europe and adjacent areas

For the Central European area three-dimensional model techniques are used to estimate the temperature-depth distribution within the Earth's crust, the temperature at the crust-mantle boundary, the MOHO heat flow density, and the lateral variations of the heat production within the granitic upper crust. Regularization methods are used for the inversion of the surface heat flow density. The calculations were done for a 1 × 1 degree grid. Evidently, for single geothermal provinces the 200°, 400°, 600°, and 800° isotherms are running parallel to the crust-mantle boundary which implies that this discontinuity might be interpreted in terms of an isotherm.     

渤海地球物理场与深部潜在地幔热柱的异常构造背景

渤海是中国东部陆缘的一个裂谷型盆地，通过重力、航磁、古地磁、天然地震、地热、应力场、地壳与上地幔结构及地震层析成像等资料，对渤海湾及其周边地带的深部结构、地球物理场效应和深层物理过程进行了综合研究．这一盆地是由NNE－NE向、近EW向和NW向3组断裂组成，这3组断裂与3组地幔隆起带基本相对应，并在渤中坳陷交汇、渤海内部的现代构造运动以水平构造应力场作用下的走滑运动为主要特征，渤海区内地壳厚度仅28-29km，上地幔向上隆起，等温居里面埋深浅（为12km），并为较高区热流值区（56-77mW／m2）．该区岩石层厚度变化显著，庙岛西部中地壳中有一近似圆形的低速体，在120km深度仍为低速异常区．深大断裂可为深部热物质与气态物质上涌的通道．通过综合研究，提出渤海湾很可能是一个潜在的、尚在发展中的地幔热柱．     

Structure and development of the passive continental margin across the Princess Astrid Coast, East Antarctica

On the basis of geological and geophysical data, a contribution is made to understanding the structure and evolution of the Earth's crust across the Princess Astrid Coast, East Antarctica, especially in the area of the Schirmacher Oasis and the Wohlthat Massif. The crustal material is mostly composed of medium- to high-grade metamorphics which underwent three important tectogenic events (close of the Archaean, within the Proterozoic and at the close of the Precambrian). The intrusive age of the Eliseev Anorthosite Massif could be determined (2,400 Ma). The dominant structural features in the Schirmacher Oasis show a strike of some 40° to 60° and indicate a NNE-SSW oriented compressional stress regime. It is probably connected with the last major thermotectonic event some 400 to 600 Ma ago. The Phanerozoic history is controlled by the younger Gondwana break-up and N-S oriented tension.The continental crust as a whole is of relatively acid composition. This is also reflected in the negative regional magnetic anomaly. Probably, its origin is linked to late Precambrian thermotectonic activation. A typical feature is the crustal thinning to the north (from some 50 to 20 km) in connection with deep-reaching E-W crustal faults indicating northward down-faulted blocks.     

A reconnaissance geochemical study of La Primavera geothermal area, Jalisco, Mexico

The Sierra La Primavera, a late Pleistocene rhyolitic caldera complex in Jalisco, México, contains fumaroles and large-discharge 65°C hot springs that are associated with faults related to caldera collapse and to later magma insurgence. The nearly-neutral, sodium bicarbonate, hot springs occur at low elevations at the margins of the complex, whereas the water-rich fumaroles are high and central.The Comisión Federal de Electricidad de México (CFE) has recently drilled two deep holes at the center of the Sierra (PR-1 and Pr-2) and one deep hole at the western margin. Temperatures as high as 285°C were encountered at 1160 m in PR-1, which produced fluids with 820 to 865 mg/kg chloride after flashing to one atmosphere. Nearby, PR-2 encountered temperatures to 307°C at 2000 m and yielded fluids with chloride contents fluctuating between 1100 and 1560 mg/kg after flashing. Neither of the high-temperature wells produced steam in commercial quantities. The well at the western margin of the Sierra produced fluids similar to those from the hot springs. The temperature reached a maximum of 100°C near the surface and decreased to 80°C at 2000 m.Various geothermometers (quartz conductive, Na/K, Na-K-Ca, δ¹⁸O(SO₄-H₂O) and D/H (steam-water) all yield temperatures of 170 ± 20°C when applied to the hot spring waters, suggesting that these spring waters flow from a large shallow reservoir at this temperature. Because the hot springs are much less saline than the fluids recovered in PR-1 and PR-2, the mixed fluid in the shallow reservoir can contain no more than 10–20% deep fluid. This requires that most of the heat is transferred by steam. There is probably a thin vapor-dominated zone in the central part of the Sierra, through which steam and gases are transferred to the overlying shallow reservoir. Fluids from this reservoir cool from 170°C to 65°C by conduction during the 5–7 km of lateral flow to the hot springs.     

沂沭断裂带内部的差异活动及其成因分析

郯庐断裂带在山东境内被称为沂沭断裂带的部分是其新构造活动最为强烈的一段.许多学者对沂沭断裂带做过大量研究工作,指出沂沭带活动存在差异性,但较少关于差异活动的原因分析.本文在前人研究工作基础上,较为深入地分析了沂沭带5条断裂的主要活动规律及其特点,对沂沭带进行了新的分段,并归纳了沂沭带不同断裂之间、同一断裂不同段落之间的活动差异及其差异的基本特征.在此基础上,从地貌、断裂结构、断裂空间组合、现代运动、深部构造环境等几个方面,分析阐述了造成沂沭带差异活动的可能原因,为更深入地研究沂沭带提供了新鲜的启示和思路.     

Late Quaternary deformation on the island on Pantelleria: New constraints for the recent tectonic evolution of the Sicily Channel Rift (southern Italy)

Structural observations carried out on the volcanic Island of Pantelleria show that the tectonic setting is dominated by NNE trending normal faults and by NW-striking right-lateral strike-slip faults with normal component of motion controlled by a ≈N 100°E oriented extension. This mode of deformation also controls the development of the eruptive fissures, dykes and eruptive centres along NNE–SSW belts that may thus represent the surface response to crustal cracking with associated magma intrusions. Magmatic intrusions are also responsible for the impressive vertical deformations that affect during the Late Quaternary the south-eastern segment of the island and producing a large dome within the Pantelleria caldera complex. The results of the structural analysis carried out on the Island of Pantelleria also improves the general knowledge on the Late Quaternary tectonics of the entire Sicily Channel. ESE–WNW directed extension, responsible for both the tectonic and volcano-tectonic features of the Pantelleria Island, also characterizes, at a greater scale, the entire channel as shown by available geodetic and seismological data. This mode of extension reactivates the older NW–SE trending fault segments bounding the tectonic troughs of the Channel as right-lateral strike-slip faults and produces new NNE trending pure extensional features (normal faulting and cracking) that preferentially develop at the tip of the major strike-slip fault zones. We thus relate the Late Quaternary volcanism of the Pelagian Block magmatism to dilatational strain on the NNE-striking extensional features that develop on the pre-existing stretched area and propagate throughout the entire continental crust linking the already up-welled mantle with the surface.     

Paleoseismic indications along ‘aseismic’ fault segments in the guadalentín depression (SE Spain)

The Guadalentín Depression, located in SE Spain (Murcia Region), is bounded by two of the main NE-SW master faults of the Eastern Betics Cordilleras: The Lorca-Alhama and the Palomares left-lateral strike-slip faults. Available earthquake data indicate that, in the last 600 years, some sectors of the Lorca-Alhama Fault and the entire sector of the Palomares Fault have not been associated with significant historical seismicity. However, they show a wide range of diagnostic features of earthquake surface displacements on late Pleistocene and Holocene alluvial and colluvial surfaces. Aside from the left-lateral offsets recorded along 045–050 ° master fault strands of the Lorca-Alhama Fault, major paleoseismic surface displacements show different kinematics in relation to the broad orientation of the fault strands: (1) vertical normal displacements along 010–020 ° trending faults mainly preserved as degraded fault scarps of 2.5-1.8 m high (Aljibejo site); and (2) vertical reverse displacements, with average offsets of 0.2 – 1 m, along 065–080 ° subsidiary faults. In this last group, the younger one (Carraclaca Baths site) remains as a fault scarp of 0.8 m height affecting a cascade tufa which was active until the Spanish Roman Period (2nd Century B.C. to 6th Century A.D.). In other cases, reverse offsets resulted in smaller displacements (0.26 m) of paleosols, but show a recurrent behaviour (La Escarihuela site). The strongest earthquakes recorded in the study area did not exceed more than Mb 4.5 or MSK Intensity VIII (historical) with no evidence of coseismic rupture. Therefore, the preliminary data presented here seem to indicate that the paleoseismic activity on both faults is capable of producing coseismic surface displacements, probably reaching magnitudes of at least 6.5. These data show that paleoseismic studies based on geomorphological analyses are a useful tool in the assessment of the relative degree of activity of apparently ‘aseismic’ fault traces.     

Non-elastic tilt of the earth's crust due to meteorological pressure distributions

Summary A typical disturbance observed in the records of tilt measurements performed with horizontal pendulums in a mine at a depth of 145 m below surface, under very constant temperature conditions, has been analysed as to its correlation with the barometric pressure distribution. It is shown that the observed load tilts are not due to elastic deformations of the Earth's crust, but may be ascribed to movements of tectonic blocks of large extension.     

渤海地球物理场与深部潜在地幔热柱的异常构造背景

渤海是中国东部陆缘的一个裂谷型盆地,通过重力、航磁、古地磁、天然地震、地热、应力场、地壳与上地幔结构及地震层析成像等资料,对渤海湾及其周边地带的深部结构、地球物理场效应和深层物理过程进行了综合研究．这一盆地是由NNE－NE向、近EW向和NW向3组断裂组成,这3组断裂与3组地幔隆起带基本相对应,并在渤中坳陷交汇、渤海内部的现代构造运动以水平构造应力场作用下的走滑运动为主要特征,渤海区内地壳厚度仅28-29km,上地幔向上隆起,等温居里面埋深浅（为12km）,并为较高区热流值区（56-77mW／m2）．该区岩石层厚度变化显著,庙岛西部中地壳中有一近似圆形的低速体,在120km深度仍为低速异常区．深大断裂可为深部热物质与气态物质上涌的通道．通过综合研究,提出渤海湾很可能是一个潜在的、尚在发展中的地幔热柱．     

Determination of directions of horizontal principal stress and identification of active faults in Kachchh (India) by electromagnetic radiation (EMR)

The Kachchh basin in the western India is known for its recent high seismicity. This study presents an application of the geogenic Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) technique for deciphering the directions of principal horizontal stress in the eastern Kachchh. The principal direction of horizontal stress obtained from EMR differs from those obtained from earthquake focal plane solutions. The major horizontal principal stress based on the EMR study shows an azimuth of N60°E ± 10°. The principal directions of EMR emissions are parallel to the acute bisector of conjugate microcracks. The azimuthal distribution of EMR signal and dimension of microcracks suggest that the EM emissions are transversely polarized.The study also deals with the first application of electromagnetic radiation emissions to identify active fracture planes in sandstones that could become potential active faults later, which might be seismogenic or nonseimogenic. This study is based on linear profiling at six different places across two major faults, the Kachchh Mainland Fault (KMF) and the South Wagad Fault (SWF) in the eastern Kachchh. Anomalously, high EMR emissions are observed in the eastern part of the KMF, indicating active surface deformation.     

福建东南沿海及邻区活动断裂的微地貌研究

本文对福建东南沿海及邻区活动断裂进行了微地貌学分析,研究了区内断裂构造第四纪以来的活动特征,并探讨了晚更新世以来的区域构造应力场.结果表明：北东向的长乐—诏安断裂带和与之具有成生联系的北西向断裂,第四纪以来具有垂直运动和水平运动的特征;主要有两个明显的活动期,即早、中更新世和晚更新世;晚更新世以来,北东向断裂具右旋水平滑动,北西向断裂具左旋水平滑动,显示出北西西—南东东向水平挤的区域构造应力场.     

Focal mechanism solutions and nature of plate movements in Pakistan

From the seismic point of view, the territory of Pakistan which lies between latitude 23°–37° N and longitude 61°–75° E is one of the most active zones in the world. The importance of this area lies in terms of movements of the Indian plate with respect to Eurasia on the west. Seismicity, as well as focal mechanism- solutions, throws a considerable light on the nature of forces acting in the area. All the available solutions, along with 12 new ones, have been considered for the present study. Their relationship to major faults in the area is discussed. The majority of the solutions in the central and northern parts show strike-slip faulting with a left-lateral sense of motion, followed by thrust faulting; few show normal faulting. This suggests that the Indian plate is moving with respect to the Eurasian plate along the Chaman fault, Quetta transverse zone, Sulaiman Ranges and the Hazara thrusts region joining the Hazara/Kashmir syntaxis. The orientations of P and T axes have been studied. It is seen that in a large number of cases compressive stress is acting nearly in NNW-SSE to N-S directions. The Hazara thrust region appears to be the most complex. Here, the influence of the Himalayan thrust front is evident to a large extent.The nature of faulting along the Chaman fault and Quetta transverse zone is to some extent similar to that of the San Andreas fault system of California. So far as the energy release is concerned, the maximum energy is being released in the form of strike-slip movements close to the Chaman fault and Quetta transverse ranges.     

On the evolution of the geothermal regime of the North China Basin

Recent heat flow and regional geothermal studies indicate that the North China Basin is characterized by relatively high heat flow compared with most stable areas in other parts of the world, but lower heat flow than most active tectonic areas. Measured heat flow values range from 61 to 74 mW m⁻². The temperature at a depth of 2000 m is generally in the range 75 to 85°C, but sometimes is 90°C or higher. The geothermal gradient in Cenozoic sediments is in the range 30 to 40°C/km for most of the area. The calculated temperature at the Moho is 560 and 640°C for surface heat flow values of 63 and 71 mW m⁻², respectively. These thermal data are consistent with other geophysical observations for the North China Basin. Relatively high heat flow in this area is related to Late Cretaceous-Paleogene rifting as described in this paper.     

秦岭造山带与邻域华北克拉通和扬子克拉通的壳、幔精细速度结构与深层过程

秦岭造山带与其南北两侧华北克拉通和扬子克拉通属三大构造单元,不论其各构造单元体还是其界带构造均甚为复杂,并受到多期次构造运动的制约,形成了大陆内部特异的造山过程.尽管在这一地域曾做过大量的地表地质工作和一些相关的地球物理工作,但对其壳、幔精细结构、深层动力过程,特别是同步穿越华北克拉通、秦岭-大巴造山带和扬子克拉通系统的耦合研究甚少.为了研究和探索该地域的壳、幔精细速度结构和其形成的深层过程,专门布置了一条北起榆林,向南经咸阳、宁陕直抵涪陵长达1000 km的高精度地震宽角反射、折射波场探测剖面.通过剖面辖区高分辨率的数据采集,数据处理、反演和壳、幔层、块精细速度结构,发现剖面辖区深部壳、幔结构存在特异的速度和结构变化,并厘定了一系列的新认识.研究结果表明:(1)秦岭—大巴造山带具有同一基底,其形成乃为结晶基底隆升所致,即它的形成仅涉及到上地壳的受力变形和空间状态.造山带与其南、北两侧的前陆盆地为陆内造山过程中同一深层过程的产物,但其沉积速率和形态却不相同.华北克拉通与秦岭造山带之间前陆盆地Bfc拉张为该区Moho界面的局部隆升所致.(2)首次提出了沿1000 km长剖面连续的沉积建造、结晶基底、上地壳、下地壳和上地幔顶部的层、块速度结构和各界面的起伏变化与空间状态.基于地震波边界场响应厘定了华北克拉通、秦岭—大巴造山带和扬子克拉通的分区界带.论述了三大构造单元各自的内部结构和其相邻界域的速度变化特征.(3)该区大陆内部速度结构和不同类型断裂分布及层序在华北克拉通、秦岭—大巴造山带、扬子克拉通三大块体地域存在显著差异.不同规模、层次与产状的断裂分布反映出它们在变形行为和机制上及所受构造运动的制约上均存在明显的差异.     

Geochemistry and isotopes of fluids from sulphur springs, Valles Caldera, New Mexico

Detailed geochemistry supported by geologic mapping has been used to investigate Sulphur Springs, an acid-sulfate hot spring system that issues from the western flank of the resurgent dome inside Valles Caldera. The most intense activity occurs at the intersection of faults offsetting caldera-fill deposits and post-caldera rhyolites. Three geothermal wells in the area have encountered pressures <1 MPa and temperatures of 200°C at depths of 600 to 1000 m. Hot spring and fumarole fluids may discharge at boiling temperatures with pH 1.0 and SO₄ 8000 mg/l. These conditions cause argillic alterations throughout a large area.Non-condensible gases consist of roughly 99% CO₂ with minor amounts of H₂S, H₂, and CH₄. Empirical gas geothermometry suggests a deep reservoir temperature of 215 to 280°C. Comparison of ¹³C and ¹⁸O between CaCO₃ from well cuttings and CO₂ from fumarole steam indicates a fractionation temperature between 200 and 300°C by decarbonation of hydrothermally altered Paleozoic limestone and vein calcite in the reservoir rocks. Tritium concentrations obtained from steam condensed in a mudpot and deep reservoir fluids (Baca #13, 278°C) are 2.1 and 1.0 T.U. respectively, suggesting the steam originates from a reservoir whose water is mostly >50 yrs old. Deuterium contents of fumarole steam, deep reservoir fluid, and local meteoric water are practically identical even though ¹⁸O contents range through 4‰, thus, precipitation on the resurgent dome of the caldera could recharge the hydrothermal system by slow percolation. From analysis of D and ¹⁸O values between fumarol steam and deep reservoir fluid, steam reaches the surface either (1) by vaporizing relatively shallow groundwater at 200°C or (2) by means of a two-stage boiling process through an intermediate level reservoir at roughly 200°C.Although many characteristics of known vapor-dominated geothermal systems are found at Sulphur Springs, fundamental differences exist in temperature and pressure of our postulated vapor-zone. We propose that the reservoir beneath Sulphur Springs is too small or too poorly confined to sustain a “true” vapor-dominated system and that the Sulphur Springs system may be a “dying” vapor-dominated system that has practically boiled itself dry.     

The regularity of vertical crustal movements of the western slopes of the Peter the Great Range

The results of relevellings made in 1948 and 1969–1975 along the Obi-Hingou profile, which is a part of the Garm test area, are analysed. Different characteristics of slow movements in the separate parts of the levelling line divided by faults were obtained by using the displacement velocities of the Earth's surface in each separate section of the profile (from the results of repeated levellings). The uplift of the Peter the Great Range is determined against the background of subsidence in the Tadjik Depression. The exact values of maximum displacements ( ≈ 7 mm ) were determined and the radius of the deformation zone (12–13 km) was established for earthquakes with M = 4.5–5.     

Palaeomagnetic timing of the rotation and translation of Cyprus

The geological evolution of the Mesozoic Troodos Ophiolite Complex in Cyprus, and the tectonic nature and timing of the palaeomagnetically indicated anticlockwise rotation of Cyprus of some 80° and ca. 15° northward translation, have been open for debate for some time. New palaeomagnetic data from 18 sites ( 180samples) in the post-ophiolite sediments, ranging in age from Upper Cretaceous to Upper Miocene, are presented. Most of the sites are of normal geomagnetic polarity, but indications of reversed polarity have been found in an older group of sediments (the Lefkara Formation of Upper Palaeocene age).Six sites from the older group of sediments (Upper Cretaceous to Eocene in age) give a site mean direction of the AF cleaned sediments of (D, I) = (323°, 29°) with α₉₅ = 18°, while 5 sites from a younger group of sediments (Oligocene to Miocene in age) give a cleaned site mean direction of (D, I) = (334°, 58°) with α₉₅ = 9°. These and published data suggest that an anticlockwise rotation of Cyprus of 60 ± 10° occurred early during the post-igneous evolution of the Cyprus oceanic crust between 90 and 50Ma, leaving only a minor anticlockwise rotation of 20 ± 10° to occur during the last 50 Ma. It is furthermore concluded that the northward translation of Cyprus of 15° mostly took place during the last 30Ma.It thus appears that a fairly rapid rotation of the Cyprus microplate first took place in the Late Cretaceous and Early Tertiary time with an average angular velocity of 1–2°/Ma, during which the northward translation was minor or negligible. In the latter half of the Tertiary, the sense of movement appears to have radically changed, the northward translation now being dominant with an average velocity of 5–6cm/yr. This temporal evolution is found to be in good agreement with the Mesozoic and Tertiary movements of the African lithospheric plate relative to Europe, as evidenced from the Atlantic sea-floor magnetic anomaly spreading history.