Review on study of seismotectonics in China

This paper reviews briefly the progresses made during the last four years (1999～2002) in study of seismotectonics in China, especially appraises the achievements in the fields of the crustal and upper mantle‘s structure, the active faults and tectonic setting of large earthquakes, the crustal deformation, and the numerical simulation. Most earth-quakes occurred in China belong to continental earthquakes. Therefore, Chinese seismologists pay more attention to the continental earthquakes. Based on improvements of the observation systems in China during the ninth Five-Year Plan, the studies on seismotectonics have achieved great progresses.     

Re-appraisal of seismicity and seismotectonics in the north-eastern Algeria Part II: 20th century seismicity and seismotectonics analysis

The main objective of the research work isthe homogenisation of the two recentAlgerian earthquake catalogues for thecommon covered period of time, from 1900 to1990, for the region under considerationlimited by [33^°N–38^°N,4^°E-9.5^°E] and the updatingof the catalogue for the twentieth century(1900–2000). To mitigate the deficiencyof the incompleteness of catalogue, aneffort was made to establish a correlationbetween surface-wave magnitude Ms andbody-wave magnitude m_b in the form ofMs = a + b (m_b). A complete, exact andhomogeneous earthquake catalogue as much aspossible, comprising 870 seismic events,has been compiled. Seismicity analysis ofthe region shows a strong concentration ofseismicity along a band of no more than400 km width oriented mainly in theeast-west direction parallel to the coast.Moreover, earthquakes in this zone arerather associated to strike-slip mechanism.The focal mechanism show a regional stressregime that corresponds to horizontalcompression in NW-SE to N-S direction. As aresult of the review of the seismicity ofnorth-eastern Algeria from the compilationof checked and corrected data and itscorrelation with other geologic andgeophysical investigations based ondocumentary sources, it was possible toconstruct a most complete seismotectonicmap. It leads also to delineate fourseismogenic zones in the Tellian Atlas, aless important zone in the Saharan Atlas, asixth zone at the boundary of both Atlasand finally, a seventh one along thecoastal zone. The seismicity-active faultscorrelation of some of these defined zonesis examined in details with a specialattention to the Saharan Atlas zone, theHodna and Biban zone as well as Soummam andBabor zone where further research workallowed to find some neotectonic featuresconsidered as a significant sign of recenttectonic activity.     

On the structure and seismotectonics of the Kuril arc-trench system

Based on the new regional catalog of focal mechanisms for 396 strong (M ≥ 6.0) earthquakes in the Kuril-Okhotsk region and Japanese one in part for the period of 1964–2009 and with the data of seismic continuous profiling and multichannel common-depth point sounding by reflection method used, the peculiarities of the structure and seismotectonics of the Kuril arc-trench system have been analyzed. Additionally, the features of the Benioff and Tarakanov opposite seismofocal zones, associated with the Kuril arc-trench system, are studied. It is shown that the Benioff zone is a deep thrust through which the Kuril Arc (or Eurasian tectonic forefront) has thrust on the Pacific Plate by up to 50–70 km for the last 0.5–1.0 Ma (Pasadenian global phase of folding and orogeny). The thrusting process formed the middle and lower parts of the Pacific Ocean slope, the tectonic couple of Pegasus regional nappe and accretionary prism, the ramp structure of the Kuril Trench, and probably the opposite seismofocal zones.     

Geothermic activity and seismotectonics in the altitude of the Tibetan plateau

In the present analysis on the relationships among the depth of lithosphere brittle fracture,seismotectonics and geothermal anomalous active in Tibetan plateau were investigated using the seismic dada from ISC and Chinese seismic net and geothermal data.The results suggest that the region of anomalously geothermal activity almost coincides with that of the normal faulting type earthquake.The geothermal anomaly activity region coincides spatially with that of the events deeper than 60 km as well as.The norma...     

Interplate coupling and seismotectonics under the fore-arc regions of Japan

Three-dimensional P-and S-wave velocities(vP,vS),Poisson's ratio(σ),crack-density(ε) and bulk-sound velocity(vφ) structures along the slab upper boundary beneath the fore-arc regions were determined using a large number of high-quality P-wave and S-wave arrival times from both onshore and offshore earthquakes in Japan.The velocity and Poisson's ratio images provide a compelling evidence for a highly hydrated and serpentinized fore-arc mantle and fluid-bearing anomalous low velocity and high Poisson's ratio associated with slab dehydration under the fore-arc areas.Most great thrust earthquakes(M7.5) occurred at or close to the high-velocity areas along the slab interface under the fore-arc areas,suggesting strong interplate coupling(asperities) with slab subduction.On the other hand,prominent low-velocity anomalies were revealed along the slab upper boundary,which may reflect weak coupled or decoupled patches(aseismicity) of the plates due to serpentinization of the fore-arc mantle wedge.The crack-density and bulk-sound velocity images,calculated from the corresponding velocity models,indicate that the interplate coupling in northeastern Japan is different from that under central and southwestern Japan owing to differences between the tectonic backgrounds of the subduction system,such as the geological age,thermal regime and dipping angle of the oceanic plates.A comparison between fluid-related anomalies of Japan,Cascadia,Chile,and Costa Rica subduction zones suggests that seismic mantle may be common in fore-arc settings and these reflect similar 3-D seismic structures relatively to fluid liberating processes.We consider that the fluid-bearing anomalies along the interface of the subducting slab,attributing to processes such as slab dehydration and serpentinization of the fore-arc mantle,are mainly contributed to the interplate coupling and the repeated generation of the great thrust earthquakes under the fore-arc regions in Japan.     

2011年3月24日缅甸孟帕亚M7.2级地震地震构造浅析

本文简要论述了2011年3月24日缅甸孟帕亚M7.2级地震的发震构造,孟帕亚断裂的活动特征、活动时代,以及断裂与历史地震活动的关系.     

岳阳及周边地区地震构造与地震活动性研究

陈述了岳阳市及周边地区的主要断裂带及其地震活动，归纳了发震部位。认为利用小震条带预报本区地震具有积极意义，并运用数理统计法预测了本区今后50及100年内的地震活动水平。     

Crustal structure in northern margin of Tianshan mountains and seismotectonics of the 1906 Manas earthquake

Introduction The Tianshan orogenic belt between the Tarim and Junggar basins has re-uplifted in Cenozoic due to the collision and the northwards push-compression of Asia-India plate. The special active tectonic zones have been formed along both south and north margins of the Tianshan mountains (FENG, et al, 1991). The Tianshan seismic belt is one of the major seismic belts in China. A se-ries of strong earthquakes occurred in two flanks of the Tianshan mountains in 20th century, such as …     

Relocation of aftershocks of the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake and its implication to seismotectonics

From 14:28 (GMT+8) on May 12th,2008,the origin time of MS8.0 Wenchuan earthquake,to December 31th,2008,more than 10 000 aftershocks (M≥2.0) had been recorded by the seismic networks in Sichuan and surrounding areas.Using double difference algorithm,the main shock and more than 7 000 aftershocks were relocated.The aftershocks distribute about 350 km long.The depths of aftershocks are mainly between 10 km and 20 km.The average depth of aftershocks is about 13 km after relocation.In the southwest,the distribut...     

The crustal structures of the central Longmenshan along and its margins as related to the seismotectonics of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake

In 2010, a 500-km-long wide-angle reflection/refraction seismic profile was completed, running northwest from the central Sichuan Basin. This profile orthogonally crosses the meizoseismal area of great Wenchuan earthquake of 12 May 2008, which occurred in the central part of the Longmenshan. The profile also passes through the northwestern Sichuan Plateau, along which a new deep seismic sounding observation system was set up that was much improved over previous datasets and enabled abundant observations to be recorded. Seismic wave phase records that reflect the structural characteristics of different tectonic blocks, especially the complicated phase features associated with the Wenchuan earthquake, were calculated and analyzed in detail. A 2D crustal P-wave velocity model for the orogenic belt in the central Longmenshan and its margins was determined, and crustal structure differences between the stable Sichuan Basin and the thickened northwestern Sichuan Plateau were characterized. Lithological variations within the upper and lower crust in the interior of the plateau, especially a great velocity decrease and plastic rheological properties associated with strong lithologic weakening in lower crust, were detected. From west to east in the lower crust beneath the orogenic belt lying between the Sichuan Basin and the northwestern Sichuan Plateau, a giant shovel-like upwelling is observed that dips gently in the lower part and at higher angles in the upper part; this is inferred to be related to the fault systems in the central Longmenshan. An upwelling in the upper-middle crust along the eastern margin of the orogenic belt is associated with steeply dipping thrusts that strongly uplift the upper crust and crystalline basement beneath a central fault system in the Longmenshan. The data, combined with an understanding of the regional tectonic stress field and previous geological results, enable a discussion of basin-and-range coupling, orogenic tectonics, the crustal fault system, and the seismogenic tectonic environment of the central Longmenshan along the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.     

Research on the seismotectonics of the January 17, 1995 HanshinM7.2 earthquake

Based on the geological tectonics, aftershock activity, earthquake surface rupture and peak ground motion, the geometric and dynamic characteristics of seismogenic tectonics about the 1995 Hanshin earthquake are analysed. Nojima fault and Rokko fault have the same trending direction, but opposite dips. Their rising and falling plates are in symmetrically diagonal distribution. The two faults can be defined as thrust-strike slip faults and constitute a pivotal strike-slip fault. The earthquake just occurred at the pivot, which is the seismotectonics for the earthquake to develop and occur. The pivotal movement along a strike-slip fault often leads to the occurrence of large earthquakes, whose dynamic process can be demonstrated by the stress analysis on the torsion of a beam with rectangle section. The displacement of earthquake surface rupture, aftershock density and peak acceleration change in a certain range of epicentral distance just similar as the shear stress changes from the center to the sides in the rectangle section. The distribution characteristics of the heaviest damage areas are also discussed in the article from the aspects of special geological tectonics and seismotectonic condition. The result obtained from the article can be applied not only to realizing the potencial earthquake sources in middle-long time, but also to build reasonably the prediction model about earthquake hazard.     

天祝-古浪地区双差地震层析成像与古浪地震构造探讨

利用观测走时、走时残差和波形互相关方法获得走时残差,采用双差地震层析方法对1996年6月1日天祝5.2级地震后布设的微震台网资料进行处理,获得了台网下方上地壳三维速度结构的基本特征和地震绝对位置的空间展布特征,并由此勾画出区域活动断裂在深部的延伸情况.地震层析结果表明,研究区上地壳速度结构在纵向和横向上具有明显的非均匀...     

Research on the seismotectonics of the January 17, 1995 Hanshin M 7.2 earthquake

Based on the geological tectonics, aftershock activity, earthquake surface rupture and peak ground motion, the geometric and dynamic characteristics of seismogenic tectonics about the 1995 Hanshin earthquake are analysed. Nojima fault and Rokko fault have the same trending direction, but opposite dips. Their rising and falling plates are in symmetrically diagonal distribution. The two faults can be defined as thrust-strike slip faults and constitute a pivotal strike-slip fault. The earthquake just occurred at the pivot, which is the seismotectonics for the earthquake to develop and occur. The pivotal movement along a strike-slip fault often leads to the occurrence of large earthquakes, whose dynamic process can be demonstrated by the stress analysis on the torsion of a beam with rectangle section. The displacement of earthquake surface rupture, aftershock density and peak acceleration change in a certain range of epicentral distance just similar as the shear stress changes from the center to the sides in the rectangle section. The distribution characteristics of the heaviest damage areas are also discussed in the article from the aspects of special geological tectonics and seismotectonic condition. The result obtained from the article can be applied not only to realizing the potencial earthquake sources in middle-long time, but also to build reasonably the prediction model about earthquake hazard.     

Research on the seismotectonics of the Jan－uary 17，1995 Hanshin M7．2 earthquake

ＲｅｓｅａｒｃｈｏｎｔｈｅｓｅｉｓｍｏｔｅｃｔｏｎｉｃｓｏｆｔｈｅＪａｎ┐ｕａｒｙ１７，１９９５ＨａｎｓｈｉｎＭ７．２ｅａｒｔｈｑｕａｋｅＺＨＵ－ＪＵＮＨＡＮ１）（韩竹君），ＦＵ－ＨＵＲＥＮ２）（任伏虎），ＹｕｊｉｒｏＯｇａｗａ２）（小川雄二郎）ａ...     

Activity of the Lenglongling fault system and seismotectonics of the 2016 M_S6.4 Menyuan earthquake

The MS6.4 Menyuan earthquake occurred on the northern side of the Lenglongling fault(LLLF) in the mid-western of the Qilian-Haiyuan fault zone on January 21, 2016. The earthquake epicenter was distant from the Minle-Damaying and Huangcheng-Shuangta faults, eastern of the Northern Qilian Shan fault zone. A near northwest-striking rupture plane intersects the two faults at a certain angle. The focal mechanism solution shows that this was a thrust-type earthquake, slightly different from the strike-slip movement with a thrust component of the LLLF. Field geological mapping, tectonic geomorphology analysis, trench excavation and 14 C dating reveal that(1) the LLLF has been obviously active since the Holocene, and may behave with characteristic slip behavior and produce M_W7.3–7.5 earthquakes;(2) the LLLF appears as a flower structure in terms of structure style, and dips NNE at a steep angle; and(3) the most recent earthquake event occurred after 1815–1065 a BP. An associated fault, the Northern Lenglongling fault(NLLLF), is located at the northwestern end of the LLLF. Consequently, the NLLLF was continually subject to tectonic pushing effects from the left-lateral shear at the end of the LLLF, and, accordingly, it bent and rotated outward tectonically.Subsequently, the fault deviated from the dominant rupture azimuth and activity weakened. In the late Quaternary, it behaved as a thrust fault with no obvious deformation at the surface. This is indicated by the arc shape, with a micro-protrusion northeastward,and no geologic or geomorphic signs of surface rupturing since the late Quaternary. However, such faults could still rupture at depth, producing moderate-strong earthquakes. The geometric and kinematic properties of the NLLLF are in good agreement with the occurrence and kinematic properties of nodal plane 2, and with the distribution characteristics of the aftershocks and seismic intensity. Therefore, the NLLLF is a more suitable seismogenic structure for the MS 6.4 Menyuan earthquake. In addition, the thrust movement of the NLLLF accommodates subsequent movement of the LLLF. During the historical evolution of the NLLLF,the LLLF and the NLLLF have affected the local topography through tectonic uplift.     

Re-appraisal of seismicity and seismotectonics in the north-eastern Algeria Part I: Review of historical seismicity

As large destructive seismic events are not frequent in Algeria, anexhaustive knowledge of the historical seismicity is required to have arealistic view of seismic hazard in this part of the world. This research workpresents a critical reappraisal of seismicity in the north-eastern Algeria forseismotectonic and seismic hazard purposes. This part of work focuses onthe seismicity of pre-1900 period for the area under consideration[33^°N-38^°N, 4^°E-9.5^°E]. By going back tothe available documentary sources and evaluating and analysing the eventsin geographical, cultural and historical context, it has been possible toidentify 111 events, from 1850–1899, which are not reported in therecent Algerian catalogue. Several spurious events, reported in standardlistings, have been deleted and nine unknown events have been discovered.It is quite clear that macroseismic information derived from press reportsand published documents in Algeria, under certain conditions, is veryincomplete, even for destructive earthquakes, located in the countrysideaway from communication centres. One of the reasons for this iscensorship, noticeable during the colonisation period. Critical analysis ofnewly collected information has allowed the determination and/or theimprovement of the macroseismic parameters of each event, such aslocation, maximum epicentral intensity and magnitude to produce anearthquake catalogue as homogeneous and complete as the available data,for the zone under study. The criteria used in this research are explainedand eight historical earthquakes have been the subject of retrospectivemacroseismic field construction.The investigation of historical earthquakes is one of the most important taskin studying seismotectonic for seismic hazard evaluation purposes.     

The impact of freshwater discharges on the ocean circulation in the Skagerrak/northern North Sea area Part I: model validation

We assess the performance of an eddy-recognizing numerical ocean model in simulating the pattern and variability of the hydrography in the Skagerrak/northern North Sea area. The model we use is a version of the widely used Princeton ocean model employing a terrain-following vertical coordinate. Results from a series of five multi-year simulations of the mesoscale response are described. The simulations differ in their representation of the lateral freshwater supply to the model ocean of which the first is a reference simulation. The next four are variations in which the river discharges and/or the Baltic outflow are given more realistic representations. For validation, we have used in situ hydrographic data. A novelty is that we use the concepts of freshwater height and potential energy anomaly as objective validation tools. We find that, in general, the model faithfully reproduces many of the observed hydrographic features including their mean patterns and their variance. Not surprisingly, we find that the Baltic outflow is by far the most significant freshwater source in terms of its influence on the hydrography in the area, a result corroborating earlier findings. The best validation is obtained when all freshwater supply is made as realistic as possible, in particular the Baltic outflow. We also find that the large scale cyclonic circulation and the location of fronts are robust characteristics of the Skagerrak/northern North Sea circulation given the impact changes in the freshwater input has on the hydrography. Finally, we find that a further exploration of the impact of the lateral open boundary forcing, e.g., the input of Atlantic water, is needed.