Seismotectonic environment of occurring the February 3, 1996 Lijiang M=7.0 earthquake, Yunnan Province

Lijiang-Daju fault, the seismogenic fault of the 1996 Lijiang M=7.0 earthquake, can be divided into Lijiang-Yuhu segment in the south and Yuhu-Daju segment in the north. The two segments show clear difference in geological tectonics, but have the similar dynamic features. Both normal dip-slip and sinistral strike-slip coexist on the fault plane. This kind of movement started at the beginning of the Quaternary (2.4～2.5 Ma B.P.). As to the tectonic types, the detachment fault with low angle was developed in the Early Pleistocene and the normal fault with high angle only after the Mid-Pleistocene (0.8 Ma B.P.). Based on the horizontal displacements of gullies and the vertical variance of planation surfaces cross the Lijiang-Daju fault at east piedmont of Yulong-Haba range, the average horizontal and vertical slip rates are calculated. They are 0.84 mm/a and 0.70 mm/a since the Quaternary and 1.56 mm/a and 1.69 mm/a since the Mid-Pleistocene. The movements of the nearly N-S-trending Lijiang-Daju fault are controlled not only by the regional stress field, but also by the variant movement between the Yulong-Haba range and Lijiang basin. The two kinds of dynamic processes form the characteristics of seismotectonic environment of occurring the 1996 Lijiang earthquake.     

The low seismic activity of the Korean Peninsula surrounded by high earthquake countries

Although the Korean Peninsula is locatednear several great earthquake regions suchas NE China and SW Japan, it has neversuffered from catastrophic earthquakes forthe last 2000 years according to historicaland instrumental records. We investigatedthe low seismicity of Korea based on thehypothesis of the Baikal-Korea Plate (BKP)or Amurian Plate movement which isinitiated by the Baikal Rift Zone spreadingin a southeastward motion with acounter-clockwise rotation due to thecollision of the Indian Plate against theEurasian Plate. Many disastrous earthquakesof NE China, SW Japan and Sakhalin releaselarge amounts of seismic energy along theboundary of the Baikal-Korea Plate. It isnecessary to compute the released seismicenergy along the presumed boundary of theBaikal-Korea Plate compared to the KoreanPeninsula in order to estimate themicro-plate boundary. The total energyreleases (1900–1999) from the majordisastrous earthquakes (M6.0) alongthe Baikal-Korea plate are about10³–10⁴ times as much as theKorean Peninsula (M3.0). The focalmechanisms for the intra-continentalearthquakes near and/or along theBaikal-Korea Plate boundary of NE China, SW Japan, Sakhalin and Mongolia mostlyrepresent the horizontal motions of theright-lateral strike slip type, indicatingthat the Baikal-Korea Plate is acounter-clockwise and transcurrent motion. The relative displacement vectors of GPS(global positioning system) also indicatedthat the Baikal-Korea Plate movescounter-clockwise around the KoreanPeninsula. These factors may indicate thatthe Korean Peninsula is not located at thePlate boundary, but just within a margin ofthe Baikal-Korea Plate which movessoutheastward with a counter-clockwiserotation from the Baikal Rift Zone in NEAsia. Therefore there is no enoughaccumulated strain to generate largeearthquakes in the Korean Peninsula and itmakes the Korean Peninsula free fromseismic hazard of large catastrophicearthquakes.     

New geomorphic evidence for anticlinal growth driven by blind-thrust faulting along the northern Marche coastal belt (central Italy)

The Northern Marche coastal belt is characterised by a series of NW-SE trending, NE verging folds forming the easternmost edge of the Apennines thrust front. Several geomorphic features suggest that the folds are still growing and hence that the thrust front is active. The occurrence of several historical and instrumental earthquakes (e.g. 1672, 1690, 1786, 1875, 1916, 1930, 1972, all having M_e 5.2) suggests that the thrust faults are also seismogenic.We performed a geomorphological analysis to identify and characterise the faults driving the active folds. Our approach assumes that anomalous drainage patterns and deformed Middle-Late Pleistocene alluvial and coastal terraces are indicators of the vertical component of tectonic strain. We identified, mapped and correlated with sea-level fluctuations a sequence of alluvial and coastal terraces. Longitudinal profiles of six rivers (Conca, Foglia, Metauro, Cesano, Misa, and Esino) show that terraces (1) consistently converge downstream, suggesting that they result from regional uplift that dies out near the coast, and (2) some are slightly warped where they cross anticline axes. We interpreted as coastal terraces several land-surface remnants arranged parallel to the present coastline. Lower remnants clearly top off gently landward-tilted coastal deposits. Reconstructed coastal terraces also seem to be tectonically warped.Our results help characterise the geometry and segmentation of a system that generated the largest earthquakes of the region and suggest the loci of potential seismic gaps. We conclude that the earthquake potential of the densely populated northern Marche coastal belt may be substantially higher than currently estimated.     

Similarities between strike-slip faults at different scales and a simple age determining method for active faults

Abstract Several differently scaled strike‐slip faults were examined. The faults shared many geometric features, such as secondary fractures and linkage structures (damage zones). Differences in fault style were not related to specific scale ranges. However, it was recognized that differences in style may occur in different tectonic settings (e.g. dilational/contractional relays or wall/linkage/tip zones), different locations along the master fault or different fault evolution stages. Fractal dimensions were compared for two faults (Gozo and San Andreas), which supports the idea of self‐similarity. Fractal dimensions for traces of faults and fractures of damage zones were higher (D ～1.35) than for the main fault traces (D ～1.005) because of increased complexity due to secondary faults and fractures. Based on the statistical analysis of another fault evolution study, single event movements in earthquake faults typically have a maximum earthquake slip : rupture length ratio of approximately 10^?4, although this has only been established for large earthquake faults because of limited data. Most geological faults have a much higher maximum cumulative displacement : fault length ratio; that is, approximately 10^?2 to 10^?1 (e.g. Gozo, ～10^?2; San Andreas, ～10^?1). The final cumulative displacement on a fault is produced by accumulation of slip along ruptures. Hence, using the available information from earthquake faults, such as earthquake slip, recurrence interval, maximum cumulative displacement and fault length, the approximate age of active faults can be estimated. The lower limit of estimated active fault age is expressed with maximum cumulative displacement, earthquake slip and recurrence interval as T ? (d_max /u) · I(M).     

Change of crustal gravitational potential energy in the Taiwan orogen by the Chi-Chi earthquake sequence

The active convergence between the northwest corner of the Philippine Sea Plate and the southeast margin of the Eurasian Plate has given rise to the Taiwan mountain-building and produced numerous earthquakes. Among the earthquakes, the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake is the largest one recorded in the century. In this study, we examine the crustal gravitational potential energy (GPE) change in the Taiwan orogen caused by the Chi-Chi earthquake sequence, which was catalogued by the regional broadband seismometer array for a whole year. As a result, we find that the crust was going up and down randomly during the earthquake sequence, but an overall cumulative gain of the crustal GPE, +1.82×10¹⁶ J, was rapidly achieved in 1 month after the main shock. The crustal GPE was nearly still afterwards and reached +1.90×10¹⁶ J in 1 year. Spatially, although the main surface faulting has occurred in western Taiwan, the crustal GPE gain is mainly distributed in central Taiwan at the area where the existing crustal GPE is high and the existing lithospheric GPE is relatively low. The crustal GPE loss by the Chi-Chi earthquake sequence can also be observed and is generally distributed at both sides of the crustal GPE gain area. The crustal GPE gain mainly found in central Taiwan corroborates that the uplift of the Taiwan orogen is principally taking place in central Taiwan, rather than in the more hazardous western Taiwan.     

基于震情会商实时异常分类记录的综合异常指数研究

为进行异常特征或异常判据的定量分析,在多种预测手段(方法)的异常隶属度转换的基础上生成单项异常指数时间序列,再通过将多种预测手段(方法)单项异常指数时间序列逐时段累加取均值,得到综合异常指数时间序列,实现前兆信息的定量化。研究中根据新疆台站分布、历史地震及地震构造背景等,选定7个研究区进行应用研究。各研究区综合异常指数时间进程曲线分析表明,台站相对密集的北天山3个研究区综合异常指数在中等地震前出现较明显的短期异常,而台站相对稀疏的南天山地区几个研究区除柯坪块体的阿克苏-乌什-阿合奇地区的综合异常指数在巴楚-伽师6．8级地震前出现明显的短期异常外,其它地区综合异常指数时间进程曲线稳定性及异常对应效果较差。     

预警地震在地震预测中的意义

对新疆1970-2002年地震资料以不同范围、不同震级进行全时空扫描。结果表明，新疆台网监测能力较好地区绝大多数6级以上地震前地震活动关联图较为清晰。提出了预警地震的概念，认为预警地震在短临预报方面有一定的作用。     

2002年12月25日乌恰5.8级地震的长、中、短期跟踪预测和反思

在乌恰地区地震活动呈现长期平静异常的背景下,通过多种方法对2002年12月25日乌恰5．8级地震进行了1-3年的中长期预测。应用“模糊地震活动度”和“空区参数法”两种方法进行了1年和半年的中期预测,结合对该地区小震活动动态的分析与震例分析,尤其是预警地震的分析判断,提出了3个月的短期预测意见,较好地预测了这次地震。最后对预测情况进行了正反两个方面的总结和反思,提出了七点看法。     

云南地区4级地震频度异常特征与强震关系研究

对云南地区18次MS≥6强震事件前中、小地震活动过程进行了分析,发现在这些地震发生前1—3年近场区2°×2°范围内4级地震频度基本上出现了显著增强现象,可以用4级地震年累计频度进行定量描述。通过全时空的扫描,确定年累计频度N≥4为异常阈值,该指标通过了置信度97.5%的R值内符检验。并用调整单元对强震附近4级地震活动增强现象给予了物理解释。     

加强高土石坝抗震研究的现实意义及工作展望

围绕西部大开发和南水北调战略的需要,对高土石坝抗震研究的现实意义和若干关键问题及研究现状进行了论述。并针对高土石坝震害资料获取与整理、坝料动力特性研究、多耦合非线性动力分析理论和方法、动力破损特征与地震灾害机理、地震安全评价与震害预测的基本理论、抗震设计及抗震措施、震灾机理和抗震理论的动力模型试验等研究提出了工作设想和展望,并提出了建立土石坝地震安全评价及防灾对策专家系统的基本思路。