Numerical simulation of rock progressive fanure on samples with a pre-existed weak zone during brittle failure

Considering the heterogeneity of geomechanical materials, seismicity during brittle rock failure under compressive loading on the sample with an original weak zone is simulated by using rock failure process analysis code (RFPA^2d ). The run-through process of weak zone, the forming of new fault and associated micro-seismicities are studied. The modeling demonstrates the total process of source development of earthquake from deformation, micro-failure to collapse and the behavior of temporal-spatial distribution of micro-seismicities. The stress, strain and the temporal-spatial distribution of micro-seismicities life-likely portrayed the phenomena of localization and temporal-spatial transitions, which is similar to those observed in our real crust. Also, the results obtained in simulations are in agreement with or similar to the reported experimental observations. Foundation item: The Development Program on National Key Basic Researches under the Project "Mechanism and Prediction of Continental Strong Earthquakes" (G19980407) and State Natural Science Foundation (49974009).     

天然气水合物地震响应研究——中国南海HD152测线应用实例

目前识别水合物的主要依据是BSR和其上具有高速特征的空白带。当BSR不存在, 或由于水合物饱和度较高导致空白带特征不明显时, 水合物的识别是未解决的问题。针对这种情况, 提出了一种更实用的水合物识别模式: 低速背景中近似平行于海底的高速地质体是水合物带的特征, 水合物带泊松比降低, 利用纵横波速度信息易于识别水合物带下是否存在游离气。基于上述水合物的识别模式, 以中国南海HD152测线为实例进行了天然气水合物的识别研究。     

Comparison of Ray Methods with the Exact Solution in the 1-D Anisotropic “Simplified Twisted Crystal” Model

The exact analytical solution for the plane S-wave, propagating along the axis of spirality in the simple 1-D anisotropic simplified twisted crystal model, is compared with four different approximate ray-theory solutions. The four different ray methods are (a) the coupling ray theory, (b) the coupling ray theory with the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times, (c) the anisotropic ray theory, (d) the isotropic ray theory. The comparison is carried out numerically, by evaluating both the exact analytical solution and the analytical solutions of the equations of the four ray methods. The comparison simultaneously demonstrates the limits of applicability of the isotropic and anisotropic ray theories, and the superior accuracy of the coupling ray theory over a broad frequency range. The comparison also shows the possible inaccuracy due to the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times in the equations of the coupling ray theory. The coupling ray theory thus should definitely be preferred to the isotropic and anisotropic ray theories, but the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times should be avoided. Although the simplified twisted crystal model is designed for testing purposes and has no direct relation to geological structures, the wave-propagation phenomena important in the comparison are similar to those in the models of the geological structures.In additional numerical tests, the exact analytical solution is numerically compared with the finite-difference numerical results, and the analytical solutions of the equations of different ray methods are compared with the corresponding numerical results of 3-D ray-tracing programs developed by the authors of the paper.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of seismicity before the Umbria-Marche September 26, 1997 earthquakes

Spatial and temporal distribution of seismicityoccurring prior to the Umbria-Marche earthquake ofSeptember 26, 1997, are studied. By applying the RTLprognostic parameter, a quiescence stage followed bya period of foreshock activation is observed beforethe event. The main shock occurred soon after therecovery of the RTL parameter to its normal backgroundlevel. An investigation of the clustering process isperformed on the earthquakes with M 3.5,occurred since 1989 in the area of the epicenter ofthe September 26, 1997 event. In comparison to theaverage background of the previous period, theincrease of the area of rupture activated during thetwelve months leading up to the Umbria-Marcheconcentrates in the vicinity of the main shock. Someresults of application of the time-to-failure model toseismicity before the Umbria-Marche main shock, arealso discussed.     

Crust–upper mantle seismic velocity structure across Southeastern China

One in-line wide-angle seismic profile was conducted in 1990 in the course of the Southeastern China Continental Dynamics project aimed at the study of the contact between the Cathaysia block and the Yangtze block. This 380-km-long profile extended in NW–SE direction from Tunxi, Anhui Province, to Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. Five in-line shots were fired and recorded at seismic stations with spacing of about 3 km along the recording line. We have used two-dimensional ray tracing to model P- and S-wave arrivals and provide constraints on the velocity structure of the upper crust, middle crust, lower crust, Moho discontinuity, and the top part of the lithospheric mantle. P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity and V_P/V_S ratio are mapped. The crust is 36-km thick on average, albeit it gradually thins from the northwest end to the southeast end (offshore) of the profile. The average crustal velocity is 6.26 km/s for P-waves but 3.6 km/s for S-waves. A relatively narrow low-velocity layer of about 4 km of thickness, with P- and S-wave velocities of 6.2 km/s and 3.5 km/s, respectively, marks the bottom of the middle crust at a depth of 23-km northwest and 17-km southeast. At the crust–mantle transition, the P- and S-wave velocity change quickly from 7.4 to 7.8 km/s (northwest) and 8.0 to 8.2 km/s (southeast) and from 3.9 to 4.2 km/s (northwest) and 3.9 to 4.5 km/s (southeast), respectively. This result implies a lateral contrast in the upper mantle velocity along the 140 km sampled by the profile approximately. The average V_P/V_S ratio ranges from 1.68–1.8 for the upper crust to 1.75 for the middle and 1.75–1.85 for lower crust. With the interpretation of the wide-angle seismic data, Jiangshan–Shaoxin fault is considered as the boundary between the Yangtze and the Cathaysia block.     

Crustal and upper mantle S-wave velocity structure beneath the Bransfield Strait (West Antarctica) from regional surface wave tomography

Regional surface wave tomography in the sub-Antarctic Scotia Sea is helpful in revealing the nature of the crust and the S-wave seismic velocity profile beneath the Bransfield Strait. The joint use of our regional network, global seismographic network stations and local temporary arrays provide better lateral resolution than that obtained in our previous studies concerning the Scotia Sea region.Tomographic analysis of data obtained using 10 broad band seismic stations and more than 300 regional events, shows that the Bransfield Basin is characterised by a strong group velocity reduction of 8% with respect to the surrounding areas, in the period range from 15 s to 50 s.The crustal and upper mantle models of the eastern, central and western Bransfield Basin are obtained by joint inversion of Rayleigh and Love local dispersion curves from 15 s to 50 s. In addition our data set is expanded to a broader period interval (1–80 s), in central Bransfield Strait in order to better constrain the upper mantle and shallow crust.The main results can be summarized as follows: (a) the crust thins distinctly from W toward E; the variation is consistent with the type of volcanism, earthquake distribution and bathymetric observations, (b) low upper mantle velocities (soft lid) extend down to depths exceeding 70 km as a consequence of elevated temperatures, (c) the crust beneath the central Bransfield Basin displays continental characteristics with a gradually increasing S-wave velocity distribution versus depth analogous to the East African Rift structure of Kenya, (d) negative velocity gradients are present in the lower crust beneath the eastern Bransfield Basin; these could be interpreted as magmatic bodies originating from decompression melting of the mantle.     

泛华北区石炭系、二叠系内部的重要地质演化转折

对华北地台及邻近区域内重要露头及钻井剖面的石炭系及二叠系展开新一轮系统研究，发现在这一套地层中存在两个重要的地质演化过程转折，即下石炭统、上石炭统之间及中二叠统、上二叠统之间（相当于华北新分层系统上石盒子组与平顶山组之间）存在两个地质演化过程转折。后一转折更为显著：转折面之下，气候背景干热化特征突出，沉积序列呈显著水退趋势，盆地萎缩，石膏质或红色泥质岩系发育，层系沉积缺失或剥蚀缺失现象严重，特化生物类型发育；转折面之上，气候背景呈现降温趋势，沉积序列呈显著水进趋势，盆地覆盖范围急剧扩展，沉积层系在区域上呈大规模超覆，与强烈引张断陷活动相关的砂砾岩发育，暗色泥质岩层系随之出现，特化生物类型迅速衰退。从地球表层系统演化及盆地发育角度考虑，后一转折面在地史占有更为突出的地位，应受到充分关注。     

2-D crustal Poisson′s ratio from seismic travel time inversion in Changbaishan Tianchi volcanic region

Introduction Forward modeling is commonly used in the interpretation of 2D crustal structure with wide-angle seismic reflection/refraction data. But this method not only has mass work and more subjective effects, but also cannot provide quantitative estimates of model parameter error, resolu-tion, and model uniqueness. It also cannot assure that the data consistency is the minimum of par-ticular range. In order to overcome the defects of forward modeling, Zelt and Smith (1992) have developed…     

高速公路顺向坡层面抗剪强度参数试验研究

对湖北省西部某高速公路宜昌-恩施段主要边坡岩体结构面(层面)的抗剪强度参数进行了较系统的试验研究,包括岩体结构面的野外地质调查、岩体结构面原位直剪试验、软弱结构面室内模拟剪切试验及岩体力学参数估值等.对各种试验数据进行整理、分析和对比,得到了层面抗剪强度参数.在岩体工程分类的基础上,利用Hoek-Brown经验方法对各类岩体强度参数进行了估算.综合以上多种数据,并考虑岩体结构面所处具体地质条件,提出了各类岩体结构面强度参数建议值.