Application of Markovian models for non-ergodic and non-stationary earthquake times series for the identification of seismic patterns and future projections*

The current earthquake forecast algorithms are not free of shortcomings due to inherent limitations. Especially, the requirement of stationarity in the evaluation of earthquake time series as a prerequisite, significantly limits the use of forecast algorithms to areas where stationary data is not available. Another shortcoming of forecast algorithms is the ergodicity assumption, which states that certain characteristics of seismicity are spatially invariant. In this study, a new earthquake forecast approach is introduced for the locations where stationary data are not available. For this purpose, the spatial activity rate density for each spatial unit is evaluated as a parameter of a Markov chain. The temporal pattern is identified by setting the states at certain spatial activity rate densities. By using the transition patterns between the states, 1- and 5-year forecasts were computed. The method is suggested as an alternative and complementary to the existing methods by proposing a solution to the issues of ergodicity and stationarity assumptions at the same time.     

Statistical assessment of seismicity patterns in Italy: Are they precursors of subsequent events?

The variations of seismicity rate in Central Apenninesprior to the sequence started in September, 1997 (at00:33 UTC, M _L5.6) has been analysedby statistical methods, with the purpose of pointingup eventual periods of quiescence. The analysis wascarried out on the instrumental catalogue of theIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica (ING), covering theperiod from January 1975 to March 1998. In apreliminary phase, the catalogue was declustered usingthe Reasenberg algorithm. After that, eventualmagnitude shifts due to variations in the modalitiesof observation have been individuated and corrected.The subsequent analysis, carried out making use of theZmap software package, has put in evidence thatthe sequence of September 1997 was preceded bya 2.5 year period characterised by absence of eventsof magnitude larger than 3.2, in an area approximately20 × 40 km wide, including the epicentre of themain shock. The statistical methodology shows thatonly 1/10³ of the space-time volumes analysed inthis study, exhibited quiescence of the same level.The study of seismicity rate change correlated toprevious main shocks in a larger area of CentralApennines shows that none of them were preceded by aseismic quiescence, specially close to the epicentreof the main shock, and lasting until the time ofoccurrence of the main shock as in the 1997 case.Actually, we found other patterns of precursoryquiescence with different time or space distribution.We conclude that precursory quiescence is a realfeature of Central Apennines seismicity, but it isdifficult to define a simple hypothesis, which appliesto the generality of cases and can be tested beforeimplementation in a system of earthquake riskmitigation.     

陕西地区地震活动性的初步分析

依据震中迁移、频度变化曲线、能量释放曲线、震级频度关系和时间序列的预测方法等,对陕西地区的地震活动性进行了初步分析,认为:陕西地区M_L>3.5级的地震活动存在着明显的由北向南、自东向西的迁移特点,其地震活动水平比较正常,今后5年内可能发生M_L≥4.3级地震。     

Analysis of the weightiness of site effects on reinforced concrete (RC) building seismic behaviour: The Adra town example (SE Spain)

The damage distribution in Adra town (south‐eastern Spain) during the 1993 and 1994 Adra earthquakes (5.0 magnitude), that reached a maximum intensity degree of VII (European Macroseismic Scale (EMS scale)), was concentrated mainly in the south‐east zone of the town and the most relevant damage occurred in reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with four or five storeys. In order to evaluate the influence of ground condition on RC building behaviour, geological, geomorphological and geophysical surveys were carried out, and a detailed map of ground surface structure was obtained. Short‐period microtremor observations were performed in 160 sites on a 100m × 100m dimension grid and Nakamura's method was applied in order to determine a distribution map of soil predominant periods. Shorter predominant periods (0.1–0.3 s) were found in mountainous and neighbouring zones and larger periods (greater than 0.5 s) in thicker Holocene alluvial fans. A relationship T = (0.049 ± 0.001)N, where T is the natural period of swaying motion and N is the number of storeys, has been empirically obtained by using microtremor measurements at the top of 38 RC buildings (ranging from 2 to 9 storeys). 1‐D simulation of strong motion on different soil conditions and for several typical RC buildings were computed, using the acceleration record in Adra town of the 1993 earthquake. It is noteworthy that all the aforementioned results show the influence of site effects in the degree and distribution of observed building damage. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

应用神经网络建立加速度峰值衰减规律

在假定了加速度峰值衰减规律的形式后，本采用人工神经网络拟合实际加速度峰值观测资料来求取方程中的待定系数。为加速神经网络的训练，本设计了基于ＢＰ学习算法的目标分段网络训练法。     

滇西地区综合环境因子预报地震的研究

本在原有单项预报指标的基础上,研究西地区（Ｎ２３°４８′－２６°２０′;Ｅ９７°００′－９９°３０′）Ｍ≥５．０级的地震。     

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.     

利用PETSc和FEPG编制海啸数值模拟程序的研究

海啸的数值模拟是海啸研究的一个重要领域, 它对于帮助理解海啸的基本物理特性和预防减灾具有重要意义。 海啸数值模拟程序的编制是一项繁杂的工作, 该文介绍了利用两种功能强大的通用软件(PETSc和FEPG)来进行海啸数值模拟程序编写的研究。 PETSc和FEPG采用有限差分、 有限元、 有限体积等多种离散方法, 可以对数值问题给出稳定的求解。 该文采用了直角坐标系下的非线性浅水波方程作为海啸波传播的控制方程进行离散求解, 并将其结果与TUNAMI N1模型进行了比较, 表明这两种方法方便而且有效。     

福建地区地震活动特征及区域应力场研究

本文通过对福建地区地质构造背景和地震活动性背景的分析,结合2007-2009年福建地区ML4.0级以上地震的活动概况,综合认为福建地区地震活动显著增强,这可能也预示着东南沿海整体地震活动水平的抬升。从7个ML4.0级以上地震的单个震源机制解结果分析认为,古田水口水库地区的地震表现为倾滑的正断层性质,其余地震的走滑性质更为明显;且各个地震的主压应力轴方向也存在一定的差异。利用多个地震的分区综合节面解结果分析认为,近期福建地区中等强度地震活动显示出的区域应力场方向以北西向为主,在不同区域主压应力的方向有所差异：福建中北部近海地区为北西向,中北部内陆地区为北北西-南南东向;福建南部及其近海地区为近东西向。主要受到菲律宾板块向西推挤作用的影响。     

祁连—川滇复合菱形块体周边主要活动断裂带断层形变特征与机理

根据布设在祁连—川滇复合菱形块体周边主要活动断裂带上形变场地观测资料并结合大面积水准测量成果, 分析了复合菱形块体的活动规律, 并进行了动力学机制的讨论。