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.     

西藏中部及其与青海邻近地区强震活动特征与玛尼7.5级地震预测研究

依据西藏中部强震活动特征及１９８５年以来中国大陆强震活动新格局,于１９９６年将藏北玛尼一唐古拉山口一带列为未来几年７１／４级地震危险区。这旬刚发生的１９９７．１１．８玛尼７．５级地震有较好的对应。再次表明采用活构造与强震研究相结合、震源区个性和地震带（区）共性相结合,追踪大震发展过程及研究不同必质的强震活动图象等分析方法是有研究前景的。     

20世纪中国大陆6级以上地震活动图像及其意义

１９００年以来,中国大陆经历了５个地震活跃期和４个地震平静期,活跃期中Ｍｓ≥６．０地震为线性分布和块状分布。平静期中Ｍｓ≥６．０地震为线性分布。线性分布和块状分布形象地展示了每个活动期中作用力的传递方向和途径,以及地震活动区域所受到的严格约束。因此,为进一步探讨中国大陆地震动力学和地震活动区域提供了新的线索。     

1999年辽宁省岫岩5.4级地震的临震预报及其地震活动研究

１９９９年１１月２９日１２日１０分（北京时间）,中国辽宁省岫岩地区发生一次５．４级地震。这次地震前,在震区记录到丰富的中小地震活动,组成了完整的地震系列。该系列具有小震频度随时间增多,震级上升,ｂ值较低,地震位置集中和地震Ｐ波被动一致,将其判断为震前系列,并抓住了前震活动从密集突然变为相对平静这一大震即将发生的特征,作出了临震预报,于１１月２８日晚入震意见通报给辽宁省地震局有关部门。这次地震的预报     

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.     

Contribution of Local Seismic Networks To The Regional Velocity Model of The Bohemian Massif

The routine location of regional seismic events using data from the Czech National Seismological Network (CNSN) is based on Pn, Pg, Sn, Sg phases. A simple velocity model derived from Kárník's (1953) interpretation of an earthquake in Northern Hungary in 1951 has hitherto been used. At present, numerous local seismic networks record and locate local events, which are occasionally recorded at regional distances as well. Due to the relatively small dimensions of local networks, hypocenters (and origin times) determined by a local network might be considered as nearly exact from the point of view of regional-scale CNSN. The comparison of common locations performed by CNSN and by a local network enables us to estimate the accuracy of CNSN locations, as well as to optimize a simple velocity model. The joint interpretation of the CNSN bulletin and the catalogues of four local seismic networks WEBNET, OSTRAVA, KLADNO and LUBIN produced a new ID velocity model. The most frequent epicentral error in this model is less than 5 km, and most foci lie up to 15 km from the true position. The performed analysis indicates bimodal distribution of Sn residuals.     

Seismicity Quantification and Its Application to Medium-term Earthquake Prediction

Bed on the analysis of each parameter describing seismicity,we think A(b)-value can betterquantitatively describe the feature of the enhancement and quietness of seismicity in this paper. Thedata of moderate or small earthquakes during 1972～1996 in North China are used in space scanningof A(b)-value. The result shows that 2～3 years before most strong earthquakes there wereObviously anomaly zones of A(b)-value with very good prediction effect. Some problems about themedium-term prediction by using A(b)-value are also discussed.     

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。     

基于最邻近事件距离算法的丛集地震识别方法及应用

引入Zaliapin等发展的基于最邻近事件距离算法的丛集地震识别方法,首先使用不同类型的数据对方法进行检验,然后对胶东半岛和沂沭带的区域小震活动进行分析。结果表明,1996年以来沂沭带的小震活动近似满足泊松随机过程,主要是背景地震活动;而胶东半岛地区小震则存在明显的成丛活动。最后将该方法应用到1976年唐山MS7.8地震序列,通过序列发展不同时段的对比分析,结果表明,随着时间的推移,唐山地震序列中受此前发生的主震和较大余震影响作用的事件越来越少,序列的丛集性明显减弱,更多的小震或许可视为反映区域应力状态的背景地震。     

Analysis of sustained long-period activity at Etna Volcano, Italy

Following the installation of a broadband network on Mt. Etna, sustained Long-Period (LP) activity was recorded accompanying a period of total quiescence and the subsequent onset of the 2004–2005 effusive episode. From about 56000 events detected by an automatic classification procedure, we analyse a subset of about 3000 signals spanning the December 17th, 2003–September 25th, 2004, time interval. LP spectra are characterised by several, unevenly-spaced narrow peaks spanning the 0.5–10 Hz frequency band. These peaks are common to all the recording sites of the network, and different from those associated with tremor signals. Throughout the analysed time interval, LP spectra and waveforms maintain significant similarity, thus indicating the involvement of a non-destructive source process that we interpret in terms of the resonance of a fluid-filled buried cavity. Polarisation analysis indicates radiation from a non-isotropic source involving large amounts of shear. Concurrently with LP signals, recordings from the summit station also depict Very-Long-Period (VLP) pulses whose rectilinear motion points to a region located beneath the summit craters at depths ranging between 800 and 1100 m beneath the surface. Based on a refined repicking of similar waveforms, we obtain robust locations for a selected subset of the most energetic LP events from probabilistic inversion of travel-times calculated for a 3D heterogenous structure. LP sources cluster in a narrow volume located beneath the summit craters, and extending to a maximum depth of ≈ 800 m beneath the surface. No causal relationships are observed between LP, VLP and tremor activities and the onset of the 2004–2005 lava effusions, thus indicating that magmatic overpressure played a limited role in triggering this eruption. These data represent the very first observation of LP and VLP activity at Etna during non-eruptive periods, and open the way to the quantitative modelling of the geometry and dynamics of the shallow plumbing system.