analyzing the variation characteristics of stress field in hetao seismic belt using focal mechanism data

Based on analysis of background of geological tectonic movement and strong earthquake activity, we first obtained the focal mechanism solutions using amplitude ratio and CAP method, then determined the characteristic of average stress field of the study area by inversion of the stress field. On this basis, we selected the source mechanism consistency parameter as the inspection index to obtain the latest changes of stress field in Hetao seismic zone based on its temporal and spatial analysis. Two methods were used in the stress field inversion for comparison and analysis, which are average stress axis tensor and LSIB(Linear stress inversion bootstrap, LSIB). According to the geological tectonic movement and focal mechanism solutions of M_S≥4.0 earthquakes from 1970, we judge that the stress field evolution process of Hetao seismic belt is controlled jointly by vertical difference movement and horizontal shear movement, resulting in that the normal fault and strike-slip fault mechanisms are dominating.Taking into account the station layout of the study area, and in order to ensure the accuracy of calculation, we calculated 224 earthquakes focal mechanism solutions by using amplitude ratio and CAP method, including 164 earthquakes with 2.8≤M_L<3.5, 42 earthquakes with 3.5≤M_L<4.0, and 18 earthquakes with M_L≥4.0; The statistical results on type of focal mechanisms show that, there are 142 strike-slip earthquakes(63.4%), 50 normal fault earthquakes(22.3%)and 32 thrust fault earthquakes(14.3%). In this study period(from 2001 to 2012), most earthquakes had a strike-slip mechanism in Hetao seismic belt, this is one of the inherent characteristics of the stress field.The result of average stress axis tensor and LSIB shows that, the azimuth of maximum compressional stress is 47°～52°, direction is NE-SW; The azimuth of minimum compressional stress is 313°～322°, direction is NW-SE; This indicates that, the stress field characteristics of Hetao seismic belt and its sub-block are not completely consistent. Linhe Basin exhibits coordinated stress field characteristics with Hetao seismic belt, but Hubao Basin exhibits regional differences, direction of compressive stress has clockwise deflection in Baotou area, and the compressive stress direction is NEE. This heteropical character of stress field is also confirmed by horizontal projection distribution of stress axis of historical strong earthquakes and recent moderate and small earthquakes. Since 2003, the temporal sequence curve of consistency parameter of Hetao seismic belt had a downward trend, this change was caused by focal mechanism consistency parameter of Linhe to Wuhai area, which indicates that this structural position is possible to be a priority area for stress accumulation and accelerated release in future.