Characteristics of Seismic Activity in a 3-Dimensional Space before the Wen'an Earthquake,Hebei Province by Relocation of Small Earthquakes in the China's Capital Area

Characteristics of seismic activity before the M5. 1 earthquake in Wen＇an, Hebei Province on July 4, 2006 are analyzed by relocation of small earthquakes in the China＇s capital area, and some results are obtained as follows：① The seismic activity of ML ≥ 3.0 in the middle part of the Hebei plain seismic belt displayed a feature of strengthening （ lasting 43 months） quiescence （17 months） five years before the Wen＇an earthquake. Simultaneously, the strain release curve showed a variation process of accelerating-flatting. ② A seismogenic gap in a three-dimensional space, located at the depth of 15km - 20km, with 70km long in latitude direction and 90km long in longitude orientation, was formed by M≥2.0 earthquakes four years prior to the Wen＇an earthquake. The initial rupture point of the Wen＇an earthquake is situated at the bottom of the gap. ③ The focal depths of earthquakes with ML ≥ 2. 0 in the middle part of the Hebei plain seismic belt gradually increased from 10km to 30kin during the period from April, 2003 to October, 2004. Meanwhile, the seismic activity obviously strengthened in the middle and lower crust （from 20km to 30km in depth）.

Characteristics of seismic activity before the M5.1 earthquake in Wen'an,Hebei Province on July 4,2006 are analyzed by relocation of small earthquakes in the China's capital area,and some results are obtained as follows:① The seismic activity of M L ≥3.0 in the middle part of the Hebei plain seismic belt displayed a feature of strengthening (lasting 43 months) quiescence (17 months) five years before the Wen'an earthquake.Simultaneously,the strain release curve showed a variation process of accelerating-flatting.② A seismogenic gap in a three-dimensional space,located at the depth of 15km ～ 20km,with 70km long in latitude direction and 90km long in longitude orientation,was formed by M≥2.0 earthquakes four years prior to the Wen'an earthquake.The initial rupture point of the Wen'an earthquake is situated at the bottom of the gap.③ The focal depths of earthquakes with M L ≥2.0 in the middle part of the Hebei plain seismic belt gradually increased from 10km to 30km during the period from April,2003 to October,2004.Meanwhile,the seismic activity obviously strengthened in the middle and lower crust (from 20km to 30km in depth).