In the present study,the spatial-temporal distribution of b-value along the five faults area(the Judi fault,Thaple fault,Kathmandu fault,Motihari-Gauri Shanker fault,and Motihari-Everest fault)was investigated after t...In the present study,the spatial-temporal distribution of b-value along the five faults area(the Judi fault,Thaple fault,Kathmandu fault,Motihari-Gauri Shanker fault,and Motihari-Everest fault)was investigated after the Gorkha earthquake(M7.8).The earthquake catalog of 10,500 events was prepared by compiling the published catalogs.The study area is bounded in the central Himalaya from 26.5°to 29°in latitude direction and 84°to 87°in longitude direction.The frequency magnitude distribution shows the variation of the b-value along with fault areas from 0.45 to 0.69,indicating a common characteristic of aftershock sequences.In particular,the Judi fault area,Thaple fault area,and Motihari-Everest fault area are characterized by the low b-values of 0.45±0.02,0.48±0.02,and 0.55±0.04,respectively.These regions could be the source region for future earthquakes.The low b-value observed for fault areas are also consistent with the thrust faulting pattern in the region as indicated by the focal mechanism of mainshock and major aftershocks.The temporal variation of b-value shows inevitable fluctuations during25 April to 12 May 2015.Among the area selected,the Motihari-Everest fault area is in critical strain(mechanically locked)conditions,as indicated by the stepwise energy release pattern.展开更多
On April 25, 2015, Nepal was struck by the MW7.8 Gorkha earthquake followed by an intense aftershock sequence. It was one of the most destructive earthquakes in the Himalayan arc, causing more than 8900 fatalities. In...On April 25, 2015, Nepal was struck by the MW7.8 Gorkha earthquake followed by an intense aftershock sequence. It was one of the most destructive earthquakes in the Himalayan arc, causing more than 8900 fatalities. In this study, we analyzed the dataset (429 events, magnitude of completeness (Mc) ≥ 4.2 local magnitude) of the first 45 days after the Gorkha earthquake to estimate the seismicity parameters b-value, D-value, and p-value. We used the maximum likelihood method to estimate the b-value and Omori-Utsu parameters, whereas the correlation integral method was applied to estimate the fractal dimension (D-value). The analysis was carried out using running and sliding window techniques. The lowest b-value (0.57 ± 0.04) and the highest D-value (1.65 ± 0.02) were computed at the time of the Gorkha earthquake, after which the b-value significantly increased to a maximum of 1.57. It again dropped to 0.93 at the time of the major aftershock on May 12, 2015. The D-value showed an initial quick drop and then decreased in a wavy pattern until the end of the study period, indicating the clustering and scattering of earthquakes in a fault region. The b-value contour map identified the eastern part of the study area as a high stress region (b = ~0.8), implying that the stress shifted to that region. The D-value contour map reveals that the seismogenic structure shifted from linear to planar in the region. The rate of aftershock decay (p = 0.86 ± 0.04) for a short period reflects that the level of stress decreased rapidly. This study helps to understand the level of stress and seismicity pattern of a region, which could be useful for aftershock studies.展开更多
基金Tribhuvan University,Nepal for providing sabbatical leave and University Grants Commission(UGC),Nepal for providing financial support in the form of fellowship
文摘In the present study,the spatial-temporal distribution of b-value along the five faults area(the Judi fault,Thaple fault,Kathmandu fault,Motihari-Gauri Shanker fault,and Motihari-Everest fault)was investigated after the Gorkha earthquake(M7.8).The earthquake catalog of 10,500 events was prepared by compiling the published catalogs.The study area is bounded in the central Himalaya from 26.5°to 29°in latitude direction and 84°to 87°in longitude direction.The frequency magnitude distribution shows the variation of the b-value along with fault areas from 0.45 to 0.69,indicating a common characteristic of aftershock sequences.In particular,the Judi fault area,Thaple fault area,and Motihari-Everest fault area are characterized by the low b-values of 0.45±0.02,0.48±0.02,and 0.55±0.04,respectively.These regions could be the source region for future earthquakes.The low b-value observed for fault areas are also consistent with the thrust faulting pattern in the region as indicated by the focal mechanism of mainshock and major aftershocks.The temporal variation of b-value shows inevitable fluctuations during25 April to 12 May 2015.Among the area selected,the Motihari-Everest fault area is in critical strain(mechanically locked)conditions,as indicated by the stepwise energy release pattern.
文摘On April 25, 2015, Nepal was struck by the MW7.8 Gorkha earthquake followed by an intense aftershock sequence. It was one of the most destructive earthquakes in the Himalayan arc, causing more than 8900 fatalities. In this study, we analyzed the dataset (429 events, magnitude of completeness (Mc) ≥ 4.2 local magnitude) of the first 45 days after the Gorkha earthquake to estimate the seismicity parameters b-value, D-value, and p-value. We used the maximum likelihood method to estimate the b-value and Omori-Utsu parameters, whereas the correlation integral method was applied to estimate the fractal dimension (D-value). The analysis was carried out using running and sliding window techniques. The lowest b-value (0.57 ± 0.04) and the highest D-value (1.65 ± 0.02) were computed at the time of the Gorkha earthquake, after which the b-value significantly increased to a maximum of 1.57. It again dropped to 0.93 at the time of the major aftershock on May 12, 2015. The D-value showed an initial quick drop and then decreased in a wavy pattern until the end of the study period, indicating the clustering and scattering of earthquakes in a fault region. The b-value contour map identified the eastern part of the study area as a high stress region (b = ~0.8), implying that the stress shifted to that region. The D-value contour map reveals that the seismogenic structure shifted from linear to planar in the region. The rate of aftershock decay (p = 0.86 ± 0.04) for a short period reflects that the level of stress decreased rapidly. This study helps to understand the level of stress and seismicity pattern of a region, which could be useful for aftershock studies.
