The Formation of Oscillation Patterns Based on the Planetary Gravitational Field and Their Suitability for Earthquake Prediction

The fluctuating planetary gravitational field influences not only activities on the Sun but also on the Earth. A special correlation function describes the harmonics of these fluctuations. Groups of earthquakes form oscillation patterns that differ significantly from randomly chosen control groups. These patterns are suitable as an element of an AI for the probability of earthquakes.

Earthquake prediction from China's mobile gravity data

The relation between plate tectonics and earthquake evolution is analyzed systematically on the basis of 1998-2010 absolute and relative gravity data from the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China. Most earthquakes originated in the plate boundary or within the fault zone. Tectonic deformation was most intense and exhibited discontinuity within the tectonically active fault zone because of the differential movement; the stress accumulation produced an abrupt gravity change, which was further enhanced by the earthquake. The gravity data from China's Mainland since 2000 obviously reflected five major earthquakes （Ms 〉 7）, all of which were better reflected than before 2000. Regional gravity anomalies and a gravity gradient change were observed in the area around the epicenter about 2 or 3 years before the earthquake occurred, suggesting that gravity change may be a seismic precursor. Furthermore, in this study, the medium-term predictions of the Ms7.3 Yutian, Ms8.0 Wenchuan, and Ms7.0 Lushan earthquakes are analytically pre- sented and evaluated, especially to estimate location of earthquake.

V_p/V_s Anisotropy and Implications for Crustal Composition Identification and Earthquake Prediction

The ratio of P- to S-wave velocities （Vp/Vs） is regarded as one of the most diagnostic properties of natural rocks. It has been used as a discriminant of composition for the continental crust and provides valuable constraints on its formation and evolution processes. Furthermore, the spatial and temporal changes in Vp/Vs before and after earthquakes are probably the most promising avenue to understanding the source mechanics and possibly predicting earthquakes. Here we calibrate the variations in Vp/Vs in dry, anisotropic crustal rocks and provide a set of basic information for the interpretation of future seismic data from the Wenchuan earthquake Fault zone Scientific Drilling （WFSD） project and other surveys. Vp/Vs is a constant （Ф0） for an isotropic rock. However, most of crustal rocks are anisotropic due to lattice-preferred orientations of anisotropic minerals （e.g., mica, amphibole, plagioclase and pyroxene） and cracks as well as thin compositional layering. The Vp/Vs ratio of an anisotropic rock measured along a selected pair of propagation-vibration directions is an apparent value （Фy） that is significantly different from the value for its isotropic counterpart （Ф0）. The usefulness of apparent Vp/Vs ratios as a diagnostic of crustal composition depends largely on rock seismic anisotropy. A 5% of P- and S-wave velocity anisotropy is sufficient to make it impossible to determine the crustal composition using the conventional criteria （Vp/Vs≤1.756 for felsic rocks, 1.756〈Vp/Vs≤1.809 for intermediate rocks, 1.809〈Vp/Vs≤1.944 for mafic rocks, and Vp/V2〉1.944 fluidfilled porous/fractured or partially molten rocks） if the information about the wave propagation-polarization directions with respect to the tectonic framework is unknown. However, the variations in Vp/Vs measured from borehole seismic experiments can be readily interpreted according to the orientations of the ray path and the polarization of the shear waves with respect to the present-day principal stress directions （i.e., the orientation of cracks） and the frozen fabric （i.e., foliation and lineation）.

Studies and experiments on earthquake prediction during 1999～2002

This paper briefly reviewed the research progresses of earthquake prediction and/or forecasting in China during 1999~2002, especially focused on mid-short term prediction methods with approaches of seismicity, crustal deformation, electromagnetism, ground water and the analysis by synthesis, and the application of the methods to the practice of earthquake prediction.

An scientific evaluation of annual earthquake prediction ability

The scientific idea of earthquake prediction in China is introduced in this paper. The various problems on evaluation of earthquake prediction ability are analyzed. The practical effect of prediction on annual seismic risk areas in 1990~2000 in China is discussed based on R-value evaluation method, and the ability of present earthquake prediction in China is reviewed.

On numerical earthquake prediction

Can earthquakes be predicted？ How should people overcome the difficulties encountered in the study of earthquake prediction？ This issue can take inspiration from the experiences of weather forecast. Although weather forecasting took a period of about half a century to advance from empirical to numerical forecast, it has achieved significant success. A consensus has been reached among the Chinese seismological community that earth- quake prediction must also develop from empirical fore- casting to physical prediction. However, it is seldom mentioned that physical prediction is characterized by quantitatively numerical predictions based on physical laws. This article discusses five key components for numerical earthquake prediction and their current status. We conclude that numerical earthquake prediction should now be put on the planning agenda and its roadmap designed, seismic stations should be deployed and observations made according to the needs of numerical prediction, and theoretical research should be carried out.

Application of support vector machine to synthetic earthquake prediction

This paper introduces the method of support vector machine （SVM） into the field of synthetic earthquake prediction, which is a non-linear and complex seismogenic system. As an example, we apply this method to predict the largest annual magnitude for the North China area （30°E-42°E, 108°N-125°N） and the capital region （38°E-41.5°E, 114°N-120°N） on the basis of seismicity parameters and observed precursory data. The corresponding prediction rates for the North China area and the capital region are 64.1% and 75%, respectively, which shows that the method is feasible.

New indexes and methods in earthquake prediction research

This paper gives a brief introduction to a few new indexes and methods published in recent issues of seismological literature which have been explored especially by the authors and many of their collaborators for applying in earthquake prediction research. The new indexes include the statistical indexes of seismicity (Morishita index Iδ, the parameters C and b-value spectrum derived from the magnitude-frequency relation, etc. )and indexes describing the dynamical characteristics of seismic waves obtained from digitized seismologicrecords (wave form linearities, spectral characteristics, etc. ). The new methods fall into two categories:namely the methods of non-linear sciences (fractal analysis, self-similarity and self-organization structure,neural network) and graphical analysis methods of multi-dimensional data (face analysis, projection pursuit,chronogeometric analysis ).

Seismicity anomalies before the great earthquake of M_S=8.1 in the Kunlun Pass and its significance to earthquake prediction

A great earthquake of MS=8.1 took place in the west of Kunlun Pass on November 14, 2001. The epicenter is lo-cated at 36.2N and 90.9E. The analysis shows that some main precursory seismic patterns appear before the great earthquake, e.g., seismic gap, seismic band, increased activity, seismicity quiet and swarm activity. The evolution of the seismic patterns before the earthquake of MS=8.1 exhibits a course very similar to that found for earthquake cases with MS7. The difference is that anomalous seismicity before the earthquake of MS=8.1 involves in the lar-ger area coverage and higher seismic magnitude. This provides an evidence for recognizing precursor and fore-casting of very large earthquake. Finally, we review the rough prediction of the great earthquake and discuss some problems related to the prediction of great earthquakes.

A finite-element simulation of 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and implications for numerical earthquake prediction

The dynamic process of the 2008 Wenehuan earthquake is simulated by finite-element method （ FEM）, and the results suggest that we may be able to estimate the occurrence time, location, and magnitude of similar earthquakes in the future. Thus a numerical earthquake prediction （NEP） program is proposed; the reliability of it is dependent on its gradual refinement and the parameters used in the models.

Calculation of b value and its application in earthquake prediction

The improved calculation method of b value is presented in tills paper. The method can enlarge the role of earthquake occurrence frequency in b value calculation and thus increase the b value variation amplitude. In this case,the combination structure variation between earthquake magnitudes and corresponding frequencies could be shown clearly. According to the calculation and analysis for limited mainshocks in the complete seismicity data of selected monitored area with assigned consistent lowest magnitude, the precursor anomaly features, quantitative indexes and the calculation formula of relative subject function of b value variation have been preliminarily worked out. The prediction in short period (from 1 to 3 months) for damage earthquakes in the monitored area mentioned above can be put forward on the basis of the results of quantitative calculation and analysis.

A Retrospective Analysis about the Italy Emilia M6.0 Earthquake Prediction

Cloud anomaly is a new kind of earthquake precursor that is still in the great controversy. Here we report an example of earthquake prediction based on cloud satellite anomaly. According to the cloud anomaly that appeared over eastern Italy on 21-23 April 2012, we made a prediction to Italy National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) that there will be a M5.5 - M6.0 earthquake in Italy in 30 days. Finally, the M6.0 quake occurred in northern Italy on 20 May 2012 and this verified our prediction. In this paper we extend the cloud image data from 2010 to 2013 and found 23 cloud anomalies totally, among them only the duration of the cloud on April 21-23 2012 exceed the 2 times, even 3 times of standard deviation threshold and it can be considered as a significant anomaly. Our analysis shows that the quake’s date and magnitude can be estimated accurately with the formula, and the epicenter can be estimated with the temperature anomaly method with 100 - 200 km error. This paper shows a promising method in earthquake prediction, of course it is only one example, and it still needs more examples to verify this method.

The idea and project of the “Medium－Scale Experiment Field for Earthquake Prediction”──Research on observations and applications of mining earthquake in Mentougou Coal Mine

A brief account of the development of the research on mining earthquakes and the general situation of the Mentougou Coal Mine medium scale experiment field for earthquake prediction and the project of monitor and prediction is given. The differences of waveforms between mining earthquakes and natural earthquakes is discussed. The magnitude frequency distribution of the 79 000 mining earthquakes of over M L1.0 from 1984 to 1995 is summarized . Finally, taking PH and PV, the principal compressive stress components of the focal mechanism of the mining earthquakes, as the criteria, analyses the stress background of the 12 large mining earthquakes.

Research on nonlinear R／S method and its application in earthquake prediction

ＲｅｓｅａｒｃｈｏｎｎｏｎｌｉｎｅａｒＲ／ＳｍｅｔｈｏｄａｎｄｉｔｓｐｐｌｉｃａｔｉｏｎｉｎｅａｒｔｈｑｕａｋｅｐｒｅｄｉｃｔｉｏｎＢｉ－ＱｕａｎＷＡＮＧ（王碧泉）；Ｈａｎ－ＭｉｎｇＨＵＡＮＧ（黄汉明）；Ｈｏｎｇ－ＳｈｕｎＦＡＮ（范洪顺）；Ｃｈｕｅｎ...

Cross-fault Newton force measurement for Earthquake prediction

Earthquake prediction is a common scientific challenge for academics worldwide.This dilemma originates from the lack of precursory indicators that meet the sufficient and necessary conditions of earthquake occurrence,which may be the root cause of the failure of earthquake prediction.In light of this,a double-block catastrophic mechanics theory for earthquakes based on cross-fault Newton force measurement is proposed herein.Based on this theory and laboratory physical model tests of seismic Newton force monitoring,a new academic thought is envisioned“the sufficient and necessary condition for earthquake occurrence is the change of Newton force,and the sudden drop of Newton force on the fault surface can be used as a predictor of earthquake disaster.”Several equipment systems have been independently developed,and the technology has been successfully applied to engineering practice.This concept has currently been proven in small-scale double-block catastrophic events such as landslides.Based on the double-block catastrophic mechanics theory,landslides and earthquakes have the similar nature but different scales.According to the on-site monitoring of landslides,it is verified that the sudden drop of Newton force can be used as a predictor of landslide disaster which successfully solves the problem of short-term landslide prediction.The introduction of cross-fault Newton force measurement technology and idea has laid a foundation for improving the method and level of international earthquake monitoring and solving the world-class scientific problem of short-term earthquake prediction.

Application of the value of nonlinear parameters H and ΔH in strong earthquake prediction

In this paper, the relation that the curves of nonlinear parameter H and its difference Δ H bear with strong earthquakes in North China has been studied. First, the RSH algorithm has been applied to the North China region; the schemes of six quantitative prediction indexes have been studied in detail and then tested by tracing back predictions. The result shows that all the six prediction schemes are of certain prediction efficiency and have passed the test. Among the six schemes, A and E are of the best effect, with correlation coefficients R of 0.47 and 0.48 respectively. We recommend these two schemes for practical use in prediction in the future. Furthermore, the relation between the curve of Δ H (the difference of H) and strong earthquake has been studied. Based on the above results, the RSΔH algorithm that uses the Δ H value to predict strong earthquake has been put forward and applied to predict strong earthquakes in North China. The correlation coefficient R of tracing back prediction by this method is 0.45; this means that this method is also of better prediction efficiency. A combined application of these two algorithms has also been proposed. By the combined method, the time length spanned by false predictions can be shortened and thus the R value can be raised.

Assessment of strong earthquake risk in the Chinese mainland from 2021 to 2030

The long-term earthquake prediction from 2021 to 2030 is carried out by researching the active tectonic block boundary zones in the Chinese mainland.Based on the strong earthquake recurrence model,the cumulative probability of each target fault in the next 10 years is given by the recurrence period and elapsed time of each fault,which are adopted from relevant studies such as seismological geology,geodesy,and historical earthquake records.Based on the long-term predictions of large earthquakes throughout the world,this paper proposes a comprehensive judgment scheme based on the fault segments with the seismic gap,motion strongly locked,sparse small-moderate earthquakes,and apparent Coulomb stress increase.This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the relative risk for strong earthquakes that may occur in the coming 10 years on the major faults in the active tectonic block boundary zones in the Chinese mainland.The present loading rate of each fault is first constrained by geodetic observations;the cumulative displacement of each fault is then estimated by the elapsed time since the most recent strong earthquake.

Expert system for earthquake prediction（ESEP）（2）－Knowledge representation and evidence combination

This paper deals with knowledge representation of ESEP (Expert System for Earthqauke Prediction). Attending the characteristics of the knowledge in earthquake prediction domain, production representation and procedural representation are connected in the knowledge repesentation model of ESEP named ESEP/K, and three new ways of evidence conbination are proposed for production rules besides 'AND' and 'OR'.

An approach on dynamic earthquake prediction by georesistivitymeasurements

Experiences on earthquake prediction accumulated by the Chinese scientists in the last 20 years were synthetically analyzed. A prediction program was set up to demonstrate the development of the georesistivity anomaly by using of the dynamic image, accordingly the earthquake prone area can be recognized. By revising the DYBS Ⅰ, which was developed in 1989, and adding some latest achievements, we worked out a software on earthquake prediction by the geoelectric method the DYBS Ⅱ. Some new feature of DYBS Ⅱ are: the anomalous area may be determined by the space distribution and its time variation of geoelectric parameters; The dynamic process that is associated with the development of earthquake anomaly can be displayed on the computer screen; Technique for the prediction of an impending earthquake was included too. Some results of the Tangshan earthquake were presented at the end of this paper.

Catastrophic failure mechanism of rock masses system and earthquake prediction based on percolation theory

The failure of rocks is a complicated process as the mechanical properties of the rock are governed by loading history and cumulative ruptures.The geometric aspects of fractures,such as the size and shape of the fractures,the spatial distribution of the fracture networks,and the relations among these aspects also depend on the loads acting on rock mass.In general,the fractures are randomly generated in space which is difficult to be described using mathematical methods.In this paper,the failure processes of rock have been analyzed using the percolation theory.The results indicate that the failure process of rock is a transition from a stable state to an unstable state.This phenomenon is essentially consistent with the phase transition in the percolation theory.Based on this consistency,a theoretical model of percolation for earthquake prediction is proposed.A large number of seismic data provided strong evidence in support of the reliability and applicability of this model.