Seismogenic structure of the 2016 Ms6.4 Menyuan earthquake and its effect on the Tianzhu seismic gap

On January 21, 2016, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of Ms6.4 occurred at Menyuan, Qinghai Province of China. In almost the same region, there was another strong earthquake happened in 1986, with similar magnitude and focal mechanism. Based on comprehensive analysis of regional active faults, focal mechanism solutions, precise locations of aftershocks, as well as GPS crustal deformation, we inferred that the Lenglongiing active fault dips NE rather than SW as suggested by previous studies. Considering the facts that the 2016 and i986 Ms6.4 Menyuan earthquakes are closely located with similar focal mechanisms, both of the quakes are on the north side of the Lenglongling Fault and adjacent to the fault, and the fault is dipping NE direction, we suggest that the fault should be the seismogenic structure of the two events. The Lenglongling Fault, as the western segment of the well-known Tianzhu seismic gap in the Qilian-Haiyuan active fault system, is in a relatively active state with frequent earthquakes in recent years, implying a high level of strain accumulation and a high potential of major event. It is also possible that the Lengiongiing Fault and its adjacent fault, the Jinqianghe Fault in the Tianzhu seismic gap, are rupturing simultaneously in the future.

Numerical Modeling of Neotectonic Movements and State of Stresses in the Central Seismic Gap Region,Garhwal Himalaya

This paper presents finite element modeling(FEM) to simulate the present-day stress field and crustal deformation using NE-SW structural section in the central Seismic Gap region of the Garhwal Himalaya.Our study deals with the effect of geometrical characteristics and rock layer parameters on the upper crust.Modeling results show that two types of tectonic regimes developed in the central Seismic Gap region:the geotectonics of the northern part has been controlled by regional compression,whereas southern part is characterized by regional extension.Correspondingly,thrust faults are induced in the northern part and normal faults are extensively developed in the southern front.Those evidences noticeably indicate that the compressive tectonic environment of the Himalaya becomes change into the extensional tectonic regime in its front.The computed shear stress accumulation along the northern flat of Main Himalayan Thrust(MHT) implies that considerable amount of interseismic stress is building up along the MHT system in the Himalaya,which ultimately release through the possible future great Himalayan earthquake(M>8).The comparison between our modeled stress field,faulting pattern and horizontal shortening rate with the distribution of the microseismic events,focal mechanism solutions,active faulting and GPS data in the central Seismic Gap region shows good agreement.

In situ stress state and seismic hazard in the Dayi seismic gap of the Longmenshan thrust belt

In the Longmenshan thrust belt,the Dayi seismic gap,an area with few earthquakes,is located between the ruptures of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and the 2013 Lushan Earthquake,with a length of approximately 40–60 km.To date,however,the extent of the seismic hazard of the Dayi seismic gap and whether this gap is under high stress are still hotly debated.To further evaluate the seismic hazard of the Dayi seismic gap with regard to stress,two boreholes(1,000 and 500 m deep)were arranged to carry out hydraulic fracturing in situ stress measurement on either side of the Shuangshi-Dachuan fault zone.This zone has a high seismic hazard and the capacity to undergo surface rupture.Through the analogy of this new data with stability analysis using Byerlee’s Law and existing stress measurement data collected before strong earthquakes,the results show that the area surrounding the Shuangshi-Dachuan fault zone in the Dayi seismic gap(Dachuan Town)is in a state of high in situ stress,and has the conditions necessary for friction slip,with the potential hazard of moderate to strong earthquakes.Our results are the first to reveal the in situ stress profile at a depth of 1,000 m in the Dayi seismic gap,and provide new data for comprehensive evaluation of the seismic hazard in this seismic gap,which is of great significance to explore the mechanism of earthquake occurrence and to help mitigate future disaster.

Study of a 3-D seismic gap

Ｓｔｕｄｙｏｆａ３ＤｓｅｉｓｍｉｃｇａｐＹＵＡＮＱＩＮＧＺＨＵ１）（朱元清）ＣＯＮＧＪＵＮＸＩＡ１）（夏从俊）ＧＥＴＵＺＵＯＬＩ２）（左力格图）ＨＵＩＭＩＮＬＩ１）（李慧民）１）ＳｅｉｓｍｏｌｏｇｉｃａｌＢｕｒｅａｕｏｆＳｈａｎｇｈａｉ，...

Rapid report of June 1,2022 M_(W) 5.9 Lushan earthquake,China with geodetic and teleseismic data

Timely response to earthquake characterization can facilitate earthquake emergency rescue and further scientific investigations.On June 1,2022,M_(W) 5.9 earthquake occurred in the southern area of the Longmenshan fault zone.This event also happened at the south end of the Dayi seismic gap and is the largest earthquake that has occurred in this seismic gap since the 1970 M 6.2 event.The slip-distribution model constrained by the seismic waveforms suggests a thrust-dominated faulting mechanism.The main slip occurs at a depth of~14 km,and the cumulative energy is released in the first 6 s.The variations of Coulomb stress caused by the mainshock show a positive change in the southwest area of the Dayi seismic gap,indicating possible activation of future earthquakes.In addition,we emphasize the importance of rapid estimation of deformation for near-field hazard delineation,especially when interferometric radar fails to image coseismic deformation in a high relief terrain.

A seismic gap on the Anninghe fault in western Sichuan, China

Through integrated analyses of time-varying patterns of regional seismicity, occurrence background of strong and large historical earthquakes along active faults, and temporal-spatial distribution of accu- rately relocated hypocenters of modern small earthquakes, this paper analyzes and discusses the im- plication of a 30-year-lasting seismic quiescence in the region along and surrounding the Anninghe and Zemuhe faults in western Sichuan, China. It suggests that the seismic quiescence for ML≥4.0 events has been lasting in the studied region since January, 1977, along with the formation and evaluation of a seismic gap of the second kind, the Anninghe seismic gap. The Anninghe seismic gap has the background of a seismic gap of the first kind along the Anninghe fault, and has resulted from evident fault-locking and strain-accumulating along the fault during the last 30 years. Now, two fault sections either without or with less small earthquakes exist along the Anninghe fault within the An- ninghe seismic gap. They indicate two linked and locked fault-sections, the northern Mianning section and the Mianning-Xichang section with lengths of 65 km and 75 km and elapsed time from the latest large earthquakes of 527 and 471 years, respectively. Along the Anninghe fault, characteristics of both the background of the first kind seismic gap and the seismicity patterns of the second seismic gap, as well as the hypocenter depth distribution of modern small earthquakes are comparable, respectively, to those appearing before the M=8.1 Hoh Xil earthquake of 2001 and to those emerging in the 20 years before the M=7.1 Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of 1989, suggesting that the Anninghe seismic gap is tending to become mature, and hence its mid- to long-term potential of large earthquakes should be noticeable. The probable maximum magnitudes of the potential earthquakes are estimated to be as large as 7.4 for both the two locked sections of the Anninghe fault.

Significant isostatic imbalance near the seismic gap between the M8.0 Wenchuan and M7.0 Lushan earthquakes

A gravity network with 302 observation points has been established in the western Sichuan Foreland Basin(SFB) to explore Bouguer gravity anomalies(BGAs). Our observational results reveal that the BGAs are negative as a whole, with a maximum value of-220 m Gal(10-5m s-2)at the northwest region of the study area. The real Moho depths beneath the SFB revealed by BGA data change smoothly from 39.5 km in the southeast to 43.7 km in the northwest of the monitoring region. However, the isostatic ones deduced from Airy isostatic model and topographical data vary approximately 39.5–42.0 km. The maximum differences of 2.7 km between the real and isostatic Moho depths are found near the seismic gap between the M8.0Wenchuan and M7.0 Lushan earthquakes, where the crust is in the greatest isostatic imbalance of the monitoring region. Analysis of the isostatic state indicates that the deep dynamic environment near the seismic gap between these two earthquakes indicates an M C 7.0 earthquake in the future. This study indicates that we can use isostasy as a potential approach to study the dynamic process of crustalmaterial movement and to analyze regional potential seismic risks.

Seismicity gap and seismic quiescence before 1999 Jiji(Chi-Chi) M_W7.6 earthquake

The September 21, 1999, Jiji （Chi-Chi） Mw7.6 earthquake is the strongest event occurred since 1900 in Taiwan of China. It is located in the middle segment of the western seismic zone of Taiwan. Based on several versions of China earthquake catalogue this study found that a seismic gap of M≥5 earthquakes appeared, in and around the epicenter region, 24 years before and lasted up to the mainshock occurrence. This study also noticed that there existed a lager seismically quiet region of M≥4 earthquakes, which lasted for about 2.5 years before the mainshock occurrence, The spatial variation pattern of regional seismicity before the mainshock seems to match with its coseismic source rupture process. The mentioned seismicity gap and seismic quiescence might be an indication of the preparation process of the Jiji strong earthquake.

魏晋·说说地震活动性——漫步地震五千年(7)

谈及中国的地震活动性研究,必然涉及一位杰出的女科学家——梅世蓉。她没有院士的头衔,却是公认的、无人可替代的中国地震预报的领军者。本文以梅世蓉先生在地震活动性上的研究成果为代表,选择了3个方面加以介绍。南北地震带的提出促进了深浅构造研究的深入,龙日坝断裂带的发现具有重要的大地构造意义。分析了地震空区和震中迁移现象,给出了南北地震带与南亚地震带间的地震呼应震例,介绍了力学机制。直接前震和前兆震群的正确判断在地震预测上十分重要,简介了直接前震的特征,给出了中国大陆震群的分布。

Characteristics of seismic activity before Chile M_W8.8 earthquake in 2010

The tempo-spatial variation of seismic activity before great Chile Mw8.8 earthquake on February 27, 2010 is studied. Some results are as follows： ①Two types of seismic gaps appeared before the Chile MwS.8 shock. One is background gap of Mw≥8.0 earthquakes with 360 km length since 1900, the other is seismogenic gap formed by M≥5.5 earth- quakes with 780km length five years before the Chile earthquake; ②There was only one Mw7.1 earthquake in the middle and southern part of Chile from 1986 to 2010. The obvious quiescence of Mw≥7.0 earthquake is the long-term background anomaly for the Chile earthquake; ③ The quiescence of M≥6.5 earthquakes appeared in South American block and its vicinity during the period from 2007 to 2009, and the quietude state has been disappeared three months before the Chile Mw8.8 earthquake; ④ The deep and intermediate-depth earthquake activity has been noticeablely strengthened in the subduction zone of South American block since 1993; ⑤The great Chile earthquake shows that global seismicity is still in the active period of Mw≥8.5 earthquakes since 2004. Based on the characteristics of the former two active periods, several great earthquakes with Mw≥8.5 would take place in a few years. In addition, the circum-Pacific seismic belt would be the main region for Mw≥8.0 earthquakes.

基于Info-Gap决策的结构抗震稳健性优化设计

针对结构抗震设计中存在严重不确定性问题,基于Info-Gap理论建立一种考虑地震设计谱参数不确定的结构抗震稳健性优化设计方法.该设计方法采用Info-Gap模型来描述地震设计谱中反映地面运动强度的水平地震影响系数最大值αmax和场地特征周期Tg的不确定,通过嵌套优化使结构设计满足结构的临界性能要求的同时实现最大化不确定的稳健性.通过对一个6层3跨的钢框架的抗震稳健性优化设计验证分析表明:这种基于满足性能的结构抗震设计需在满足结构性能需求和提高不确定稳健性之间进行权衡取舍;同时也证实该方法为在不易得到不确定性因素足够信息情况下的基于性能结构抗震可靠性设计提供了一条新思路.

Characteristics of seismic activity before several large Sumatra, Indonesia, earthquakes

Two great earthquakes of MS8.5 and MS8.3 determined by the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) occurred successively on September 12 and 13, 2007 in the sea area to the south of Sumatra, which is another group of large earthquakes after MS8.7 event on December 26, 2004 and MS8.5 event on March 29, 2005. The

Identification of expected seismic activity areas by forecasting complex seismic-mode parameters in Uzbekistan

In this paper, the author proposed a methodology to reveal expected seismic activation places for coming years by a complex of forecasting parameters of a seismic mode. Areas in Uzbekistan where currently observed anomalies in various parameters of a seismic mode has been revealed. By number of displayed abnormal signs the areas has been ranked based on probability of occurrence of strong earthquakes there. It has prepared schemes of the synoptic forecast of expected seismic activation places in case of occurrence of strong earthquakes in the Central-Asian region.

Characteristics of seismic activity before the M_S8.0 Wenchuan earthquake

The characteristics of spatio-temporal seismicity evolution before the Wenchuan earthquake are studied. The results mainly involve in the trend abnormal features and its relation to the Wenchuan earthquake. The western Chinese mainland and its adjacent area has been in the seismically active period since 2001, while the seismic activity shows the obvious quiescence of M≥7.0, M≥6.0 and M≥5.0 earthquakes in Chinese mainland. A quiescence area with M≥7.0 has been formed in the middle of the North-South seismic zone since 1988, and the Wenchuan earthquake occurred just within this area. There are a background seismicity gap of M≥5.0 earthquakes and a seismogenic gap of ML〉4.0 earthquakes in the area of Longrnenshan fault zone and its vicinity prior to the Wenchuan earthquake. The seismic activity obviously strengthened and a doughnut-shape pattern of M≥4.6 earthquakes is formed in the middle and southern part of the North-South seismic zone after the 2003 Dayao, Yunnan, earthquake. Sichnan and its vicinity in the middle of the doughnut-shape pattern show abnormal quiescence. At the same time, the seismicity of earthquake swarms is significant and shows heterogeneity in the temporal and spatial process. A swarm gap appears in the M4.6 seismically quiet area, and the Wenchuan earthquake occurred just on the margin of the gap. In addition, in the short term before the Wenchuan earthquake, the quiescence of earthquake with ML≥4.0 appears in Qinghai-Tibet block and a seismic belt of ML〉3.0 earthquakes, with NW striking and oblique with Longmenshan fault zone, is formed.

The Characteristics of Seismic Activity Before the Devastating Earthquake with M_W9.0 Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

The characteristics of seismic activity in different time-spatial domain before the M_W9.0 earthquake were studied. The results are as follows:The activity of the deep earthquakes in the north boundary zone of the Australian plate had been evidently strengthened since 1994, showing an increased frequency, magnitude and depth, especially in regards to the heterogeneous distribution of the earthquake depth (namely between 500km and 689km). Meanwhile the shallow earthquakes of M≥7.0 in the Sumatra island and its vicinity had been obviously strengthened too, and formed a strengthening area with a length of about 1000 km and width 300 km. ②The time distribution of global strong earthquakes with M≥7.0 shows that the character of anomalous seismic quiescence-activity one year before the M_W9.0 earthquake and during its active period, the strong earthquakes formed a seismic belt striking in NWW direction. At the same time, there is a seismic gap formed by earthquakes of M≥5.0 in the epicenter and its neighboring region. ③Two deep earthquakes of M≥7.0 occurred in the west and in the east of the north boundary zone of the Australian plate half year ago. It is notable that one of them occurred in the Sumatra island where no deep earthquake with M≥6.0 has occurred in the past thirty years. ④The space distribution of moderate shocks occurring three days ago exhibited a NWW-strike seismic belt along the north boundary zone of the Australian plate. ⑤The activity of volcanoes distributed in the north boundary zone of the Australian plate had been strengthened in the past 4 years, especially several months before the occurrence of the M_W9.0 earthquake.

A new seismic isolation system and its feasibility study

This paper introduces a new seismic isolation system called a periodic foundation （PF）, where inclusions are periodically arranged. The PF is different from traditional base isolation in that it causes a fundamental frequency shift in the structure, thus reducing its response and generating a frequency gap. If the frequency contents of a seismic wave fall into the gap, it can not propagate in the foundation. Thus, it will exert no influence on the structure above. A systematic study of the band of frequency gap for a 2D PF is conducted. The influence of physical and geometrical parameters such as density and elastic modulus as well as filling fraction of the PF and its materials on the band of frequency gap are investigated, and a design with a frequency gap as low as 2.49-3.72 Hz is achieved. This band of frequency gap corresponds well to the design spectra in earthquake engineering. Numerical simulations of a six-story frame structure with different foundations demonstrate that a proposed PF can greatly reduce the seismic response of an isolated structure. This investigation shows that PFs have great potential in future applications of seismic isolation technology.

Towards Earthquake Shields: A Numerical Investigation of Earthquake Shielding with Seismic Crystals

Authors numerically demonstrate that the seismic surface waves from an earthquake can be attenuated by a seismic crystal structure constructed on the ground. In the study, seismic crystals with a lattice constant of kilometer are investigated in the aspect of band gaps (Stop band), and some design considerations for earthquake shielding are discussed for various crystal configurations in a theoretical manner. Authors observed in their FDTD based 2D wave simulation results that the proposed earthquake shield can provide a decreasing in magnitude of surface seismic waves. Such attenuation of seismic waves might reduce the damage in an earthquake.

A Study on the Prediction Method of Strong Earthquakes Based on Dynamic Seismicity Patterns with Dynamic Implications

Seismic gap method is one of the effective earthquake prediction methods using seismicity patterns. However, this method has some limitations and uncertainty when using it singly in predicting earthquakes. This paper puts forward the prediction method using the dynamic seismicity pattern with dynamic implications. This method considers the formation and evolution of the seismic gap on the basis of plate movement and structural characteristics. Through analysis of 26 cases of earthquakes of MS≥5.0 occurring in East China and South China, this paper obtains the relationship between the main shock with seismic gap and active fault's location, as well as the relationship between the seismic gap and location and strike of active faults. Meanwhile, this paper provides a dynamic explanation of the differences in the formation and evolution patterns of the seismic gap between the two regions, thus providing the physical basis for and reducing the uncertainty of predicting earthquakes using the seismic gap method.

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 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).

Elastic and Inelastic Response of Structural Systems in Seismic Pounding

The present paper addresses the comparative study of three adjacent single-degree-of freedom structures for elastic and inelastic system with and without pounding under seismic excitations. For the gap between three adjacent structures, the simulation is done by using linear spring element without damping. The entire numerical simulation is done in time domain by considering the inputs of four real ground motions. The results of the study show that the response of elastic system is much different to that of response of inelastic system in the absence and presence of pounding, especially in lighter or more flexible structures. Elastic structures show much severe pounding response than inelastic structures. Modeling of colliding structures behaving inelastically is really needed in order to obtain the accurate structural pounding involved response under seismic excitation.