Earthquake relocation using a 3D velocity model and implications on seismogenic faults in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

To enhance the understanding of the geometry and characteristics of seismogenic faults in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region,we relocated 14805 out of 16063 earthquakes(113°E-120°E,36°N-43°N)that occurred between January 2008 and December 2020 using the double-difference tomography method.Based on the spatial variation in seismicity after relocation,the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region can be divided into three seismic zones:Xingtai-Wen'an,Zhangbei-Ninghexi,and Tangshan.(1)The Xingtai-Wen'an Seismic Zone has a northeastsouthwest strike.The depth profile of earthquakes perpendicular to the strike reveals three northeast-striking,southeast-dipping,high-angle deep faults(>10 km depth),including one below the shallow(<10 km depth)listric,northwest-dipping Xinghe fault in the Xingtai region.Two additional deep faults in the Wen'an region are suggested to be associated with the 2006 M 5.1 Wen'an Earthquake and the 1967 M 6.3 Dacheng earthquake;(2)The Zhangbei-Ninghexi Seismic Zone is oriented north-northwest.Multiple northeast-striking faults(10-20 km depth),inferred from the earthquake-intensive zones,exist beneath the shallow(<10 km depth)Xiandian Fault,Xiaotangshan Fault,Huailai-Zhuolu Basin North Fault,Yangyuan Basin Fault and Yanggao Basin North Fault;(3)In the Tangshan Seismic Zone,earthquakes are mainly concentrated near the northeast-striking Tangshan-Guye Fault,Lulong Fault,and northwest-striking Luanxian-Laoting Fault.An inferred north-south-oriented blind fault is present to the north of the Tangshan-Guye Fault.The 1976 M 7.8 Tangshan earthquake occurred at the junction of a shallow northwest-dipping fault and a deep southeast-dipping fault.This study emphasizes that earthquakes in the region are primarily associated with deep blind faults.Some deep blind faults have different geometries compared to shallow faults,suggesting a complex fault system in the region.Overall,this research provides valuable insights into the seismogenic faults in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region.Further studies and monitoring of these faults are essential for earthquake mitigation efforts in this region.

Seismogenic fault and topography control on the spatial patterns of landslides triggered by the 2017 Jiuzhaigou earthquake

Jiuzhaigou National Park, located in northwest plateau of Sichuan Province, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most popular scenic areas in China. On August 8, 2017, a Mw 6.5 earthquake occurred 5 km to the west of a major scenic area, causing 25 deaths and injuring 525, and the Park was seriously affected. The objective of this study was to explore the controls of seismogenic fault and topographic factors on the spatial patterns of these landslides. Immediately after the main shock, field survey, remote-sensing investigations, and statistical and spatial analysis were undertaken. At least 2212 earthquake-triggered landslides were identified, covering a total area of 11.8 km^2. Thesewere mainly shallow landslides and rock falls. Results demonstrated that landslides exhibited a close spatial correlation with seismogenic faults. More than 85% of the landslides occurred at 2200 to 3700 m elevations. The largest quantity of landslides was recorded in places with local topographic reliefs ranging from 200 to 500 m. Slopes in the range of ~20°-50° are the most susceptible to failure. Landslides occurred mostly on slopes facing east-northeast(ENE), east(E), east-southeast(ESE), and southeast(SE), which were nearly vertical to the orientation of the seismogenic fault slip. The back-slope direction and thin ridge amplification effects were documented. These results provide insights on the control of the spatial pattern of earthquake-triggered landslides modified by the synergetic effect of seismogenic faults and topography.

Fracture Characters and Seismogenic Fault of the Yajiang Earthquake Sequence with M_S6.0 in Sichuan in 2001

The Yajiang earthquake sequence in 2001, with the major events of M S 5.1 on Feb. 14 and of M S 6.0 on Feb.23, are significant events in the Sichuan region during the last 13 years. Eighty-eight earthquakes in the sequence with at least 5 distinct onset parameters for each recorded by the Sichuan Seismic Network in the period of Jan. 1 through June 30, 2001 were chosen for this study. The events are relocated and the focal mechanism is derived from P-wave onsets for 13 events with relatively larger magnitudes. The focal depth of all earthquakes fall between a range of 2km to 16km, with dominant distribution between 9km to 11km. The foreshocks, the M S5.1 earthquake and the M S6.0 earthquake and their aftershocks are all located close to the Zihe fault and the dominant epicentral distribution is in NW direction, identical to that of the fault. The fracture surface of the focal mechanism is determined in accordance to the mass transfer orientation in the recent earth deformation field in the Yajiang region. The P axes of the principal compressive stress in focal mechanism solutions of the 13 events show bigger vertical components, and the horizontal projection trending SE. The earthquakes are of left-lateral, strike-slip normal, and normal strike-slip types. The rupture surface of most earthquakes strike NW-SE, dipping SW. Based on the above information, we conclude that the Zihe fault that crosses the earthquake area, striking NW and dipping SW, is the seismogenic fault for the Yajiang earthquake sequence.

Discussion on the Seismogenic Fault of the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake

The opinions of two papers carried in the journal "Seismology and Geology" are discussed in the paper.One is that the Tangshan fault is a high-angle,west-dipping and thrust with strike-slip fault.The other is that the Fuzhuang-Xihe fault distributed on the east side of Tangshan city is the seismogenic fault that caused the Tangshan earthquake.For the former opinion,it needs to explain the relationship between the active style of the thrust Tangshan fault and the formation genesis of a Quaternary depression along the west side of Tangshan city.For the latter opinion,if the Fuzhuang-Xihe fault is the seismogenic fault of the Tangshan earthquake,it needs to explain the genesis relationship between this west-dip slip fault zone and the strike-slip surface fissure zone that extends through Tangshan city.And it needs more evidence exclude the possibility that the surface rupture belongs to the rupturing of a secondary structure.This paper suggests doing more work on the active fault that controls the Caobo Quaternary depression.

The 2023 M_(w)6.8 Adassil Earthquake(Chichaoua,Morocco)on a steep reverse fault in the deep crust and its geodynamic implications

The Mw 6.8 Adassil earthquake that occurred in the High Atlas on September 8,2023,was a catastrophic event that provided a rare opportunity to study the mechanics of deep crustal seismicity.This research aimed to decipher the rupture characteristics of the Adassil earthquake by analyzing teleseismic waveform data in conjunction with interferometric synthetic aperture radar(InSAR)observations from both ascending and descending orbits.Our analysis revealed a reverse fault mechanism with a centroid depth of approximately 28 km,exceeding the typical range for crustal earthquakes.This result suggests the presence of cooler temperatures in the lower crust,which facilitates the accumulation of tectonic stress.The earthquake exhibited a steep reverse mechanism,dipping at 70°,accompanied by minor strike-slip motion.Within the geotectonic framework of the High Atlas,known for its volcanic legacy and resulting thermal irregularities,we investigated the potential contributions of these factors to the initiation of the Adassil earthquake.Deep seismicity within the lower crust,away from plate boundaries,calls for extensive research to elucidate its implications for regional seismic hazard assessment.Our findings highlight the critical importance of studying and preparing for significant seismic events in similar geological settings,which would provide valuable insights into regional seismic hazard assessments and geodynamic paradigms.

Step-over of strike-slip faults and overpressure fluid favor occurrence of foreshocks:Insights from the 1975 Haicheng fore-main-aftershock sequence,China

This study analyzed and summarized in detail the spatial and temporal distributions of earthquakes,tidal responses,focal mechanisms,and stress field characteristics for the M 7.3 Haicheng earthquake sequence in February 1975.The foreshocks are related to the main fault and the conjugate faults surrounding the extension step-over in the middle.The initiation timing of the foreshock clusters and the original time of the mainshock were clearly modulated by the Earth's tidal force and coincided with the peak of dilational volumetric tidal strain.As a plausible and testable hypothesis,we proposed a fluid-driven foreshock model,by which all observed seismicity features can be more reasonably interpreted with respect to the results of existing models.Together with some other known examples,the widely existing step-over along strike-slip faults and associated conjugate faults,especially for extensional ones in the presence of deep fluids,favor the occurrence of short-term foreshocks.Although clustered seismicity with characteristics similar to those of the studied case is not a sufficient and necessary condition for large earthquakes to occur under similar tectonic conditions,it undoubtedly has a warning significance for the criticality of the main fault.Subsequent testing would require quantification of true/false positives/negatives.

Discussion of rupture mechanisms on the seismogenic fault of the 2008 M_s8.0 Wenchuan earthquake

The May 12, 2008, Ms8.0 Wenchuan earthquake was the outcome of a recent movement of an active intra-continental thrust fault zone. The seismogenic fault of this earthquake underwent oblique-slip faulting along the central fault and pure thrust faulting along the range-front fault of the Longmenshan fault zone. The former had a steep dip and large vertical displacement, and the latter had a gentle dip and little vertical displacement. The fault zone consisted of compressive double fault ramps rup turing with right-lateral strike-slip components resulting from strain partitioning of a deep oblique slip fault in the brittle zone of the upper crust. The kinematic pattern and rupture mechanisms are complex for the seismogenic fault, as indicated by the geometric pattern of its surface ruptures, the coseismic displacement distribution and focal mechanisms of the main shock and aftershocks. As a tear fault, the NW-trending, left-lateral, strike-slip Xiaoyudong fault zone has accommodated NE-trending displacements with different shortening amounts. However, because of intense compression on the southwestern segment of the seismogenic fault, the left-lateral, strike-slip Xiaoyudong fault also carries a clear compression component. Normal faulting with a strike-slip component controls the formation of a fault-trough along the central fault, which is characterized by thrusting with a strike-slip component and strike-slip with thrusting. The fault-troughs are the product of the interaction of slip and grav ity on the seismogenic fault under specific geological and geomorphic conditions. Gravitational force exaggerated the vertical component of fault displacement, which by no means represents the actual maximum vertical displacement of the seismogenic fault.

The Interpretation of Seismogenic Fault of the Maduo Mw 7.3Earthquake,Qinghai Based on Remote Sensing Images——A Branch of the East Kunlun Fault System

On May 22,2021,a Mw 7.3 earthquake occurred in Maduo County,Qinghai Province with the epicenter of 34.59°N,98.34°E.The distribution of aftershocks and surface ruptures suggested that the seismogenic structure might be the Jiangcuo fault(JF),~70 km south of East Kunlun fault(EKLF).Due to the high altitude and sparse human habitats,there are very few researches on the Jiangcuo fault,which makes us know little about the deformation features and even the geometry of Jiangcuo fault.In this study,we used the high-resolution pre-earthquake satellite images to interpret the spatial distribution and geometry of the Jiangcuo fault.Our results show that the Jiangcuo fault strikes nearly east,extending 180-km-long from Eling Lake to east of Changmahe Town.Based on the geometric features,the Jiangcuo fault could be divided into three segments characterized as the linear structures,fault valleys,scarps and systematic offset of channels.The boundary between Bayan Har Block and Qaidam Block is presented as a wide deformation zone named of Kunlun belt that is composed of East Kunlun fault and several branch faults around Anemaqen Mountain.Geometric analysis and deep lithosphere structure around Maduo County suggest that the Jiangcuo fault should be one of branch of East Kunlun fault at south,where the Kunlun fault developed as a giant flower structure.In addition,the seismic hazards potential of Jiangcuo fault should be given enough attention in the future,because west of the Jiangcuo fault,there is a rupture gap between the co-seismic surface ruptures of the 2001 Kunlun,2021 Maduo and 1937 Huashixia Earthquakes.

Kinematic features of the seismogenic fault of the Tangshan earthquake and the recurrence period of large earthquakes

By the inversion method of uneven slippage of faults in the depths(Liu et al ., 1995) and using the crustal deformation data of six phases, the movement states of seismic fault of the Tangshan earthquake in five time periods before, during and after that earthquake are computed. The result of computation has revealed the movement process of seismic fault, during which the fault moved at an increasing rate before the quake, slipped suddenly during the quake, and became relaxed, adjusted and stabilized gradually after the quake. Moreover, the recurrence period of earthquakes in Tangshan is computed using the relation that the slippage of seismic fault bears with strain energy.

Crustal deformation of seismogenic fault and its surrounding area after the Tangshane arthquake

The fault deformation observed in 18 years after the Tangshan earthquake on the deformation station located on the surface fissure of the seismogenic fault is introduced. The results show that the vertical and horizontal deformations of the seismogenic fault were concentrated within 7 years after the earthquake and the year of 1983 was the turning year of postseismic deformation. The deformation shown by large area levelings is consistent with the intensity level of fault deformation. At present, a relaxation state appears in which stress is not easy for stress to accumulate and there is no probability of stronger earthquake occurrence in the near future.

Strong Earthquake Model of North China Craton: A Case of 2023 Mw 5.5 Earthquake in Pingyuan County, Shandong Province, China

North China is one of the high-risk areas for destructive strong earthquakes in China's Mainland, with a history of numerous significant seismic events. On August 6, 2023, an Mw5.5 earthquake struck Pingyuan County, Dezhou City, in Shandong Province, China. This earthquake was the largest in the eastern North China Craton(NCC) since the Tangshan earthquake of 1976. Due to the absence of surface ruptures, the fault responsible for the Pingyuan Mw5.5 earthquake remains unclear. To reveal the subsurface geological structure near the earthquake epicenter, this study utilized highresolution two-dimensional seismic reflection profiles to interpret pre-existing faults.

Is clustered seismicity an indicator of regional stress?Insights from earthquake sequences in Yongning-Luguhu faulted basin,Southwest China

Using hypocenter relocation,moment tensor inversion,stress field inversion,and fault slip tendency analysis,this study systematically investigated three M5.5-5.8 earthquake sequences that occurred after 2000 in the Yongning-Luguhu faulted basin in the middle of the Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault zone within the Sichuan-Yunnan block,Southwest China.Our results show that since the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake,the tectonic stress pattern in this area may have changed and that b-values estimated for the earthquake sequences show evidence of an increasing trend in stress in the study area.Seismicity in the small-scale faulted basin adjacent to the large-scale fault zone is a possible indicator of regional stress.We also note that the aftershocks of the M5.7 earthquake sequence in 2012 and the M5.5 earthquake sequence in 2022 show relatively clear fluid diffusion-triggering characteristics.Overpressure of deep fluids is still the main factor driving seismic activity in the region,and we propose that the background tectonic stresses have not yet reached critical levels.

Causative fault and seismogenic mechanism of the 2010 Suining M5.0 earthquake from joint modeling of seismic and InSAR data

Although the Sichuan basin is a stable block with low historical seismicity,the Suining M5.0 earthquake on January31,2010 occurred near the center of the basin,causing casualty and substantial damage.Previous studies have shown that the earthquake is very shallow and may occur in the sedimentary cover rocks,but its causative fault has not been identified.Based on local broadband seismic waveform data as well as a pair of ALOS PALSAR ascending orbit data,we explore the seismogenic mechanism via further constraining the source depth and the ruptured fault.The earthquake caused ground uplift in the southeast of the epicenter area,with a maximum line of sight displacement of about 13.6 cm,much larger than the displacement caused by a M5 earthquake at a typical depth of 10 km,which indicates that the earthquake is very shallow.Through joint inversion of seismic waveform and InSAR data,we obtain the moment magnitude of Suining earthquake as MW4.5,with the strike,dip,and rake of its fault plane as 17°,66° and 90°,respectively,and the centroid depth less than 1 km,supporting that the earthquake occurred at the shallow part of a high angle thrust fault dipping to the southeast.It is further confirmed that the earthquake may be triggered by the diffusion of high-pressure fluid migrating from the underside gas reservoir.

Sentinel-1 In SAR observations and time-series analysis of co-and postseismic deformation mechanisms of the 2021 Mw 5.8 Bandar Ganaveh Earthquake,Southern Iran

In the past two decades,because of the significant increase in the availability of differential interferometry from synthetic aperture radar and GPS data,spaceborne geodesy has been widely employed to determine the co-seismic displacement field of earthquakes.On April 18,2021,a moderate earthquake(Mw 5.8)occurred east of Bandar Ganaveh,southern Iran,followed by intensive seismic activity and aftershocks of various magnitudes.We use two-pass D-InSAR and Small Baseline Inversion techniques via the LiCSBAS suite to study the coseismic displacement and monitor the four-month post-seismic deformation of the Bandar Ganaveh earthquake,as well as constrain the fault geometry of the co-seismic faulting mechanism during the seismic sequence.Analyses show that the co-and postseismic deformation are distributed in relatively shallow depths along with an NW-SE striking and NE dipping complex reverse/thrust fault branches of the Zagros Mountain Front Fault,complying with the main trend of the Zagros structures.The average cumulative displacements were obtained from-137.5 to+113.3 mm/yr in the SW and NE blocks of the Mountain Front Fault,respectively.The received maximum uplift amount is approximately consistent with the overall orogen-normal shortening component of the Arabian-Eurasian convergence in the Zagros region.No surface ruptures were associated with the seismic source;therefore,we propose a shallow blind thrust/reverse fault(depth~10 km)connected to the deeper basal decollement fault within a complex tectonic zone,emphasizing the thin-skinned tectonics.

Temporal evolution of the focal mechanism consistency of the 2021 Yangbi M_(S) 6.4 earthquake sequence in Yunnan

Using the Cut And Paste(CAP)method,we invert the focal mechanism of 38 moderate earthquakes(M_(S)≥3.0)recorded by Yunnan seismic network and analyze the corresponding focal mechanism consistency based on the minimum spatial rotation angle.Our results indicate that the M_(S)6.4 mainshock is induced by a lateral strike slip fault(with a rake angle of~-165°)and a little normal-faulting component event along a nearly vertical plane(dipping angle~79° and strike~138°).Combining our results with high resolution catalog,we argue that the seismogenic fault of this earthquake sequence is a secondary fault western to the major Weixi-Qiaohou-Weishan fault.The focal mechanism evolution can be divided into three periods.During the first period,the foreshock sequence,the focal mechanism consistency is the highest(KA<36°);during the second period which is shortly after the mainshock,the focal mechanism shows strong variation with KA ranging from 8° to 110°;during the third period,the seismicity becomes weak and the focal mechanism of the earthquakes becomes more consistent than the second period(18°<KA<73°).We suggest that the KA,to some extent,represents the coherence between local tectonic stress regime and the stress state of each individual earthquake.Furthermore,high focal mechanism consistency and high linearity of seismic distribution may serve as indicators for the identification of foreshock sequence.

Research on the 1879 South Wudu M8.0 Earthquake and Its Co-Seismic Fracture

Based on field investigations and indoor systematic research of the 1879 South Wudu M8.0 earthquake conducted in recent years, the magnitude, damage, seismic intensity, co-seismic fracture of the earthquake, as well as its seismogenic tectonics and preparation process, have been studied. The paper summarizes the results of studies on location of the earthquake’s macroscopic epicenter, magnitude and co-seismic fracture, with emphasis on the distribution range, type, extent and mechanism of its co-seismic fractures. The research reveals that, (1) the major part of the meizoseismal area of the South Wudu earthquake is located between Wudu and Wenxian in southern Gansu Province. It extends in a NEE direction, its shape is elliptical with the major axis about 70km long and the minor axis 30km. The macroscopic epicenter is located in the vicinity of Baoziba, in the east of the meizoseismal area; (2) three co-seismic fracture belts developed in the meizoseismal area, scattering northeastwards and converging southwestwards; (3) the major fracture belt extends from Baishuijiang at Hanan on the west, to the the bank areas of Bailongjiang river on the east, such as Gushuizi, Toufang and Daoqizi, etc.; (4) the co-seismic fractures consist of earthquake fissure, scarp, bulge, landslide, barrier lake and so on, among which landslides are the most obvious phenomenon; (5) according to the location, geometry and mechanism of the fracture, it is assumed that the co-seismic fracture zone of the South Wudu earthquake is the product of left-lateral strike-slip, associated with a dip-slip in the Hanan-Daoqizi-Maopola fault zone; (6) based on the size of the co-seismic fracture and the observed amount of displacement of the seismogenic fault of the South Wudu earthquake, the magnitude of this event is estimated to be M8.0.

Field Investigation of the M_S6.8 Wuqia,Xinjiang Earthquake on October 5,2008

A Ms6. 8 earthquake occurred on October 5, 2008 in the Wuqia region in Xinjiang. The macroseismic epicenter is situated in the Nula village of the Kyrghyz Republic, 7km southwest of the Wuqia Yierkeshitan Port in Xinjiang. The epicenter intensity is VIII degrees （outside borders）. The areas of intensity VII and VI are 7354km^2 and 1031km^2, respectively. This seismic event is related with movement of the NE-trending Kzikeaerkate fault belt. Buildings in the earthquake-stricken area were damaged or affected to a certain extent by this earthquake, accompanied with some phenomena of geological disaster.

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.

Activity of the Lenglongling fault system and seismotectonics of the 2016 MS6.4 Menyuan earthquake

The MS6.4 Menyuan earthquake occurred on the northern side of the Lenglongling fault(LLLF) in the mid-western of the Qilian-Haiyuan fault zone on January 21, 2016. The earthquake epicenter was distant from the Minle-Damaying and Huangcheng-Shuangta faults, eastern of the Northern Qilian Shan fault zone. A near northwest-striking rupture plane intersects the two faults at a certain angle. The focal mechanism solution shows that this was a thrust-type earthquake, slightly different from the strike-slip movement with a thrust component of the LLLF. Field geological mapping, tectonic geomorphology analysis, trench excavation and 14 C dating reveal that(1) the LLLF has been obviously active since the Holocene, and may behave with characteristic slip behavior and produce M_W7.3–7.5 earthquakes;(2) the LLLF appears as a flower structure in terms of structure style, and dips NNE at a steep angle; and(3) the most recent earthquake event occurred after 1815–1065 a BP. An associated fault, the Northern Lenglongling fault(NLLLF), is located at the northwestern end of the LLLF. Consequently, the NLLLF was continually subject to tectonic pushing effects from the left-lateral shear at the end of the LLLF, and, accordingly, it bent and rotated outward tectonically.Subsequently, the fault deviated from the dominant rupture azimuth and activity weakened. In the late Quaternary, it behaved as a thrust fault with no obvious deformation at the surface. This is indicated by the arc shape, with a micro-protrusion northeastward,and no geologic or geomorphic signs of surface rupturing since the late Quaternary. However, such faults could still rupture at depth, producing moderate-strong earthquakes. The geometric and kinematic properties of the NLLLF are in good agreement with the occurrence and kinematic properties of nodal plane 2, and with the distribution characteristics of the aftershocks and seismic intensity. Therefore, the NLLLF is a more suitable seismogenic structure for the MS 6.4 Menyuan earthquake. In addition, the thrust movement of the NLLLF accommodates subsequent movement of the LLLF. During the historical evolution of the NLLLF,the LLLF and the NLLLF have affected the local topography through tectonic uplift.