On the Kinematic Characteristics and Dynamic Process of Boundary faults of the Nansha Ultra-crust Layer-Block

Abstract The Nansha ultra-crust layer-block is confined by ultra-crustal boundary faults of distinctive features, bordering the Kangtai-Shuangzi-Xiongnan extensional faulted zone on the north, the Baxian-Baram-Yoca-Cuyo nappe faulted zone on the south, the Wan'an-Natuna strike-slip tensional faulted zone on the west and the Mondoro-Panay strike-slip compressive faulted zone on the east. These faults take the top of the Nansha asthenosphere as their common detachmental surface. The Cenozoic dynamic process of the ultra-crust layer-block can be divided into four stages: K2-E21, during which the northern boundary faults extended, this ultra-crust layer-block was separated from the South China-Indosinian continental margin, the Palaeo-South China Sea subducted southwards and the Sibu accretion wedge was formed; E22-E31, during which the Southwest sub-sea basin extended and orogeny was active due to the collision of the Sibu accretion wedge; E32-N11, during which the central sub-sea basin extended, the Miri accretion wedge was formed and “A-type” subduction of the southern margin of the north Balawan occurred; N12-the present, during which large-scale thrusting and napping of the boundary faults in the south and mountain-building have taken place and the South China Sea stopped its extension.

Characteristics of strong earthquake evolution around the eastern boundary faults of the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block

Based on the existing materials of fault segmentation,characteristic earthquakes,and their empirical relationships,we calculated the parameters of the fault segments,such as length,width,magnitudes of characteristic earthquakes,etc.Constrained by GPS velocity field,the slip rates of these fault segments in depth were inversed using the 3-D half-space elastic dislocation model.As not all of the recurrence periods and co-seismic displacements of characteristic earthquakes are known,we selected the fault segments with these two parameters known and calculated the accumulation rate of average co-seismic displacement,which shows the faults' slip rate in seismogenic layer.Then,the slip rate in depth was compared with that in seismogenic layer,the relationship between them was obtained,and this relationship was used to get the recurrence periods and co-seismic displacements of all fault segments.After the studies above,we calculated the co-seismic deformation field of all the earthquakes larger than M s 6.8 from AD 1700 one by one and inversed the potential displacement in the co-seismic deformation field.Then,we divided the potential displacement by the slip rate from GPS inversion to get the influences of these fault segments,added the influences into the elapsed time of the characteristic earthquakes,and obtained the earthquake hazard degree of all the segments we studied in the form of the ratio of elapsed time to recurrence period;so,we name the ratio as the Impending Earthquake Risk (IER).Historical earthquake cases show that the fault segment is in safety when the IER is less than 1 but in danger after the IER becomes larger than 1.In 2009,the IER is larger than 1 on the following segments,1.35 on the Tagong segment of Xianshuihe fault,1 on the Menggu-Dongchuan segment,1.04 on the Dongchuan-Xundian segment,and 1.09 on the Yiliang-Chengjiang segment of Xiaojiang fault.

Sandbox Modeling of the Fault-increment Pattern in Extensional Basins

Three series of sandbox modeling experiments were performed to study the fault-increment pattern in extensional basins. Experimental results showed that the tectonic action mode of boundaries and the shape of major boundary faults control the formation and evolution of faults in extensional basins. In the process of extensional deformation, the increase in the number and length of faults was episodic, and every ＇episode＇ experienced three periods, strain-accumulation period, quick fault-increment period and strain-adjustment period. The more complex the shape of the boundary fault, the higher the strain increment each ＇episode＇ experienced. Different extensional modes resulted in different fault-increment patterns. The horizontal detachment extensional mode has the ＇linear＇ style of fault-increment pattern, while the extensional mode controlled by a listric fault has the ＇stepwise＇ style of fault-increment pattern, and the extensional mode controlled by a ramp-flat boundary fault has the ＇stepwise-linear＇ style of fault-increment pattern. These fault-increment patterns given above could provide a theoretical method of fault interpretation and fracture prediction in extensional basins.

Seismotectonic environment of occurring the February 3, 1996 Lijiang M=7.0 earthquake, Yunnan Province

Lijiang-Daju fault, the seismogenic fault of the 1996 Lijiang M=7.0 earthquake, can be divided into Lijiang-Yuhu segment in the south and Yuhu-Daju segment in the north. The two segments show clear difference in geological tectonics, but have the similar dynamic features. Both normal dip-slip and sinistral strike-slip coexist on the fault plane. This kind of movement started at the beginning of the Quaternary (2.4~2.5 Ma B.P.). As to the tectonic types, the detachment fault with low angle was developed in the Early Pleistocene and the normal fault with high angle only after the Mid-Pleistocene (0.8 Ma B.P.). Based on the horizontal displacements of gullies and the vertical variance of planation surfaces cross the Lijiang-Daju fault at east piedmont of Yulong-Haba range, the average horizontal and vertical slip rates are calculated. They are 0.84 mm/a and 0.70 mm/a since the Quaternary and 1.56 mm/a and 1.69 mm/a since the Mid-Pleistocene. The movements of the nearly N-S-trending Lijiang-Daju fault are controlled not only by the regional stress field, but also by the variant movement between the Yulong-Haba range and Lijiang basin. The two kinds of dynamic processes form the characteristics of seismotectonic environment of occurring the 1996 Lijiang earthquake.

Motion and Deformation State of the Tancheng-Lujiang Fault Zone Derived from GPS Data

Based on the rotation in the entire block and homogeneous strain model ( REHSM) ,we firstly analyze the motion and deformation features across the southern part of Tancheng- Lujiang fault zone from GPS velocity fields in period of 1999 ～ 2001,2001 ～ 2004,2004 ～ 2007 and 2007 ～ 2009. The results show a dextral strike-slip feature in the Weifang- Tancheng segment and sinistral strike-slip in the Tancheng-Lujiang segment. And the deformation perpendicular to the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone alternates between tension and compression in different time-intervals. Then we resolve the relative rigid motion of blocks around Bohai Bay to the Circum-Bohai Sea area by deducting the entire rigid motion of the Circum-Bohai Sea area. We find that the Yanshan-Bohai seismic belt split this area into two parts,the northern part moving NW,and the other SE.

Characteristics,timing,and offsets of the middle-southern segment of the western boundary strike-slip fault of the Songliao Basin in Northeast China

As the west boundary fault of the Songliao Basin and the eastern margin of the Da Hinggan Mountains, the Nenjiang-Balihan fault is located in the central part of Northeast China. It is traditionally considered to be a huge deep-seated NNE-striking fault, characterized by a normal fault or detachment fault displacement. The field investigation resulted in the finding of ductile shear zones in the Lingxia and Louzidian areas, the middle and southern sectors of the fault system. The authors conducted meas- urements of structural elements in the field, micro-structural studies, finite strain measurements, a study on preferred crystal orientations of quartz determined by Electron Back Scatter Diffraction and muscovite 40Ar/9Ar chronology of the deformed rocks in the ductile shear zone. The results show that the deformation features of the Lingxia and Louzidian ductile shear zones are similar, and that they represent one continuous fault, i.e., the middle-southern segment of the Nenjiang-Balihan Fault, which experienced a sinistral strike-slip ductile shearing in the Early Cretaceous （-130 Ma）. By measuring the displacement of the Xar Moron River suture and Wolegen Group on both sides of the Nenjiang-Balihan Fault, it is found that the cumulative strike-slip offset of the fault is about 40-50 km.

Twin boundary： Controllable interface to fatigue cracking

Twin boundaries（TBs） are key factors influencing the mechanical properties of crystalline materials. We have investigated the intrinsic fatigue cracking mechanisms of TBs during the past decade. The effects of TB orientations on the fatigue cracking mechanisms were revealed via cyclic deformation of a series of grown Cu bicrystals with a sole TB. Furthermore, the combined effects of crystallographic orientation and stacking fault energy（SFE） on the fatigue cracking mechanisms were clarified through cyclic deformation of polycrystalline Cu and Cu alloys. Both developments were reviewed in this report which will provide implications to optimize the interfacial design for the improvement of fatigue performance of metallic materials.