Investigation of earthquake mechanisms and their impact on certain basic concepts in earthquake engineering and seismology

In this paper, mantle circulation flow, continental drift, earthquake origin and other mechanical principles are examined as they apply to earthquake engineering, seismology and dynamics of fluid saturated porous medium. The relationship of mantle flow to earthquakes is examined and clarified, and a new model, different from Haskell’s, is proposed for the earthquake mechanism. The proposed new model is based on the discovery that two pairs of jump stress and jump velocity will start to act from the fault plane. Records obtained directly from recent earthquakes nearby and right on the fault break show a very large velocity impulse, which verify, indirectly, the new mechanism proposed by the author. Further, at least two physical parameters that characterize the seismic intensity must be specified, because according to the discontinuous (jump) wave theory, at the earthquake source, the stress jump and the velocity jump of particle motion should act simultaneously when a sudden break occurs. The third key parameter is shown to be the break (fracture) propagation speed together with the break plane area. This parameter influences the form of the unloading time function at the source. The maximum seismic stress in and displacement of a building are estimated for two unfavorable combinations of the building and its base ground in terms of their relative rigidity. Finally, it is shown that Biot’s theory of wave propagation in fluid saturated porous media is valid only when fluid flow cannot occur.

Numerical models of earthquake mechanism

The tectonic creep and its variation after particular earthquakes are studied by the Stokes equation.The stress state of the region is modelled according to a hypothesis of plate tectonics in which the lithosphere of the region is laterally compressed across the Eurasian,Indian,and Arabian plates.The 1966 Tashkent(Uzbekistan)earthquake and the 1976 Gazli(Uzbekistan)earthquake are selected as examples to study different models of earthquake focal mechanisms.Based on the specifics of the geodynamic formulation,the three-dimensional equations of moment elasticity and hydromechanics are reduced to twodimensional equations for averaged stresses,displacements,and displacement velocities.The twodimensional equations are solved by boundary integral equations.The stresses can be useful in zoning maps.The vertical velocities obtained from the creep model of the earth’s crust can serve as additional data to Central Asia’s horizontal velocities from GPS measurements.

Fan‐hinged shear instead of frictional stick–slip as the main and most dangerous mechanism of natural,induced,and volcanic earthquakes in the earth's crust

Frictional stick–slip instability along pre‐existing faults has been accepted as the main mechanism of earthquakes for about 60 years,since it is believed that fracture of intact rocks cannot reflect such features inherent in earthquakes as low shear stresses activating instability,low stress drop,repetitive dynamic instability,and connection with pre‐existing faults.This paper demonstrates that all these features can be induced by a recently discovered shear rupture mechanism(fan‐hinged),which creates dynamic ruptures in intact rocks under stress conditions corresponding to seismogenic depths.The key element of this mechanism is the fan‐shaped structure of the head of extreme ruptures,which is formed as a result of an intense tensile cracking process,with the creation of inter‐crack slabs that act as hinges between the shearing rupture faces.The preference of the fan mechanism over the stick–slip mechanism is clear due to the extraordinary properties of the fan structure,which include the ability to generate new faults in intact dry rocks even at shear stresses that are an order of magnitude lower than the frictional strength;to provide shear resistance close to zero and abnormally large energy release;to cause a low stress drop;to use a new physics of energy supply to the rupture tip,providing supersonic rupture velocity;and to provide a previously unknown interrelation between earthquakes and volcanoes.All these properties make the fan mechanism the most dangerous rupture mechanism at the seismogenic depths of the earth's crust,generating the vast majority of earthquakes.The detailed analysis of the fan mechanism is presented in the companion paper“New physics of supersonic ruptures”published in DUSE.Further study of this subject is a major challenge for deep underground science,earthquake and fracture mechanics,volcanoes,physics,and tribology.

Large Active Faults and the Wharton Basin Intraplate Earthquakes in the Eastern Indian Ocean

In recent years,great earthquakes occurred within the Wharton Basin in the eastern Indian Ocean,and they have been associa-ted with active faulting on the ancient oceanic crust.Large seismogenic faults were thought to be the fault reactivation on the ancient oceanic crust,but these phenomena are still unclear and require examination.This study used high-quality multibeam bathymetry and multichannel seismic data collected over the northern Ninetyeast Ridge to investigate detailed fault geometry,structure,and activity.We recognized 12 large linear active faults by integrating bathymetry maps and multichannel seismic reflection profiles.Our results showed that these faults have high angles,and they all displaced the basement and propagated to the seafloor with distinct fault scarps.They trended NWW-SEE with a spacing of 10–40km and were parallel to each other and the nearby subfault of the 2012 great intraplate earthquake,suggesting similar stress fields.These faults are also in agreement with the orientations of magnetic isochrons,implying their formation by seafloor spreading.Furthermore,regarding the strike-slip focal mechanism of 2012 earthquakes,we proposed that these faults were created early by a normal spreading process and then evolved into a strike-slip pattern since the ancient oceanic crust ap-proached the subduction zones.

Preparatory mechanism of Ms8.0 Wenchuan earthquake evidenced by crust-deformation data

Some crustal-deformation data related to the Ms8.0 Wenchuan in 2008, was described and a model that is capable of explaining the observed deformation features is presented. The data include ： pre-earthquake uplift in an area south of the epicenter obtained by repeated-leveling measurements ; pre-earthquake horizontal deformation by GPS observation during two periods in Sichuan-Yunnan area;vertical deformation along a short cross-fault leveling line in the epicenter area; and co-seismic near-field vertical and horizontal crustal-move- ment data by GPS. The model is basically ＂elastic-rebound＂, but involves a zone between two local faults that was squeezed out at the time of earthquake. ：

Moment tensor inversion for the focal mechanism of the Dongfang (Hainan) earthquake swarm

Moment tensor inversion for the focal mechanism of the 12 earthquakes of the Dongfang (Hainan) earthquakeswarm occurred from June to August 1992 with near-source broadband data recorded by a temporal small-aperturenetwork consisting of DCS-302 digital three-component accelerographs. The results inverted indicate that thepredominant components of sources of all these 12 earthqualles were shear dislocations. The principal pressureaxis and the principal tension axis are in NW-SE direction and in NE-SW direction, respectively, and their dips arealmost horizontal. It could infer that these earthquakes occurred within the same ambient stress field.

Moment tensor inversion for focal mechanism of the Beibuwan earthquakes

Two earthquakes of Ms=6.0 and Ms=6. 1 consecutively occurred on December 31, 1994 and January 10, 1995 in Beibuwan region, China. By using the generalized reflection-transmission coefficient matrix and the discrete slowness integration method in the calculation of Green's functions, we obtained the focal mechanisms of these earthquakes using long-period waveforms of regional body waves recorded by the China Digital Seismograph Network (CDSN) by means of moment tensor inversion method in frequency domain. The results inverted indicate that the focal mechanisms of these two earthquakes were similar to each other. Their principal compressional stresses are in NW-SE direction and principal tensional stresses are in NE-SW direction. It turns out that the occurrence of the two earthquakes was controlled by the same tectonic environment related to the collision of the Philippine Plate and the Eurasian Plates. On the other hand, the results imply that the stress field in the seismogenic region has a significant change after the Ms=6.0 earthquake. It may be proposed that the occurrence of the Ms=6. 1 earthquake could be related to the stress field adjustment caused by the Ms=6.0 earthquake.

A priliminary study on the sequence characteristics and focal mechanism solution of the Jiashi strong earthquake swarm

The sequence characteristics and focal mechanism solution of the Jiashi, Xinjiang strong earthquake swarm are analyzed and studied in this paper. The result shows that before the M S=6.6 earthquake, value h of sequence frequency attenuation coefficient was less than 1, then value h was more than 1. Before occurrence of M S6.0 earthquakes the energy is released either in a continuously strengthened way or a sharply strengthened way, and before M S5.0 earthquakes the sequence frequency shows calm. The study on the focal mechanism solution of the strong earthquake swarm shows that the source faults are mainly in a right lateral, strike slip way and the faults have characteristics of tensor shear.

The focal mechanism solution of the Ms6.5 Wuding earthquake in Yunnan Province of October 24,1995

The focal mechanism of Wuding earthquake with magnitude M =6.5 on October 24, 1995 is estimated by the method of inversion of seismic tensor in this paper. The two principal axes are nearly horizontal, the principal compressive axis is about N30°E, the nodal plane which strikes about N105°E (N75°W) is probably consistent with the actual rupture plane.

ThesourceparametersandsourcemechanismfortheJanuary5,1998JingyangearthquakewithMS=4.8

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The spatial characteristic of the short－term and imminent anomalies of waterradonbe┐foreearthquakeinthemainlandofChina

The changes of radon content in underground water(water radon)recorded at about 200 stations in 32 earthquakes occurred in the mainland of China are studied in this paper. The result shows that the spatial distribution of short term and imminent anomalies of water radon before earthquake seems to be mainly related to the active master fault nearby the hypocenter of an earthquake and the earthquake generating mechanism. Finally, some understandings on the mechanism of the aomalies and the imminent earthquake prediction are set forth.

Dynamic changes of gravity fields before and after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake(Ms8.0)

The pattern evolution and dynamic mechanism of the dynamic changes of regional gravity fields occurring before and after the Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake are analyzed, based on five epochs of 1998 -2007 mobile gravity data from the middle-south section of the north-south seismic belt, and two epochs of field research data collected after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in combination with GPS data, leveling observations, and geotectonic environment data. The regional dynamic gravity changes demonstrate the effects of the eastward flow of solid matter in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau and the preparation of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake （2- 10 yr）. The two most meaningful gravity indicators of the Wcnchuan earthquake preparation are the positive （increasing） gravity changes occurring over many years in the southwest epicenter and the largescale gradient zone of gravity variation, with the cumulative difference between the two sides of the gradient zone of gravity exceeding 200 μGal. The positive gravity changes may facilitate a constant energy accumulation and the gradient belt may support seismic shear breakage. Overall, the gravity changes associated with the earthquake preparation indicate a pattern of accelerating increase-decelerating increase-earthquake occurrence. The Songpan-Ganzi block generally displays a negative gravity change, providing evidence for a local upwarp- ing of the deep crust-mantle and an interior expansion of the deep crust attributable to high temperatures. The viewpoint is consistent with the dilatant mechanism for earthquake preparation.

Three-dimensional characteristics of focal fault of 1995 M_S=6.5 Wuding earthquake occurring in Yunnan Province

By means of the hypocenter distribution and focal mechanism of Wuding Ms=6.5 earthquake sequence occurred in1995. the space orientation and activity characteristics of focal fault of Wuding earthquake have been studied fromthe three-dimensional space-time process. The results indicate that the focal fault of Wuding earthquake is a subsurface, NWW-trending, upright and right-lateral strike slip fault which is consistent with the intensity distributionin foe meizoseisfnal region. Although the large-scale NS-trending Tanglang-Yimen active fault passes through theearthquake region. it is irrelevant to the Ms=6.5 Wuding main earthquake. Since the relationship between thestrong earthquake and the shallow geological active fault can not be determined, the crustal deep structure shouldbe studied. The method proposed in the paper can be used to distinguish the focal fault in the deep crust.

Temporal variation of gravity field prior to the Ludian Ms6.5 and Kangding Ms6.3 earthquakes

Using mobile gravity data from the central area of Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces, the relationship between gravity variation and earthquakes was studied based on the Ludian Ms6.5 earthquake that occurred on August 3rd, 2014, and the Kangding Ms6.3 earthquake that occurred on November 22 nd, 2014; the mechanism of gravity variation was also explored. The results are as follows：（1） Prior to both earthquakes, gravity variation exhibited similar characteristics as those observed before both the Tangshan and Wenchuan earthquakes, in which typical precursor anomalies were positive gravity variation near the epicenter and the occurrence of a high-gravity-gradient zone across the epicenter prior to the earthquake.（2） A relatively accurate prediction of the occurrence locations of the two earthquakes was made by the Gravity Network Center of China（GNCC） based on these precursor anomalies. In the gravity study report on the 2014 earthquake trends submitted at the end of 2013, the Daofu-Shimian section at the junction of the Xianshuihe and Longmenshan fault zones was noted as an earthquake-risk region with a predicted magnitude of 6.5, which covered the epicenter of the Kangding Ms6.3 earthquake. In another report on earthquake trends in southwestern China submitted in mid-2014, the Lianfeng, Zhaotong fault zone was also classified as an earthquake-risk region with a magnitude of 6.0, and the central area of this region basically overlapped with the epicenter of the Ludian Ms6.5 earthquake.（3） The gravity variation characteristics are reasonably consistent with crustal movements, and deep material migration is likely the primary cause of gravity variation.

A tectonic stress map of China and adjacent regions from earthquakes occurred during 2000～2004

Earthquake focal mechanism solutions provide the basic information about the present-day regional tectonics stress distribution, which controls the activities of crustal faults. Therefore, continued efforts for updating the database of earthquake focal mechanism solutions are quite valuable and important.

Earth Core’s stresses variation in Central Asian earthquakes region

Tecto nic stresses of Ce ntral Asia(limited by geographic coo rdinates 36-46°N,56-76°E)over the rece nt times are modeled based on moment elasticity,taking into account the focal mechanism of earthquakes.Numerical results obtained by the method of boundary integral equations.The relief of the earth’s surface,built on the map of Central Asia used to verify the solution of the inverse elasticity problem.The moment elasticity equations are simplified by assumingωk=εijkμi,j,which makes it possible to return to classical theory of elasticity,with the difference that the stress tensor ceases to be symmetricσij≠σji.Based on the specifics of the geodynamic formulation of problems,the three-dimensional model reduced to a two-dimensional model for averaged stresses and displacements.According to the results,a displacement field was constructed,which is fully consistent with the movements of the earth’s surface,established by the GPS method.The model makes it possible to determine stresses variations in the region from earthquakes occurring in Central Asia.

Evidence of earthquakes triggered by the tidal force of the sun and the moon——On the temporal characteristics of the earthquakes in Xingtai,Hejian and Tangshan

Studies by many scientists show that Hebei, China is an area with strong correlation between the tidal force and the occurrences of major earthquakes, the Xingtai earthquake of 1966, the Hejian earthquake of 1967 and the Tangshan earthquake of 1976 were triggered by the tidal force, in this paper the study on the common characteristics of their occurrence times confirms these facts. The computed times of maximum horizontal of the semi diurnal solid tide tidal force show that the occurrence times of the above mentioned earthquakes were close to the times of maximum horizontal tidal force of the semi diurnal solid tide at new moon or full moon. The Longyao earthquake of M =6.8, the Ningjin earthquake of M =7.2 and the Hejian earthquake of M =6.3 occurred tens of minutes after the maximum horizontal tidal force of the semi diurnal solid tides, and the Tangshan earthquake of M =7.8 occurred 16 minutes before the maximum horizontal tidal force. The tidal forces were directed to the west. This is their temporal characteristic. It is generally accepted that the 1969 Bohai earthquake of M =7.4 and the 1975 Haicheng earthquake were not triggered by the tidal force. These events did not show such characteristics. The temporal characteristics of the earthquakes indicate that the occurrences of these events were not random, but were controlled by the tidal force from the sun and the moon, and triggered by the tidal force. These facts agree with the triggering mechanism of the tidal force, are evidences of earthquakes triggered by tidal force.

Comparison and analysis of the stress field in the source region of Tangshan and Lancang earthquake sequences

The state of the stress fields in the source region is analysed systematically, on the basis of the focal mechanismsof 167 events with Ms≥4. 0 of Tangshan sequence and 163 moderate-small events of Lancang sequence respectively. The result indicates that the directions of the stress field in the source region are generally stable and thevariation is not obvious after the occurrence of strong shock. The dominant orientations of focal mechanisms ofthe aftershocks are consistent with that of the mainshock, there is still a small difference between some mechanisms of aftershocks and the mechanism of mainshock, and the difference decreases as time goes on. The numbers of solutions with dominant direction of Tangshan and Lancang sequences are similar to each other, it indicates that the controls of the strong earthquake sequences from the tectonic stress field are similar to each othertoo. Through the hierarchical clustering analysis of focal mechanism,it is found that the number of clusters ofTangshan sequence is larger than that of Lancang sequence,and their orientations are relatively disordered. Itmay be the cause that the tectonics in the Tangshan region are more complicated than those in the Lancang region.

Recent progress in studies of experimental rock mechanics and tectonophysics in China

This paper reviews the recent progress in the studies of experimental rock mechanics and tectonophysics concerning seismology and physics of the Earths interior in China. The progress is presented in the following aspects: a) A lot of results of experiment and numerical simulation enrich our knowledge of the brittle fracturing process under the condition with heterogeneity in material and structure; b) Some new results on frictional behavior of non-homogeneous faults reveal the complexity of faulting behavior; c) Some new results on the brittle-plastic transition and plastic flow are obtained; especially the important progress is obtained on rheological properties of rocks in the lower crust and the upper mantle; d) A lot of experimental results are obtained on rock physics at high temperature and pressure and have been used in study of material composition and state. These results provide useful information for understanding the physical properties and deformation mechanisms of material of the Earths interior and earthquake physics.

Summation and decomposition of principal stresses in the crust

In the compilation of World Stress Map, 9％ of data comes from overcoring and hydraulic fracturing measurement, 23％ from borehole breaking off, 63％ from earthquake focal mechanism, and 5％ from young geological investigation (Zoback, et al, 1989).……