Geological inferences about the upper crustal configuration of the Medellin-Aburra Valley(Colombia)using strong motion seismic records

In regions of complex geology and tectonic assembly, strong motion seismic arrival time records can be used to test the plausibility of existing hypothesis about the origin of lithological and tectonic features and how they are related in space and time. In this study we use differential travel time residuals at some strong motion accelerographic stations in the Medellin-Aburra Valley, in the northern Central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes, to discuss some aspects of the geological configuration. We based our work on the hypothesis that the differences between seismic travel time residuals among pairs of stations are a function of the differences in the surface geology and the near-surface upper crustal configuration. Our results are consistent with the volcanic rocks of the Quebradagrande Complex being less mafic, more weathered or more tectonically affected than previously thought, with the presence of a relatively thin dunite body on top of the metamorphic basement, and with a large lateral heterogeneity in the mainly mafic San Diego Stock.

Ancient terrane boundaries as probable seismic hazards: A case study from the northern boundary of the Eastern Ghats Belt, India

In the eastern part of the Indian shield, late Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of the Talchir Basin lie precisely along a contact of Neoproterozoic age between granulites of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt （EGMB） and amphibolite facies rocks of the Rengali Province. At present, the northern part of the basin experiences periodic seismicity by reactivation of faults located both within the basin, and in the Rengali Province to the north. Detailed gravity data collected across the basin show that Bouguer anomalies decrease from the EGMB （~＋15 mGal）, through the basin （^-10 mGal）, into the Rengali Province （^-15 mGal）. The data are consistent with the reportedly uncompensated nature of the EGMB, and indicate that the crust below the Rengali Province has a cratonic gravity signature. The contact between the two domains with distinct sub-surface structure, inferred from gravity data, coincides with the North Orissa Boundary Fault （NOBF） that defines the northern boundary of the Talchir Basin. Post-Gondwana faults are also localized along the northern margin of the basin, and present-day seismic tremors also have epicenters close to the NOBF. This indicates that the NOBF was formed by reactivation of a Neo- proterozoic terrane boundary, and continues to be susceptible to seismic activity even at the present-day.

Decline of groundwater table in Beijing and recognition of seismic precursory information

This paper quantitatively analyzed groundwater table fluctuations caused by groundwater overdraft, and probed into the possibility of drawing earthquake precursory information from groundwater table variations on the background of groundwater overdraft. Main effect factors of groundwater regime in Beijing region include groundwater extraction and rainfall. The decline of groundwater table was directly related to regional groundwater overdraft. Using the method of correlation analysis, the paper analyzed the relation between groundwater overdraft and groundwater level variations, with the aim of evaluating the effect of groundwater overdraft on water levels in observation wells and providing scientific basis for identifying seismic precursory information. The results indicate that the variations of groundwater level in slightly-affected zones of groundwater overdraft can contain some seismic precursory information, and it is possible to extract seismic precursory anomalies if proper mathematical methods are adopted to remove the trend component and annual period changes.

Simulation by Dislocation Model and Anomaly Property Determination of Huge Leveling Deformation at Linfen Seismic Station

In this study,under the assumption that the two huge leveling deformation anomalies at Linfen seismic station were caused by the Luoyunshan fault( Tumen-Yuli section)movement, we computed the vertical deformation field distribution based on the rectangular fault dislocation model and measured the ground deformation field of the study area using D-InS AR technology. The results are as follows:( 1) Theoretically,the ground vertical deformation field caused by fault movement could be within the elliptical deformation area with the long axis parallel to the fault strike. The largest deformation region is located in the center of the area in the hanging wall of the fault,and the deformation gradually decreases to zero toward the periphery; the impact range induced by the two deformations is respectively as follows: The long axes are about 18 km and26km,the short axes are about 12 km and 17 km and the obvious deformation amplitude is about 1- 3mm and 4- 14 mm.( 2) The measured deformation field by D-InS AR shows that there is no continuous deformation area consistent with the fault strike,and only the presence of land subsidence possibly caused by groundwater excessive exploitation,with the deformation amplitude about 10- 12 mm and 1- 5mm.( 3) The measured deformation field is not consistent with the theoretical result on deformation area and amplitude,which indicates that the fault movement is not the main cause of Linfen huge leveling deformation,but may rather be because of local deformation of the soil layers in the hanging wall of the fault.( 4) By combining the fault dislocation model simulation with the D-InS AR technology measurement,we can determine effectively the nature of the anomalyof the huge cross-fault leveling deformation,thus provide scientific basis for verification of significant leveling anomalies.

A Study on the Characteristics of Anomalies and Their Dynamic Relationship before the April 14, 2010 M_S 7.1 Yushu Earthquake

The authors studied the seismic activity, precursory anomalies and abnormal animal behavior before the April 14, 2010 Ms 7.1 Yushu earthquake. Analysis showed that anomalies were not rich before the Ms 7.1 Yushu earthquake, but prominent anomalies were observed, such as the long and mid-term trend anomaly characterized by the seismic quiescence of Ms6. 0, MsS. 0 and Ms4.0 earthquakes, and the anomalies in precursor observation of surface water temperature in Yushu and Delingha and electromagnetic measurement in Ping＇an. There were a large number of animal behavior anomalies appearing one week before the earthquake. An M4.7 earthquake occurred 130 minutes before the main shock. In this paper, we studied the dynamic process of the Yushu earthquake preparation using the earthquake focal mechanism solutions on the Bayan Har block boundary since 1996. The results show that the Kalakunlun M7.1 earthquake in 1996, the Mani M7.5 earthquake and the Yushu Ms7.1 earthquake have the same dynamic process. Long and mid-term trend anomalies may be related to the dynamics of evolution of different earthquakes. This paper also discusses the recurrence interval of strong earthquakes, foreshock identification and precursor observation of the Yushu Ms7. 1 earthquake.

Detecting seismic electromagnetic ELF anomalies associated with the 2010 Yushu earthquake in China by DEMETER observations and ELF Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere coupling propagating model

Over the last century,abnormal electromagnetic(EM)emissions associated with earthquake(EQ)activities have been widely reported and recorded by ground-based and satellite observations.However,the frequency at which abnormal EM emissions have been detected varies.In addition,whether low Earth orbit(LEO)satellites can detect EM anomalies from EQs remains controversial.In this paper,we take the Yushu earthquake as an example to address these concerns by DEMETER satellite observations and a newly constructed lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere model of extremely low frequency(ELF)wave propagation.The results illustrate that the frequency of ELF EM anomalies of the Yushu earthquake is mainly at 200–400 Hz.The observations and simulations illustrate that the power-frequency curve of the ELF EM wave from an underground source has a peak power frequency at 200–400 Hz,which is significantly different from the ELF EM wave radiated from the ground source.

The effect of iron on the sound velocities ofδ-AlOOH up to 135 GPa

δ-(Al,Fe)OOH is considered to be one of the most important hydrous phases on Earth,remaining stable under the extreme conditions throughout the mantle.The behavior ofδ-(Al,Fe)OOH at high pressure is essential to understanding the deep water cycle.δ-(Al_(0.956)Fe_(0.044))OOH crystals synthesized at 21 GPa and 1473 K were investigated by high-pressure Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction up to 135.4 GPa in diamond anvil cells.The incorporation of 5 mol%FeOOH increases the unit-cell volume ofδ-AlOOH by~1%and decreases the shear-wave velocity(VS)by~5%at 20–135 GPa.In particular,the compressional(V_(P))and shear(VS)wave velocities ofδ-(Al_(0.956)Fe_(0.044))OOH are 7%–16%and 10%–24%greater than all the major minerals in the mantle transition zone including wadsleyite,ringwoodite,and majorite.The distinctly high sound velocities ofδ-(Al_(0.956)Fe_(0.044))OOH at 20–25 GPa may contribute to the seismic anomalies observed at~560–680 km depths in the cold and stagnant slab beneath Izu-Bonin and/or Korea.Furthermore,the VS ofδ-(Al_(0.956)Fe_(0.044))OOH is about 10%and 4%–12%lower than iron-bearing bridgmanite Mg_(0.96)Fe_(0.05)Si_(0.99O3)and ferropericlase(Mg_(0.92)Fe_(0.08))O,respectively,under the lowermost mantle conditions,which might partially contribute to the large low-shear-velocity provinces and ultralow velocity zones at the bottom of the lower mantle.

Shallow Structure of the Crust in the Sulu-Dabie Region,China and its Seismotectonic Implication

The P-wave velocity structure in the shallow crust is investigated in and around the Sulu-Dabie region by using seismic reflection data for deep soundings in 48 survey profiles and from rock velocity determinations.The observed velocity distributions show obvious heterogeneities in this region.The low velocity anomalies are observed mainly in the west of the Dabie region and the East Sea regions.The high velocity anomalies emerge in the shallow crust of the Sulu and Dabie orogeny.These high-velocity anomalies can be attributed to the ultra-high pressure metamorphosed(UHPM)rock formed by exhumation motion of mantle materials during the orogeny.The high-velocity anomalies in the different shallow layers beneath the Sulu region are located to the northeast of the Tan-Lu fault.The high-velocity anomalies beneath the Dabie region are located southwest of the Tan-Lu fault.Such a distribution pattern of velocity anomaly zones may reveal historical motion of a left-lateral strike-slip for the Tan-Lu fault,which differs from the result of a right-lateral strike-slip motion regime known from modern seismology,indicating a more complex tectonic motion along the Tan-Lu fault.

Preliminary study on characteristics of earthquake precursor of earth resistivity anisotropy degree in East China

Introduction The degree of earth-resistivity anisotropy was described (MAO, et al, 1995, 1998) as follows: S=|1\nn∑I=1(ρSN\ρEW)I|-1|×103 n=6(1) whereρNS and ρEW are monthly mean values of earth resistivity in the direction of NS and EW, respectively, S is the half-year value. Equation (1) shows that if ρNS=ρEW, then S =0 and the electrical property of medium is isotropic; if ρNS≠ρEW, then S≠0 and the electrical property of medium is anisotropic. When S increases, the anisotropy of electrical property of medium is enhanced. Because the rightside of equation (1) is absolute value and the possibility ofρNS＞ρEW and ρNS＜ρEW can be different at different stations, the increase or decrease of S cannot reflect the relative changes between ρNS and ρEW. FENG, et al (2000) defined S as follows:……

Analysis of foreshock sequence of the 1975 Haicheng earthquake of Ms 7.3

The 'earthquake nucleation' is discussed in this paper. The acceleration is a property of the nucleation phase and is a necessary condition of earthquake instability too. If the acceleration property of this nucleating process is described by the equation dΩ/dt=C/(tf-t)n, the process can be summarized briefly that the rate of cumulative seismic release is proportional to the inverse power of the remaining time to failure. Based on this principle, the foreshock sequence of the 1975 Haicheng earthquake with Ms7.3, was analysed backward. It is stated clearly that the time-to-failure and magnitude of the mainshock can be predicted successfully if the coefficient r2 attains to the maximum. In the estimation of mainshock time, the error can generally be less than, or far less than,one-half the remaining time between the time of the last used data point and the mainshock.

The Characteristics of the Precursory Anomaly prior to the Yiliang Earthquakes,Yunnan,China on September 7,2012

An analysis was carried out on the seismic activity and the precursory anomaly prior to the earthquakes in Yiliang on September 7,2012. The characteristics of the seismic activity,the dynamic changes of underground fluid and deformation were investigated. As a result of the investigation,we found that: before the earthquake,the seismicity level of M4. 0earthquakes had enhanced,and seismic gap of a small earthquake had appeared; the precursory anomalies emerged about 1 year before the earthquake; there was phenomenon of short-term anomaly migrating from the periphery to the epicenter area; the imminent anomaly appeared in a relatively concentrated period of time, a week before the earthquake. The research has shown a significant guidance for the analysis and prediction of strong earthquakes( Ml> 5. 0).

Seismogram Analysis and Fitting of Three Earthquakes,West Papua,Recorded at Stations ENH and KMI,China

The S wave velocity structure of the earth below Eastern Southeast Asia has been investigated by analyzing the seismogram from surface wave to multiple depth waves in the time domain and three Cartesian components simultaneously.The wave passes across the front area of subduction zone between the Philippine plate and the Asian plate.The main data are waveform comparisons,instead of the arrival times.The synthetic seismogram is calculated using the GEMINI method.The synthetic seismogram constructed by PREMAN global earth model deviates greatly from the measured one.To solve this problem,corrections are needed for the β speed structure.Corrections cover the gradient change of β_h,which turns from negative to positive in upper mantle layers as in the PREMAN,change of earth crust depth and change of zero order coefficients of β velocity function in all earth mantle layers.So,the fitting is obtained,as well as the arrival time or the waveform of Love and Rayleigh surface waves,the S wave and the repetitive depth waves ScS_2 and ScS_3.This result reveals that the Southeast Asia,being stretched due to tectonic release,has a mantle in some parts with negative anomaly of S wave velocity and vertical anisotropy in all earth mantle layers.

Seismic Reflection Characteristics and Evolution of Intrusions in the Qiongdongnan Basin: Implications for the Rifting of the South China Sea

The Qiongdongnan Basin（QDNB） is situated in the extensional zone at the vertex of the V-shaped northwest sub-basin, non-volcanic northern margin of the South China Sea（SCS）. From north to south, the thickness of the continental lithosphere decreases from 22 km on the northern continental shelf to 17 km at the deepest area of the central depression. A sharp change on the crustal structure is of importance to hydrocarbon exploration yet the dynamic causes remain unknown. A comprehensive study including （1） interpretation of seismic profiles,（2） P-wave velocity data modeling, and （3） magnetic anomalies analysis reveals that there are some high-density intrusions along the lithospheric thinning belt. Chaotic reflections can be found in the southwest of the QDNB, with a low velocity（〈3.4 km/s）, while in the center and the east, the intensively deformed strata passing towards the diapir flanks and their high velocities（〉6 km/s） suggest the existence of igneous diapirs. Diapirism differentiation are primarily achieved through analysis of the contact relationship and the thickness variations in the surrounding strata. The first phase of diapirism along the Songnan low uplift occurred in the Late Mesozoic, and the second phase of diapirism in a form of subsequent gas movement remained active until the Late Quaternary. The distribution and the evolution of the diapirs would have major implications for post-rift emplacement.

A review of seismo-electromagnetic research in China

The seismo-electromagnetic(EM)method is an important geophysical method that plays a major role in the observation of seismic anomalies related to earthquake precursors.It is the most promising method for a breakthrough in short-term earthquake prediction.The digital transformation and network upgrading implemented in the“Ninth five-year plan”and“Tenth five-year plan”have optimized the original observation system,improved the quality of observed data,enriched the seismicelectromagnetic information,and enhanced the analysis capability and timeliness of seismic-electromagnetic anomalies.These improvements are of major importance for the research on seismo-electromagnetics as well as for the development of new technologies.Since the beginning of the 21 st century,China has launched a satellite named CSES that was designed for the generation and study of seismo-electromagnetic data and built a high-power transmitting source and a new CSELF observation network that is used specifically for earthquake monitoring.This platform has promoted the full-time three-dimensional EM monitoring and the identification of earthquake anomalies.Based on the study of anomalies related to earthquake precursors,the physical and numerical simulations,and the study on generation mechanism of anomalies in China,we summarize the characteristics of earthquake EM anomalies and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different EM observation methods.Finally,considering the related questions of the seismo-electromagnetic prediction and implementing the recent developments both in China and abroad,we review the current status of seismo-electromagnetic research and propose strategies for future research.