Tensile Fractures and in situ Stress Measurement Data Constraints on Cretaceous-Present Tectonic Stress Field Evolution of the Tanlu Fault Zone in Shandong Province,North China Craton

Tectonic stress fields are the key drivers of tectonic events and the evolution of regional structures.The tectonic stress field evolution of the Tanlu fault zone in Shandong Province,located in the east of the North China Craton(NCC),may have preserved records of the NCC’s tectonic history.Borehole television survey and hydraulic fracturing were conducted to analyze the paleo and present tectonic stress fields.Three groups of tensile fractures were identified via borehole television,their azimuths being NNW-SSE,NW-SE and NE-SW,representing multiple stages of tectonic events.Hydraulic fracturing data indicates that the study region is experiencing NEE-SWW-oriented compression and nearly-N-Soriented extension,in accordance with strike-slip and compression.Since the Cretaceous,the orientation of the extensional stress has evolved counterclockwise and sequentially from nearly-NW-SE-oriented to NE-SW-oriented and even nearly N-S-oriented,the stress state having transitioned from strike-slip-extension to strike-slip-compression,in association with the rotating and oblique subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the NCC,with the participation of the Indian Plate.

Active Faulting Pattern,Present-day Tectonic Stress Field and Block Kinematics in the East Tibetan Plateau

This paper examines major active faults and the present-day tectonic stress field in the East Tibetan Plateau by integrating available data from published literature and proposes a block kinematics model of the region. It shows that the East Tibetan Plateau is dominated by strike-slip and reverse faulting stress regimes and that the maximum horizontal stress is roughly consistent with the contemporary velocity field, except for the west Qinling range where it parallels the striking of the major strike-slip faults. Active tectonics in the East Tibetan Plateau is characterized by three faulting systems. The left-slip Kunlun-Qinling faulting system combines the east Kunlun fault zone, sinistral oblique reverse faults along the Minshan range and two major NEE-striking faults cutting the west Qinling range, which accommodates eastward motion, at 10--14 mm/a, of the Chuan-Qing block. The left-slip Xianshuihe faulting system accommodated clockwise rotation of the Chuan-Dian block. The Longmenshan thrust faulting system forms the eastern margin of the East Tibetan Plateau and has been propagated to the SW of the Sichuan basin. Crustal shortening across the Longmenshan range seems low （2-4 mm/a） and absorbed only a small part of the eastward motion of the Chuan-Qing block. Most of this eastward motion has been transmitted to South China, which is moving SEE-ward at 7-9 mm/a. It is suggested from geophysical data interpretation that the crust and lithosphere of the East Tibetan Plateau is considerably thickened and theologically layered. The upper crust seems to be decoupled from the lower crust through a decollement zone at a depth of 15-20 kin, which involved the Longmenshan fault belt and propagated eastward to the SW of the Sichuan basin. The Wenchuan earthquake was just formed at the bifurcated point of this decollement system. A rheological boundary should exist beneath the Longmenshan fault belt where the lower crust of the East Tibetan Plateau and the lithospheric mantle of the Yangze block are juxtaposed.

Contemporary tectonic stress field in China

The contemporary tectonic stress field in China is obtained on the basis of Chinese stress field database and Harvard CMT catalogue. Result of the inverted tectonic stresses shows that the maximum principal stress axis strikes nearly north-south direction in the west part of Tibet plateau, ENE direction in North China. In Central China, its strikes show a ra- diated pattern, i.e., NNE in north part and NNW in south part. The detailed stress field parameters of nearly whole China are given and can be used in geodynamic stress field simulation and earthquake prediction.

The Relationship between Fractures and Tectonic Stress Field in the Extra Low-Permeability Sandstone Reservoir at the South of Western Sichuan Depression

The formation and distribution of fractures are controlled by paleotectonic stress field, and their preservative status and effects on development are dominated by the modern stress field. Since Triassic, it has experienced four tectonic movements and developed four sets of tectonic fractures in the extra low-permeability sandstone reservoir at the south of western Sichuan depression. The strikes of fractures are in the S-N, NE-SW, E-W, and NW-SE directions respectively. At the end of Triassic, under the horizontal compression tectonic stress field, for which the maximum principal stress direction was NW.SE, the fractures were well developed near the S-N faults and at the end of NE-SW faults, because of their stress concentration. At the end of Cretaceous, in the horizontal compression stress fields of the NE-SW direction, the stress was obviously lower near the NE-SW faults, thus, fractures mainly developed near the S-N faults. At the end of Neogene-Early Pleistocene, under the horizontal compression tectonic stress fields of E-W direction, stress concentrated near the NE-SW faults and fractures developed at these places, especially at the end of the NE-SE faults, the cross positions of NE-SW, and S-N faults. Therefore, fractures developed mostly near S-N faults and NE-SW faults. At the cross positions of the above two sets of faults, the degree of development of the fractures was the highest. Under the modern stress field of the NW-SE direction, the NW-SE fractures were mainly the seepage ones with tensional state, the best connectivity, the widest aperture, the highest permeability, and the minimum opening pressure.

Three dimensional tectonic stress field in North China

According to the latest data of geological structure, geophysics, in-situ stress measurement and focal mechanism,3-D tectonic stress field model in North China is built and 3-D tectonic stress field pattern of North China aresimulated by finite element method. Then the overall characteristics and regional specific feature of North Chinaare studied. Finally, the influences of the valid dynamic boundary conditions of North China Block, active faultsand the inhomogeneity of crustal medium on tectonic stress field of North China are investigated.

Evolution characteristics of Quaternary tectonic stress field in the north and east margin of Qinghai-Xizang plateau

By inversion of fault slip data for Quaternary tectonic stress field and the analysis of crustal deformation after lateTeriary. we explaincd the evolution of crustal dynamic about the north and east margin of Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet)plateau since Miocenc. From middle or late Miocene to early Pleistocene, the tectonic stress field was featured by amaximum principal compression which was coming from the collision of india Plate continued to the boundaryof the plateau. and was basically of reverse faulting type. Since the late period of early Pleistocene, Pleistocene continuedto push northward and the compressional deformation of the plateau interior increased continuously, meanwhile,N W-SE extension appeared on the east side of the plateau. This formed a favorable condition for the interior block offoe plateau to slide towards east and southeast, causing the faults surrounding the plateau to change from thrust tostrike-slip. -The contemporary tectonic stress field was formed from the late period of early Pleistocene and continuedto present. The direction of maximum principal compressional stress rotated clockwise with respect to the previoustectonic stress held. the stress field was mainly of strike-slip type.

The seismicity and tectonic stress field characteristics of the Longmenshan fault zone before the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake

The seismicity of Longrnenshan fault zone and its vicinities before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake is studied. Based on the digital seismic waveform data observed from regional seismic networks and mobile stations, the focal mechanism solutions are determined. Our analysis results show that the seismicities of Longmenshan fault zone before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake were in stable state. No obvious phenomena of seismic activity intensifying appeared. According to focal mechanism solutions of some small earthquakes before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, the direction of principal compressive stress P-axis is WNW-ESE. The two hypocenter fault planes are NE-striking and NW-striking. The plane of NE direction is among N50°-70°E, the dip angles of fault planes are 60°-70° and it is very steep. The faultings of most earthquakes are dominantly characterized by dip-slip reverse and small part of faultings present strike-slip. The azimuths of principal compressive stress, the strikes of source fault planes and the dislocation types calculated from some small earthquakes before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake are in accordance with that of the main shock. The average stress field of micro-rupture along the Longmenshan fault zone before the great earthquake is also consistent with that calculated from main shock. Zipingpu dam is located in the east side 20 km from the initial rupture area of the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The activity increment of small earthquakes in the Zipingpu dam is in the period of water discharging. The source parameter results of the small earthquakes which occurred near the initial rupture area of the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake indicate that the focal depths are 5 to 14 km and the source parameters are identical with that of earthquake.

Modern tectonic stress field in Southwest Yunnan, China

By means of inversion of fault slip data, the parameters of 20 tectonic stress tensors in Southwest Yunnan region are determined. Compared with the average stress field of the region obtained from focal mechanism solutions, the following characteristics of modern tectonic stress field in this region are obtained. From the west of Zhenyuan-Yingpanshan fault to the south of Longling fault zone, the maximum compressional stress is in NNE direction and the stress regime is mainly of strike-slip type. In Longling fault zone and the area north to it, the direction of maximum compressional stress is near-NS or NNW, the stress regime is of strike-slip type.

Numerical calculations of tectonic stress field of Chinese mainland and its neighboring regions and their applications to explanation of seismic activity

This paper made a numerical simulation to the basic tectonic stress field of Chinese mainland and its neighboringregion using the visco-elasticity finite element model and the new published displacement rate result. Main contents include the simulation of maximum shear stress and its varying rate, the maximum shear strain and its varyingrate, the shear strain energy density and its varying rate. In view of the high inhomogeneous distribution characterof seismicity in space and time in Chinese mainland and its neighboring area, the normalized background energyvalue was given by means of normalized treatment to the earthquake energy release in the eastern and westernparts of Chinese mainland. And the comparison of the simulation result with the actual seismicity was made. Thefesults show that the simulation values can explain well the earthquake distribution character of Chinese mainlandand its neighboring area.

Numerical modeling of tectonic stress field and fault activity in North China

On the basis of a 3-dimension visco-elastic finite element model of lithosphere in North China, we numerically simulate the recent mutative figures of tectonic stress field. Annual change characteristics of stress field are： 1 ） Maximum principal tensile stress is about 3 -9 kPaa-1 and its azimuth lie in NNW-SSE. 2） Maximum principal compressive stress is about 1 - 6 kPaa-1 and its azimuth lie in NEE-SWW. 3 ） Maximum principal tensile stress is higher both in the west region and Liaoning Province. 4） Variation of tectonic stress field benefits fault movement in the west part and northeast part of North China. 5 ）Annual accumulative rates of Coulomb fracture stress in Tanlu fault belt have segmentation patterns： Jiashan-Guangji segment is the high- est （6 kPaa - 1 ） , Anshan-Liaodongwan segment is the second （5 kPaa - l ） , and others are relatively lower （ 3 - 4 kPaa-1 ）.

Present-day tectonic stress in the East China Sea region and its possible origin

This paper analyzes bore-hole wall breakouts of the 5 wells located in southern part of the East China Sea regionwith logging sections deeper than 3 000 m and logging intervals longer than 1 000 m or even near 2 000 m. Bymaking a combined study of the breakout characteristics of these 5 wells and 11 other wells analyzed in Xu andWu (1997). it is inferred that the maximum horizontal principal compressive stress in the East China Sea 'region isgenerally in NE-SW direction, and the horizontal differential stress there is possibly weak. P- and T-axisorientations of focal mechanism of earthquakes occurred from 1977 to 1998 in the region of O kinawa trough andRyukyu Islands are investigated. p-axes of earthquakes in Okinawa trough are generally oriented NE-SW,coinciding with the trough stretching trend. while T-axes are nearly perpendicular to the trend. This indicates thatthe horizontal action of the Philippine Sea Plate to the East China Sea region is not pushing but pulling. A two dimensional finite element simulation is conducted to study the origin of the present-day tectonic stress in the EastChina Sea region. The result shows that the stress there is possibly attributable to both the strong northwestwardcompression in Taiwan region and the back-arc extension of the Ryukyu island arc. Less strong ear thquakes in theEast China Sea region is possibly related to the weak horizontal shear stress there.

Preliminary analysis on the tectonic stress level in the source region of Tangshan earthquake

The abundant data of focal mechanism solutions in Tangshan region, China, are inverted for the tectonic stress field. Combined with tectonophysical consideration, the magnitude of the three principal stresses, as well as their vertical variation under the average crustal rock property, in the source region of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake is estimated. The relationship between crustal stress and friction mc, pore pressure P0 and stress shape factor F is studied. The paper draws the conclusion that the vertical increasing rate of the maximum principal stress s is directly proportional to friction, and inversely to pore pressure P0 and stress shape factor F ; while the vertical increasing rate of the minimum principal tress s is directly proportional to pore pressure P0, inversely to friction mc and stress shape factor F. This study is a try to invert the data of focal mechanism solutions for the complete stress tensor.

An improved gravity method to horizontal tectonic stresses and its applications in Tibet

It is significant for identifying mass movement patterns to invert horizontal tectonic stresses at different depths underneath Tibet.In recent years,a large number of achievements focusing on two-dimensional tectonic stresses have been obtained from gravity data.However,three-dimensional tectonic stresses in Tibet are still unknown or debatable.Therefore,in the present study an improved method to multilayer horizontal tectonic stresses using gravity observations is developed.The inverted multilayer horizontal tectonic stresses are in agreement with those from previous studies.In addition,rich tectonic structure and development can be revealed from the inverted multilayer horizontal tectonic stresses:(1)the distribution of horizontal tectonic stresses at various depths shows strong correlation with that of the tectonic elements,where major faults and earthquake epicenters are corresponding with stress highs and the stable basins are consistent with stress lows.(2)the mass movement patterns of whole Tibet present clockwise,and the material movement directions in the west and east are approximately southnorth and east-west,respectively.(3)in eastern Tibet,the eastward materials caused by the south-north extrusion between Indian and Eurasian plates are divided into two parts by the stable Sichuan Block,one flowing nearly southeast and the other moving almost northeast.The inverted multilayer horizontal tectonic stresses may provide direct evidences for mass movement patterns in Tibet.

Cretaceous-Early Eocene Tectonic Stress Field in China

The Cretaceous-early Eocene tectonic stress field in China was reconstructed using the data of 369 largeand medium-scale flexural folds and 157 joint sets. It was found that the maximum compressive principal stress axis in eastern China dips 32° NE (nearly horizontal), and strikes SW 212°, whereas that in western China dips 15° NE (also nearly horizontal) and trends SW 195°. The estimation of the dip angles of fold limbs and the palaeotectonic stress values indicates that there was a tendency of gradual weakening of tectonism from southwestern to northeastern China in the Cretaceous-early Eocene. At the depth of 2-3 km, the differential stress value changes from 183 MPa in Tibet to 100 MPa in North and East China.The authors consider that the tectonic stress of this period was related to the north-northeastward movement and push of the Indian-Australian plate.

Characteristics of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Tectonic Stress Fields of the Urumqi-Usu Region, Xinjiang

Based on the study of folds and related conjugate shear joints, the tectonic stress fields of the Urumqi-Usu region to the north of the North Tianshan Mountains have been reconstructed. Furthermore the author discussed the tectonic movements and their dynamic features. The early tectonic movement in the investigated region occurred from the end of the Late Jurassic to the initial stage of the Early Cretaceous, with the maximum (tensile) and minimum (compressional) principal stress trajectories in the tectonic stress field being in E-W and S-N directions respectively; the late tectogenesis took place from the end of the Early Pleistocene to the initial Middle Pleistocene, with the maximum and minimum principal stress trajectories in the late stress field striking in WNW and NE-NNE directions respectively. Through computer-aided simulated calculation by the finite element method and analysis of geological structure, it has been ascertained that the early tectogenesis is a nearly N-S compressive movement and the late one a NE to nearly N-S compressive movement with reverse shear. The dynamic force which caused the tectogeneses came from the movement of the southern major fault, i.e. the North Tianshan Mountains.

Evolution of 3D tectonic stress field and fault movement in North China

Based on data of fault movement surveying, we simulate the evolution process of three dimensional stress field in North China by three dimensional finite element method. Evolutional patterns in one-year time scale from 1986 to 1997 have been illustrated and the evolution characteristics of stress field have been analyzed. In comparison with the seismic activity among that time interval in North China, we have primarily discussed the relationship between the evolution of stress field and seismic activity.

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.

Preliminary study on isostatic anomaly and recent tectonic stress field-Taking East China Sea and its eastern marginal seas as an example

On the basis of the reality of recent tectonic movement and discarding such a viewpoint that the isostatic adjust-ment only results from excessive or insufficient compensation, we have discussed the tectonic stress causing ine-quality and regarded the isostatic anomaly as a load on the earths interior, thus the earths inner stress can be cal-culated. The research results show that in the East China Sea and its eastern marginal seas the change of the verti-cal stress derived from the isostatic gravity anomaly is more marked than that of the horizontal stress. Along the Ryukyu trench there is an enhancement of vertical stress by 5 MPa, which evidently reflects the effect of plate subduction. On contrary, along the island arc to the northwest of the trench the vertical stress weakens by about 5 MPa. The horizontal stresses in eastern and western parts are obviously different, the east westward stress on the oceanic crust sx is negative (while the pressure is positive) but on the continental crust is positive. These facts indicate the effect of compression between plates.

Fault slip and modern tectonic stress field in and around Kunming basin

Kunming basin is a Cenozoic faulted basin under the control of mainly SN-trending active faults. In and around the basin, there are a total of eight major active faults. Seismo-geological survey and fault slip observation show that the SN- and NE-trending active faults are mostly sinistral strike-slip faults, while the NW-trending faults are mostly dextral strike-slip faults. Using stress tensor inversion method with 706 active fault striation data at 22 measurement sites, we determined tectonic stress field of the study area. The result shows that modern tectonic stress field in and around Kunming basin is characterized by NNW-SSE compression, ENE-WSW extension, and strike-slip stress regimes. The maximum principal compressional stress （σ1） is oriented 335o;o, with an average dip angle of 21°; the minimum （σ3） is oriented 44o;3o, with an average dip angle of 14°, and the intermediate （σ2） has a high, or nearly vertical, dip angle. The inversion result from fault slip data is consistent with the result from focal mechanism solutions.

Evolution of the Late Cenozoic Tectonic Stress Regime in the Tianshui Basin,Northeast Tibetan Plateau

The Tianshui Basin,located inside the western Qinling orogenic belt and northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau （Fig.1）,is a NE-trending Late Cenozoic basin,which documents the neotectonic response of the northeastward growth of Tibetan Plateau.