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.

Research on Stress Drops and the Focal Mechanisms of the Xinyuan- Hejing ML6.8 Earthquake Sequences

Based on the digital waveform data recorded by Xinjiang Digital Seismic Network for the Xinyuan-Hejing M_L6.8 earthquake sequences of June 30,2012,this paper analyzes the stress drops of earthquake sequences and the correlation coefficients of focal mechanisms significant for strong aftershocks.Firstly,the source parameters of the Xinyuan-Hejing M_L6.8 earthquake sequences are obtained by applying the spectrum analysis and the Brunes source model.Then,the correlation coefficients of spectral amplitudes are calculated using the low-frequency spectral amplitude recorded by the same station for the different events.Finally,based on the results of the correlation coefficients of spectral amplitudes,the events with similar focal mechanisms are grouped using the clustering method.The results show that:(1)The stress drop values show a steady trend in the aftershock sequence calm period and the stress drop values show a rise-fall in strong aftershocks.(2)The moving average correlation coefficient of amplitude spectrum begins to spread after the main shock.It shows that the correlation decreases between the main shock and the aftershocks in mechanisms.(3)The results of focal mechanism groups show that the earthquake sequences are mainly strike slips.The stress distribution of the main pressure axis is nearly NS,which is the same as the structural stress field.(4)The magnitude and mechanism show that there is an agreement before the strong aftershock,which shows that the regional stress field is enhanced.

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.

Apparent Stress Changes of the 2010 Luanxian Earthquake Sequence

On March 6,2010,an earthquake of M L4. 5 took place in Luanxian,Hebei Province,with plenty of foreshocks and aftershocks. From December 2009 to March 2010,a series of M L≥ 2. 5 earthquakes were recorded by the digital seismic network of the capital region,which were selected to calculate the apparent stress in this region. The results show that,firstly,a high value anomaly of apparent stress appeared before the M L4. 5 and peak value appeared on the main shock, which then decreased after the ML4. 5 earthquake. The apparent stress of the main shock is much greater than that of most aftershocks,the sequence type is considered as a main shock-aftershock. Secondly,the size of apparent stress perfectly reflects the state of the stress field in the hypocenter region,and we can discuss seismic sequence properties through the changing process of apparent stress,in combination with the traditional methods to identify a sequence more accurately. Finally,in the case of magnitude less than or equal to M L3. 3,correlation between magnitude and apparent stress is positive.

Research on the Activity Characteristics of Small Earthquake Swarms in the Muli Area of Sichuan Province

In this article,we relocated the seismic source location of the earthquakes in the Muli area of Sichuan,inverted the focal mechanism of the larger earthquakes and analyzed the relationship between the water level of the Jinping reservoir and the frequency of the earthquake swarm. The results show that:( 1) The epicenters of the relocated small earthquake swarms are distributed in a seismic zone,and the earthquake focal depths were in the range of 0- 12 km.( 2) By analyzing the earthquake swarm spatial distribution,we found that the swarms were generated by one branch fault on the west of Xiaojinhe fault.( 3) The focal mechanism of the three earthquakes with magnitude greater than 4. 0 is significantly different,with the shallow source thrust events affected by vertical stress,and the strike-slip events are related to regional stress tectonic activity.

Analysis of coseismic effect on temperature in the Three Gorges well network

Through the Three Gorges well network, we examine different coseismic changes in water temperature caused by local earthquakes since 2008, and offer a mechanistic explanation.The relations between the coseismic changes in water temperature and the parameters of distant and local earthquakes are deduced.

Influences of the Three Gorges Project on seismic activities in the reservoir area

Reservoir-induced earthquakes related with the construction of the Three Gorges Project have attracted great concerns of the public. Since the first water impoundment on May 25, 2003, a number of earthquakes have occurred during the water storage stages, in which the largest was the Badong M5.1 earthquake on December 16, 2013. In this paper, the relationships between seismic activities, b value, seismic parameters, and reservoir water level fluctuations are studied. In addition, based on the digital seismic waveform data obtained since 2000, the focal depth changes and focal mechanism characteristics before and after the water impoundment are studied as well. These provide us important information to understand the earthquake mechanisms. The results show that these earthquakes are typical reservoir-induced earthquakes, which are closely related to water infiltration, pore pressure, and water level fluctuations.The majority of the micro and small earthquakes are caused by karst collapse, mine collapse, bank reformation, superficial unloading, and so on. The larger earthquakes are related to the fault structures to some extent. Due to the persistent effects of water impoundment on the seismic and geological environments around the reservoir and water infiltration into the rocks, the influences on the crustal deformation field, gravity field, seepage field, and fault medium-softening action may vary gradually from a higher strength to a weaker one. Therefore, it is possible that small earthquakes and few medium earthquakes(M≤5.5) will occur in the reservoir area in the future.