Earthquake relocation and 3-dimensional crustal structure of P-wave velocity in cen-tral-western China

采用中国中西部地区(2l°～36°N，98°～112°E)193个地震台在1992～1999年间记录到的9988次地震的Pg和Sg震相走时的读数资料，用Roecker的SPHYPIT90程序，反演了该地区三维地壳P波速度结构，并用SPHREL3D90程序进行了地震的重新定位．反演结果揭示了中国中西部地区地震P波速度结构明显的横向不均匀性，这些不同深度上波速的横向变化多以该地区的活动断裂为分界线．可以看出活动断裂两侧存在明显的速度反差．通过重新定位，得到了6459次地震的震源参数，这些精确定位的地震震中明显沿该区活动断裂呈现条带状分布，其范围和尺度清晰地表示了这一地区地震活动与活动断裂的紧密关系．其中，82％重新精确定位的事件的震源深度在20km以内．这一结果与笔者用双差地震定位法得到的重新定位的震源深度分布相一致．

Earthquake relocation and 3-dimensional crustal structure of P-wave velocity in central-western China

A simultaneous inversion of earthquake relocation and three-dimensional crustal structure of P-wave velocity in central-western China (21癗~36癗, 98癊~112癊) were performed in this paper. The crustal P-wave velocity model and earthquake relocation for this region are obtained using Pg and Sg phase readings of 9 988 earthquakes from 1992 to 1999 recorded at 193 seismic stations within central-western China by SPHYPIT90 and SPHREL3D90 programs. A lateral inhomogeneous structure of P-wave velocity in this region was obtained. Ob-vious contrast of P-wave velocities was revealed on both sides of active fault zones. Relocated epicenters of 6 459 events show clear lineation along active faults, which indicated a close correlation between seismicity and the active faults in this region. Focal depths of 82% relocated events ranged from 0 to 20 km, which is in good agreement with that from double-difference earthquake location algorithm.

Airblast evolution initiated by Wangjiayan landslides in the M_(s)8.0 Wenchuan earthquake and its destructive capacity analysis

Airblasts,as one common phenomenon accompanied by rapid movements of landslides or rock/snow avalanches,commonly result in catastrophic damages and are attracting more and more scientific attention.To quantitatively analyze the intensity of airblast initiated by landslides,the Wangjiayan landslide,occurred in the Wenchuan earthquake,is selected here with the landslide propagation and airblast evolution being studied using FLUENT by introducing the Voellmy rheological law.The results reveal that:(1)For the Wangjiayan landslide,its whole travelling duration is only 12 s with its maximum velocity reaching 36 m/s at t=10 s;(2)corresponding to the landslide propagation,the maximum velocity,28 m/s,of the airblast initiated by the landslide also appears at t=10 s with its maximum pressure reaching594.8 Pa,which is equivalent to violent storm;(3)under the attack of airblast,the load suffered by buildings in the airblast zone increases to 1300 Pa at t=9.4 s and sharply decreased to-7000 Pa as the rapid decrease of the velocity of the sliding mass at t=10 s,which is seriously unfavorable for buildings and might be the key reason for the destructive collapse of buildings in the airblast zone of the Wangjiayan landslide.

Precise Three-Dimensional Deformation Retrieval in Large and Complex Deformation Areas via Integration of Offset-Based Unwrapping and Improved Multiple-Aperture SAR Interferometry:Application to the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake

Conventional synthetic aperture radar(SAR)interferometry(InSAR)has been successfully used to precisely measure surface deformation in the line-of-sight(LOS)direction,while multiple-aperture SAR interferometry(MAI)has provided precise surface deformation in the along-track(AT)direction.Integration of the InSAR and MAI methods enables precise measurement of the two-dimensional(2D)deformation from an interferometric pair;recently,the integration of ascending and descending pairs has allowed the observation of precise three-dimensional(3D)deformation.Precise 3D deformation measurement has been applied to better understand geological events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.The surface deformation related to the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake was large and complex near the fault line;hence,precise 3D deformation retrieval had not yet been attempted.The objectives of this study were to①perform a feasibility test of precise 3D deformation retrieval in large and complex deformation areas through the integration of offset-based unwrapped and improved multiple-aperture SAR interferograms and②observe the 3D deformation field related to the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake,even near the fault lines.Two ascending pairs and one descending the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2(ALOS-2)Phased Array-type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar-2(PALSAR-2)pair were used for the 3D deformation retrieval.Eleven in situ Global Positioning System(GPS)measurements were used to validate the 3D deformation measurement accuracy.The achieved accuracy was approximately 2.96,3.75,and 2.86 cm in the east,north,and up directions,respectively.The results show the feasibility of precise 3D deformation measured through the integration of the improved methods,even in a case of large and complex deformation.

3-D structural reconstruction of Moho in the Tangshan earthquake area by using inversion of curved interface

A method for inverting 3 D curved interface and layer velocity by using travel time of reflected waves is studied. Each interface is described with sectional, incomplete cubic polynomial. A fast 3 D ray tracing method is used in forward problem, and a least squares method with variable damping is adopted in the inverse problem. Result from numerical modelling shows that the solution can converge fast on the true model. Observational data from the Tangshan earthquake area are processed, 3 D Moho discontinuity in the area is rebuilt, and finally, the relationship between the regional structure and seismicity is revealed.

A new method of mesh simplification for 3-Dimension terrain using Laplace operator

This paper proposes a new method to simplify mesh in 3D terrain. The 3D terrain is presented by digital elevation model. First, Laplace operator is introduced to calculate sharp degree of mesh point, which indicates the variation trend of the terrain. Through setting a critical value of sharp degree, feature points are selected. Second, critical mesh points are extracted by an recursive process, and constitute the simplified mesh. Third, the algorithm of linear-square interpolation is employed to restore the characteris- tics of the terrain. Last, the terrain is rendered with color and texture. The experimental results demonstrate that this method can compress data by 16% and the error is lower than 10%.

A Study on the Characteristics of the Yutian,Xinjiang M_S7.3 Earthquake,February 12,2014

The February 12,2014,MS7.3,earthquake in Yutian,Xinjiang,China,occurred as a result of shallow strike-slip faulting in the tectonically complex region of the northern Tibetan Plateau,with a depth of 17 km.This earthquake occurred several hundred kilometers north of the convergent India-Eurasia plate boundary.The epicenter location of the Yutian earthquake,36.1° N,82.5° E,is 110 km north of Yutian County,Hotan Prefecture.A large number of aftershocks from ML2.0 to ML3.0 occurred until 12:00oclock,February 23,2014 and the largest aftershock,MS5.7,occurred at 17:24 p.m.,February 12,2014.The b and h value of Yutian sequence are 0.70 and 1.29,respectively.The waiting time method reveals that the strong aftershocks above ML4.5comply with a linear relationship,which is consistent with the characteristics of a mainshock-aftershock sequence.Furthermore,we calculate the source parameters and analyze the rupture process based on the empirical relationships for the Yutian earthquake,and the results indicate a frictional undershoot behavior in the dynamic source process of the Yutian earthquake,which is also in agreement with the lower and similar b values compared with the 2008 MS7.3 Yutian earthquake and the 2012 MS6.2 Yutian earthquake.

Tectonic Background of the Yutian M_S7.3 Earthquake in 2014 and Its Relationship with the Yutian M_S7.3 Earthquake in 2008

The regional tectonic background and characteristics of active faults of the Yutian MS7.3earthquake on February 12,2014 are discussed in this paper.After the analysis of the epicenter area of the MS7.3 earthquake in 2014 and the focal mechanisms of the former strong earthquakes around it,the authors deduced that the seismogenic fault of the MS7.3earthquake is the east branch of the Ashikule fault.The MS7.3 earthquake in 2014 and the MS7.3 earthquake in 2008 are two strong earthquake events on the different sections of the Altun Tagh fault,where the fault behavior changes from sinistral slip to normal faulting because of the extensional tail effects in the southern end of the Altun Tagh fault.It is concluded that the two MS7.3 earthquakes have the same dynamic source,and the MS7.3earthquake in 2008 promoted the occurrence of the MS7.3 earthquake in 2014.Finally,we calculate the Coulomb stress change to the seismogenic fault of the MS7.3 earthquake in2014 from the MS7.3 earthquake in 2008 using the layered crust model.The result also shows that the MS7.3 earthquake in 2008 accelerated the occurrence of the MS7.3earthquake in 2014.

Characteristics of Seismic Sequences and Early Tendency Judgment for Yutian M_S7.3 Earthquake in 2014

The basic parameters,seismogenic structure and seismic sequences characteristics of the Yutian MS7. 3 earthquake on February 12,2014 are introduced and compared to the Yutian MS7. 3 earthquake in 2008. The results show that the MS5. 4 earthquake is regarded as an immediate foreshock of the Yutian MS7. 3 main shock. The frequency of strong aftershock sequences was low and their number declined quickly,and the maximum aftershock was a MS5. 7 earthquake. According to analysis of the historical earthquake sequence type,and parameter of h-value,b-value and energy release ratio between main shock and sequence etc.,we found the preliminary conclusion that the Yutian MS7. 3 earthquake sequence in 2014 was a foreshock-main shock-aftershock type.

Research of Source Parameters of the Yutian Ms7.3 Earthquake in Xinjiang on February 12, 2014

The M_S7. 3 earthquake occurred in Yutian,Xinjiang on February 12,2014. Based on seismic waveform data before the earthquake and aftershocks of the earthquake sequence,which were recorded by the Xinjiang Regional Digital Seismic Network, this paper corrected instrument response,propagation path and site response of the S-wave recording spectra. We then calculated with genetic algorithms,on the basis of the Brune model,the source parameters of the 102 M_L≥3. 0 Yutian earthquake sequence,seismic moment,apparent stress and corner frequency. The results show that,seismic moment of the earthquake sequence is between 3. 46 × 10~11- 2. 08 × 10~15N·m,apparent stress is between1. 48 × 10~5- 1. 16 × 10~6 Pa,mean stress level is 0. 31 MPa,and corner frequency is between1. 4- 7. 1Hz in the range of 3. 0- 5. 0. By analyzing the apparent stress and corner frequency variation with time,we obtain that apparent stress of earthquakes before the Yutian M_S7. 3 earthquake was significantly higher than the aftershock sequence,but the corner frequency was significantly lower than the aftershock sequence. Apparent stress was at a high level before the main shock, which shows that the main shock zone accumulated higher stress,and then the apparent stress was reduced. The main shock occurred in the process of slow increase. Because of the release of a large amount of stress,after the M_S7. 3 earthquake,the apparent stress was gradually reduced. That was the performance of low stress fracture of aftershocks.

Research on Co-seismic Displacement of the Yutian MS7.3 Earthquake Based on the High Frequency Data of GNSS

After the Yutian M_S7.3 earthquake,the authors instantly collected 1Hz high frequency data of the 4 reference stations within 350 km around the epicenter,and calculated the GNSS data with the TRACK module. The results showed that:( 1) The co-seismic displacement of Yutian station,about 54 km from the epicenter,is the most obvious,particularly in the EW component,with a change of about 52.5 ± 11mm,which is more than three times the mean-square error of calculating precision.( 2) In the Yutian reference station,the biggest variation in the EW component appeared within 1 minute after the earthquake.( 3) The change in the NS component is not great.

Microseismic Concentration Zones before and after the February 12,2014 M_S 7.3 Yutian Earthquake and the Possible Indication of an Earthquake Risk Zone

Since 2001, there have occurred in succession the 2001 Kunlun Mountains M S8. 1earthquake,the 2008 Wenchuan M S8. 0 earthquake,the 2010 Yushu M S7. 1 earthquake and the 2012 Lushan M S7. 0 earthquake in the periphery of the Bayan Har block. By comparison of the characteristics of seismic strain release variations before and after the Kunlun Mountains M S8. 1 earthquake in the same time length in the geodynamical related regions,we found that the seismic strain release was obviously enhanced after the earthquake in the Longmenshan area,Batang area,and the NS-trending valleys at the west of the Hot Spring Basin. The Wenchuan earthquake occurred in the first area,and the Yushu earthquake is related to the second area. After the earthquake rupture occurred on the East Kunlun fault zone on the northern boundary of the Bayan Har Block,crustal materials on the south side of the fault zone migrated to the southeast,leading to a concentration of tectonic deformation in the Longmenshan thrust belt, e ventually rupturing on the Longmenshan thrust belt. This earthquake case illustrates that seismicity enhancement zones are possibly prone to long-term destructive earthquakes. After the M S7. 3 earthquake in Yutian,Xinjiang on February 12,2014,earthquake frequency and seismic strain release markedly increased in the junction area between the eastern Qilian Mountain tectonic belt and the Altun Tagh fault zone,where more attention should be paid to the long-term seismic risk.

Analysis of Seismic Activity Characteristics before the Yutian M_S7.3 Earthquake,Xinjiang on February 12,2014

This paper introduces the geological structure background around the 2014 Yutian M_S7.3earthquake area,investigates and analyzes the regime of small earthquake activity and the characteristics of regional seismicity pattern in Xinjiang before the earthquake, and compares the characteristics of the regional seismic activity with the 2008 Yutian M_S7.3earthquake. The results show: 1 2 ~ 3 years before the 2014 Yutian M_S7.3 earthquake,Xinjiang was in a seismic active state with strong earthquake occurring successively,and before the 2008 M_S7.3 earthquake,Xinjiang was in the quiet state of moderate-small earthquakes with M3. 0 ~ 4. 0. 2 Before this Yutian M_S7.3 earthquake,the regional seismic activity showed a short-term anomaly feature,that is,seismicity of M ≥ 5. 0earthquakes significantly increased on the Altun seismic zone and in the source area three years before the M_S7.3 earthquake,while a five year long quiescence of seismicity of M≥4. 0 earthquakes appeared on the east of the source area in a range of about 440 km. Six months before this M7. 3 earthquake,there existed seismic gap of M3. 0 ~ 4. 0 earthquakes and near-conjugate seismic belt magnitude 3. 0 and 4. 0 in the source area. 3 The state of strong earthquake activity and the seismicity pattern of small earthquakes before this Yutian M_S7.3 earthquake were significantly different to that before the 2008 Yutian M_S7.3earthquake,and this may be related to the different seismogenic environments of the two M_S7.3 earthquakes.

Deformation Anomalies before the February 12,2014,M_S7.3 Yutian Earthquake

The Yutian earthquake with M_S7.3 happened on February 12,2014. The precursor monitoring ability is weak in that area. We found tendency anomalies and middle- and short-term anomalies from metal pendulum tilt measurements in Hotan seismic station before the earthquake. And we also compared the anomalies with that of the M_S7.3 Yutian earthquake on March 21,2008. The tendency anomalies measured by the metal pendulum tiltmeter appeared since 2012 as tilting eastward. While the middle- and short-term anomalies were characterized by acceleration,pause and rapid change of tilt rate in two directions. The tendency anomalies of metal pendulum tilt records are the same before the two earthquakes. They both happened in the east direction. However,there are differences in duration,characteristic and earthquake intervals for the middle- and short-term anomalies.

Seismic Sequence Characteristics and Precursory Anomalies of the M_S6.3 and M_S6.4 Da Qaidam Earthquakes in 2008～2009

In this paper,the seismogenic structures of the Da Qaidam strong earthquakes are preliminarily discussed by using the regional seismotectonic data and focal mechanism solutions. Analysis is done on the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of the two strong earthquake sequences in Da Qaidam in combination with the sequence distribution characteristics of the M6. 6 earthquake of 2003 and the five strong earthquakes of about M5. 0 in 2004 in Delingha. At the same time,the regional characteristics of the historical seismic activity are also investigated. Preliminary analysis is done on the influence of the two M8. 0 earthquakes in the past 10 years on this region. Precursory anomalies and their characteristics are discussed in combination with the analysis of the precursor observation data of Qinghai Province.

The Coulomb Stress Change Associated with the Taiwan Straits M_S 7.3 Earthquake on September 16,1994 and the Risk Prediction of Its Surrounding Faults

Using the focal mechanism solutions and slip distribution model data of the Taiwan Straits MS7.3 earthquake on September 16, 1994, we calculate the static Coulomb stress changes stemming from the earthquake. Based on the distribution of aftershocks and stress field, as well as the location of historical earthquakes, we analyze the Coulomb stress change triggered by the Taiwan Straits MS7.3 earthquake. The result shows that the static Coulomb stress change obtained by forward modeling based on the slip distribution model is quite consistent with the location of aftershocks in the areas far away from the epicenter. Ninety percent of aftershocks occurred in the stress increased areas. The Coulomb stress change is not entirely consistent with the distribution of aftershocks near the epicenter. It is found that Coulomb stress change can better reflect the aftershock distribution far away from the epicenter, while such corresponding relationship becomes quite complex near the epicenter. Through the calculation of the Coulomb stress change, we find that the stress increases in the southwest part of the Min-Yue (Fujian-Guangdong) coastal fault zone, which enhances the seismic activity. Therefore, it is deemed that the sea area between Nanpeng Island and Dongshan Island, where the Min-Yue coastal fault zone intersects with the NW-trending Shanghang-Dongshan fault, has a high seismic risk.

NUMERICAL MODELLING OF THREE-DIMENSION CHARACTERISTICS OF WIND-DRIVEN CURRENT IN THE BOHAI SEA

Three- dimension (3-D) wind-driven currents in the Bohai Sea in both winter and summer are calculated by using a 3- D barotropic steady model, and the results are consistent with observed flow char -acteristics. Based on the results, 3- D characteristics of flow, currents at different depths, compensated flow in the lower layer , long and narrow alongshore current, the area of upwelling and downwelling, main circulation in vertical profile, and the current in Bohai Strait are discussed.

Deep electrical structures of Qinzhou-Fangcheng Junction Zone in Guangxi and seismogenic environment of the 1936 Lingshan M6^(3/4)earthquake

The tectonic position of the southwest section of the Qinzhou Bay-Hangzhou Bay Tectonic Junction Zone(QHTJZ)can be determined by examining the Qinzhou-Fangcheng Junction Zone(QFJZ)in Guangxi.This zone is significant because it was the location of the largest earthquake ever recorded in the inland region of South China,specifically the 1936 Lingshan M6^(3/4)earthquake in Guangxi.Therefore,this region serves as an optimal location for researching the origins of intraplate earthquakes in South China.This study presents a display of a broadband magnetotelluric(MT)prospecting profile that traverses the Guangxi QFJZ and the Lingshan earthquake zone,extending from the northwest(NW)to the southeast(SE).A resistivity structure model was generated using three-dimensional(3D)inversion technology along the profile.The main faults in QFJZ were analyzed in terms of their deep extension forms and tectonic attributes.This analysis was performed by integrating the results obtained from geology,gravity,wave velocity ratio,Global Position System(GPS),and geothermal flow.The results showed that(1)the Dongzhong-Xiaodong fault(DXf),the eastern Fangcheng-Lingshan fault(FLf2),and the eastern Hepu-Beiliu fault(HBf2)were all trans-crustal deep faults,and crust-mantle ductile shear zones developed in the deep part.Two electrical boundary zones,DXf and HBf2,were identified.DXf inclined towards the northwest,while HBf2 inclined towards the southeast.The FangchengLingshan fault(FLf)exhibits a tectonic style resembling a“flower”shape in the upper crust.In the deeper section,it is characterized by an electrical boundary zone that gradually slopes towards the southeast direction.(2)The Hunan-Guangxi Passive Continental Margin(HGPCM)on the NW side of DXf had a stratified resistivity structure and relatively stable Bouguer gravity anomalies,which conformed to the quasi-craton tectonic attribute of the local failure at the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block(YB).The southeastern side of this block is marked by the presence of the QFJZ and Yunkai Magmatic Arc(YKMA).These areas exhibit varying Bouguer gravity anomalies,indicating a combination of high and low resistivity in their electrical structures.This suggests that this zone has undergone multiple stages of structural evolution and transformation.The giant high-resistivity body under the Qinzhou-Fangcheng Remnant Ocean Basin(QFROB)might be the trace left by the extinction of the South China Ocean and the collision orogeny between YB and the Cathaysian Block(CB).The presence of sublow-resistivity layers in the middle-lower crust between the Liuwandashan Magmatic Arc(LMA)and YKMA indicates that this particular zone is being influenced from a distance by magmatic activities originating from the Leiqiong mantle.(3)The focal area of the 1936 Lingshan earthquake was located in the brittle high-resistivity body with a low strain rate.Under the coupling action of NWW-SEE regional tectonic stress and deep thermodynamic force,the brittle high-resistivity body in the upper crust became the main body for accumulating the tectonic stress.The Lingshan earthquake occurred due to the dextral strike-slip fracture instability of FLf2,a rock layer with slightly lower strength in the sub-high-resistivity zone.This instability was triggered when the accumulated stress reached the ultimate rock strength.The unveiling of the seismogenic model of the Lingshan earthquake,as presented in this study,holds significant scientific importance in comprehending the factors contributing to intraplate earthquakes in the South China region.

Integrated rockfall hazard and risk assessment along highways: An example for Jiuzhaigou area after the 2017 Ms 7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake, China

This work addresses the integrated assessment of rockfall(including landslides) hazards and risk for S301, Z120, and Z128 highways, which are important transportation corridors to the world heritage site Jiuzhai Valley National Park in Sichuan, China. The highways are severely threatened by rockfalls or landslide events after the 2017 Ms 7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake. Field survey(September 14-18 th, 2017, May 15-20 th, 2018, and September 9-17 th, 2018), unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV), and satellite image identified high-relief rockfalls and road construction rockfalls or landslides along the highway. Rockfall hazard is qualitatively evaluated using block count, velocity, and flying height through a 3D rockfall simulation at local and regional scales. Rockfall risk is quantitatively assessed with rockfall event probability, propagation probability, spatial probability, and vulnerability for different block volume classes. Approximately 21.5%, 20.5%, and 5.3% of the road mileage was found to be subject to an unacceptable(UA) risk class for vehicles along S301, Z120, and Z128 highways, respectively. Approximately 20.1% and 3.3% of the road mileage belong to the UA risk class for tourists along Z120 and Z128 highways, respectively. Results highlighted that high-relief rockfall events were intensively located at K50 to K55(Guanmenzi to Ganheba) and K70 to K72(Jiudaoguai to Shangsizhai Village) road mileages along S301 highway and KZ18 to KZ22(Five Flower Lake to Arrow Bamboo Lake) road mileages, KZ30(Swan Lake to Virgin Forests), and KY10.5 kilometers in Jiuzhai Valley. Rockfalls in these locations were classified under the UA risk class and medium to very high hazard index. Road construction rockfalls were located at K67(Jiuzhai Paradise) and K75–K76 kilometers along S301 highway and KZ12 to KZ14(Rhino Lake to Nuorilang Waterfall), KZ16.5 to KZ17.5(Golden Bell Lake), KY5(Lower Seasonal Lake), and KY14(Upper Seasonal Lake) kilometers along Z120 and Z128 highway in Jiuzhai Valley. Rockfalls in these areas were within a reasonable practicable risk to UA risk class and very low to medium hazard index. Finally, defensive measures, including flexible nets, concrete walls, and artificial tunnels, could be selected appropriately on the basis of the rockfall hazard index and risk class. This study revealed the integration between qualitative rockfall hazard assessment and quantitative rockfall risk assessment, which is crucial in studying rockfall prevention and mitigation.

Upper crustal velocity and seismogenic environment of the M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake region in Sichuan, China

On August 8,2017,a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred in Jiuzhaigou County,Sichuan Province,China.The deep seismogenic environment and potential seismic risk in the eastern margin of Tibetan Plateau have once again attracted the close attention of seismologists and scholars at home and abroad.The post-earthquake scientific investigation could not identify noticeable surface rupture zones in the affected area;the complex tectonic background and the reason(s)for the frequent seismicity in the Jiuzhaigou earthquake region are unclear.In order to reveal the characteristics of the deep medium and the seismogenic environment of the M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake region,and to interpret the tectonic background and genesis of the seismicity comprehensively,in this paper,we have reviewed all available observation data recorded by the regional digital seismic networks and large-scale,dense mobile seismic array(China Array)for the northern section of the North-South Seismic Belt around Jiuzhaigou earthquake region.Using double-difference seismic tomography method to invert the three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure characteristics of the upper crust around the Jiuzhaigou earthquake region,we have analyzed and discussed such scientific questions as the relationship between the velocity structure characteristics and seismicity in the Jiuzhaigou earthquake region,its deep tectonic environment,and the ongoing seismic risk in this region.We report that:the P-wave velocity structure of the upper crust around the Jiuzhaigoug earthquake region exhibits obvious lateral inhomogeneity;the distribution characteristics of the shallow P-wave velocity structure are closely related to surface geological structure and formation lithology;the M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake sequence is closely related to the velocity structure of the upper crust;the mainshock of the M7.0 earthquake occurred in the upper crust;the inhomogeneous variation of the velocity structure of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake area and its surrounding medium appears to be the deep structural factor controlling the spatial distribution of the mainshock and its sequence.The 3D P-wave velocity structure also suggests that the crustal low-velocity layer of northeastern SGB(Songpan-GarzêBlock)stretches into MSM(Minshan Mountain),and migrates to the northeast,but the tendency to emerge as a shallow layer is impeded by the high-velocity zone of Nanping Nappe tectonics and the Bikou Block.Our results reveal an uneven distribution of high-and low-velocity structures around the Tazang segment of the East Kunlun fault zone.Given that the rupture caused by the Jiuzhaigou earthquake has enhanced the stress fields at both ends of the seismogenic fault,it is very important to stay vigilant to possible seismic hazards in the large seismic gap at the Maqu-Maqên segment of the East Kunlun fault zone.