Constraint on the focal mechanism of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake from the radial modes

Different from other normal modes of the Earth’s free oscillation that depend on all the six components(M_(rr),M_(tt),M_(pp),M_(rt),M_(rp),and M_(tp))of the centroid moment tensor,the amplitudes of the radial modes depend on the M_(rr)component(e.g.,scalar moment(M_(0)),dip(δ),and slip(λ))and hypocenter depth of the focal mechanism,and hence can be easily used to constrain these parameters of the focal mechanism.In this study,we use the superconducting gravimeter(SG)records after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake to analyze the radial modes_(0)S_(0)and_(1)S_(0).Based on the solutions of the focal mechanism provided by the GCMT and USGS,we can obtain the theoretical amplitudes of these two radial modes.Comparing the theoretical amplitudes with the observation amplitudes,it is found that there are obvious differences between the former and the latter,which means that the GCMT and USGS focal mechanisms cannot well represent the real focal mechanism of the 2011 event.Taking the GCMT solution as a reference and changing the depth and the three parameters of the M_(rr)moment,the scalar moment(M_(0))and the dip(δ)have significant influences,but the effects of the slip(λ)and the depth are minor.After comparisons,we provide a new constraint(M_(0)=5.8±0.09×10^(22)N·m,δ=10.1±0.08°,λ=88°,and depth=20 km)for the focal mechanism of the 2011 event.In addition,we further determine the center frequency(1.631567±2.6e^(-6)mHz)and quality factor(2046.4±50.1)of the_(1)S_(0)mode.

Focal mechanism of Luding M 6.8 earthquake, September 2022 and analysis of the loading role of the tectonic stress on the seismogenic fault

To reveal the seismogenic mechanism of the Luding earthquake, we employed the 118 China Seismic Network stations to collect the P-wave polarity data from each station, which was then used in the P-wave first motion approach to calculate the focal mechanism solution of the M6.8 Luding earthquake that occurred on September 5,2022. We have also studied the loading effect of tectonic stress on the Luding earthquake fault based on the stress field data for the research area. The results indicate that this earthquake was a strike-slip type, the nodal plane I:strike 167°, dip angle 78°, slip angle 2°;Nodal plane II: strike 77°, dip angle 88°, slip angle 168°. The two fault planes’ instability coefficients of the Luding earthquake are examined considering the region’s background stress field’s condition. The nodal plane I in the Moho circle is discovered to practically coincide with the Coulomb failure line and the tangent point of the Moho circle, indicating that this nodal plane has a high instability coefficient compared to the nodal plane II. The conclusion is that the nodal plane I has a higher likelihood of being the seismogenic fault plane, which is congruent with the seismogenic fault plane suggested by the aftershock distribution, the earthquake radiation energy distribution of a single station, and seismic intensity distribution.The Luding earthquake’s focal mechanism is highly like the theoretical focal mechanism of the fault situated at the location where the Coulomb failure line intersects the Mohr circle, demonstrating that background stress is what caused the earthquake. The substantial fault instability and similarity between the solved and theoretical focal mechanisms make it easier to comprehend the loading effect of tectonic stress on the Luding earthquake fault.

Spatial distribution and focal mechanism solutions of the Wenchuan earthquake series:Results and implications

We relocate the spatial distribution of its aftershocks. The relocation database is obtained the devastating 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and from 89 stations deployed by the China Earthquake Administration, including 54 525 seismograms from 1 376 local earthquakes over Ms3.5 between 12 May 2008 and 3 August 2008. The cross-correlation technique used in this paper has greatly improved the relocation precision by giving much more accurate P-wave differential travel-time measurements than those obtained from routinely picked phase onsets. At the same time, we pick P-wave polarity observations of the Wenchuan earthquake series （hereafter referred to as WES） from 1023 stations in China and 59 IRIS （Incorporated Research Institutions of Seismology） stations. Then, employing a newly developed program CHNYTX, we obtain 83 well-determined focal mechanism solutions （hereafter referred to as FMSs）. Based on spatial distribution and FMSs of the WES, we draw following conclusions： （1） The region near the main shock exhibits a buried low-angle northwest-dipping seismic zone with the main shock at its upper end and two conjugated seismic zones dipping southeast with roughly equal dip-angle; （2） The compressional directions of all kinds of FMSs of the WES are subhorizontal, which reflects the dominant stress in this area is eompressional; （3） The principal compressional direction of the regional stress around Wenchuan is roughly perpendicular to the strike of Beichuan-Yingxiu fault, while around Qingchuan it is roughly parallel to the strike of Qingehuan fault. In intermediate part of the Longmenshan area, the principal compressional direction of the stress should be in-between; （4） The possibly existed molten materials in the lower crust of Songpan-Garze terrain have small contribution to the local stress state in Longmenshan area. The listric geometries of the Longmenshan faults most probably resulted from subhorizontal compression along NW-SE direction in history.

Seismic relocation,focal mechanism and crustal seismic anisotropy associated with the 2010 Yushu M_S7.1 earthquake and its aftershocks

The 2010 Yushu MsT.1 earthquake occurred in Ganzi-Yushu fault, which is the south boundary of Bayan Har block. In this study, by using double difference algorithm, the locations of mainshock （33.13°N, 96.59°E, focal depth 10.22 km） and more than 600 aftershocks were obtained. The focal mechanisms of the mainshock and some aftershocks with Ms〉3.5 were estimated by jointly using broadband velocity waveforms from Global Seismic Network （GSN） and Qinghai Seismic Network as well. The focal mechanisms and relocation show that the strike of the fault plane is about 125° （WNW-ESE）, and the mainshock is left-laterally strikeslip. The parameters of shear-wave splitting were obtained at seismic stations of YUS and L6304 by systematic analysis method of shear-wave splitting （SAM） method. Based on the parameters of shear-wave splitting and focal mechanism, the characteristics of stress field in seismic source zone were analyzed. The directions of polarization at stations YUS and L6304 are different. It is concluded that after the mainshock and the Ms6.3 aftershock on April 14, the stress-field was changed.

Focal Mechanism Solutions of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake sequence from P-wave polarities and SH/P amplitude ratios:new results and implications

Abstract The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, a major intraplate earthquake with Mw 7.9, occurred on the slowly deforming Longmenshan fault. To better understand the causes of this devastating earthquake, we need knowledge of the regional stress field and the underlying geodynamic processes. Here, we determine focal mechanism solutions （FMSs） of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake sequence （WES） using both P-wave first-motion polarity data and SH/P amplitude ratio （AR） data. As P-wave polarities are more reliable information, they are given priority over SH/ PAR, the latter of which are used only when the former has loose constraint on the FMSs. We collect data from three categories： （1） permanent stations deployed by the China Earthquake Administration （CEA）; （2） the Western Sichuan Passive Seismic Array （WSPSA） deployed by Institute of Geology, CEA; （3） global stations from Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology. Finally, 129 events with magnitude over Ms 4.0 in the 2008 WES are identified to have well-constrained FMSs. Among them, 83 are well constrained by P-wave polarities only as shown by Cai et al. （Earthq Sci 24（1）：115-125,2011）, and the rest of which are newly constrained by incorporating SH/P AR. Based on the spatial distribution and FMSs of the WES, we draw following conclusions： （1） the principle compressional directions of most FMSs of the WES are subhorizontal, generally in agreement with the conclusion given by Cai et al. （2011） but with a few modifications that the compressional directions are WNW-ESE around Wenchuan and ENE-WSW around Qingchuan, respectively. The subhorizontal compressional direction along the Longmenshan fault from SW to NE seems to have a leftlateral rotation, which agrees well with regional stress field inverted by former researchers （e.g., Xu et al., Acta Seismol Sin 30（5）, 1987; Acta Geophys Sin 32（6）, 1989; Cui et al., Seismol Geol 27（2）：234-242, 2005）; （2） the FMSs of the events not only reflected the regional stress state of the Longmenshan region, but also were obviously controlled by the faults to some extent, which was pointed out by Cai et al. （2011） and Yi et al. （Chin J Geophys 55（4）：1213-1227, 2012）; （3） while the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and some of its strong aftershocks released most of the elastic energy accumulated on the Longmen- shan fault, some other aftershocks seem to occur just for releasing the elastic energy promptly created by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and some of its strong aftershocks. （4） Our results further suggest that the Longmenshan fault from Wenchuan to Beichuan was nearly fully destroyed by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and accordingly propose that there is less probability for great earthquakes in the middle part of the Longmenshan fault in the near future, although there might be a barrier to the southwest of Wenchuan and it is needed to pay some attention on it in the near future.

Rupture process and aftershock focal mechanisms of the 2022 M6.8 Luding earthquake in Sichuan

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center,a strong earthquake of M6.8 occurred in Luding County,Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,Sichuan Province,China(102.08°E,29.59°N),on September 5,2022,with a focal depth of 16 km.Rapid determination of the source parameters of the earthquake sequence is vital for post-earthquake rescue,disaster assessment,and scientific research.Near-field seismic observations play a key role in the fast and reliable determination of earthquake source parameters.The numerous broadband seismic stations and strong-motion stations recently deployed by the National Earthquake Intensity Rapid Report and Early Warning project have provided valuable real-time near-field observation data.Using these near-field observations and conventional mid-and far-field seismic waveform records,we obtained the focal mechanism solutions of the mainshock and M≥3.0 aftershocks through the waveform fitting method.We were further able to rapidly invert the rupture process of the mainshock.Based on the evaluation of the focal mechanism solution of the mainshock and the regional tectonic setting,we speculate that the Xianshuihe fault formed the seismogenic structure of the M6.8 strong earthquake.The aftershocks formed three spatially separated clusters with distinctly different focal mechanisms,reflecting the segmented nature of the Xianshuihe fault.As more high-frequency information has been applied in this study,the absolute location of the fault rupture is better constrained by the near-field strong-motion data.The rupture process of the mainshock correlates well with the spatial distribution of aftershocks,i.e.,aftershock activities were relatively weak in the maximum slip area,and strong aftershock activities were distributed in the peripheral regions.

Spatio-temporal variation and focal mechanism of the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake sequence

Based on abundant aftershock sequence data of the Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake on May 12, 2008, we studied the spatio-temporal variation process and segmentation rupture characteristic. Dense aftershocks distribute along Longmenshan central fault zone of NE direction and form a narrow strip with the length of 325 krn and the depth between several and 40 km. The depth profile （section of NW direction） vertical to the strike of aftershock zone （NE direction） shows anisomerous wedgy distribution characteristic of afiershock concentrated regions; it is related to the force form of the Longmenshan nappe tectonic belt. The stronger aftershocks could be divided into northern segment and southern segment apparently and the focal depths of strong aftershocks in the 50 km area between northern segment and southern segment are shallower. It seems like ＇to be going to rupture＇ segment. We also study focal mechanisms and segmentation of strong aftershocks. The principal compressive stress azimuth of aftershock area is WNW direction and the faulting types of aftershocks at southern and northern segment have the same proportion. Because afiershocks distribute on different secondary faults, their focal mechanisms present complex local tectonic stress field. The faulting of seven strong earthquakes on the Longmenshan central fault is mainly characterized by thrust with the component of right-lateral strike-slip. Meantime six strong aftershocks on the Longmenshan back-range fault and Qingchuan fault present strike-slip faulting. At last we discuss the complex segmentation rupture mechanism of the Wenchuan earthquake.

Preliminary research to determine stressdistricts form focal mechanism solutions in Southwest China and its adjacent area

The method of sliding direction fitting is used to determine stress districts, taking the shear stress directions andratios of shear stress to stress on fault planes given by focal mechanism solutions as the criteria to select focalmechanism solutions of one region and sorting out the ear'thquakcs controlled by different tectonic stfess fields,and then determining the stress districts from epicenter distribution of eanhquakes. We call this method as step bystep convergence method. By inversion analyzing of 297 focal mechanism solutions, we consider that SouthwestChina and its adjacent area can be divided into 5 stress districts, and we worked out directions of the three principal stresses and values of shape factor gi in 5 stress districts.

Difference between focal mechanisms of Dayao earthquake doublet sequence

Using the maximum amplitude ratios of vertical component of P and S waves recorded by a regional network, 921 focal mechanisms of Dayao earthquake doublet sequence are determined by means of synthetic seismograms of a point source of dislocation in a plane layered medium. Among them, 389 focal mechanisms are in the aftershock sequence of M6.2 earthquake occurred on 21 July, 2003 and the other 532 focal mechanisms are in the aftershock sequence of M6.1 earthquake occurred on 16 October, 2003 in Dayao, Yurman. The focal mechanism consistent parameter a of the two aftershock sequences are calculated and analyzed. According to the focal mechanism consistent parameter a, the focal mechanisms of the first aftershock sequence are more consistent than those of the second. According to the comparison of CMT solutions of the two M6 earthquakes, the physical mechanism of the doublet in the intra-plate earthquake is very complex, and many processes are involved and interacted with each other. This doublet provides insights into earthquake clustering, triggering and stress cycling.

Local stress field inverted for a shale gas play based on focal mechanisms determined from the joint source scanning algorithm

The joint source scanning algorithm(SSA)scans locations and focal mechanisms of microseismic events simultaneously.Compared to the traditional source scanning algorithm,it yields much more events with extra information of focal mechanisms.The availability of more events and focal mechanisms make it possible to invert for a 2D gridded stress field.As a byproduct of hydrofracturing monitoring,the method offers a new way to extract stress field as a substitute to other more expensive technologies.This method is applied to a hydraulic fracturing dataset collected from one shale gas production field in the southeast of the Sichuan basin.A damped stress inversion is conducted to obtain a 2D stress field.five hydraulic-fracturing induced fractures can be determined from the result.The events associated with these fractures generally have relatively low stacked energy and are limited to the depth of horizontal well.One existing fault(possibly associated with the axis of the central Sichuan uplift)is also determined and the events associated with the existing fault generally have higher stacked energy and are more densely populated.The existing fault may also serve as a structural boundary where the rocks to the NW side are easier to be fractured while events on the other side are sparse with low stacked energy.The existing fault also divides the stress field into two regimes:the maximum compressional stress field to the NW and SE of the fault line are dominantly in NW-SE and N-S directions,respectively.

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.

Modern tectonic stress field in the Chinese mainland inverted from focal mechanism solutions

The inversion of modern tectonic stress field in China is made by regions on the basis of focal mechanism data inthe period of 1920-1996. Results of the inversion show that the maximum principal compressive stress σ1 axisstrikes nearly north-south direction in the Tibet Plateau and western Chin4 east-west direction in North China Incentral China, its strikes show a radiate pattern, i.e., north-north east in north part, east-west in central part andnorth-north west in south part. The σ1 axes are often perpendicular to the minimum principal stress σ3 axes, exceptwestern China where the σ1 axes are oblique to the σ3 axes with an acute angle. R is defined by (σ2-σ1)/(σ3-σ1),has the higher values (0.60-0.90) in north part of central China and quickly changes into the lower values(0. 10-0.30) in the Tibet Plateau. Both of the observed and inverted fault planes have strikes varying with locations.Combining stress directions and R value, the stress configuration is divided into 7 groups. Most of the groups showstrike-slip faulting with intermediate R values, which occupies North China and the eastern part of China as well asinner Tibet Plateau. A few of them show reverse faulting with higher R values within western pod of China and thenorth edge of the Tibet Plateau. Normal faulting occurred on the south edge of the Tibet Plateau with smaller Rval nes.

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.

Types of focal mechanism solutions and parameter consistency of the sub-blocks in Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces

Based on P- and S-wave amplitudes and some clear initial P-wave motion data, we calculated focal mechanism solutions of 928 M≥2.5 earthquakes （1994-2005） in four sub-blocks of Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces, namely Sichuan-Qinghai, Yajiang, Central Sichuan and Central Yunnan blocks. Combining these calculation results with those of the focal mechanism solutions of moderately strong earthquakes, we analyzed the stress field characteristics and dislocation types of seismogenic faults that are distributed in the four sub-blocks. The orientation of principal compressive stress for each block is： EW in Sichuan-Qinghai, ESE or SE in Yajiang, Central Sichuan and Central Yunnan blocks. Based on a great deal of focal mechanism data, we designed a program and calculated the directions of the principal stress tensors, σ1, σ2 and σ3, for the four blocks. Meanwhile, we estimated the difference （also referred to as consistency parameter θ^- ） between the force axis direction of focal mechanism solution and the direction of the mean stress tensor of each block. Then we further analyzed the variation of θ^- versus time and the dislocation types of seismogenic faults. Through determination of focal mechanism solutions for each block, we present information on the variation in θ^- value and dislocation types of seismogenic faults.

On correlation between seismic activities and focal mechanisms of subsequent strong earthquakes

On the basis of the results from spatial-temporal scanning of moderate seismic activities prior to 63 strong earth- quakes occurred since 1966, we investigate in this paper the characteristics of anomalous evolution of moderate seismic activities prior to strong earthquakes with different focal mechanisms in different tectonic blocks, as well as the correlation between principal seismic activities and nodal planes of focal mechanisms. The research results indicate that the moderate seismic activities prior to strong earthquakes display two significant stages of stress concentration and stress weakening, which are consistent to the evolvement of local tectonic stress field. The first stage, defined as medium-term stage, is characterized by seismic belts, seismic gaps and centralized activities; The second stage, defined as short-term stage, is predominated by continuous quiescence. For the earthquakes occurred on the strike-slip and normal faults, the two stages are relatively evident; while for the earthquakes occurred on the thrust faults, there are not characteristic images and seismic quiescence in both stages. The spatial distribution of moderate shock belts before strong earthquakes show a good coherence with that of the two nodal planes of focal mechanisms, while the spatial distribution of seismic gaps enclosed by moderate shocks display a poor coherence with the nodal planes.

Determinations of directions of the mean stress field in Sichuan-Yunnan region from a number of focal mechanism solutions

Based on the spatial orientation and slip direction of the fault plane solutions, we present the expression of corresponding mechanical axis tensor in geographic coordinate system, and then put forward a method for calculating average mechanical axis tensor and its eigenvalues, which involves solving the corresponding eigenequation. The method for deducing mean stress field from T, B, and P axes parameters of a number of focal mechanism solutions has been verified by inverting data of mean stress fields in Fuyun region and in Tangshan region with fitting method of slip direction, and both results are consistent. To study regional average stress field, we need to choose a population of focal mechanism solutions of earthquakes in the massifs where there are significant tectonic structures. According to the focal mechanism solutions of 256 moderate-strong earthquakes occurred in 13 seismic zones of Sichuan-Yunnan region, the quantitative analysis results of stress tensor in each seismic zone have been given. The algorithm of such method is simple and convenient, which makes the method for analyzing tectonic stress field with large amount of focal mechanism solution data become quantified.

Focal mechanism study of north Potwar deformed zone, Pakistan

Northern Potwar Deformed Zone (NPDZ) is a part of the foreland zone of NW Himalayan folds and thrust belt. Seismicity map has been prepared for this region, which appears to be less active as compared with adjacent re-gions with apparently no distinct pattern or relationship with surface structures. Focal mechanism solutions of 4 events, for which required parameters are available, indicate left-lateral strike- slip faulting for 3 events and thrust-ing for one event. P-axes orientations are in NW-SE and NE-SW. Basement is most likely involved in the ongoing deformation.

Study on three independent parameters of focal mechanism solution

In this paper, the relationships of the plunges and azimuths of T and P axes versus the strikes, dips, and rakes of two seismic nodal planes were derived to provide ref- erence for earthquake researchers. The independence of the plunges and azimuths of T, B, and P axes in focal mech- anism solution was discussed, and it was concluded that three parameters, i.e., the azimuths of T, B and P axes, are completely independent. The focal mechanism solution representation based on Euler rotation was introduced, using three Euler angles in place of the plunges and azi- muths of T, B, and P axes, and three focal mechanism solution representations were briefly compared and ana- lyzed in respect of accuracy on the basis of the assumption of rounding; it was concluded that the Euler angle repre- sentation has better accuracy, compared with the azimuth representation and the traditional representation with T, B, and P axes.

Focal mechanism solutions and its tectonic significance in the trench of the eastern South China Sea

According to the activity of earthquakes and volcanoes along the Manila trench and its adjacent region, combined with analysis of focal mechanism solutions and geophysics data, the Manila trench is still being downward subduction in the depth of 200 km. Deep earthquakes mainly concentrate between 12°N and 14°N, the concentrated region is divided into different sections, and the focal depth is gradually deep from the north to the south. From the focal mechanism solution data, the maximum principal stress direction (P axis) varies from the northern region of Philippine fault to the southern region of the fault. In the north P axes directions are mainly NW, however in the south there is the complex displaying and P axes have NW, NE and approximately NS directions. These results show the characteristics of press-thrust in the northern region of the Philippine fault and the clockwise rotation in the southern region of the fault. The stress caused by the Philippine plate, which moved upon the South China Sea sub-plate, is adjusted by the oblique subduction of the Manila trench, the sinistral strike-slip of the Philippine fault and the sinistral strike-slip of the Mindoro fault.