Seismogenic fault and topography control on the spatial patterns of landslides triggered by the 2017 Jiuzhaigou earthquake

Jiuzhaigou National Park, located in northwest plateau of Sichuan Province, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most popular scenic areas in China. On August 8, 2017, a Mw 6.5 earthquake occurred 5 km to the west of a major scenic area, causing 25 deaths and injuring 525, and the Park was seriously affected. The objective of this study was to explore the controls of seismogenic fault and topographic factors on the spatial patterns of these landslides. Immediately after the main shock, field survey, remote-sensing investigations, and statistical and spatial analysis were undertaken. At least 2212 earthquake-triggered landslides were identified, covering a total area of 11.8 km^2. Thesewere mainly shallow landslides and rock falls. Results demonstrated that landslides exhibited a close spatial correlation with seismogenic faults. More than 85% of the landslides occurred at 2200 to 3700 m elevations. The largest quantity of landslides was recorded in places with local topographic reliefs ranging from 200 to 500 m. Slopes in the range of ~20°-50° are the most susceptible to failure. Landslides occurred mostly on slopes facing east-northeast(ENE), east(E), east-southeast(ESE), and southeast(SE), which were nearly vertical to the orientation of the seismogenic fault slip. The back-slope direction and thin ridge amplification effects were documented. These results provide insights on the control of the spatial pattern of earthquake-triggered landslides modified by the synergetic effect of seismogenic faults and topography.

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.

Stress drop assessment of the August 8, 2017, Jiuzhaigou earthquake sequence and its tectonic implications

By using a broadband Lg attenuation model developed for the Tibetan Plateau,we isolate source terms by removing attenuation and site effects from the observed Lg-wave displacement spectra of the M 7.0 earthquake that occurred on August 8,2017,in Jiuzhaigou,China,and its aftershock sequence.Thus,the source parameters,including the scalar seismic moment,comer frequency and stress drop,of these events can be further estimated.The estimated stress drops vary from 47.1 kPa to 7149.6 kPa,with a median value of 59.4 kPa and most values falling between 50 kPa and 75 kPa.The estimated stress drops show significant spatial variations.Lower stress drops were mainly found close to the mainshock and on the seismogenic fault plane with large coseismic slip.In contrast,the highest stress drop was 7.1 MPa for the mainshock,and relatively large stress drops were also found for aftershocks away from the major seismogenic fault and at depths deeper than the zone with large coseismic slip.By using a statistical method,we found self-similarity among some of the aftershocks with a nearly constant stress drop.In contrast,the stress drop increased with the seismic moment for other aftershocks.The amount of stress released during earthquakes is a fundamental characteristic of the earthquake rupture process.As such,the stress drop represents a key parameter for improving our understanding of earthquake source physics.

Coseismic fault model of the 2017 M_(W)6.5 Jiuzhaigou earthquake and implications for the regional fault slip pattern

On August 8,2017,an M_(W)6.5 earthquake occurred in Jiuzhaigou County,Sichuan Province,China,on the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.This study investigates the coseismic deformation field and fault model with ascending and descending Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar(SAR)images,aftershock distribution,and elastic half-space dislocation model.The regional fault slip pattern is then quantita-tively examined using the boundary element method.The results show that the ascending and descending interferometric synthetic aperture radar(InSAR)coseismic deformation fields display an overall NNW-SSE trend,with more significant deformation on the southwest side of the fault.The coseismic fault geometry is divided into NW and SE sub-faults with strikes of 162.1°and 149.3°,respectively.The coseismic fault slip is dominated by a left-lateral strike-slip movement with an average rake of-2.31°,mainly occurring at a depth of 0-13.04 km with a shape of an approximately inverted triangle.The fault slip features two peak slip zones,with a maximum of 1.39 m.The total seismic moment is 6.34×10^(18) N·m(M_(W)6.47).The boundary element calculation quantitatively indicates that the regional fault slip pattern may be mainly attributable to the changing strike and dip.The strike changes from NNWeSSE to nearly NS direction,and the dip gradually decreases from the Jiuzhaigou earthquake fault in the north to the Huya fault in the south.With these characteristics,the Huya and the Jiuzhaigou earthquake faults form the eastern boundary of the Minshan uplift zone and accommodate the accumulated deformation.

Coseismic Coulomb failure stress changes caused by the 2017 M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake,and its relationship with the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake

On August 8, 2017, a M7.0 earthquake occurred in Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province, China, resulting in significant casualties and property damage. Therefore, it is critical to identify the areas of potential aftershocks before reconstruction and re-settling people to avoid future disasters. Based on the elastic dislocation theory and a multi-layered lithospheric model, we calculate the Coulomb failure stress changes caused by the Wenchuan and Jiuzhaigou earthquakes, discuss the relationship between the Mw7.9 Wenchuan and M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquakes, and analyze the influence of the aftershock distribution and stress changes on the major faults in this region caused by the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. The co-and post-seismic stress changes caused by the Wenchuan earthquake significantly increased the stress accumulation at the hypocenter of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. Therefore,the occurrence of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake was probably stimulated by the Wenchuan earthquake. The aftershock distribution is well explained by the co-seismic stress changes of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. The stress accumulation and corresponding seismic hazard on the Maqu-Heye segment of the East Kunlun fault and the northern extremity of the Huya fault has been further increased by the Jiuzhaigou earthquake.

Preliminary analysis on the source properties and seismogenic structure of the 2017 M_s7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake

At GMT time 13：19, August 8, 2017, an M1.0 earthquake struck the Jiuzhaigou region in Sichuan Province, China, causing severe damages and casualties. To investigate the source properties, seismogenic structures, and seismic hazards, we systematically analyzed the tectonic environment, crustal velocity structure in the source region, source parameters and rupture process, Coulomb failure stress changes, and 3-D features of the rupture plane of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. Our results indicate the following： （1） The Jiuzhaigou earthquake occurred on an unmarked fault belonging to the transition zone of the east Kunlun fault system and is located northwest of the Huya fault. （2） Both the mainshock and aftershock rupture zones are located in a region where crustal seismic velocity changes dramatically. Southeast to the source region, shear wave velocity at the middle to lower crust is significantly low, but it rapidly increases northeastward and lies close to the background velocity across the rupture fault. （3） The aftershock zone is narrow and distributes along the northwest-southeast trend, and most aftershocks occur within a depth range of 5-20 km. （4） The focal mechanism of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake indicates a left-lateral strike-slip fault, with strike, dip, and rake angles of 152~, 74~ and 8~, respectively. The hypocenter depth measures 20 km, whereas the centroid depth is about 6 kin. The co-seismic rupture mainly concentrates at depths of 3-13 km, with a moment magnitude （Mw） of 6.5. （5） The co-seismic rupture also strengthens the Coulomb failure stress at the two ends of the rupture fault and the east segment of the Tazang fault. Aftershocks relocation results together with geological surveys indicate that the causative fault is a near vertical fault with notable spatial variations： dip angle varies within 660-89~ from northwest to southeast and the average dip angle measures -84~. The results of this work are of fundamental importance for further studies on the source characteristics, tectonic environment, and seismic hazard evaluation of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake.

Assessment of prospective hazards resulting from the 2017 earthquake at the world heritage site Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan, China

On August 8, 2017, a Ms = 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Jiuzhaigou Valley, in Sichuan Province, China(N: 33.20°, E: 103.82°). Jiuzhaigou Valley is an area recognized and listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1992. Data analysis and field survey were conducted on the landslide, collapse, and debris flow gully, to assess the coseismic geological hazards generated by the earthquake using an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV), remote-sensing imaging, laser range finders, geological radars, and cameras. The results highlighted the occurrence of 13 landslides, 70 collapses, and 25 potential debris flow gullies following the earthquake. The hazards were classified on the basis of their size and the potential property loss attributable to them. Consequently, 14 large-scale hazards, 30 medium-sized hazards, and 64 small hazards accounting for 13%, 28%, and 59% of the total hazards, respectively, were identified. Based on the variation tendency of the geological hazards that ensued in areas affected by the Kanto earthquake(Japan), Chi-chi earthquake(Taiwan China), and Wenchuan earthquake(Sichuan China), the study predicts that, depending on the rain intensity cycle, the duration of geological hazard activities in the Jiuzhaigou Valley may last over ten years and will gradually decrease for the following five to ten yearsbefore returning to pre-earthquake levels. Thus,necessary monitoring and early warning systems must be implemented to ensure the safety of residents,workers and tourists during the construction of engineering projects and reopening of scenic sites to the public.

Living Heritage in a Post-Earthquake Context:Conceptualizing and Managing Continuity Within Traditional Settlements in Jiuzhaigou Valley,China

The living heritage approach seeks to link heritage properties with the living dimensions attributed by local communities–tangible and intangible heritage.However,how living heritage can be further understood and managed in post-disaster traditional settlements has yet to be explored adequately.This paper discusses the concept of living heritage embedded in post-earthquake planning and reconstruction of traditional settlements in Jiuzhaigou Valley,a World Heritage property in Sichuan Province.The thematic analysis method is employed to conduct both deductive and inductive content analysis of governmental administrative documents on post-earthquake reconstruction policies and practices.The results demonstrate that the continuity of heritage and the continuity of community are the two essential attributes conceptualizing living heritage by developing a people-centered approach to resilience-building in post-disaster traditional settlements.The paper broadens the concept of living heritage by incorporating the discussion of heritage and traditional settlements into a post-disaster context.The living heritage approach can be further elaborated into an integrated heritage management approach relying on community values and empowerment,to promote urban and rural conservation and urbanization policy-making and practices worldwide.

Qualitative Analyses of Correlations between Strong Ground Motions of the Three Large Earthquakes and Landslide Distributions

In this work,the correlations between spatial distributions of landslide point density(LPD)and strong ground motions of the three strong earthquakes are qualitatively investigated.Meanwhile the qualitative relationship between the distribution of LPD and the fault rupture process is also characterized.Three strong events are the Lushan,Wenchuan,and Jiuzhaigou earthquakes.In order to reconstruct the near filed strong ground motions and the fault processes of these earthquakes,the broadband ground simulation method of University of California Santa Barbara(UCSB)and the simplified crustal layer structures are applied.To show the rationality of the UCSB method,the fault slip distributions of the three earthquakes reconstructed by the kinematic rupture generator model in the UCSB method are compared with those by inversed.Furthermore,the validation of the UCSB method for the three earthquakes is also carried according to the validation exercise of the Southern California Earthquake Center(SCEC)Broadband Platform(BBP).Lastly,the fields of peak ground acceleration(PGA)and peak ground velocity(PGV)in three mutually perpendicular directions of the three earthquakes are achieved.Generally,the landslide distribution length of large LPD values along the fault strike is less than the fault strike length.Therefore,the slip modes of earthquake faults affect the distributions of landslides.For the strike slip earthquakes,the distributions of large LPD values relate well to PGA and PGV components of the parallel and normal to the fault strike.For the reverse slip earthquakes,distributions of LPD relate to ground motion components in all directions.Moreover,distributions of landslides in near fields of earthquakes are significantly affected by the focus parameters and fault scales.