The 2024 M_(j) 7.6 Noto Peninsula, Japan earthquake caused by the fluid flow in the crust

On January 1, 2024 at 16:10:09 JST, an M_(j) 7.6 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in the southern part of the Sea of Japan. This location has been experiencing an earthquake swarm for more than three years. Here, we provide an overview of this earthquake, focusing on the slip distribution of the mainshock and its relationship with the preceding swarm. We also reexamined the source areas of other large earthquakes that occurred around the Sea of Japan in the past and compared them with the Matsushiro earthquake swarm in central Japan from1964 to 1968. The difference between the Matsushiro earthquake swarm and the Noto earthquake swarm is the surrounding stress field. The Matsushiro earthquake swarm was a strike-slip stress field, so the cracks in the crust were oriented vertically. This allowed fluids seeped from the depths to rise and flow out to the surface. On the other hand, the Noto area was a reverse fault stress field. Therefore, the cracks in the earth's crust were oriented horizontally. Fluids flowing underground in deep areas could not rise and spread over a wide area in the horizontal plane. This may have caused a large amount of fluid to accumulate underground, triggering a large earthquake. Although our proposed mechanism does not take into account other complex geological conditions into consideration, it may provide a simple way to explain why the Noto swarm is followed by a large earthquake while other swarms are not.

Astronomic background of global huge earthquakes at beginning of 21st century

Since the beginning of the 21st century,major earthquakes have frequently occurred worldwide.To explore the impact of astronomical factors on earthquakes,in this study,the statistical analysis method of correlation is used to systematically analyze the effects of astronomical factors,such as solar activity,Earth’s rotation,lunar declination angle,celestial tidal force,and other phenomena on M≥8 global earthquakes at the beginning of the 21st century.With regard to solar activity,this study focuses on the analysis of the 11-year and century cycles of solar activity.The causal relationship of the Earth’s rotation is not obvious in this work and previous works;in contrast,the valley period of the solar activity century cycle may be an important astronomical factor leading to the frequent occurrence of global earthquakes at the beginning of the 21st century.This topic warrants further study.

Preliminary analysis on characteristics of coseismic deformation associated with M_S=8.1 western Kunlunshan Pass earthquake in 2001

Based on the analysis of coseismic deformation in the macroscopic epicentral region extracted by Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (D-InSAR), and combined with the seismic activity, focal mechanism solutions of the earthquake and field investigation, the characteristic of coseismic deformation of MS=8.1 western Kunlunshan Pass earthquake in 2001 was researched. The study shows that its epicenter lies in the northeast side of Hoh Sai Hu; and the seismogenic fault in the macroscopic epicentral region can be divided into two central deformation fields: the west and east segments with the lengths of 42 km and 48 km, respectively. The whole fault extends about 90 km. From the distribution of interferometry fringes, the characteristic of sinistral strike slip of seismogenic fault can be identified clearly. The deformations on both sides of the fault are different with an obviously higher value on the south side. In the vicinity of macroscopic epicenter, the maximum displacement in look direction is about 288.4 cm and the minimum is 224.0 cm; the maximum sinistral horizontal dislocation of seismogenic fault near the macroscopic epicenter is 738.1 cm and the minimum is 551.8 cm.

Quantitative data about active tectonics and possible locations of strong earthquakes in the future in the northwestern Beijing

Deterministic, probabilistic and composite-grading methods are used to get the possible locations of strong earth-quakes in the future in Norwest Beijing and its vicinity based on the quantitative data and their accuracy about active tectonics in the research area and by ordering, some questions in the results are also discussed. It shows that the most dangerous fault segments for strong earthquakes in the future include: segments B and A of the southern boundary fault of the Yangyuan basin, the southern boundary fault of the Xuanhua basin, the east segment of the southern Huaian fault and the east segment of the northern YanggaoTianzhen fault. The most dangerous area is YangyuanShenjing basin, the second one is TianzhenHuaianXuanhua basin and the third dangerous areas are WanquanZhangjiakou and northeast of Yuxian to southwest of Fanshan.

Fault plane parameters of Tancheng M81/2 earthquake on the basis of present-day seismological data

The great Tancheng earthquake of M81/2 occurred in 1668 was the largest seismic event ever recorded in history in eastern China. This study determines the fault geometry of this earthquake by inverting seismological data of present-day moderate-small earthquakes in the focal area. We relocated those earthquakes with the double-difference method and found focal mechanism solutions using gird test method. The inversion results are as follows： the strike is 21.6°, the dip angle is 89.5°, the slip angle is 170°, the fault length is about 160 km, the lower-boundary depth is about 32 km and the buried depth of upper boundary is about 4 km. This shows that the seismic fault is a NNE-trending upright right-lateral strike-slip fault and has cut through the crust. Moreover, the surface seismic fault, intensity distribution of the earthquake, earthquake-depth distribution and seismic-wave velocity profile in the focal area all verified our study result.

Surface rupture zone of the 1303 Hongtong M=8 earthquake, Shanxi Province

Based on the latest displacement of Huoshan piedmont fault, Mianshan west-side fault and Taigu fault obtained from the beginning of 1990s up to the present, the characteristics of distribution and displacement of surface rup-ture zone of the 1303 Hongtong M = 8 earthquake, Shanxi Province are synthesized and discussed in the paper. If Taigu fault, Mianshan west-side fault and Huoshan piedmont fault were contemporarily active during the 1303 Hongtong M = 8 earthquake, the surface rupture zone would be 160 km long and could be divided into 3 segments, that is, the 50-km-long Huoshan piedmont fault segment, 35-km-long Mianshan west-side fault segment and 70-km-long Taigu fault segment, respectively. Among them, there exist 4 km and 8 km step regions. The surface rupture zone exhibits right-lateral features. The displacements of northern and central segments are respectively 6~7 m and the southern segment has the maximum displacement of 10 m. The single basin-boundary fault of Shanxi fault-depression system usually corresponds to M 7 earthquake, while this great earthquake (M = 8) broke through the obstacle between two basins. It shows that the surface rupture scale of great earthquake is changeable.

Calculation of the parameters of georesistivi－ty anisotropy and case history of earthquake precursors

This paper has discussed the effective resistivity ellipse and the paradoxical phenomenon of anisotropy. Two cases have been discussed, namely: there are three measuring lines at arbitrary angles with one another and there are two mutually perpendicular measuring lines and an additional measurement of the transversal effective resistivity. For these cases, the paper has given the methods for quantitatively calculating the parameters of georesistivity anisotropy. The formulae given include those for calculating the azimuth (of the principal axis of minimum resistivity ρ 1, the average resistivity ( ρ 1ρ 3) 1/2 , (ρ 2ρ 3) 1/2 , and the anisotropy coefficient λ=(ρ 2/ρ 1 ) 1/2 . As a case history, the data observed by the Datong geoelectricity station have been processed with reference to the results of in situ resistivity measurement in media subjected to shear. The results of analysis have led to the following understandings. Before and after the Datong M S6.1 earthquake on October 19, 1989, the abnormal rise of NE trending georesistivity and abnormal fall of NW trending georesistivity observed at the Datong and Yangyuan stations were caused by the pure shear acting on the medium. The major principal compression was in NE direction, which made an acute angle with the strike of the seismic fault plane, and thus there was a greater shear stress but very small normal stress so that the fault was likely to slide but the earthquake was only of moderate magnitude. The states of stress in medium were the same before and after earthquake and therefore the georesistivity precursor was of the same sign as that of co seismic variations.

Fault plane parameters of Sanhe-Pinggu M8 earthquake in 1679 determined using present-day small earthquakes

The great Sanhe-Pinggu M8 earthquake occurred in 1679 was the largest surface rupture event recorded in history in the northern part of North China plain. This study determines the fault geometry of this earthquake by inverting seismological data of present-day moderate-small earthquakes in the focal area. We relocated those earthquakes with the double-difference method. Based on the assumption that clustered small earthquakes often occur in the vicinity of fault plane of large earthquake, and referring to the morphology of the long axis of the isoseismal line obtained by the predecessors, we selected a strip-shaped zone from the relocated earthquake catalog in the period from 1980 to 2009 to invert fault plane parameters of this earthquake. The inversion results are as follows： the strike is 38.23°, the dip angle is 82.54°, the slip angle is -156.08°, the fault length is about 80 km, the lower-boundary depth is about 23 km and the buried depth of upper boundary is about 3 kin. This shows that the seismogenic fault is a NNE-trending normal dip-slip fault, southeast wall downward and northwest wall uplift, with the right-lateral strike-slip component. Moreover, the surface rupture zone, intensity distribution of the earth-quake and seismic-wave velocity profile in the focal area all verified our study result.

Study on the focal mechanism of the M5. 1 Badong earthquake in Hubei

The focal mechanism solutions of the MS. 1 Badong earthquake and subsequent 34 aftershocks at ML 2.0 or more were calculated using the P-wave first motion method; the main earthquake was normal fault dip slip type, and the slip types of the seismogenic rupture surfaces of the subsequent aftershocks primarily include normal dip slip （14 times）, reverse dip slip （9 times）, normal strike slip （9 times） and reverse strike slip （2 times）. The MS. 1 Badong earthquake activities may be related to the stress adjustment caused by the rise of the groundwater level and the decrease of the frictional resistance between structural planes of rock forma- tions due to the effect of reservoir water penetration, and related to the joint activities of the NE-strike Gaoqiao fault and the near EW-strike Daping fault.

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.

Pre-seismic and Co-seismic Crustal Movements of the M 7.3 Kyushu Earthquake on April 16,2016 in Japan

The time series of coordinates of a large number of GPS stations in the world,processed by Prof. Geoffrey Blewitt with GIPSY software are available at http://geodesy. unr. edu.Based on the time series of coordinates in the global reference frame of IGS08 at more than250 stations of continuous GPS observations,downloaded from the website,the co-seismic displacements of the M7. 3 Kyushu earthquake on April 16,2016 in Japan and the preseismic strain accumulations and displacements in the regional reference frame were obtained. The station of continuous GPS observation at BJFS near Beijing has been quite stable in displacement in the eastern part of China for more than 17 years since the beginning of its operation,and this station is used as the core station in the regional reference frame for the pre-seismic displacement of the Kyushu earthquake of M7. 3. The main feature of the pre-seismic displacements of the Kyushu earthquake is characterized by locking in the crust at and near the epicenter. The anomalous pre-seismic strain accumulation developed in an area of anomalous accumulation of the shear strain component of γ1 on the northeast side of the epicenter,with increasing size of the area and increasing magnitude in γ1. The largest area covered by the anomalous γ1 is about 2000 km2. The change in the E component at BJFS since November 26,2015 was caused by the replacement of the receiver and the antenna at the station. In order to study the shortterm change in displacements at stations at and near the epicenter,the time series at 3 stations with continuous GPS observations,2 at SUWN and DAEJ in south Korea and 1 at BJSH near Beijing were analyzed. The analysis shows that the displacements at the 3 stations have been quite stable in the same manner in east Asia. Thus,BJSH is used as the core station in the regional reference frame of displacement and the displacement time series show that there were no significant short term anomalies before the earthquake.

Using Airgun Source Signals to Study Regional Wave Velocity Changes before and after the Yunlong M_S5.0 and Yangbi M_S5.1 Earthquakes

On the basis of the airgun source signals recorded by the stations from January,2016 to June,2017,we use cross-correlation detection technology to obtain the characteristics of the stable phase travel time change of each station.We used the Yunlong MS5.0 and Yangbi MS5.1 earthquakes as samples.According to regional characteristics,13 stations with high signal-to-noise ratios and complete data were selected(including 3 fixed stations and 10 active source stations).They are divided into four regions,and on the basis of the GNSS baseline data,the characteristics of regional wave velocity changes before and after the earthquake are analyzed.The results show that the station phase travel time change and the regional stress characteristics represented by the GNSS baseline data have good correlation in the short-term.Due to different degrees of regional stress,there are differences in the travel time changes of different stations in the four regions.Before the Yunlong MS5.0 and Yangbi MS5.1 earthquakes,with regional stress adjustment,there is an upward trend in the travel time changes of related stations in the adjacent areas of up to 0.02 s.The difference is that there are differences in the time nodes and duration of the travel time anomalies,and there is a reverse descent process after the Yangbi MS5.1 earthquake.There are different degrees of travel time fluctuations in the relevant stations before and after the two earthquakes,but the fluctuation range before and after the earthquake was small.Compared with the water level change of the reservoir,the adjustment of the regional stress is more likely to have a substantial impact on the travel time changes of the relevant stations.

The GIS and analysis of earthquake damage distribution of the 1303 Hongtong M=8 earthquake

The geography information system of the 1303 Hongtong M=8 earthquake has been established. Using the spatial analysis function of GIS, the spatial distribution characteristics of damage and isoseismal of the earthquake are studied. By comparing with the standard earthquake intensity attenuation relationship, the abnormal damage dis-tribution of the earthquake is found, so the relationship of the abnormal distribution with tectonics, site condition and basin are analyzed. In this paper, the influence on the ground motion generated by earthquake source and the underground structures near source also are studied. The influence on seismic zonation, anti-earthquake design, earthquake prediction and earthquake emergency responding produced by the abnormal density distribution are discussed.

Seismicity and seismogenic mechanism of the M_S 6.0 Luxian earthquake on September 16, 2021

Based on the seismic data recorded by the China Earthquake Networks Center(CENC) in the Luxian area from January 2009 to October 2021,the 3D V_P,V_S, V_P/V_S structures and seismic locations of the area are obtained by joint inversion using the V_P/V_S model consistency-constrained double-difference tomography method(tomoDDMC).The earthquakes in the study area are mainly concentrated at a depth of 2-6 km,and the focal depth is generally shallow.The Ms 6.0 Luxian earthquake occurred at the transition zone of high-and low-velocity anomalies and the aftershock sequence was distributed along the edge of the low-V_P zone.A small number of foreshocks occurred on the west side of the M_S 6.0 Luxian earthquake,while most of the aftershocks were distributed on the east side of the M_S 6.0 Luxian earthquake.The aftershock sequence consisted of three seismic bands with different trends,and the overall distribution was in a NWW direction,which was inconsistent with the spatial distribution of the main active faults nearby.In addition,the spatiotemporal distribution of earthquakes and the variation of b-values are closely related to the industrial water injection activities in the study area,reflecting the activation of pre-existing hidden faults under certain tectonic and stress environments leading to seismic activities in the area.

Study on the Genesis of the Yongsheng Earthquake with M_S6.0 on October 27, 2001

On October 27, 2001, a large earthquake with M S6.0, named the Yongsheng earthquake, occurred along the Jinshajiang segment of Chenghai fault in Yongsheng County, Yunnan Province. It is the largest event to occur along the Chenghai fault in the last 200 years. The seismo-geological survey shows that the seismogenic fault, which is the Jinshajiang segment of Chenghai fault, takes left-lateral strike-slip as its dominant movement pattern. According to differences in vertical motion, motion time, landforms and scales, the Chenhai fault can be divided into eight segments. The Jinshajiang segment has a vertical dislocation rate of 0.4 mm/a, far lower than the mean rate of the Chenghai fault, about 2.0 mm/a. It’s deduced that the two sides of Jinshajiang segment “stuck" tightly and hindered the strike-slip of the Chenghai fault. The strong earthquake distribution before this event shows that the Jinshajiang segment was in the seismic gap. The Chenghai fault, as a boundary of tectonic sub-blocks, makes the Northwest Yunnan block and the Middle Yunnan block move clockwise, and their margins move oppositely along the Chenghai fault. In the motion process of the Chenghai fault, structural hindrance and the seismic gap of strong earthquakes are propitious to the concentration and accumulation of structure stress. As a result, the Yongsheng M S6.0 earthquake occurred. The Sujiazhuang-Shangangfu segment is similar to the Jinshajiang segment with a low vertical motion rate of 0.3 mm/a and in the seismic gap. So it’s postulated that the segment may become a new structure hindrance, and the Yongsheng M S6.0 earthquake may trigger the occurrence of future large earthquakes along this segment.

Ionospheric disturbances associated with the 2015 M7.8 Nepal earthquake

Based on the total electron content （TEC） derived from Global Positioning System （GPS） observations of the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China （CMONOC） and the Global Ionosphere Map （GIM） from the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe （CODE）, we detected and analyzed the ionospheric variations during the 2015 M7.8 Nepal earthquake （including the pre-earthquake ionospheric anomalies and coseismic ionospheric disturbances （CIDs） following the main shock）. The analysis of vertical total electron content （VTEC） time series shows that the large-scale ionospheric anomalies appeared near the epicenter two days prior to the earthquake. Moreover, the pre-earthcluake ionospheric anomalies were also observed in the geomagnetically conjugated region. In view of solar-terrestrial environment, the pre-earthquake ionospheric anomalies could be associated with the Nepal earthquake. In addition, we also detected the CIDs through the high-frequency GPS observation stations. The CIDs had obvious oscillated waveforms with the peak-to-peak disturbance amplitudes of about I TECu and 0.4 TECu, which propagated approximately with the horizontal velocities of 877 ±75 m/s and 319 ± 30 m/s, respectively. The former is triggered directly by the acoustic waves which originated from the energy release of the earthquake near the epicenter, while the latter could be stimulated by the acoustic-gravity waves from the partial transformation of the acoustic waves.

An M6.9 earthquake at Mainling,Tibet on Nov.18,2017

At 06:34(CST)on Nov.18,2017,an M6.9 earthquake occurred in the Mainling County,Nyingchi Region of Xizang Autonomous Region,China.The epicenter is located at 95.02°E,29.75°N and the focal depth is about 10 km(Figure 1).The epicenter is about 100 km from the Mainling County.The average elevation within 5 km is about 3100 m.This earthquake has caused widespread concern among members of government,research institutions,and public media.

Variation of gravity before the Alxa Zuoqi M5.8 earthquake

In this study, a classic survey adjustment computation method was used for data obtained in the Inner Mongolia and Ningxia gravimetric networks between September 2013 and April 2015 so as to investigate the variation of gravity before the Alxa Zuoqi M5.8 earthquake. The relationship between gravity variation and the Alxa Zuoqi M5.8 earthquake was analyzed. The results showed that： （1） the severe variation in gravity field at the test sites before the Alxa Zuoqi M5.8 earthquake, as well as the subsequent accelerated rising, might be an earthquake precursor; （2） the Alxa Zuoqi M5.8 earthquake occurred at the turning point where the high-gravity gradient zone changed from the NE direction to NW.

Seismic intensity investigation of the 2001 M=6.0 Yajiang-Kangding earthquake and discussion on its background of seismogenic structures

An M=6.0 earthquake occurred on February 23, 2001 in the western Sichuan Province, China. The macro seismic epicenter situated in the high mountain-narrow valley region between Yajiang and Kangding counties. According to field investigation in the region, the intensity of epicentral area reached VIII and the areas with intensity VIII, VII and VI are 180 km2, 1 472 km2 and 3 998 km2, respectively. The isoseismals are generally in elliptic shape with major axis trending near N-S direction. The earthquake destroyed many buildings and produced some phenomena of ground failure and mountainous disasters in the area with intensity VIII. This event may be resulted from long-term activities of the Litang fault and Yunongxi fault, two main faults in the western Sichuan. The movements between the main faults made the crust stress adjusted and concentrated, and finally the earthquake on a secondary fault in the block released a quite large energy.

Gravity anomaly before the Leshan M5.0 earthquake?

The North-South Seismic Belt was analyzed using gravity observation data from 2011 to 2015, and the nontidal analysis results show that there was a nonlinear gravity change at both the Chengdu and Guza seismostations one month before the Leshan M5.0 earthquake.