Dynamic response of mountain tunnel,bridge,and embankment along the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor to active fault based on model tests

The Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor is prone to numerous active faults and frequent strong earthquakes.While extensive studies have individually explored the effect of active faults and strong earthquakes on different engineering structures,their combined effect remains unclear.This research employed multiple physical model tests to investigate the dynamic response of various engineering structures,including tunnels,bridges,and embankments,under the simultaneous influence of cumulative earthquakes and stick-slip misalignment of an active fault.The prototype selected for this study was the Kanding No.2 tunnel,which crosses the Yunongxi fault zone within the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor.The results demonstrated that the tunnel,bridge,and embankment exhibited amplification in response to the input seismic wave,with the amplification effect gradually decreasing as the input peak ground acceleration(PGA)increased.The PGAs of different engineering structures were weakened by the fault rupture zone.Nevertheless,the misalignment of the active fault may decrease the overall stiffness of the engineering structure,leading to more severe damage,with a small contribution from seismic vibration.Additionally,the seismic vibration effect might be enlarged with the height of the engineering structure,and the tunnel is supposed to have a smaller PGA and lower dynamic earth pressure compared to bridges and embankments in strong earthquake zones crossing active faults.The findings contribute valuable insights for evaluating the dynamic response of various engineering structures crossing an active fault and provide an experimental reference for secure engineering design in the challenging conditions of the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor.

Geomorphic signatures and active tectonics in western Saurashtra,Gujarat,India

Active tectonics in an area includes ongoing or recent geologic events.This paper investigates the tectonic influence on the subsidence,uplift and tilt of western Saurashtra through morphotectonic analysis of ten watersheds along with characteristics of relief and drainage orientation.Watersheds 7-9 to the north(N)are tectonically active,which can be linked with the North Kathiawar Fault System(NKFS)and followed by watersheds 6,10,1,4 and 5.Stream-length gradient index and sinuosity index indicate the effect of tectonic events along the master streams in watersheds 6-9.Higher R^(2)values of the linear curve fit for watershed 7 indicate its master stream is much more tectonically active than the others.The R^(2)curve fitting model and earthquake magnitude/depth analysis confirm the region to be active.The reactivation of the NKFS most likely led to the vertical movement of western Saurashtra.

Large Active Faults and the Wharton Basin Intraplate Earthquakes in the Eastern Indian Ocean

In recent years,great earthquakes occurred within the Wharton Basin in the eastern Indian Ocean,and they have been associa-ted with active faulting on the ancient oceanic crust.Large seismogenic faults were thought to be the fault reactivation on the ancient oceanic crust,but these phenomena are still unclear and require examination.This study used high-quality multibeam bathymetry and multichannel seismic data collected over the northern Ninetyeast Ridge to investigate detailed fault geometry,structure,and activity.We recognized 12 large linear active faults by integrating bathymetry maps and multichannel seismic reflection profiles.Our results showed that these faults have high angles,and they all displaced the basement and propagated to the seafloor with distinct fault scarps.They trended NWW-SEE with a spacing of 10–40km and were parallel to each other and the nearby subfault of the 2012 great intraplate earthquake,suggesting similar stress fields.These faults are also in agreement with the orientations of magnetic isochrons,implying their formation by seafloor spreading.Furthermore,regarding the strike-slip focal mechanism of 2012 earthquakes,we proposed that these faults were created early by a normal spreading process and then evolved into a strike-slip pattern since the ancient oceanic crust ap-proached the subduction zones.

Uniform Strike-Slip Rate along the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang Fault System and Its Implications for Active Tectonics in Southeastern Tibet

Recent studies on the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system suggest that the Late Quaternary strike-slip rate is approximately uniform along the entire length of the fault zone, about 15±2 mm/a. This approximately uniform strike slip rate strongly supports the clockwise rotation model of the southeastern Tibetan crust. By approximating the geometry of the arc-shaped Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system as a portion of a small circle on a spherical Earth, the 15±2 mm/a strike slip rate corresponds to clockwise rotation of the Southeastern Tibetan Block at the （5.2±0.7）×10^-7 deg/a angular velocity around the pole （21°N, 88°E） relative to the Northeast Tibetan Block. The approximately uniform strike slip rate along the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system also implies that the Longmeushan thrust zone is not active, or at least its activity has been very weak since the Late Quaternary. Moreover, the total offset along the Xiaushuihe-Xiaojiang fault system suggests that the lateral extrusion of the Southeastern Tibetan Block relative to Northeastern Tibetan Block is about 160 km and 200-240 km relative to the Tarim-North China block. This amount of lateral extrusion of the Tibetan crust should have accommodated about 13-24% convergence between India and Eurasia based on mass balance calculations. Assuming that the slip rate of 15±2 mm/a is constant throughout the entire history of the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system, 11±1.5 Ma is needed for the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system to attain the 160 km of total offset. This implies that left-slip faulting on the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system might start at 11±1.5 Ma.

Active Tectonic Strike-Slip Fault Development near Goran, Samba and Kathua Districts, Jammu and Kashmir

Active tectonic morphometric studies of the sparsely investigated frontal Siwalik terrain around Goran in the Samba district bordering the Kathua district of J&K reveal the presence of NW-SE trending active sinistral strike-slip fault with oblique slip component which is parallel to the Surin-Masatgarh anticline. The Basantar River, the Tarnah stream, the Ujh River, the Sahaar stream and the Ravi River exhibit significant stream offsets where the fault crosses these channels. The values of the morphometric indices viz. stream sinuosity index (S), stream length gradient index (SL), valley floor width to valley height ratio (Vf), mountain front sinuosity index (Smf), hypsometric integral (Hi), basin asymmetry ratio (AF) and basin elongation ratio (Eb) calculated along the linear river offsets with respect to longitudinal River segments of the Rivers Basantar, Tarnah, Ujh, Sahaar and Ravi Rivers reveal that terrain is tectonically active and can be placed in tectonic active class I. The fault has an apparent offset of about 2000 m with it as it crosses the Basantar, the Tarnah, the Ujh, the Sahaar and the Ravi Rivers. The stream offsets upon field and laboratory investigations are developed due to an active sinistral strike slip fault which is being named as Goran fault. This fault has a surface expression of 100 km extending from the Basantar in the northwest up to the Beas River in the southwest whereas the remaining segment may exist as a hidden fault all along the Himalaya.

Sinistral Strike-slip Movement Along Western Terminal Segment of the Active Daqingshan Piedmont Fault, Inner Mongolia, China

There are 18 gullies displaying sinistral contortions to different degrees along the western terminal segment about 10 km long of the active Daqingshan piedmont fault near the Donghe District, Baotou City. The contortion amount of gullies ranges from 20 m to 300 m. The contortion and length of the gullies are in direct proportion. The relation between piedmont terraces and gullies indicates that the gullies with upper reaches of about 1 ～ 5 km long and those smaller than one kilometer were formed at the end of Late Pleistocene and Holocene.Meanwhile, sandy gravel layer of alluvial-proluvial sediment on the upthrown wall is directly in contact with yellow clayey sand of the downthrown wall. During the Holocene, the sinistral strike-slip rate along the western terminal segment of the active Daqingshan piedmont fault reached 5 mm/a from age data of dislocated sediments. The evolutional mechanism of the active Daqingshan piedmont fault is also discussed in the paper.

The Grouping of the Strike-Slip Offset Data and Its Relation With the Seismicity Along Middle Segment of the Xiaojiang Active Fault

The data of the strike-slip offset along the Xiaojiang active fault can be obviously grouped.The groups of small orders of magnitude data within 100 m show clear linear characteristics of increments between 8 m and 12 m,which indicates that the segments of the Xiaojiang active fault is of characteristic seismicity and the distribution of the values of each group indicates that there are smaller earthquakes and creep between two large earthquakes along each segment of the Xiaojiang active fault.The interval between two characteristic large earthquakes can be calculated with the increments for two groups of slip data and the slip rate of the fault.Furthermore,the frequency of smaller earthquakes can also be estimated by comparing the distributions of the displacements of the large earthquakes with the distributions of the values of each group of data.The groups of large slip displacements show that there is close relationship between the records of the displacements of the fault and the changes of the

Formation and evolution of the strike-slip faults in the central Sichuan Basin, SW China

Based on 3D seismic and drilling data, the timing, evolution and genetic mechanism of deep strike-slip faults in the central Sichuan Basin are thoroughly examined by using the U-Pb dating of fault-filled carbonate cement and seismic-geological analysis. The strike-slip fault system was initially formed in the Late Sinian, basically finalized in the Early Cambrian with dextral transtensional structure, was overlaid with at least one stage of transpressional deformation before the Permian, then was reversed into a sinistral weak transtensional structure in the Late Permian. Only a few of these faults were selectively activated in the Indosinian and later periods. The strike-slip fault system was affected by the preexisting structures such as Nanhuanian rifting normal faults and NW-striking deep basement faults. It is an oblique accommodated intracratonic transfer fault system developed from the Late Sinian to Early Cambrian to adjust the uneven extension of the Anyue trough from north to south and matches the Anyue trough in evolution time and intensity. In the later stage, multiple inversion tectonics and selective activation occurred under different tectonic backgrounds.

Sliding modes of fault activation under constant normal stiffness conditions

Fault activation has been the focus of research community for years.However,the studies of fault activation remain immature,such as the fault activation mode and its major factors under constant normal stiffness(CNS)conditions associated with large thickness of fault surrounding rock mass.In this study,the rock friction experiments were conducted to understand the fault activation modes under the CNS conditions.Two major parameters,i.e.the initial normal stress and loading rate,were considered and calibrated in the tests.To reveal the response mechanism of fault activation,the local strains near the fault plane were recorded,and the macroscopic stresses and displacements were analyzed.The testing results show that the effect of displacement-controlled loading rate is more pronounced under the CNS conditions than that under constant normal load(CNL)conditions.Both the normal and shear stresses drop suddenly when the stick-slip occurs.The decrease and increase of the normal stress are synchronous with the shear stress in the regular stick-slip scenario,but mismatch with the shear stress during the chaotic stick-slip process.The results are helpful for understanding the fault sliding mode and the prediction and prevention of fault slip.

Active Faulting Pattern,Present-day Tectonic Stress Field and Block Kinematics in the East Tibetan Plateau

This paper examines major active faults and the present-day tectonic stress field in the East Tibetan Plateau by integrating available data from published literature and proposes a block kinematics model of the region. It shows that the East Tibetan Plateau is dominated by strike-slip and reverse faulting stress regimes and that the maximum horizontal stress is roughly consistent with the contemporary velocity field, except for the west Qinling range where it parallels the striking of the major strike-slip faults. Active tectonics in the East Tibetan Plateau is characterized by three faulting systems. The left-slip Kunlun-Qinling faulting system combines the east Kunlun fault zone, sinistral oblique reverse faults along the Minshan range and two major NEE-striking faults cutting the west Qinling range, which accommodates eastward motion, at 10--14 mm/a, of the Chuan-Qing block. The left-slip Xianshuihe faulting system accommodated clockwise rotation of the Chuan-Dian block. The Longmenshan thrust faulting system forms the eastern margin of the East Tibetan Plateau and has been propagated to the SW of the Sichuan basin. Crustal shortening across the Longmenshan range seems low （2-4 mm/a） and absorbed only a small part of the eastward motion of the Chuan-Qing block. Most of this eastward motion has been transmitted to South China, which is moving SEE-ward at 7-9 mm/a. It is suggested from geophysical data interpretation that the crust and lithosphere of the East Tibetan Plateau is considerably thickened and theologically layered. The upper crust seems to be decoupled from the lower crust through a decollement zone at a depth of 15-20 kin, which involved the Longmenshan fault belt and propagated eastward to the SW of the Sichuan basin. The Wenchuan earthquake was just formed at the bifurcated point of this decollement system. A rheological boundary should exist beneath the Longmenshan fault belt where the lower crust of the East Tibetan Plateau and the lithospheric mantle of the Yangze block are juxtaposed.

Recurrence behaviors of segment-rupturing earthquakes on active faults of the Chinese mainland

To investigate the recurrence behaviors of segment-rupturing eathquakes on active faults of the Chinese mainland, thispaper analyzes quantitatively earthquake history of 19 fault segments based on earthquake dam of multi-cyclerecurrences. The result shows that, for these fault segments, eanhquake recurring at previous locations is mainlycharacterized by both quasi-periodic (in a ratio of about) and time-predictable (in a ratio of about) behaviors.For the first behavior. intrinsic uncertainty of recurrence interval accounts for 0. 15-0.40 of the average interval, andmagnitudes of event vary from cycle to cycle within the range of the mean magnitUde t0.5. For the second behavior,intrinsic uncertainty of recurrence interval ranges mostly from 0. 19 to 0.40 of the average interval, and for successivetwo cycles the maximum change of event magnitudes is as much as 1.7 magnitude-units. In addition, for a few casesthe first behavior coexists along with either the second or the slip-predictable behaviors.

Earthquake recurrence on whole active fault zones and its relation to that on individual fault-segments

Based on the earthquake data of 11 active intraplate fault zones of the Chinese mainland, we have studied the earthquake recurrence behaviors on entire active fault zones and their relations to those on individual fault-segments. The results show that the earthquake recurrence on entire active fault zones, each of them is made up of multiple segments, displays three types of behavior, i.e., the clustering behavior, the random behavior, and the poor quasi-periodic behavior. The major one is the sparse clustering behavior, its recurrence process often exhibits that clusters (active periods) and gaps (quiescent periods) occur alternatively in varying degrees. The recurrence intervals within and between clusters, the durations of individual clusters, the earthquake number and strength of every cluster are all variable. The recurrence process is non-linear, there is neither the strength-time dependence nor the time-strength dependence. However, the earthquake recurrence processes on individual fault-segments are much more simple, and mainly display either the quasi-periodic or the time-predictable behaviors. Also, this study further discovers that the temporal clustering in earthquake recurrence process on entire fault zones is mainly caused by the rupture 'contagion' on different fault-segments within relatively short periods of time. Along active fault zones, the degree and orientation of rupture 'contagion' may vary with different seismic cycles, and the 'contagion' seems to be able to jump over unbroken 'gaps' on the fault zones.

Shallow crustal velocity structures revealed by active source tomography and fault activities of the Mianning–Xichang segment of the Anninghe fault zone, Southwest China

The Anninghe fault is a large left-lateral strike-slip fault in southwestern China. It has controlled deposition and magmatic activities since the Proterozoic, and seismic activity occurs frequently. The Mianning-Xichang segment of the Anninghe fault is a seismic gap that has been locked by high stress. Many studies suggest that this segment has great potential for large earthquakes(magnitude >7). We obtained three vertical velocity profiles of the Anninghe fault(between Mianning and Xichang) based on the inversion of P-wave first arrival times. The travel time data were picked from seismograms generated by methane gaseous sources and recorded by three linearly distributed across-fault dense arrays. The inversion results show that the P-wave velocity structures at depths of 0-2 km corresponds well with the local lithology. The Quaternary sediments have low seismic velocities, whereas the igneous rocks,metamorphic rocks, and bedrock have high seismic velocities. We then further discuss the fault activities of the two fault branches of the Anninghe fault in the study region based on small earthquakes(magnitudes between ML 0.5 and ML 2.5) detected by the Xichang array.The eastern fault branch is more active than the western branch and that the fault activities in the eastern branch are different in the northern and southern segments at the border of 28°21′N. The high-resolution models obtained are essential for future earthquake rupture simulations and hazard assessments of the Anninghe fault zone. Future studies of velocity models at greater depths may further explain the complex fault activities in the study region.

Active source monitoring at the Wenchuan fault zone:coseismic velocity change associated with aftershock event and its implication

With the improvement of seismic observation system, more and more observations indicate that earthquakes may cause seismic velocity change. However, the amplitude and spatial distribution of the velocity variation remains a controversial issue. Recent active source monitoring carried out adjacent to Wenchuan Fault Scientific Drilling （WFSD） revealed unambiguous coseismic velocity change associated with a local M8 5.5 earthquake. Here, we carry out forward modeling using two-dimensional spectral element method to further investigate the amplitude and spatial distribution of observed velocity change. The model is well constrained by results from seismic reflection and WFSD coring. Our model strongly suggests that the observed coseismic velocity change is localized within the fault zone with width of ~ 120 m rather than dynamic strong ground shaking. And a velocity decrease of -2.0 % within the fault zone is required to fit the observed travel time delay distribution, which coincides with rock mechanical experiment and theoretical modeling.

Control of strike-slip faults on Sinian carbonate reservoirs in Anyue gas field, Sichuan Basin, SW China

The largest Precambrian gas field (Anyue gas field) in China has been discovered in the central Sichuan Basin. However, the deep ancient Ediacaran (Sinian) dolomite presents a substantial challenge due to their tightness and heterogeneity, rather than assumed large-area stratified reservoirs controlled by mound-shoal microfacies. This complicates the characterization of “sweet spot” reservoirs crucial for efficient gas exploitation. By analyzing compiled geological, geophysical and production data, this study investigates the impact of strike-slip fault on the development and distribution of high-quality “sweet spot” (fractured-vuggy) reservoirs in the Ediacaran dolomite of the Anyue gas field. The dolomite matrix reservoir exhibits low porosity (less than 4%) and low permeability (less than 0.5×10^(-3) μm^(2)). Contrarily, fractures and their dissolution processes along strike-slip fault zone significantly enhance matrix permeability by more than one order of magnitude and matrix porosity by more than one time. Widespread “sweet spot” fracture-vuggy reservoirs are found along the strike-slip fault zone, formed at the end of the Ediacaran. These fractured reservoirs are controlled by the coupling mechanisms of sedimentary microfacies, fracturing and karstification. Karstification prevails at the platform margin, while both fracturing and karstification control high-quality reservoirs in the intraplatform, resulting in reservoir diversity in terms of scale, assemblage and type. The architecture of the strike-slip fault zone governed the differential distribution of fracture zones and the fault-controlled “sweet spot” reservoirs, leading to wide fractured-vuggy reservoirs across the strike-slip fault zone. In conclusion, the intracratonic weak strike-slip fault can play a crucial role in improving tight carbonate reservoir, and the strike-slip fault-related “sweet spot” reservoir emerges as a unique and promising target for the efficient development of deep hydrocarbon resources. Tailored development strategies need to be implemented for these reservoirs, considering the diverse and differential impacts exerted by strike-slip faults on the reservoirs.

A Comprehensive Investigation of an Offshore Active Fault in the Western Sagami Bay, Central Japan

Offshore active faults, especially those in the deep sea, are very difficultto study because of the water and sedimentary cover. To characterize the nature and geometry ofoffshore active faults, a combination of methods must be employed. Generally, seismic profiling isused to map these faults, but often only fault-related folds rather than fracture planes are imaged.Multi-beam swath bathymetry provides information on the structure and growth history of a faultbecause movements of an active fault are reflected in the bottom morphology. Submersible anddeep-tow surveys allow direct observations of deformations on the seafloor (including fracture zonesand microstructures). In the deep sea, linearly aligned cold seep communities provide indirectevidence for active faults and the spatial migration of their activities. The Western Sagami Bayfault (WSBF) in the western Sagami Bay off central Japan is an active fault that has been studied indetail using the above methods. The bottom morphology, fractured breccias directly observed andphotographed, seismic profiles, as well as distribution and migration of cold seep communitiesprovide evidence for the nature and geometry of the fault. Focal mechanism solutions of selectedearthquakes in the western Sagami Bay during the period from 1900 to 1995 show that the maximumcompression trends NW-SE and the minimum stress axis strikes NE-SW, a stress pattern indicating aleft-lateral strike-slip fault.

A new early-warning prediction system for monitoring shear force of fault plane in the active fault

The most common method used to describe earthquake activity is based on the changes in physical parameters of the earth＇s surface such as displacement of active fault and seismic wave.However,such approach is not successful in forecasting the movement behaviors of faults.In the present study,a new mechanical model of fault activity,considering the shear strength on the fault plane and the influence of the resistance force,is established based on the occurrence condition of earthquake.A remote real-time monitoring system is correspondingly developed to obtain the changes in mechanical components within fault.Taking into consideration the local geological conditions and the history of fault activity in Zhangjiakou of China,an active fault exposed in the region of Zhangjiakou is selected to be directly monitored by the real-time monitoring technique.A thorough investigation on local fault structures results in the selection of two suitable sites for monitoring potential active tectonic movements of Zhangjiakou fault.Two monitoring curves of shear strength,recorded during a monitoring period of 6 months,turn out to be steady,which indicates that the potential seismic activities hardly occur in the adjacent region in the near future.This monitoring technique can be used for early-warning prediction of the movement of active fault,and can help to further gain an insight into the interaction between fault activity and relevant mechanisms.

Open-circuit fault diagnosis and fault tolerance for shunt active power filter

The open-circuit fault of the power switches in shunt active power filter(SAPF) would exacerbate the harmonic pollution of power grid, and degrade the reliability of the devices and system. A fault diagnosis method is proposed based on reference model and an over-modulation strategy under hardware fault tolerance for SAPF. First, a mathematic model is established for SAPF. Second, the residuals are generated by comparing the outputs of reference model and those of actual model, and open-switch fault is detected and diagnosed by residual evaluation. After that, hardware fault tolerance is performed with the three-phase four-switch(TPFS) topology to isolate the faulty phase. Finally, the over-modulation strategy is proposed to increase the voltage transfer ratio of the TPFS topology. Simulation and experimental results verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Analyses of active faults, seismic activities and sea floor unstable factors of the Zhujiang River Mouth Basin and its adjacent areas

-On the basis of the data of geophysics and seismic activities, the analyses of the active faults, seismic activities and the sea floor unstable factors of the Zhujiang River Mouth Basin have been made so as to study the characteristics of the compressional subactive continental margin of Cathaysian system, arc littoral strongly active fracture zone, the division of seismic subzone and seismic zone of the continental margin of northern South China Sea, the potential focal area, and to analyze the regional stability. We consider that the Zhujiang River Mouth Basin belongs to a stable or a moderately stable region.

The neotectonic deformation and earthquake activity in Zhuanglang river active fault zone of Lanzhou

Lanzhou Institute of Seismology, China Seismological Bureau, Lanzhou 730000, China 2) Institute of Geology, China Seismological Bureau, Beijing 100029, China