Relationship between gravity change and Yangbi M_(S)6.4 earthquake

Based on the relative and absolute gravity measurements in the southern South-North Seismic Belt since 2015,we analyzed the dynamic change of the regional gravity field and its relationship with the Yangbi M_(S)6.4 earthquake that occurred on May 21,2021.The results show that:(1)The regional gravity field changes are closely related to the Weixi-Qiaohou fault,which reflects the surface gravity field changes caused by the fault activity from 2015 to 2021;(2)The gravity field change related to the preparation of Yangbi earthquake has experienced the evolution process of"steady state-regional gravity anomaly-local gravity anomaly-four-quadrant distribution-large area positive anomaly-earthquake occurring in the reverse change process";(3)The cumulative and differential change images of the gravity field show that there were significant gravity changes in the two years preceding the Yangbi earthquake,and the earthquake occurred in the high-gradient belt of gravity variation,the center of the four-quadrant,and close to the zero contour turn;(4)The dynamic evolution image of the gravity field can well reflect the precursory phenomena during the preparation for the Yangbi MS6.4 earthquake.Based on the anomaly change of mobile gravity,a certain degree of medium-term prediction was made before the Yangbi M_(S)6.4 earthquake,especially the determination of strong earthquake location.

Apparent stress as an indicator of stress meta-instability:The 2021 M_(S)6.4 Yangbi earthquake in Yunnan,China

Investigating spatiotemporal changes in crustal stress associated with major earthquakes has implications for understanding seismogenic processes.However,in individual earthquake cases,the characteristics of the stress after it reaches its maximum value are rarely discussed.In this study,we use the 2021 M_S6.4 Yangbi earthquake in Yunnan,China and events of magnitudes M_L≥3.0 occurred in the surrounding area in the previous 11 years to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of apparent stress.The results indicate that apparent stress began to increase in January 2015 and reached a maximum in January 2020.Apparent stress then remained at a high level until October 2020,after which it declined considerable.We suggest that the stress was in the accumulation stage from January 2015 to January 2020,and entered the meta-instability stage after October 2020.During the meta-instability stage,the zone of decreasing stress expanded continuously and the apparent stress increased around the Yangbi earthquake source region.These features are generally consistent with the results of laboratory rock stress experiments.We propose that apparent stress can be a good indicator for determining whether the stress at a specific location has entered the meta-instability stage and may become the epicenter of an impending strong earthquake.

Three-dimensional velocity structure around the focal area of the 2021 MS6.4 Yangbi earthquake

On May 21,2021,an MS6.4 earthquake occurred in Yangbi,Yunnan province,China,which exhibited typical foreshock-mainshock-aftershock characteristics.To better understand the velocity structure of the focal area and adjacent fault zones,Pg/Sg travel times at 12 seismic stations for the local earthquakes with ML≥1.5 from 2009-2019 and the Yangbi sequence in May of 2021 were used to invert the three-dimensional(3D)structures for both vP and v_(P)/v_(S).The obtained structure extends deeply to 15 km for area(25°N-26.5°N,99.5°E-101°E)at a horizontal resolution of 10×10 km,and the accuracy of the v_(P) velocity was verified using airgun signals excited by the Binchuan Airgun Transmitting Seismic Station(BATSS).The resulting v_(P) and v^(P)/v_(S) images correlate with existing fault zones and the Yangbi sequence,including:(1)The shallow velocity structure at 0 km agrees with local topography,where the Binchuan basin exhibits low-v_(P) and high-v_(P)/v_(S) values.From 3-15 km,v_(P) and v_(P)/v_(S) show variations,and the boundaries are consistent with the main faults(e.g.,the Weixi-Qiaohou-Weishan,Honghe,and Chenghai faults).(2)The largest foreshock(M_(S)5.6),main-shock(MS6.4),and largest aftershock(M_(S)5.2)occurred near the boundaries where both vP and v_(P)/v_(S) have clear contrasts.(3)Small earthquakes are also concentrated in the transition zone between high-and low-vP and v_(P)/v_(S) anomalies,and are biased toward low-v_(P)/v_(S) zones.(4)Boundaries in v_(P) and v_(P)/v_(S) are observed at 20 km west of the Weixi-Qiaohou-Weishan fault,indicating that there may exist one hidden fault.

2021年云南省漾濞Ms6.4地表二维形变分析

2021年5月21日云南省漾濞县西侧发生Ms6.4地震,造成较大人员伤亡和经济财产损失。采用D-InSAR技术对云南省漾濞的升降轨Sentinel-1A数据分别进行解算得到Ms6.4地震同震形变场。降轨结果显示在震中的东-南向有两个明显的隆升和沉降区域,雷达视线向最大沉降量为-7 cm,最大隆升量为8 cm。升轨结果显示雷达视线向最大沉降量为-7 cm,最大隆升量为7 cm。根据震源机制解和同震滑动分布模拟计算此次地震导致的周边断裂库仑应力变化情况,联合升降轨结果解算本次地震的垂直向和东-西向形变场,并分别分析形变场的形变方向和形变量级,可以为研究地震震源参数和同震滑动模型精细化反演提供更可靠的约束条件。

Comparison of the earthquake detection abilities of PhaseNet and EQTransformer with the Yangbi and Maduo earthquakes

PhaseNet and EQTransformer are two state-of-the-art earthquake detection methods that have been increasingly applied worldwide.To evaluate the generaliz-ation ability of the two models and provide insights for the development of new models,this study took the sequences of the Yunnan Yangbi M6.4 earthquake and Qinghai Maduo M7.4 earthquake as examples to compare the earthquake detection effects of the two abovementioned models as well as their abilities to process dense seismic sequences.It has been demonstrated from the corresponding research that due to the differences in seismic waveforms found in different geographical regions,the picking performance is reduced when the two models are applied directly to the detection of the Yangbi and Maduo earthquakes.PhaseNet has a higher recall than EQTransformer,but the recall of both models is reduced by 13%-56%when compared with the results rep-orted in the original papers.The analysis results indicate that neural networks with deeper layers and complex structures may not necessarily enhance earthquake detection perfor-mance.In designing earthquake detection models,attention should be paid to not only the balance of depth,width,and architecture but also to the quality and quantity of the training datasets.In addition,noise datasets should be incorporated during training.According to the continuous waveforms detected 21 days before the Yangbi and Maduo earthquakes,the Yangbi earthquake exhibited foreshock,while the Maduo earthquake showed no foreshock activity,indicating that the two earthquakes’nucleation processes were different.

A high-resolution seismic catalog for the 2021 M_(S)6.4/M_(W)6.1 Yangbi earthquake sequence, Yunnan, China: Application of AI picker and matched filter

We present a high-resolution seismic catalog for the 2021 M_(S)6.4/M_(W)6.1 Yangbi sequence.The catalog has a time range of 2021-05-01 to 2021-05-28,and contains~8,000 well located events.It captures the features of the whole foreshock sequence and the early aftershocks.We designed a detection strategy incorporating both an artificial intelligent(AI)picker and a matched filter algorithm.Here,we adopt a hybrid AI method incorporating convolutional and recurrent neural network(CNN&RNN)for event detection and phase picking respectively(i.e.CERP),a light-weight AI picker that can be trained with small volume of data.CERP is first trained with detections from a STA/LTA and Kurtosis-based method called PAL,and then construct a rather complete template set of~4,000 events.Finally,the matched filter algorithm MESS augments the initial detections and measures differential travel times with cross-correlation,which finally results in precise relocation.This process gives 9,026 detections,among which 7,943 events can be well relocated.The catalog shows as expected power-law distribution of frequency magnitude and reveals detailed pattern of seismicity evolution.The main features are:(1)the foreshock sequence images simple fault geometry with consistent strike,but also show a variable event depth along strike;(2)the mainshock ruptures the same fault of the foreshock sequence and activate conjugate faults further to the southeast;(3)complex seismicity are developed in the post-seismic period,indicating complex triggering mechanisms.Thus,our catalog provides a reliable basis for further investigations,such as b-value studies,rupture process,and triggering relations.

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.

A preliminary report of the Yangbi, Yunnan, M_(S)6.4 earthquake of May 21, 2021

According to the reports of China Earthquake Networks Center,an Ms6.4 earthquake occurred in Yangbi City,Dali Prefecture,Yun-nan Province,on May 21,2021;the epicenter was located at 25.67°N and 99.87°E with a focal depth of 8 km.Within 5 km from the epicenter the average elevation is 2268 m.

Gravity variations before the Menyuan Ms6.4 earthquake

In order to study the relationship between gravity variation and Menyuan Ms6.4 earth- quake, gravity variation characteristics in mid-eastern of Qilian Mountain were analyzed based on the 2012-2015 relative gravity datasets. The results indicated that the gravity changes in mid-eastern of Qilian Mountain increased gradually, while gravity changes around Menyuan remarkably. Besides, great positive-negative gravity changing gradients appeared along the Lengiongling Fault which was located at the north of Menyuan, and the 2016 Menyuan Ms6.4 earthquake occurred near the junction of positive and negative gravity changes.

Three-dimensional crustal P-wave velocity structure in the Yangbi and Eryuan earthquake regions, Yunnan, China

A magnitude 5.5 earthquakes occurred in Eryuan County,Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture,Yunnan Province,China,on March 3.And a magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred in the same place on April 17,2013,i.e.,45 days later.Then,on May 21,2021,multiple earthquakes,one with magnitude 6.4 and several at 5.0 or above,occurred in Yangbi County,Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture,Yunnan Province,China.All of these occurred in the Weixi-QiaohouWeishan fault zone.In this study,1,874 seismic events in Yangbi and Eryuan counties were identified by automatic micro-seismic identification technology and the first arrivals were picked up manually.Following this,a total of 11,968 direct P-wave absolute arrivals and 73,987 high-quality Pwave relative arrivals were collected for joint inversion via the double difference tomography method.This was done to obtain the regional three-dimensional fine crustal P-wave velocity structure.The results show that the travel time residuals before and after inversion decreased from the initial–0.1–0.1 s to–0.06–0.06 s.The upper crust in the study area,which exhibited a low-velocity anomaly,corresponded to the basin region;this indicated that the low-velocity anomaly in the shallow part of the study area was affected by the basin.Results also showed some correlation between the distribution of the earthquakes and velocity structure,as there was a lowvelocity body Lv1 with a wide distribution at depths ranging from 15–20 km in the Yangbi and Eryuan earthquake regions.In addition,earthquakes occurred predominantly in the highlow velocity abnormal transition zone.The low-velocity body in the middle and lower crust may be prone to concentrating upper crustal stress,thus leading to the occurrence of earthquakes.

Gravity changes and crustal deformations before the Menyuan,Qinghai Ms6.4 earthquake of 2016

In this study, the relative gravity data(2012 e2015), GPS data-derived horizontal deformation(2011 e2014) and the background vertical deformation from the leveling measurements(1970 e2011) in the northeastern margin of Tibetan Plateau were processed to systematically analysis the mechanism of temporalespatial patterns and the relationship with Menyuan Ms6.4 earthquake. It can be summarized in the following: 1) The regional gravity changes, the GPS and the vertical deformational showed an intense spatial relationship: the gravity increased along with the direction of horizontal movement, and decreased with the crustal uplift and vice versa, which reflected the inherited characteristics of geotectonic activities. 2) The crustal deformations were closely related to the active faults. The contour lines of gravity changes and vertical deformation were generally along with the Qilian-Haiyuan fault(strike is NWW), and the crustal horizontal deformation showed left-lateral strike slip motion near the Qilian-Haiyuan fault. 3) Menyuan Ms6.4 earthquake occurred in the high negative gravity variation area and a high gradient formed in regions, positive and negative variation of gravity amount to 110 m Gal.Specifically, a borderline of positive and negative gravity located in the south of epicenter along the north edge of Qilianshan fault and Lenglongling fault, as well as the vertical and/or horizontal deformation is intensely. The extrusion deformation, surface compression rate and gravity changes were obvious near the epicenter of 2016 Menyuan Earthquake.

Characteristics of ground cracks caused by the M_(S) 6.4 Yangbi earthquake and the corresponding tectonic significance

An M_(S)6.4 earthquake occurred near Yangbi County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, at 21:48on May 21, 2021. The earthquake location is characterized by complex geological structures, with multiple active faults distributed around the epicenter that is located at the west edge of the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block(25.67°N, 99.87°E). A total of 42 ground cracks are found by earthquake field investigations. The cracks are mainly concentrated in the Ⅷ degree area on the west side of the Yangbi River. Among these, 9 coseismic tectonic ground cracks generated by shear fractures are found in three villages(i.e., Akechang, Meijia-Lijia, and Huajiazhuang), which are distributed along the strike of the northwest-trending linear folds, showing the tectonic characteristics of right-lateral tension or left-stepping cracks. The structural attribute of ground cracks sustains the kinematic properties of the Weixi-Qiaohou fault, namely right-lateral strike-slip.

Representative value of cross-fault in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet block and case analysis of the 2016 Menyuan Ms6.4 earthquake

The equation for determining cross-fault representative value is calculated based on hanging wall and foot wall reference level surfaces. The cross-fault data reliability are analyzed base on the stability of reference datum and observation points, thereby facili- tating plotting of the representative value curves after removing interference. The spatial and temporal characteristics of fault deformation abnormalities before the 2016 Menyuan Ms6.4 earthquake, as well as the fault-movement characteristics reflected by representa- tive value, are summarized. The results show that many site trends had changed 1-3 years before the Menyuan Ms6.4 earthquake in the Qilian Fault, reflecting certain background abnormalities. The short-term abnormalities centrally had appeared in the 6 months to 1 year period before the earthquake near and in the neighborhood of the source region, demonstrating a significantly increased number of short-term abnormalities. Many sites near and in the neighborhood of the source region had strengthened inverse activities or had changed from positive to inverse activities in the most recent 2-3 years, which reflect stress-field enhancements or adjustment features.

2021年5月云南漾濞MS6.4地震序列发震构造及破裂过程初探

北京时间2021年5月21日21时48分36秒,云南省大理州漾濞县发生MS6.4地震。利用云南数字地震台网2021年5月18日至8月22日的震相报告,采用双差地震定位法,对漾濞MS6.4地震序列进行重新定位。重新定位结果显示序列呈NW向优势分布,破裂长约20 km,宽约7 km,对重新定位结果进行误差分析,水平方向定位误差约为0.8 km,垂直方向定位误差约为1.0 km,定位结果具有较好的稳定性。依据震中分布的走向将序列划分为NW向的主断层与NNW向的分支断层,主断层存在较为明显的分段现象,分支断层呈雁列状分布。根据小震丛集性发生在大震断层面及其附近的原则,利用重新定位后的小震震源位置反演得到漾濞MS6.4序列主断层走向约320°,倾角约89°,深度范围3~13 km。根据拟合得到的断层在地表的投影位置,推测本次地震的发震断层为维西-乔后断裂西侧的草坪断裂。基于断层滑动量分布识别出3个凹凸体,结合序列时空演化特征,分析了漾濞MS6.4地震序列的破裂过程,结果显示断层中段的凹凸体发生初始破裂,触发相邻的凹凸体发生主震,随后破裂沿断层走向传播,最终导致相邻的数个凹凸体全部发生破裂。

Spatiotemporal evolution of the 2021 M_(S)6.4 Yangbi earthquake sequence

Based on the seismic phase reports of the Yangbi area from January 1 to June 25,2021,and the waveform data of M≥4 earthquakes,we obtained the relocation results and focal mechanism solutions of the M_(S)6.4 Yangbi earthquake sequence using the HypoDD and CAP methods.Based on our results,our main conclusions are as follows:(1)the M_(S)6.4 Yangbi earthquake sequence is a typical foreshock-mainshock-aftershock sequence.The fore-shocks of the first two stages have the obvious fronts of migration and their migration rate increased gradually.There was no apparent front of migration during the third stage,and the occurrence of the mainshock was related to stress triggering from a M5.3 foreshock.We tentatively speculate that the rupture pattern of the Yangbi earthquake sequence conforms to the cascading-rupture model;and(2)the main fault of the M_(S)6.4 Yangbi earthquake sequence is a NW-trending right-lateral strike-slip fault.As time progressed,a minor conjugate aftershock belt formed at the northwest end of this fault,and a dendritic branching structure emerged in the southern fault segment,showing a complex seismogenic fault structure.We suggested that the fault of the Yangbi earthquake sequence may be a young sub-fault of the Weixi-Weishan fault.

Performance of the Yangbi M_(S)6.4 earthquake disaster in different geomorphic units in Yunnan

An M_(S)6.4 earthquake occurred in Yangbi,Yunnan province,on May 21,2021.According to related investigations,the macro-epicenter of the earthquake is 6 km northwest of Yangbi County,and the seismogenic structure is the NW-trending Weixi-Qiaohou fault.The earthquake area is located in the hinterland of the Hengduan Mountains in the northwest of Yunnan Province,a region dominated by high and medium-high mountains,with deep canyons and tectonic basins in between.Various geomorphic features are derived from drastic topographic changes and huge geological differences in the earthquake area.There are a variety of buildings in the earthquake-affected zone,including civil and brick-wood structures ones with weak seismic performance,as well as brick-concrete and frame ones with better seismic performance.This paper summarizes and analyzes different characteristics of the earthquake in different geomorphic units through field investigations of different buildings and geological disasters in the affected area.The results show that under the same earthquake intensity,the damage to most buildings(located in slope areas or rooted in weak strata)is amplified by the earthquake.The earthquake has exerted an obvious propagation effect along the direction of the seismogenic structure.Moreover,local ground fissures will aggravate the damage to the buildings even without surface dislocation.Thus,we suggest that attention should be paid to the ground fissures caused by the slope effect.The fissure areas may also be the disaster spot of collapses and landslides in case of a high-magnitude earthquake.

Temporal evolution of the focal mechanism consistency of the 2021 Yangbi M_(S) 6.4 earthquake sequence in Yunnan

Using the Cut And Paste(CAP)method,we invert the focal mechanism of 38 moderate earthquakes(M_(S)≥3.0)recorded by Yunnan seismic network and analyze the corresponding focal mechanism consistency based on the minimum spatial rotation angle.Our results indicate that the M_(S)6.4 mainshock is induced by a lateral strike slip fault(with a rake angle of~-165°)and a little normal-faulting component event along a nearly vertical plane(dipping angle~79° and strike~138°).Combining our results with high resolution catalog,we argue that the seismogenic fault of this earthquake sequence is a secondary fault western to the major Weixi-Qiaohou-Weishan fault.The focal mechanism evolution can be divided into three periods.During the first period,the foreshock sequence,the focal mechanism consistency is the highest(KA<36°);during the second period which is shortly after the mainshock,the focal mechanism shows strong variation with KA ranging from 8° to 110°;during the third period,the seismicity becomes weak and the focal mechanism of the earthquakes becomes more consistent than the second period(18°<KA<73°).We suggest that the KA,to some extent,represents the coherence between local tectonic stress regime and the stress state of each individual earthquake.Furthermore,high focal mechanism consistency and high linearity of seismic distribution may serve as indicators for the identification of foreshock sequence.

An accessible seismological dataset of 2021 Yangbi M_(S)6.4 earthquake

A M_(S)6.4 earthquake occurred on 21 May 2021 in Yangbi county,Dali prefecture,Yunnan,China,at 21:48 Beijing Time(13:48 UTC).Earthquakes with an M3.0 or higher occurred before and after the main shock.Seismic data analysis is essential for the in-depth investigation of the 2021 Yangbi M_(S)6.4 earthquake sequence and the seismotectonics of northwestern Yunnan.Institute of Geophysics,China Earthquake Administration(CEA),has compiled a dataset of seismological observations from 157 broadband stations located within 500 km of the epicenter,and has made this dataset available to the earthquake science research community.The dataset(total file size:329 GB)consists of event waveforms with a sampling frequency of 100 sps collected from 18 to 28 May 2021,20-Hz and 100-Hz continuous waveforms collected from 12 to 31 May 2021,and seismic instrument response files.To promote data sharing,the dataset also includes the seismic event waveforms from 20 to 22 May 2021 recorded at 50 stations of the ongoing Binchuan Active Source Geophysical Observation Project,for which the data protection period has not expired.Sample waveforms of the main shock are included in the appendix of this article and can be downloaded from the Earthquake Science website.The event and continuous waveforms are available from the Earthquake Science Data Center website(www.esdc.ac.cn)on application.

Field source characteristic of gravity variation in Hexi region before Menyuan Ms6.4 earthquake based on the Euler deconvolution

This study adopted the Euler deconvolution method to conduct an inversion and interpretation of the depth and spatial distribution pattern of field source that lead to gravity variation. For this purpose, mobile gravity data from four periods in the Hexi region between 2011 and 2015 were obtained from an observation network. With a newly established theoretical model, we acquired the optimum inversion parameters and conducted calculation and analysis with the actual data. The results indicate that one is the appropriate value of the structure index for the inversion of the mobile gravity data. The inversion results of the actual data showed a comparable spatial distribution of the field source and a consistent structural trend with observations from the Qilian-Haiyuan Fault zone between 2011 and 2015. The distribution was in a blocking state at the epicenter of the Menyuan earthquake in 2016. Our quantitative study of the field source provides new insights into the inversion and interpretation of signals of mobile gravity variation.

Seismogenic structure of the 2016 Ms6.4 Menyuan earthquake and its effect on the Tianzhu seismic gap

On January 21, 2016, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of Ms6.4 occurred at Menyuan, Qinghai Province of China. In almost the same region, there was another strong earthquake happened in 1986, with similar magnitude and focal mechanism. Based on comprehensive analysis of regional active faults, focal mechanism solutions, precise locations of aftershocks, as well as GPS crustal deformation, we inferred that the Lenglongiing active fault dips NE rather than SW as suggested by previous studies. Considering the facts that the 2016 and i986 Ms6.4 Menyuan earthquakes are closely located with similar focal mechanisms, both of the quakes are on the north side of the Lenglongling Fault and adjacent to the fault, and the fault is dipping NE direction, we suggest that the fault should be the seismogenic structure of the two events. The Lenglongling Fault, as the western segment of the well-known Tianzhu seismic gap in the Qilian-Haiyuan active fault system, is in a relatively active state with frequent earthquakes in recent years, implying a high level of strain accumulation and a high potential of major event. It is also possible that the Lengiongiing Fault and its adjacent fault, the Jinqianghe Fault in the Tianzhu seismic gap, are rupturing simultaneously in the future.