Preliminary division of active block boundary in Chinese mainland based on recent vertical crustal movement

The characteristics of vertical crustal movement in Chinese mainland are studied, and the ideas and principles for dividing active blocks according to the map of recent vertical crustal deformation rate in China is proposed. As a result, Chinese mainland is divided into 2 first-grade blocks, the east and west block, 6 second-grade blocks, the Northeast China, North China, East China, Xizang (Tibet), Gansu-Qinghai-Xizang (Gan-Qing-Zang) and Xinjiang block, and 16 third-grade blocks. The boundaries of active blocks divided in this paper are generally consistent with the pattern of neotectonic movement with some local difference. It shows that the recent crustal activity in Chinese mainland inherits the neotectonic movement occurred since the Quaternary, while some new activity tendencies appear.

Elementary Research on Activity Behavior of the Crust in Funan-Huoqiu Area, Southern Border of the North China Active Block Region

The Funan-Huoqiu area is located in the border tectonic belt between the North China and South China active block regions. By means of seismological and geological surveys and synthetic analysis, evidences of tectonic deformation in lower intensity have been found in the area since Late Pleistocene, where small earthquakes are distributed linearly along the main faults, conjugate shear joints are developed in the Upper Pleistocene nearby the faults. In the south of the studied region, fissures with different lengths, widths and directions occurred successively in Gushi, Huoqiu, Funan and other places of the area, in the 1970’s, and the direction of the fissures is approximately consistent with that of the Feizhong fault and Wanglaorenji fault. The authors hold that the clustering of small earthquakes, the conjugate shear joints developed in the Upper Pleistocene, the crumpled deformation of materials on fault plane, and the development of modern surface fissures in the area all reflect that the energy in the crust was slowly released, and that the weak deformation took place in corresponding faults. There was only one destructive earthquake taking place in the area (the Jiangkouji {M_S43/4} earthquake). Altogather, there has been weak activity in the area since the Late Quaternary, and it is mainly shown as a creep-slip.

Research on the Dividing Method for Present-Day Regional Active Block

In this paper, a new idea that combines Quasi-Accurate Detection of gross errors (QUAD) with discontinuous deformation positive analysis, is brought forward to divide the regional active blocks. The method can improve the demarcation of active blocks for areas lacking with observation data and offer a new train of through for the complete study of the regional deformation of active blocks. In addition, using the Sichuan-Yunnan area as example, the practice process of the method is introduced briefly.

The Deformation of Active Tectonic Blocks on the Chinese Mainland and Its Relationship with Seismic Activity

Based on the hypothesis of the active tectonic blocks on the Chinese continent and its adjacent regions (both the method of the DDA on a spherical surface and the GPS survey results observed from 1991 to 2001 are used), the movements and deformations of each active tectonic block are calculated. The calculation results show that although the movements and deformations of active tectonic blocks in the eastern region and in the western region of China are different, active tectonic blocks in the same active tectonic block region are coherent. Then, the relative velocities of the active tectonic blocks’ boundary zones are calculated, and the relationship between current crustal motion and strong seismic activities is discussed. Earthquakes ( M S≥7 0) on the Chinese continent since 1988 all occurred on boundary zones of active tectonic blocks with high slipping speed.

Crustal block rotations in Chinese mainland revealed by GPS measurements

We simulate GPS horizontal velocity field in terms of rotations of crustal blocks to describe deformation behavior of the Chinese mainland and its neighboring areas. 31 crustal blocks are bounded primarily by -30 Quaternary faults with distinct geometries and variable long-term rates of 〈20 mm/a, and 1 683 GPS velocities were determined from decade-long observations mostly with an averaged uncertainty of 1-2 mm/a. We define GPS velocity at a site by the combination of motion of rigid block and elastic strain induced by the fault that is locking during a seismic cycle. Model velocities predicted from the preferable block model match well with the GPS velocities to an uncertainty of-l.7mm/a. The slip rates inferred from this model is in a range of 6-18 mm/a for the major faults in Tibet and its margins and 1-4 mm/a in eastern China, consistent with geological observations. Our numerical simulation suggests that the crustal blocks deform internally at a level of-10× 10^-9/a, quite small in comparison with significant deformation localized along fault zones of 50-100 km wide. We conclude that the pattern of continental deformation is not continuous-like but block-like, and the tenet of plate tectonics may be applicable to characterize the active deformation in Asia.

Basic Characteristics of Active Structures in Western Sichuan and Its Vicinity and Strong Earthquake Recurrence Model

Western Sichuan and its vicinity are located in the juncture of three big active blocks, namely, the Chuandian （Sichuan and Yunnan）, the Bayan Har and the South China blocks, on the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Xizang（Tibet） Plateau. Many groups of active faults that are capable of generating earthquakes are developed there. Because there exist lateral secondary active faults, the Chuandian block can be further divided into the central Yumlan and northwestern Sichuan sub-blocks; while the Longmenshan sub-block can be divided on the east end of the Bayan Har block. Joint exploration of deep crustal structure shows that there exist low-velocity and high-conductivity layers in the crust of the Chuandian and Bayan Har blocks, which are one of the important factors that make the upper crust prone to earthquake. The results of geological study and modern GPS observation show that blocks of different orders all have SE- or SSE-trending sliding, clockwise rotation and upwelling movement; but there are some differences in amplitude. This paper has also given the geological or GPS slip rates of main active fault zones and discussed the main scientific problems still existing now.

The Present Space-Time Motion and Deformation Features of the Northeastern Margin of the Qinghai-Xizang(Tibet) Block and Its Adjacent Area

On the basis of Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA), and considering the moderate intrusion of specific block boundaries to different extents, the first-order block motion model is established for the northeastern margin of Qinghai-Xizang(Tibet) block and the kinematical model for depicting deformation of small regions as well by using GPS observations of three periods (1991, 1999 and 2001). By simulating, we obtained the motion features of the first-order blocks between the large WWN faults on the sides of the studied region, the distribution features of the principal strain rate field and the inhomogeneous motion features with space-time of the faults in the northern boundary of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) block.

Research on the Characteristics of Large Earthquake Activity on the Active Tectonic Boundaries on the Chinese Mainland

Based on the research and the division of the active tectonic blocks and their boundaries on the Chinese mainland, the feature of the large earthquake activities on the 24 boundaries between the 6 active tectonic block regions (grade Ⅰ) and the 22 active tectonic blocks (grade Ⅱ) are studied. The seismicity levels on the active tectonic block boundaries are discussed considering the large earthquake frequency and the released strain energy in unit distance and time. The theoretic maximal magnitude and the recurrence period of each boundary are then calculated from the G-R relation. By comparing this with the actual earthquake records, it is found that the intensities of the earthquake deduced from the seismic activity parameter (a/b) on the main active boundaries on the Chinese mainland are consistent with that of the natural earthquakes. Meanwhile, an inverse relation is found between the recurrence periods of large earthquakes and the tectonic motion rate on the boundaries. These results show that the a, b values of each boundary obtained in this paper are valuable. In addition, the present seismic activities and hazards of these boundaries are also probed into with the historical data and their elapsed time on each boundary based on the hypothesis that the large earthquakes satisfy Poisson distribution.

Identification,characteristics and classification of cryogenic block streams

Cryogenic block streams consist of a stream of rocks superficially resembling a stream deposit but lacking a matrix, usually occurring on a valley or gully floor or on slopes that are less steep than the maximum angle of repose of coarse sediments. They are usually formed on perennially frozen ground, but can also occur as relict landforms. There are three main active kinds forming today, viz., Siberian and Tibetan dynamic rock streams and lag block streams. During their formation, the blocks in the active Siberian and Tibetan dynamic block streams move downslope at up to 1 rn/a. They are forming today on the Tibetan Plateau and in the more arid parts of south-central Siberia, although the processes involved in the movement are different. In the case of the Tibetan type, individual blocks slide downslope over the substrate in winter on an icy coating in areas of minimal winter precipitation. The Siberian type develops in areas of 15-80 cm of winter snow cover and an MAAT （mean annual air temperature） of-4 ~C to -17 ~C. The movement is due to creep of snow and ice and collapse of the blocks downslope during thawing. Lag block streams are formed by meltwater flowing over the surface of sediment consisting primarily of larger blocks with a limited amount of interstitial sediment. The erosion of the matrix is primarily in the spring in areas of higher winter precipitation on 10^-30~ slopes. The blocks remain stationary, but the interstitial sediment is washed out by strong seasonal flows of meltwater or rain to form an alluvial fan. The boulders undergo weathering and become more rounded in the process. Lag block streams can also develop without the presence of permafrost in areas with cold climates or glaciers. Block streams also occur as relict deposits in older deposits under various climatic regimes that are unsuitable for their formation today. An example of relict lag block streams with subangular to subrounded blocks occurs in gullies on the forested mountainsides at Felsen in Germany, and is the original ＂felsenmeer＂. Similar examples occur near Vitosha Mountain in Bulgaria. The ＂stone runs＂ in the Falkland Islands are examples of the more angular relict lag block streams. In both Tasmania and the Falkland Islands, they mask a more complex history, the underlying soils indicating periods of tropical and temperate soil formation resulting from weathering during and since the Tertiary Period. Block streams have also been reported from beneath cold-based glaciers in Sweden, and below till in Canada, and when ex- humed, can continue to develop.

Pharmacological evaluation of smooth muscle relaxant and cardiac-modulation potential of Phyla nodiflora in ex-vivo and in-vivo experiments

Objective: To investigate the pharmacological basis of its uses of Phyla nodiflora(P. nodiflora) for the treatment of anomalies predominantly by smooth muscle containing tissues such as gastrointestinal/vascular/broncho spasm and cardiovascular modulation.Methods: The crude hydroalcoholic extract of P. nodiflora(Pn.Cr) and its fractions were evaluated on isolated rabbit jejunum, rat trachea, aorta and atrium. To access the contractile or relaxant effects of testing materials, the tissues were mounted in isolated organ bath and responses were recorded with transducers coupled with data acquisition system.BALB/c mice were challenged with castor oil for the assessment of in-vivo antidiarrheal activity. Normotensive rats were used for in-vivo hypotensive study.Results: Hydroalcoholic extract of Pn.Cr at variable concentrations inhibited the natural spontaneous rhythm and 80 mmol/L K^+ mediated contractions in isolated segment of jejunum with EC_(50) values of 3.18 and 1.91 mg/mL respectively. Verapamil, a Ca^(2+) channel blocker, demonstrated akin pattern in jejunum and therefore possibly suggesting calcium blocking activity. On isolated rat tracheal tissue, Pn.Cr showed relaxation of high-K^+and carbachol mediated contractions(EC_(50) values: 1.24 and 2.42 mg/mL). Pn.Cr treatment relaxed the rat aortic ring in a cumulative doses with high-K^+ and phenylephrine-induced contractions(EC_(50) values 0.25 and 0.92 mg/mL). Activity based fractionation of Pn.Cr showed that dichloromethane fraction was more potent for relaxing the tissues spasm compared to aqueous fraction. In-vivo experiments, significant protection by Pn.Cr(P < 0.05) was observed in castor oil-induced diarrhea(50–500 mg/kg)whereas hypotensive effect in anesthetized rats was seen at the dose range of 1–10 mg/kg of Pn.Cr(P < 0.05).Conclusion: This study suggests the blockage of calcium channel in the smooth muscles as a pharmacological application to make usage of P. nodiflora in the management of diarrhea, asthma and hypotensive effect.

The seismicity research in the sub-regions of Chinese mainland using strain accumula-ting and releasing model

The sub-regions are divided for the seismicity of the Chinese mainland based on the hypothesis of the active crustal blocks and the division of the active boundaries. On this result, the seismicity of each active crustal blocks are studied by calculating the accumulated and released strain of the earthquakes based on strain accumulating and releasing model, and the different seismicity stages of the sub-regions are discussed basically. Finally we have discussed the premise of the model application and the potential problems of the model results.

Assessment of strong earthquake risk in the Chinese mainland from 2021 to 2030

The long-term earthquake prediction from 2021 to 2030 is carried out by researching the active tectonic block boundary zones in the Chinese mainland.Based on the strong earthquake recurrence model,the cumulative probability of each target fault in the next 10 years is given by the recurrence period and elapsed time of each fault,which are adopted from relevant studies such as seismological geology,geodesy,and historical earthquake records.Based on the long-term predictions of large earthquakes throughout the world,this paper proposes a comprehensive judgment scheme based on the fault segments with the seismic gap,motion strongly locked,sparse small-moderate earthquakes,and apparent Coulomb stress increase.This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the relative risk for strong earthquakes that may occur in the coming 10 years on the major faults in the active tectonic block boundary zones in the Chinese mainland.The present loading rate of each fault is first constrained by geodetic observations;the cumulative displacement of each fault is then estimated by the elapsed time since the most recent strong earthquake.

Bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced human dental pulp cell differentiation involves p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated canonical WNT pathway

Both bone morphogenetic protein 2（BMP2） and the wingless-type MMTV integration site（WNT）/p-catenin signalling pathway play important roles in odontoblast differentiation and dentinogenesis.Cross-talk between BMP2 and WNT/p-catenin in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation has been identified.However,the roles and mechanisms of the canonical WNT pathway in the regulation of BMP2 in dental pulp injury and repair remain largely unknown.Here,we demonstrate that BMP2 promotes the differentiation of human dental pulp cells（HDPCs） by activating WNT/p-catenin signalling,which is further mediated by p38mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） in vitro.BMP2 stimulation upregulated the expression of p-catenin in HDPCs,which was abolished by SB203580 but not by Noggin or LDN193189.Furthermore,BMP2 enhanced cell differentiation,which was not fully inhibited by Noggin or LDN193189.Instead,SB203580 partially blocked BMP2-induced p-catenin expression and cell differentiation.Taken together,these data suggest a possible mechanism by which the elevation of p-catenin resulting from BMP2 stimulation is mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway,which sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of BMP2-mediated pulp reparative dentin formation.

Magnetic constraints on the spatial distribution of seismic activity

The lithospheric magnetic field （LMF） in China and its surrounding are calculated using the spherical har- monic coefficients given by the NGDC-720 model. The LMF comes from the magnetization of minerals in the crust and in the uppermost mantle. It may, therefore, provide unique insight into lithospheric tectonic processes and mechanisms. Here, we study the geomagnetic manifesta- tion of active tectonic blocks, and find a close correlation between the LMF and seismicity. Many large faults are found to closely overlap with magnetic anomalies, or are distributed along the boundaries of magnetic anomalies. Earthquakes in these fault regions have occurred on the boundaries of magnetic anomalies, or in the transition zones between posilive and negative anomalies. We ana- lyze the components of the LMF, and the LMFs at different altitudes, finding that the vertical component, Bz at 200 kin, is the most related to seismic activity. Relevant physical mechanisms are also discussed. We propose that the stress or viscosity differences caused by temperature variations, which manifest in the LMF, may be the pre- dominant reason for the correlation between the LMF and seismic activity along large faults.

Relationship between Landslides and Active Normal Faulting in the Epicentral Area of the AD 1556 M～8.5 Huaxian Earthquake,SE Weihe Graben(Central China)

In this paper, we focus on the characteristics of the landslides developed in the epicentral area of AD 1556 M^8.5 Huaxian Earthquake, and discuss their relations to the active normal faults in the SE Weihe Graben, Central China. The results from analyzing high-resolution remote-sensing imagery and digital elevation models（DEMs）, in combination with field survey, demonstrate that：（i） the landslides observed in the study area range from small-scale debris/rock falls to large-scale rock avalanches;（ii） the landslides are mostly developed upon steep slopes of ≥30°; and（iii） the step-like normal-fault scarps along the range-fronts of the Huashan Mountains as well as the thick loess sediments in the Weinan area may facilitate the occurrence of large landslides. The results presented in this study would be helpful to assess the potential landslide hazards in densely-populated areas affected by active normal faulting.