3-D finite element modeling for evolution of stress field and interaction among strong earthquakes in Sichuan-Yunnan region

Based on the latest achievement about activities of geological structure, a 3-D finite-element model containing four layers of upper crust, lower crust (two layers) and upper mantle is established in the paper. By repeated tests and revisions, the boundary conditions of the model are determined. And then the background stress field, the stress field caused by fault creep and the stress field triggered by strong earthquake in Sichuan-Yunnan region, as well as their dynamic variations are calculated. The results indicate that the latter earthquake often occurs in the area with positive Coulomb rupture stress change associated with the former one, the former earthquake has a triggering effect on the latter one to a certain extent, and strong earthquake often occur in groups under the background of high stress, which is of great significance for distinguishing seismic anomalies, as well as for improving the level of earthquake prediction.

Stress-induced intestinal necrosis resulting from severe trauma of an earthquake

AIM:To investigate the possible reasons and suggest therapeutic plan of stress-induced intestinal necrosis resulting from the severe trauma.METHODS:Three patients in our study were trapped inside collapsed structures for 22,21 and 37 h,respectively,The patients underwent 3-4 operations after sustaining their injuries,Mechanical ventilation,intermittent hemodialysis and other treatments were also provided.The patients showed signs of peritoneal irritation on postoperative days 10-38.Small intestinal necrosis was confirmed by emergency laparotomy,and for each patient,part of the small bowel was removed.RESULTS:Two patients who all performed 3 operations died of respiratory complications on the first and second postoperative days respectively.The third patient who performed 4 operations was discharged and made a full recovery.Three patients had the following common characteristics:(1) Multiple severe trauma events with no direct penetrating gastrointestinal injury;(2) Multiple surgeries with impaired renal function and intermittent hemodialysis treatment;(3) Progressive abdominal pain and tenderness,and peritoneal irritation was present on post-traumatic days 10-38;(4) Abdominal operations confirmed segment ulcer,necrosis of the small intestine,hyperplasia and stiffness of the intestinal wall;and(5) Pathological examinations suggested submucosal hemorrhage,necrosis,fibrosis and hyalinization of the vascular wall.Pathological examinations of all 3 patients suggested intestinal necrosis with fistulas.CONCLUSION:Intestinal necrosis is strongly associated with stress from trauma and post-traumatic complications;timely exploratory laparotomy maybe an effective method for preventing and treating stressinduced intestinal necrosis.

The environment shear stress field for the 1976 Tangshan earthquake sequence

The environment shear stress of Tangshan main earthquake and 38 great aftershocks have been calculated by the acceleration data of Tangshan earthquake sequence. The environment shear stress for 52 smaller aftershocks from July of 1982 to July of 1984 have also been calculated by use of the digital data of the Sino-American cooperation recorded by the instrumental arrays in Tangshan. The results represent that the environment shear stress τ0 values have a weak dependence on the seismic moment, only the small and moderate earthquakes will be able to occur in the region with smaller τ0 value and the large earthquakes are only in the region with greater τ0 value. The peak acceleration, velocity and displacement will be larger for the earthquakes occurred in the region with greater τ0 value, Therefore, the measurement of environment shear stress τ0 value for the significant region will play an important role in earthquske prediction and engineering shock-proof. The environment shear stress values for the great aftershocks occurred in the two ends of the main fault are often higher than that for the main shock. This case may represent the stress concentration in the two ends of the fault. This phenomenon provides the references for the place where the great aftershock will occur.

The Study on Apparent Stress before and after the Minxian M_S6.6 Earthquake on July 22,2013

Based on the waveform data observed by the regional seismic network of Gansu Province,we calculated the apparent stress of 422 earthquakes with M_L≥ 2. 0 occurring in the surrounding area of the Minxian earthquake from January 2010 to July 2014 and obtained the temporal and spatial variation of apparent stress before and after the Minxian earthquake. Results show that( 1) the high value of apparent stress of earthquakes with M_L≥4. 0 was concentrated in the epicenter area before the Minxian earthquake while that of earthquakes with M_L< 4. 0 was not;( 2) Apparent stress around the epicenter area showed an obvious increasing process before the Minxian earthquake and the increasing process has continued after the main shock,which means that this study area is still in the danger of strong earthquakes.

Research on Stress Drops and the Focal Mechanisms of the Xinyuan- Hejing ML6.8 Earthquake Sequences

Based on the digital waveform data recorded by Xinjiang Digital Seismic Network for the Xinyuan-Hejing M_L6.8 earthquake sequences of June 30,2012,this paper analyzes the stress drops of earthquake sequences and the correlation coefficients of focal mechanisms significant for strong aftershocks.Firstly,the source parameters of the Xinyuan-Hejing M_L6.8 earthquake sequences are obtained by applying the spectrum analysis and the Brunes source model.Then,the correlation coefficients of spectral amplitudes are calculated using the low-frequency spectral amplitude recorded by the same station for the different events.Finally,based on the results of the correlation coefficients of spectral amplitudes,the events with similar focal mechanisms are grouped using the clustering method.The results show that:(1)The stress drop values show a steady trend in the aftershock sequence calm period and the stress drop values show a rise-fall in strong aftershocks.(2)The moving average correlation coefficient of amplitude spectrum begins to spread after the main shock.It shows that the correlation decreases between the main shock and the aftershocks in mechanisms.(3)The results of focal mechanism groups show that the earthquake sequences are mainly strike slips.The stress distribution of the main pressure axis is nearly NS,which is the same as the structural stress field.(4)The magnitude and mechanism show that there is an agreement before the strong aftershock,which shows that the regional stress field is enhanced.

Tectonic Stress Analysis of Future Large Earthquake Zones along the Bayan Har Block Boundary,Tibet Plateau

The Bayan Har block is mainly bounded by the east Kunlun fault zone to the north, Garze-Yushu -Xianshuihe fault zone to the south and Longmenshan fault zone to the east （Fig. 1）. In the past 20 years, large earthquakes have occurred frequently along this block＇s boundaries, which has received much attention among geoscientists. Whether large earthquakes will happen （and where） along this block＇s boundary faults in the future are two key problems that need to be addressed. This study calculates the accumulated tectonic stress and superposition of the coulomb stress caused by fault slip of 16 large earthquakes since 1904, and evaluates the possible locations of future earthquakes that may occur around this block.

Research on Frequency of the Aftershock Sequence of the Wenchuan Earthquake Based on Coseismic Coulomb Stress Change

By the aftershock frequency estimation method based on the calculation of coseismic static Coulomb stress changes and rate-and state-dependent fault constitutive law,we calculate the frequency of "direct "aftershocks of the Wenchuan earthquake related to coseismic static Coulomb stress changes in its aftershock zone and the areas nearby.It shows that the frequency is significantly lower than the truth in the main rupture zone,especially in the southern rupture zone,due to the decrease of stress level on the rupture plane of the main shock resulting from coseismic Coulomb stress change.The study also shows that the effect of the Coulomb stress change on the duration of aftershock activity is associated with the lower limit magnitude.The duration is about 15-16 months for aftershocks above ML4.0,and close to 60 months for aftershocks above ML3.5.In this period,the ratio of the"direct"aftershocks caused by coseismic Coulomb stress change ranges between 44.7% to48.6%,which suggests that,even in the "effective"period of coseismic Coulomb stress changes,about half of the aftershocks on the main shock rupture plane are independent of coseismic Coulomb stress changes.It is pointed out that those aftershocks may be related to the afterslip or the viscoelastic relaxation,which are time dependent cases.

Apparent Stress Changes of the 2010 Luanxian Earthquake Sequence

On March 6,2010,an earthquake of M L4. 5 took place in Luanxian,Hebei Province,with plenty of foreshocks and aftershocks. From December 2009 to March 2010,a series of M L≥ 2. 5 earthquakes were recorded by the digital seismic network of the capital region,which were selected to calculate the apparent stress in this region. The results show that,firstly,a high value anomaly of apparent stress appeared before the M L4. 5 and peak value appeared on the main shock, which then decreased after the ML4. 5 earthquake. The apparent stress of the main shock is much greater than that of most aftershocks,the sequence type is considered as a main shock-aftershock. Secondly,the size of apparent stress perfectly reflects the state of the stress field in the hypocenter region,and we can discuss seismic sequence properties through the changing process of apparent stress,in combination with the traditional methods to identify a sequence more accurately. Finally,in the case of magnitude less than or equal to M L3. 3,correlation between magnitude and apparent stress is positive.

The space and time distribution characteristics of the shear stress field for the sequence of the Wuding earthquake

Follow Chen and Duda's model of spectral fall-off of ω~3, the dependence of peak parameters of ground motion, peak displacement d_m, peak velocity vin and peak acceleration a_m, upon the environment stress τ_o-values are studied using near source seismic digital recordings for the sequence of the Wuding, Yunnan, M = 6.5 earthquake, in which, as a new thought, the peak parameters are assumed to be related to the medium Q-value. Three formulae for estimating the environment stress τ_o-values by the peak parameters of three types of ground motions are derived. Using these formulae, the environment stress τ_o-values are calculated for the sequence of the Wuding earthquake. The result show that τ_o-values calculated by the three formulae are constant largely, the averages of τ_o are in the range of 5.0-35 MPa for most earthquakes. It belongs to the high-stress earthquakes sequence: the high-stress values are restricted to the relatively small area closely near to the epicenter of the main shock. The fine distribu tion structure for the contours of the environment stress τ_o-values is related closely to the strong aftershocks. The analysis of spatial and temporal feature of To-values suggests that the earthquakes sequence in a rupture process generated at the specific intersection zone of seismo-tectonics under high-stress background.

Regional seismicity triggered by the M_s=7.8 Tangshan event on July 28, 1976 and the stati cstress field change

We studied the seismicity before and after the M_s=7.8 Tangshan event on July 28, 1976 (39°28'N, 1 18° 11'E) and the results show that in 3 regions outside of the source zone, seismicity rate increasing were observed, which was significant in 0.99 significance level using Z-statistic test and was proposed to be triggered by the M_s=7.8 Tangshan earthquake. The magnitude of the greatest triggered event was 5.5. The epicenter distances of these earthquakes were several ten kilometers to 300 km. The static stress change △CFS of Coulomb failure was calculated using an elastic dislocation model in half space and the △CFS on the major rupture directions in these three regions were positive.

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.

Fracture characteristics of the 1997 Jiashi,Xinjiang, China, earthquake swarm inferred from source spectra

Broadband P and S waves source spectra of 12 M_s≥5.0 earthquakes of the 1997 Jiashi, Xinjiang, China. earthquake swarm recorded at 13 GDSN stations have been analyzed. Rupture size and static stress drop of these earthquakes have been estimated through measuring the corner frequency of the source spectra. Direction of rupture propaga- tion of the earthquake faulting has also been inferred from the azimuthal variation of the comer frequency. The main results are as follows: ① The rupture size of M_s≥6.0 strong earthquakes is in the range of 10~20 km, while that of Ms_=5.0~5.5 earthquakes is 6~10 km. ② The static stress drop of the swarm earthquakes is rather low, being of the order of 0.1 MPa. This implies that the deformation release rate in the source region may be low. ③ Stress drop of the earthquakes appears to be proportional to their seismic moment, and also to be dependent on their focal mechanism. The stress drop of normal faulting earthquakes is usually lower than that of strike-slip type earth quakes. ④ For each M_s≥6.0 earthquake there exists an apparent azimuthal variation of the comer frequencies. Azimuthally variation pattern of comer frequencies of different earthquakes shows that the source rupture pattern of the Jiashi earthquake swarm is complex and no uniform rupture expanding direction exists.

Moment tensor inversion for focal mechanism of the Beibuwan earthquakes

Two earthquakes of Ms=6.0 and Ms=6. 1 consecutively occurred on December 31, 1994 and January 10, 1995 in Beibuwan region, China. By using the generalized reflection-transmission coefficient matrix and the discrete slowness integration method in the calculation of Green's functions, we obtained the focal mechanisms of these earthquakes using long-period waveforms of regional body waves recorded by the China Digital Seismograph Network (CDSN) by means of moment tensor inversion method in frequency domain. The results inverted indicate that the focal mechanisms of these two earthquakes were similar to each other. Their principal compressional stresses are in NW-SE direction and principal tensional stresses are in NE-SW direction. It turns out that the occurrence of the two earthquakes was controlled by the same tectonic environment related to the collision of the Philippine Plate and the Eurasian Plates. On the other hand, the results imply that the stress field in the seismogenic region has a significant change after the Ms=6.0 earthquake. It may be proposed that the occurrence of the Ms=6. 1 earthquake could be related to the stress field adjustment caused by the Ms=6.0 earthquake.

The Kangding earthquake swarm of November, 2014

There was an earthquake swarm of two major events of MS6.3 and MS5.8 on the Xianshuihe fault in November, 2014. The two major earthquakes are both strike-slip events with aftershock zone along NW direction.We have analyzed the characteristics of this earthquake sequence. The b value and the h value show the significant variations in different periods before and after the MS5.8earthquake. Based on the data of historical earthquakes, we also illustrated the moderate-strong seismic activity on the Xianshuihe fault. The Kangding earthquake swarm manifests the seismic activity on Xianshuihe fault may be in the late seismic active period. The occurrence of the Kangding earthquake may be an adjustment of the strong earthquakes on the Xianshuihe fault. The Coulomb failure stress changes caused by the historical earthquakes were also given in this article. The results indicate that the earthquake swarm was encouraged by the historical earthquakes since1893, especially by the MS7.5 Kangding earthquake in1955. The Coulomb failure stress changes also shows the subsequent MS5.8 earthquake was triggered by the MS6.3earthquake.

Quantitative analysis of the Nepal earthquake on 25 April, 2015 in the perspective of future earthquake hazard

The earthquake that occurred in Nepal on 25 April, 2015 was followed by about 256 aftershocks which continued for another 20-25 days. The Coulomb stress change due to the main shock has been estimated at depths 10 km, 15 km and 22 km which justify the occurrence of about 218 aftershocks of magnitudes 4 to 5 mostly at 10 km depth and the rest of magnitudes 5 to 7.3 mostly at 15-30 km depth. The western, southern and northern fringes of the fault plane that slipped on 25 April, 2015 show a high value of positive Coulomb stress change estimated at the above mentioned depths and yet these parts of the fault remained devoid of any aftershock epicentre and therefore must be treated as seats for possible future events. Co-seismic displacement of 5 GPS stations located in Nepal after the devastating earthquake of MwZ8 on 25 April, 2015 and its largest aftershock of MwZ3 on 12 May, 2015 have been separately estimated and analysed.

Effects of the February 12,2014 M_S 7.3 Yutian Earthquake on Seismicity of the Northeastern Edge of Qinghai-Tibetan Block

First of all,using the GPS velocity field from campaign GPS measurements implemented by CMONC( C hina Crustal Movement Observation) a nd TEONC( C hina Tectonic Environment Observation Networks) u p to 2013, w e analyzed the background of regional crustal horizontal movement and deformation before the M S7. 3 Yutian,Xinjiang earthquake on February 12,2014. Then,by comparing this to the vertical movement from leveling measurements,we studied the crustal movement deformation and the state of strain accumulation on the northeastern edge of Qinghai-Tibetan block.Finally,we investigated the possible effects on the earthquake activity of the northeastern edge of Tibet from the M S7. 3 Yutian earthquake. The result indicates that,the M S7. 3Yutian earthquake occurred against the background of strong tectonic movement and intensive intracontinental crustal differential movement on the edges of tectonic blocks in western China,and also that it happened in the period of the strong tectonic stress field in Qinghai-Tibetan block and its edges. The sinistral strike-slip and stress transfer of the Yutian M S7. 3 earthquake may accelerate the rupture of fault segments with high strain accumulation at the northeastern edge of Qinghai-Tibetan block( especially in Qilian Mountain fault zone,and border area of Gansu,Qinghai and Sichuan provinces on the south of western Qinling).

Research of Source Parameters of the Yutian Ms7.3 Earthquake in Xinjiang on February 12, 2014

The Ms7. 3 earthquake occurred in Yutian, Xinjiang on February 12, 2014. Based on seismic waveform data before the earthquake and aftershocks of the earthquake sequence, which were recorded by the Xinjiang Regional Digital Seismic Network, this paper corrected instrument response, propagation path and site response of the S-wave recording spectra. We then calculated with genetic algorithms, on the basis of the Brune model, the source parameters of the 102 M, ≥ 3. 0 Yutian earthquake sequence, seismic moment, apparent stress and corner frequency. The results show that, seismic moment of the earthquake sequence is between 3. 46 × 10^11 -2. 08×10^15N.m, apparent stress is between 1.48 × 10^5 -1.16 ×10^6Pa, mean stress level is 0. 31MPa, and corner frequency is between 1.4-7. 1Hz in the range of 3. 0 -5. 0. By analyzing the apparent stress and corner frequency variation with time, we obtain that apparent stress of earthquakes before the Yutian Ms7. 3 earthquake was significantly higher than the aftershock sequence, but the corner frequency was significantly lower than the aftershock sequence. Apparent stress was at a high level before the main shock, which shows that the main shock zone accumulated higher stress, and then the apparent stress was reduced. The main shock occurred in the process of slow increase. Because of the release of a large amount of stress, after the Ms7. 3 earthquake, the apparent stress was gradually reduced. That was the performance of low stress fracture of aftershocks.