Influence of 2008 Wenchuan earthquake on earthquake occurrence trend of active faults in Sichuan-Yunnan region

The Wenchuan earthquake coseismic deformation field is inferred from the coseismic dislocation data based on a 3-D geometric model of the active faults in Sichuan-Yunnan region. Then the potential dislocation displacement is inverted from the deformation field in the 3-D geometric model. While the faults＇ slip velocities are inverted from GPS and leveling data, which can be used as the long-term slip vector. After the potential dislocation displacements are projected to long-term slip direction, we have got the influence of Wenchuan earthquake on active faults in Sichuan-Yunnan region. The results show that the northwestern segment of Longmenshan fault, the southern segments of Xianshuihe fault, Anninghe fault, Zemuhe fault, northern and southern segments of Daliangshan fault, Mabian fault got earthquake risks advanced of 305, 19, 12, 9.1 and 18, 51 years respectively in the eastern part of Sichuan and Yunnan. The Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault, Nujiang fault, Longling-Lancang fault, Nantinghe fault and Zhongdian fault also got earthquake risks advanced in the western part of Sichuan-Yunnan region. Whereas the northwestern segment of Xianshuihe fault and Xiaojiang fault got earthquake risks reduced after the Wenchuan 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.

Crustal Movement in the Northern Part of North China Associated with Zhangbei Earthquake

Crustal Deformation Monitoring Center, China Seismological Bureau, Tianjin 300180, China Crustal deformation in the northern part of North China associated with Zhangbei earthquake is analyzed using GPS data collected during 1992, 1996 and 1999, precise re-leveling data collected during 1992, 1998 and 2000, and INSAR result (September 22, 1997～May 6, 1998). The results indicate: ① The vertical deformation is not remarkable since 1992. The vertical crustal deformation in the central and northern part of North China in recent 10 years is of inheritance. The scope of the significant deformation is 15km×15km with a magnitude of 250mm when the event occurred. ② The horizontal deformation is not remarkable in any unit of North China. ③ Before and after the event (1992～1996 and 1996～1999), there is kinematic change of horizontal motion between different units. The activity mode along Yinshan tectonic zone changed from relative static state to left-lateral strike slip; The dominant extensional movement along Shanxi rift zone changed to right-lateral strike slip; Yanshan tectonic zone changed from left-lateral strike-slip with extension to left-lateral strike slip; Yanshan-Hebei transitional zone formed before the event disappeared after the event. ④ The scale of the deformation is closely related to the physical property of media and geological structure environment. Further analysis indicates that ① Zhangbei earthquake does not mean that the earthquake activity begins to be strengthened in North China; ② The crustal movement is normal at present; ③ Next stronger earthquake in North China might be located in Yanshan tectonic zone, especially at its both ends, and Shanxi tectonic zone.

Features of Seismicity in the Northeastern China Region and Their Relation to the Subduction of the Japan Sea Plate

Based on the analyses of grouped activity features of deep-focus (M≥6.0) and shallow-focus (M S≥5.0) earthquakes in the Northeast China region, the time-space correlation between deep focus “strong earthquake group" and shallow focus “strong earthquake group" have been studied. The study was mainly on the characteristics of earthquake distribution on the collision zone between the west Pacific plate and the Eurasian plate and on its relations to the morphological feature of the western Pacific subduction zone. Moreover, emphasis was laid on analysis of the effect of the west Pacific plate on the seismicity of Eurasian plate. It is shown that in the region where the west Pacific plate subducts at low angles, the seismicity on the plate collision zone is strong, the effect of plate subduction on Eurasian continent is strong too, and the subduction zone is under a state of high compressional stress. However, in the region where the west Pacific plate subducts at high angles, the seismicity along the plate collision zone is weak, the effect of plate subduction on Eurasian continent is weak too, and the tensile stress produced by the subduction zone at depth is enhanced. We therefore propose that the seismicity in the northeast China region will enter an active period of shallow “strong earthquake group" in the future 10 years. In the period, six earthquakes of M S≥5.0 may occur. Therefore, the work of earthquake monitoring and prediction in this region shall be strengthened.