Fault slip and modern tectonic stress field in and around Kunming basin

Kunming basin is a Cenozoic faulted basin under the control of mainly SN-trending active faults. In and around the basin, there are a total of eight major active faults. Seismo-geological survey and fault slip observation show that the SN- and NE-trending active faults are mostly sinistral strike-slip faults, while the NW-trending faults are mostly dextral strike-slip faults. Using stress tensor inversion method with 706 active fault striation data at 22 measurement sites, we determined tectonic stress field of the study area. The result shows that modern tectonic stress field in and around Kunming basin is characterized by NNW-SSE compression, ENE-WSW extension, and strike-slip stress regimes. The maximum principal compressional stress （σ1） is oriented 335o;o, with an average dip angle of 21°; the minimum （σ3） is oriented 44o;3o, with an average dip angle of 14°, and the intermediate （σ2） has a high, or nearly vertical, dip angle. The inversion result from fault slip data is consistent with the result from focal mechanism solutions.

Tensile Fractures and in situ Stress Measurement Data Constraints on Cretaceous-Present Tectonic Stress Field Evolution of the Tanlu Fault Zone in Shandong Province,North China Craton

Tectonic stress fields are the key drivers of tectonic events and the evolution of regional structures.The tectonic stress field evolution of the Tanlu fault zone in Shandong Province,located in the east of the North China Craton(NCC),may have preserved records of the NCC’s tectonic history.Borehole television survey and hydraulic fracturing were conducted to analyze the paleo and present tectonic stress fields.Three groups of tensile fractures were identified via borehole television,their azimuths being NNW-SSE,NW-SE and NE-SW,representing multiple stages of tectonic events.Hydraulic fracturing data indicates that the study region is experiencing NEE-SWW-oriented compression and nearly-N-Soriented extension,in accordance with strike-slip and compression.Since the Cretaceous,the orientation of the extensional stress has evolved counterclockwise and sequentially from nearly-NW-SE-oriented to NE-SW-oriented and even nearly N-S-oriented,the stress state having transitioned from strike-slip-extension to strike-slip-compression,in association with the rotating and oblique subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the NCC,with the participation of the Indian Plate.

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.

The seismicity and tectonic stress field characteristics of the Longmenshan fault zone before the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake

The seismicity of Longrnenshan fault zone and its vicinities before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake is studied. Based on the digital seismic waveform data observed from regional seismic networks and mobile stations, the focal mechanism solutions are determined. Our analysis results show that the seismicities of Longmenshan fault zone before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake were in stable state. No obvious phenomena of seismic activity intensifying appeared. According to focal mechanism solutions of some small earthquakes before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, the direction of principal compressive stress P-axis is WNW-ESE. The two hypocenter fault planes are NE-striking and NW-striking. The plane of NE direction is among N50°-70°E, the dip angles of fault planes are 60°-70° and it is very steep. The faultings of most earthquakes are dominantly characterized by dip-slip reverse and small part of faultings present strike-slip. The azimuths of principal compressive stress, the strikes of source fault planes and the dislocation types calculated from some small earthquakes before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake are in accordance with that of the main shock. The average stress field of micro-rupture along the Longmenshan fault zone before the great earthquake is also consistent with that calculated from main shock. Zipingpu dam is located in the east side 20 km from the initial rupture area of the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The activity increment of small earthquakes in the Zipingpu dam is in the period of water discharging. The source parameter results of the small earthquakes which occurred near the initial rupture area of the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake indicate that the focal depths are 5 to 14 km and the source parameters are identical with that of earthquake.

Numerical modeling of tectonic stress field and fault activity in North China

On the basis of a 3-dimension visco-elastic finite element model of lithosphere in North China, we numerically simulate the recent mutative figures of tectonic stress field. Annual change characteristics of stress field are： 1 ） Maximum principal tensile stress is about 3 -9 kPaa-1 and its azimuth lie in NNW-SSE. 2） Maximum principal compressive stress is about 1 - 6 kPaa-1 and its azimuth lie in NEE-SWW. 3 ） Maximum principal tensile stress is higher both in the west region and Liaoning Province. 4） Variation of tectonic stress field benefits fault movement in the west part and northeast part of North China. 5 ）Annual accumulative rates of Coulomb fracture stress in Tanlu fault belt have segmentation patterns： Jiashan-Guangji segment is the high- est （6 kPaa - 1 ） , Anshan-Liaodongwan segment is the second （5 kPaa - l ） , and others are relatively lower （ 3 - 4 kPaa-1 ）.

Evolution of 3D tectonic stress field and fault movement in North China

Based on data of fault movement surveying, we simulate the evolution process of three dimensional stress field in North China by three dimensional finite element method. Evolutional patterns in one-year time scale from 1986 to 1997 have been illustrated and the evolution characteristics of stress field have been analyzed. In comparison with the seismic activity among that time interval in North China, we have primarily discussed the relationship between the evolution of stress field and seismic activity.

Modern tectonic stress field deeply in Xuzhou Coal Mine

By inverting fault slip data, the parameters of 12 tectonic stress tensors in the mine region can be determined. The following characteristics can be obtained for recent tectonic stress fields, which are found deep in the study region. The results show that the recent tectonic stress field mainly presents the characteristics of near NWW-SSE maximum compressional stress and near NE-SW minimum extensional stress, while the stress regimes are mainly of strike slip, part of the reverse-fault type. Recent tectonic stress field in the region is characterized by horizontal components. The maximum principal compression stress direction was from NEE to SEE, the average principal compression stress direction was near NWW-SSE maximum compres- sional stress and near NE-SW minimum extensional. The recent tectonic stress field of the studied area can be controlled by a large tectonic stress area.

The Quaternary Tectonic Stress Field of the Kunming Basin and Its Surrounding Areas

The Kunming basin is a Cenozoic faulted basin controlled by N-S trending active faults. there are totally 8 main active faults in and around the Kunming basin area. Inversion of fault slip data suggests that the stress field of the Kunming basin has experienced two major stages. In the first stage ( from the late-Pliocene to mid-Pleistocene),the regional tectonic stress field was characterized by near E-W compression and near N-S extension. In the second stage (from the late-Pleistocene to the present),the tectonic stress field has been mainly characterized by NNW-SSE compression and NEE-SWW extension. Under such a stress field,the near N-S trending faults in the region mainly show a lateral slip.

Modern tectonic stress field in Southwest Yunnan, China

By means of inversion of fault slip data, the parameters of 20 tectonic stress tensors in Southwest Yunnan region are determined. Compared with the average stress field of the region obtained from focal mechanism solutions, the following characteristics of modern tectonic stress field in this region are obtained. From the west of Zhenyuan-Yingpanshan fault to the south of Longling fault zone, the maximum compressional stress is in NNE direction and the stress regime is mainly of strike-slip type. In Longling fault zone and the area north to it, the direction of maximum compressional stress is near-NS or NNW, the stress regime is of strike-slip type.

Determination of the direction and magnitude of recent tectonic stress in the Xianshuihe fault zone using fault slip data

In this article,a method to determine the complete stress tensor by use of fault slip data in combination with experimental parameters of rock mechanics is elucidated;the direction and magnitude of recent tectonic stress in the Xianshuihe fault zone are determined by this method from a great deal of active fault striae data observed in the fault zone and the envelope of rock fracture determined experimentally for rock samples collected from the fault zone;and the applicability of the method and reliability of calculation results are discussed.

The characteristics of tectonic stress field about strike slip earthquake－generating structure in the Chinese mainland

This paper is one of the series papers about the study on strike-slip earthquake-generating structure in the Chinese mainland. In the first part of this paper, based on the large amount of data from large earthquake investigation and the latest results of focal mechanism, the earthquake-generating structure in the Chinese mainland interior and its neighbouring region is discussed. It is concluded that the absolutely predominated earthquake, not only in number, but also in intensity, as well as in distributing area, is strike slip earthquake, and it is further stressed that the study on the strike slip earthquake-generating structure is significant for seismic risk analysis. In the second part, the characteristics of tectonic stress field about strike slip earthquake-generating structure and the compiled distribution outline of strike slip earthquake-generating fault, normal fault, and thrust fault in the Chinese mainland interior and its neighbouring region, in the light of stress characteristics of fault plane solutions, are also discussed.

Effects of tectonic stress field and Poisson's ratio on stress state within the San Andreas Fault zone

We used a mechanics conceptual model to provide another perspective to understand the mechanical environment of the San Andreas Fault(SAF),and a possible mechanism that the principal stress state in the SAF is not only affected by remote tectonic stress but also by Poisson’s ratio.For a strike-slip fault like the SAF,we found that in the fault zone with Poisson’s ratio of[0.25,effective friction coefficient and the stress ratio(minimum principal stress/maximum principal stress)are less than 0.1and 0.8–1.0,respectively,corresponding to remote tectonic stress ratio of 0.36–1.0,and that the higher the Poisson’s ratio,the greater the principal stress rotates.For hydrostatic pore pressure and a received tectonic stress ratio of 0.5around the SAF,the model predicts that the SAF has a very high Poisson’s ratio(*0.45),which accommodates extremely low effective friction coefficient(0.09)and large stress ratio(0.84)or smaller shear stress(17 MPa).

The dependence of response spectrum on the tectonic ambient shear stress field

It has been analyzed the influence of the tectonic ambient shear stress value on response spectrum based on the previous theory. Based on the prediction equation BJF94 presented by the famous American researchers, CLB20, a new prediction formula is proposed by us, where it is introduced the influence of tectonic ambient shear stress value on response spectrum. BJF94 is the prediction equation, which mainly depends on strong ground motion data from western USA, while the prediction equation SEA99 is based on the strong ground motion data from exten-sional region all over the world. Comparing these two prediction equations in detail, it is found that after BJF94′s prediction value lg(Y) minus 0.16 logarithmic units, the value is very close to SEA99′s one. This case demonstrates that lg(Y) in extensional region is smaller; the differences of prediction equation are mainly owe to the differences of tectonic ambient shear stress value. If the factor of tectonic ambient shear stress value is included into the pre-diction equation, and the magnitude is used seismic moment magnitude to express, which is universal used around the world, and the distance is used the distance of fault project, which commonly used by many people, then re-gional differences of prediction equation will become much less, even vanish, and it can be constructed the uni-versal prediction equation proper to all over the world. The error in the earthquake-resistant design in China will be small if we directly use the results of response spectrum of USA (e.g. BJF94 or SEA99).

Modifications in the Stress Field of a Long Inclined Fault Caused by the Welded-Contact Boundary Conditions across the Interface between Two Elastic Half-Spaces

In welded-contact boundary conditions, some stress components are not required to be continuous across the boundary between two elastic half-spaces. The purpose of this note is to study the modifications in the stress field of a long inclined strike-slip, dip-slip or tensile fault caused by the welded-contact boundary conditions across the interface between two elastic half-spaces. The Poisson’s ratios of the two half-spaces do not appear in the stress field of a strike-slip fault. In the case of a dip-slip fault, the Poisson’s ratio of the half-space in which the fault lies, has a significant influence on the stress field across the interface. However, for a tensile fault, the modification in the stress field is significantly affected by the Poisson’s ratios of both the half-spaces.

Stress and Strain Accumulation Due to a Long Dip-Slip Fault Movement in an Elastic-Layer over a Viscoelastic Half Space Model of the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere System

Most of the earthquake faults in North-East India, China, mid Atlantic-ridge, the Pacific seismic belt and Japan are found to be predominantly dip-slip in nature. In the present paper a dip-slip fault is taken situated in an elastic layer over a viscoelastic half space representing the lithosphere-asthenosphere system. A movement of the dip-slip nature across the fault occurs when the accumulated stress due to various tectonic reasons e.g. mantle convection etc., exceeds the local friction and cohesive forces across the fault. The movement is assumed to be slipping in nature, expressions for displacements, stresses and strains are obtained by solving associated boundary value problem with the help of integral transformation and Green’s function method and a suitable numerical methods is used for computation. A detailed study of these expressions may give some ideas about the nature of stress accumulation in the system, which in turn will be helpful in formulating an earthquake prediction programme.

Geodetic constraints on contemporary three-dimensional crustal deformation in the Laji Shan—Jishi Shan tectonic belt

The Laji Shan—Jishi Shan tectonic belt(LJTB),located in the southern part of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau(NETP),is a tectonic window to reveal regional tectonic deformation in the NETP.However,its kinematics in the Holocene remains controversial.We obtain the latest and dense horizontal velocity field based on data collected from our newly constructed and existing GNSS stations.Combined with fault kinematics from geologic observations,we analyze the crustal deformation characteristics along the LJTB.The results show that:(1)The Laji Shan fault(LJF)is inactive,and the northwest-oriented Jishi Shan fault(JSF)exhibits a significant dextral and thrust slip.(2)The transpression along the arc-shaped LJTB accommodates deformation transformation between the dextral Riyue Shan fault and the sinistral west Qinling fault.(3)With the continuous pushing of the Indian plate,internal strains in the Tibetan Plateau are continuously transferred in the northeast via the LJTB as they are gradually dissipated near the LJTB and translated into significant crustal uplift in these regions.

Analysis of faults stability with dynamic phenomena in the mice based on slide criterion and in-situ stress measurement

For the study on the relationshl＇p between the dynamic phenomena in the mining such as mine earthquakes, outburst and faults slide, firstly, double shear friction experiments of sandstone were made, and its slide criterion was suggested considering the viewing of engineering. Secondly, in order to study the stability of underground rock and zone of tectonic stress field, based on the analysis on distribution characteristic of initial rock stress measurements, the geology structural model was built and tectonic stress field was made a back-analysis by applying finite element method. The calculating results fit with the analysis result of earthquakes mechanism and the distribution characteristic of the measurements. The high stress regional centers station locates discontinuous zone of I level faults and is corresponding to underground earthquakes scene. From then it is certain that tectonic stress is the major origin and necessary condition of mine earthquakes. The instability slide of the faults is the main manifest and the mining activity is the leading factor. Beipiao fault has a dominate effect on other sub faults and tectonic stress area and is dynamical fountain of dynamic phenomena in the Beipiao Mines.

Tectonic Characteristics, Evolution, and Significance of the Zhouwang Fault, Lower Yangtze Area, Eastern China

Fault geometry, kinematics, geophysics, the tectonic stress field and tectonic evolution of the Zhouwang fault in the southern Jiangnan tectonic transition zone of the Lower Yangtze region, eastern China are examined. Field observations show the fault is composed of a series of nearly E–W trending, N–S dipping faults, and four stages of tectonism(sinistral strike-slip, thrust nappe, normal fault, and dextral strike-slip) developed in turn. Geophysical data show that the fault trends almost linearly E–W along a flat, steep gravity gradient at shallow depth, with distinct gravity anomalies to the north and south and different in the north and south. Also, the deep part is characterized by northward dip and a gradual slowing down. Tectonic stress field analysis indicates that the fault experienced four tectonic movements: NNE–SSW compression, NNW–SSE compression, NEE–SWW extension, and E–W compression. Combined with regional tectonic background and previous research results, this indicates that:(1) the Zhouwang fault experienced sinistral strike-slip movement during the Indosinian Period(260–200 Ma);(2) thrust nappes developed during the early Yanshanian Period(163–145 Ma);(3) a normal fault occurred in the late Yanshanian Period(125–65 Ma);and(4) dextral strike-slip movement occurred in the Himalayan Period(ca. 50–37 Ma). The results reveal the tectonic evolution of the fault during Mesozoic deformation in the area, and also reveal the geological evolution and tectonic transformation of the Lower Yangtze region, which is key to our understanding of intracontinental deformation in eastern China.

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.

川滇地区地壳应力场研究现状

位于青藏高原东缘的川滇地区不仅是印度板块与欧亚大陆挤压碰撞的前缘地带,也是研究青藏高原演化以及高原物质东南向逃逸的重要场所,区域地壳被纵横交错的活动断裂和块体边界切割为多个次级块体,剧烈的构造运动导致了该区应力场具有强烈的横向不均匀分布.本文总结了近年来川滇地区地壳应力场研究进展,分析了地表变形场、原地应力测量资料、震源机制解结果,系统讨论了川滇地区不同尺度的应力场方向及非均匀性特征.川滇地区的地表变形场沿鲜水河—小江断裂带为界的西侧区域,到红河断裂与丽江—小金河断裂交汇区域,都为明显的顺时针旋转变形.在青藏高原物质东向挤压作用下,川滇地区的构造应力场整体以龙门山断裂—丽江—小金河断裂为界,北部以NE-SW、E-W向挤压和NW-SE、N-S向拉张为主,南侧主压应力沿该断裂带呈扇形分布,与地表变形场形态一致,主张应力沿该断裂系呈弧形分布,与地形等值线特征基本一致.川滇地区的壳幔变形可能是北部耦合,南部解耦.本文分析发现,区域内龙门山断裂、红河断裂和丽江—小金河断裂等大型断裂带下方构造应力场呈现分段变化,与地震各向异性揭示的深部介质变形有关.