Towards fast focal mechanism inversion of shallow crustal earthquakes in the Chinese mainland

We have developed an automatic regional focal mechanism inversion system based on the Earthquake Rapid Report(ERR) system and the real-time three-component seismic waveform stream of 1 000 broadband seismic stations provided by the China Earthquake Networks Center(CENC). The system can rapidly provide a double couple solution and centroid depth within 5–15 min after receiving earthquake information from the ERR system.The data processing is triggered by earthquake information obtained from the ERR system. The system is capable of determining the focal mechanism of all shallow-depth earthquakes in the Chinese mainland with a magnitude of 5.5–6.5. It utilizes waveform data recorded by seismic stations located within 500 km from the epicenter,enabling the reporting of a focal mechanism solution within 5–15 min of an earthquake occurrence. Additionally,the system can assign a corresponding grade(A B C) to the focal mechanism solution. We processed a total of 301earthquakes that occurred from 2021 to June 2022, and after the quality control, 166 of them were selected.These selected solutions were manually checked, and 160 of them were compiled in a focal mechanism catalog.This catalog can be conveniently downloaded online via the Internet. The automatic focal mechanism solution of earthquakes in eastern China exhibits a good agreement with that provided by the Global Centroid Moment Tensor(GCMT), when available. The average Kagan angle between this catalog and GCMT is 22°, and the average difference in MWis 0.17. Furthermore, compared with GCMT, the minimum magnitude of our catalog has been reduced from approximately 5.0 to 4.0. The correlation between the centroid depth and crustal thickness in the Chinese mainland confirms the distribution of the centroid depth.

Spatial distribution and focal mechanism solutions of the Wenchuan earthquake series:Results and implications

We relocate the spatial distribution of its aftershocks. The relocation database is obtained the devastating 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and from 89 stations deployed by the China Earthquake Administration, including 54 525 seismograms from 1 376 local earthquakes over Ms3.5 between 12 May 2008 and 3 August 2008. The cross-correlation technique used in this paper has greatly improved the relocation precision by giving much more accurate P-wave differential travel-time measurements than those obtained from routinely picked phase onsets. At the same time, we pick P-wave polarity observations of the Wenchuan earthquake series （hereafter referred to as WES） from 1023 stations in China and 59 IRIS （Incorporated Research Institutions of Seismology） stations. Then, employing a newly developed program CHNYTX, we obtain 83 well-determined focal mechanism solutions （hereafter referred to as FMSs）. Based on spatial distribution and FMSs of the WES, we draw following conclusions： （1） The region near the main shock exhibits a buried low-angle northwest-dipping seismic zone with the main shock at its upper end and two conjugated seismic zones dipping southeast with roughly equal dip-angle; （2） The compressional directions of all kinds of FMSs of the WES are subhorizontal, which reflects the dominant stress in this area is eompressional; （3） The principal compressional direction of the regional stress around Wenchuan is roughly perpendicular to the strike of Beichuan-Yingxiu fault, while around Qingchuan it is roughly parallel to the strike of Qingehuan fault. In intermediate part of the Longmenshan area, the principal compressional direction of the stress should be in-between; （4） The possibly existed molten materials in the lower crust of Songpan-Garze terrain have small contribution to the local stress state in Longmenshan area. The listric geometries of the Longmenshan faults most probably resulted from subhorizontal compression along NW-SE direction in history.

Focal Mechanism Solutions of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake sequence from P-wave polarities and SH/P amplitude ratios:new results and implications

Abstract The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, a major intraplate earthquake with Mw 7.9, occurred on the slowly deforming Longmenshan fault. To better understand the causes of this devastating earthquake, we need knowledge of the regional stress field and the underlying geodynamic processes. Here, we determine focal mechanism solutions （FMSs） of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake sequence （WES） using both P-wave first-motion polarity data and SH/P amplitude ratio （AR） data. As P-wave polarities are more reliable information, they are given priority over SH/ PAR, the latter of which are used only when the former has loose constraint on the FMSs. We collect data from three categories： （1） permanent stations deployed by the China Earthquake Administration （CEA）; （2） the Western Sichuan Passive Seismic Array （WSPSA） deployed by Institute of Geology, CEA; （3） global stations from Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology. Finally, 129 events with magnitude over Ms 4.0 in the 2008 WES are identified to have well-constrained FMSs. Among them, 83 are well constrained by P-wave polarities only as shown by Cai et al. （Earthq Sci 24（1）：115-125,2011）, and the rest of which are newly constrained by incorporating SH/P AR. Based on the spatial distribution and FMSs of the WES, we draw following conclusions： （1） the principle compressional directions of most FMSs of the WES are subhorizontal, generally in agreement with the conclusion given by Cai et al. （2011） but with a few modifications that the compressional directions are WNW-ESE around Wenchuan and ENE-WSW around Qingchuan, respectively. The subhorizontal compressional direction along the Longmenshan fault from SW to NE seems to have a leftlateral rotation, which agrees well with regional stress field inverted by former researchers （e.g., Xu et al., Acta Seismol Sin 30（5）, 1987; Acta Geophys Sin 32（6）, 1989; Cui et al., Seismol Geol 27（2）：234-242, 2005）; （2） the FMSs of the events not only reflected the regional stress state of the Longmenshan region, but also were obviously controlled by the faults to some extent, which was pointed out by Cai et al. （2011） and Yi et al. （Chin J Geophys 55（4）：1213-1227, 2012）; （3） while the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and some of its strong aftershocks released most of the elastic energy accumulated on the Longmen- shan fault, some other aftershocks seem to occur just for releasing the elastic energy promptly created by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and some of its strong aftershocks. （4） Our results further suggest that the Longmenshan fault from Wenchuan to Beichuan was nearly fully destroyed by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and accordingly propose that there is less probability for great earthquakes in the middle part of the Longmenshan fault in the near future, although there might be a barrier to the southwest of Wenchuan and it is needed to pay some attention on it in the near future.

Types of focal mechanism solutions and parameter consistency of the sub-blocks in Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces

Based on P- and S-wave amplitudes and some clear initial P-wave motion data, we calculated focal mechanism solutions of 928 M≥2.5 earthquakes （1994-2005） in four sub-blocks of Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces, namely Sichuan-Qinghai, Yajiang, Central Sichuan and Central Yunnan blocks. Combining these calculation results with those of the focal mechanism solutions of moderately strong earthquakes, we analyzed the stress field characteristics and dislocation types of seismogenic faults that are distributed in the four sub-blocks. The orientation of principal compressive stress for each block is： EW in Sichuan-Qinghai, ESE or SE in Yajiang, Central Sichuan and Central Yunnan blocks. Based on a great deal of focal mechanism data, we designed a program and calculated the directions of the principal stress tensors, σ1, σ2 and σ3, for the four blocks. Meanwhile, we estimated the difference （also referred to as consistency parameter θ^- ） between the force axis direction of focal mechanism solution and the direction of the mean stress tensor of each block. Then we further analyzed the variation of θ^- versus time and the dislocation types of seismogenic faults. Through determination of focal mechanism solutions for each block, we present information on the variation in θ^- value and dislocation types of seismogenic faults.

Focal Mechanism Solutions and Stress Field Inversion of Moderately Strong Earthquakes in the Northern Tianshan Area

Using the focal mechanism solutions of 24 moderately strong earthquakes in the northern Tianshan area,we carried out system cluster and stress field inversion analysis.The result indicates that,the focal mechanism solutions of moderately strong earthquakes are mainly dip-slip reverse faulting in the northern Tianshan area.The principal rupture planes of earthquakes are NW-oriented.It is basically consistent with the strike of earthquake structure in its adjacent area.The direction of the principal compression stress P axis is nearly NS,and its inclination angle is small;while the inclination angle of the principal extensional stress T axis is large.It shows that the regional stress field is mainly controlled by the near-NS horizontal compressive stress.The direction of the maximum principal stress shows a gradation process of NNE-NS-NW from east to west.

Feasibility Study on Determining Focal Mechanism Solutions of Small Earthquakes Using the Velocity Amplitude Ratio of -and -Waves

The focal mechanism parameters of small earthquakes are determined by the maximum velocity and displacement amplitude ratio of the direct ^-P- and ^-S-waves recorded by digital stations. The displacement is obtained from the velocity by emulation, and the two results are compared and analyzed. Results of theoretical analysis and practical measurement indicate that the two results of velocity and displacement are consistent, and it is feasible that the maximum displacement amplitude ratio be replaced by the maximum velocity amplitude ratio of the direct ^-P-and ^-S- waves recorded by regional seismic networks when determining focal mechanism solutions of small earthquakes.

Comprehensive Research on Focal Mechanism Solutions in the Capital Circle Area of China

Comprehensive statistical analysis was performed on the basic features of focal mechanisms of 619 ML≥2. 0 earthquakes which occurred in the capital circle area from January 2002 to June 2010. By dividing the capital area into three studying regions based on regional tectonic characteristics,cluster analysis was conducted on the focal mechanisms of all subregions using the longest distance method in the statistical cluster analysis to study the characteristics of tectonic stress tensors. The result shows that dominant P-axis azimuth distribution is NNE-NEE and that of T-axis is NNW-NWW,most of the focal areas are controlled by a horizontal stress field and rupture is mainly of horizontal strike-slip. The maximum principal compression stress orientation is NE75° in the west,NE62° in the middle,and near EW in the east of the capital area. The regional tectonic stress field is characterized by horizontal compression.

Source parameters and aftershock pattern of the October 7,2021,M5.9 Harnai earthquake,Pakistan

On October 7,2021,a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the Harnai(Baluchistan)region of Pakistan,causing several fatalities and injuries within the epicentral area.First-order tectonic deformation in this region is caused by the convergence of the Indian Plate with respect to the Eurasian Plate.The Katwaz Block hinders the motion of the Indian Plate,resulting in the formation of strike-slip faults.In this study,the P-wave first-motion polarity technique was used to determine the mainshock faulting style.Cyclic scanning of the polarity solutions was applied to determine the most suitable focal mechanism solution among the available solutions generated by the FOCMEC(focal mechanism)software.The nodal planes correspond to different faulting styles(i.e.,thrust and strike-slip faulting).A nodal plane oriented in the NW-SE direction corresponded to a strike-slip mechanism,which was considered to be the fault plane.Tectonically,this earthquake was associated with the Harnai-Karahi strike-slip fault zone owing to the fault strike and direction of slip.The apparent stress drop,fault length,and moment magnitude of the Harnai earthquake were 35.4 bar,6.1 km,and 5.9,respectively.A lower b-value for the Gutenberg-Richter law was observed prior to the earthquake.Higherα-than b-values(α>b)indicate that this earthquake was governed by large events as opposed to small-magnitude events.The Harnai sequence had a decay exponent close to unity,lasted for 145 days,and produced few aftershocks.The study will help the future hazard mitigation in the region.

Focal mechanism solution statistics of seismic tsunami sources

In recent years, tsunami happens frequently in the world, which caused huge losses. In order to find objective features of tsunamigenic source, global CMT data from 1976 to 2010 and tsunami data from NOAA are analyzed statistically, tsunami is compared with bigger tsunamis. At last, some features of seismic tsunami sources are concluded.

Spatio-temporal variation and focal mechanism of the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake sequence

Based on abundant aftershock sequence data of the Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake on May 12, 2008, we studied the spatio-temporal variation process and segmentation rupture characteristic. Dense aftershocks distribute along Longmenshan central fault zone of NE direction and form a narrow strip with the length of 325 krn and the depth between several and 40 km. The depth profile （section of NW direction） vertical to the strike of aftershock zone （NE direction） shows anisomerous wedgy distribution characteristic of afiershock concentrated regions; it is related to the force form of the Longmenshan nappe tectonic belt. The stronger aftershocks could be divided into northern segment and southern segment apparently and the focal depths of strong aftershocks in the 50 km area between northern segment and southern segment are shallower. It seems like ＇to be going to rupture＇ segment. We also study focal mechanisms and segmentation of strong aftershocks. The principal compressive stress azimuth of aftershock area is WNW direction and the faulting types of aftershocks at southern and northern segment have the same proportion. Because afiershocks distribute on different secondary faults, their focal mechanisms present complex local tectonic stress field. The faulting of seven strong earthquakes on the Longmenshan central fault is mainly characterized by thrust with the component of right-lateral strike-slip. Meantime six strong aftershocks on the Longmenshan back-range fault and Qingchuan fault present strike-slip faulting. At last we discuss the complex segmentation rupture mechanism of 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.

Study on the 3-D Velocity Structure around the Focal Region of the Anqing Earthquake in January 2011 and Discussion on the Causative Fault

The Anqing MS4.8 earthquake occurred on January 19, 2011, with the epicenter lying in the foreland deformation belt along the Yangtze River of the lower Yangtze block. After the earthquake, the field work team surveyed and collected building damage data, calculating and obtaining more accurate intensity distributions. The focal mechanism of the main shock was calculated tentatively using digital seismic wave data from provincial digital seismic networks using the FOCMEC program and the first motions of P, SV and SH waves with their amplitude ratios. Using the location results of the main shock and aftershocks by the Anhui seismic network, combining the three-dimensional crust velocity structure imaging results of the focal region by seismic tomography, and referring on intensity distribution of the elliptic major axis' predominant direction, we conclude by comprehensive analysis that the NE-trending Susong-Zongyang fault is possibly the causative fault of the Anqing earthquake.

Fault plane solutions in Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block and their dynamic implica-tions

Harvard Centroid Moment Tensor （CMT） solutions for earthquakes from 1977 to 2004 showed that the stress fields are obviously different in northwestern Sichuan sub-block （NWSSB）, western parts of Central Yunnan sub-block （CYSB） and eastern part of CYSB. The characteristics of the mean stress fields in these three regions are obtained by fitting to CMT solutions. The stress state in NWSSB is characterized by its sub-horizontal tensile principal axis of stress （T axis） in roughly N-S direction and west dipping compressive principal axis of stress （P axis）; the one in western part of CYSB is characterized by its ENE dipping T axis and sub-horizontal medium principal axis of stress （B axis） in roughly N-S direction; the one in eastern part of CYSB is characterized by its sub-horizontal P axis in roughly NNW-SSE direction and sub-horizontal T axis in roughly WSW-ENE direction. Finite element method simulation clearly shows that the Indian Plate imposes great extrusion on Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block （SYRB） near Assam massif. The value of the simulated compressive principal stress decreases with the distance from Assam massif. The simulated directions of the T axes in SYRB form annular distribution encir cling Assam. For a homogeneous elastic medium with free boundary conditions on the top and bottom surfaces as well as the displacement boundary conditions derived from the GPS observations on the lateral boundaries, the computation results are consistent with the Harvard CMT solutions in NWSSB and western part of CYSB, while inconsistent with the Harvard CMT solutions in eastern part of CYSB. The inconsistency in eastern part of CYSB can be reduced when it includes inhomogeneous elastic media. The stress states in NWSSB and western part of CYSB revealed by the Harvard CMT solutions are not local, which are mainly controlled by the boundary force on the whole region. On the other hand, the stress state in eastern part of CYSB given by the Harvard CMT solutions is local, which may be affected by local topography, material inhomogeneity, and the drag force underneath.

Study on three independent parameters of focal mechanism solution

In this paper, the relationships of the plunges and azimuths of T and P axes versus the strikes, dips, and rakes of two seismic nodal planes were derived to provide ref- erence for earthquake researchers. The independence of the plunges and azimuths of T, B, and P axes in focal mech- anism solution was discussed, and it was concluded that three parameters, i.e., the azimuths of T, B and P axes, are completely independent. The focal mechanism solution representation based on Euler rotation was introduced, using three Euler angles in place of the plunges and azi- muths of T, B, and P axes, and three focal mechanism solution representations were briefly compared and ana- lyzed in respect of accuracy on the basis of the assumption of rounding; it was concluded that the Euler angle repre- sentation has better accuracy, compared with the azimuth representation and the traditional representation with T, B, and P axes.

Variation Characteristics of Focal Mechanisms of Small Earthquakes before Four Strong Earthquakes in Xinjiang

With the point source dislocation model and the velocity structure of a layered medium,focal mechanisms of small earthquakes are calculated using the maximum amplitude of the direct P- and S-waves in the vertical component. By system clustering,and using the vector synthesis method,the average focal mechanism solution is obtained. Using the above method,this paper analyzes the variation characteristics of the source ruptures and the P-axis azimuths of small earthquakes around the seismic zones before four strong earthquakes occurring since 2003 in the western part of north Tianshan and the middle part of Tianshan. The result shows that 2 ~ 3 years before the strong earthquakes,the focal mechanism types of small earthquakes are distributed randomly, and obvious dominant distributions are observed one year before the strong earthquakes. There are obvious changes in the P-axis azimuth.

Focal Mechanism of the Xianyou Earthquake Sequence,Fujian,China

1,209 earthquakes occurred in Xianyou,Fujian from August 4,2010 to October 4,2013.The largest earthquake was M L5. 0 on September 4,2013. In order to study the Xianyou earthquake sequence and understand the causative structure and stress field of Xianyou,the focal mechanism solutions of six earthquakes( M L> 3. 5) in the Xianyou earthquake sequence are calculated using the broadband digital data of the Fujian Seismic Network with the seismic moment tensor inverse method. The results show that the focal faults of the six earthquakes are similar,which are all strike-slip faults striking to the northwest with high dip angles. The direction of the principal compressive stress axes is near SN,which is different from the stress field of Fujian region. The Xianyou earthquake sequence may have been induced by the stress adjustment after the impoundment of Jinzhong reservoir.

Focal Mechanism Solution of the 2011 M_S4.8 Anqing Earthquake Determined from the CAP Method

In this article, we have inverted local broadband waveform data to determine the focal mechanism of the 2011 Ms4.8 Anqing earthquake. Our results show that the best double couple solution of the Ms4.8 event is 16°, 74° and 120° for strike, dip and rake angles of one nodal plane respectively, and 131 °, 33°, 30° for the other nodal plane. The estimated focal depth is about 3kin. Both strikes of the two nodal planes differ significantly to the strike of Susong-Zongyang fault, along which seismic activity has been at a low level since the Late Quaternary. This implies that this earthquake may not have occurred on the Susong-Zongyang fault, and we infer that a buried fault with strike of NNE may be the seismogenic structure of this event.

Crustal stress field in Yunnan: implication for crust-mantle coupling

We applied the g CAP algorithm to determine 239 focal mechanism solutions 3：0≤MW≤ 6：0） with records of dense Chin Array stations deployed in Yunnan,and then inverted 686 focal mechanisms（including 447 previous results） for the regional crustal stress field with a damped linear inversion. The results indicate dominantly strike-slip environment in Yunnan as both the maximum（r1） and minimum（r3） principal stress axes are sub-horizontal. We further calculated the horizontal stress orientations（i.e., maximum and minimum horizontal compressive stress axes： S H and S h, respectively） accordingly and found an abrupt change near ＊26°N. To the north, S H aligns NW-SE to nearly E-W while S h aligns nearly N-S. In contrast, to the south, both S H and S h rotate laterally and show dominantly fan-shaped patterns. The minimum horizontal stress（i.e., maximum strain axis） S h rotates from NW-SE to the west of Tengchong volcano gradually to nearly E-W in west Yunnan, and further toNE-SW in the South China block in the east. The crustal strain field is consistent with the upper mantle strain field indicated by shear-wave splitting observations in Yunnan but not in other regions. Therefore, the crust and upper mantle in Yunnan are coupled and suffering vertically coherent pure-shear deformation in the lithosphere.

Normal Faulting Type Earthquake Activities in the Tibetan Plateau and Its Tectonic Implication

This paper analyzes various earthquake fault types, mechanism solutions, stress field as well as other geophysical data to study the crust movement in the Tibetan plateau and its tectonic implications. The results show that a lot of normal faulting type earthquakes concentrate in the central Tibetan plateau. Many of them are nearly perfect normal fault events. The strikes of the fault planes of the normal faulting earthquakes are almost in the N-S direction based on the analyses of the equal area projection diagrams of fault plane solutions. It implies that the dislocation slip vectors of the normal faulting type events have quite great components in the E-W direction. The extension is probably an eastward extensional motion, mainly a tectonic active regime in the altitudes of the plateau. The tensional stress in the E-W or WNW-ESE direction predominates the earthquake occurrence in the normal event region of the central plateau. A number of thrust fault and strike-slip fault type earthquakes with strong compressive stress nearly in the NNE-SSW direction occurred on the edges of the plateau. The eastward extensional motion in the Tibetan plateau is attributable to the eastward movement of materials in the upper mantle based on_seismo-tomographic results. The eastward extensional motion in the Tibetan plateau may be related to the eastward extrusion of hotter mantle materials beneath the east boundary of the plateau. The northward motion of the Tibetan plateau shortened in the N-S direction probably encounters strong obstructions at the western and northern margins. Extensional motions from the relaxation of the topography and/or gravitational collapse in the altitudes of the plateau occur hardly in the N-S direction. The obstruction for the plateau to move eastward is rather weak.

Spatio-temporal variation of the stress field in the Wenchuan aftershock region

Focal mechanism solutions and centroid depths of 312 M≥4 aftershocks from the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake sequence have been derived by CAP （Cut and Paste） method from broadband waveform data with relatively high signal-to-noise ratio （SNR）. Following this, we have analyzed the distribution of focal depths and the stress tensors, as well as the types of focal mechanisms. The major results are： （1） different cross-sections show that the depth ranges of the aftershocks at the southern and northern ends of the aftershock area along the Longmenshan fault zone are wider than those on the central segment, where rare M≥4 aftershocks occurred at depths shallower than 10 kin. The main faults trend to the NW on the southern and central segments, and for the northern segment, no dominant trend direction has been determined; （2） stress tensor distribution demonstrates that the majority of the aftershock areas on the cross-section along the major axis are mainly under compressive stress perpendicular to the profile; however, for the areas near Lixian, Beichuan, Qingchuan and the shallow parts of its northern segment, large principal stress components are parallel to the major axis profile direction. On the cross-sections perpendicular to the major axis, the three areas above can be divided into two parts： one with dominantly compressional stress near the major faults of the Longmenshan fault zone on the SE side, and the other with NE-direction push along the fault zone on the NW side; （3） the stress tensor distribution in map view is very similar to those on the vertical cross-sections. In map view, the orientation of the principal compressional stress axis $1 on the central segment of the aftershock area presents an SE-trending arc shape; （4） the stress tensor slices at different depths show that the orientation of S1 axis mainly changes on the central segment and at the northern end, indicating that the two segments have different seismogenic structures at different depths; （5） with the exception of the northern end of the aftershock region, the orientation of the $1 axis changes little during the early and late stages, illustrating the seismogenic structures are relatively stable; （6） preliminary analyses for the seismogenic structures at the northern end indicated that deeper strike-slip quakes occurred on the ENE-striking branch at first, and then the NNE-striking branch faults at the northern end were activated and generated a series of relatively shallow strike-slip earthquakes due to subsequent stress-triggering; （7） the aftershock triggering mechanism that occurred near Lixian is different between the shallow and deep depths, and between the early and late stages, indicating that the main faults and the branch faults responsible for aftershocks are at different depths. Consequently, the relaxation effect of the main shock particularIy impacts the branch faults.