Intrinsic and scattering attenuations of the Sichuan-Yunnan region in China from S coda waves

Seismic attenuation is a fundamental property of the Earth's media.Attenuation structure for the complicated geological structures with strong seismicity in the Sichuan-Yunnan region is poorly studied.In this study,we collected 108,399 waveforms of 11,517 local small earthquakes with magnitudes between 1.5 and 3.5 from January 2014 to September 2021 in the Sichuan-Yunnan region and its adjacent areas.We employed an envelope inversion technique for separating the intrinsic and scattering attenuations of the S coda wave,and obtained the intrinsic and scattering attenuation structures for frequencies between 0.25 and 8.00 Hz.The attenuation structures correlate well with the geological units,and some major faults mark the attenuation variations where historic large earthquakes have occurred.The regional average attenuation shows a negative frequency dependence.The average scattering attenuation has a faster descending rate than the average intrinsic attenuation,and is dominant at low frequencies,while at high frequencies the average intrinsic attenuation is stronger.The lateral variation in the intrinsic attenuation is consistent with the variation in heat flow,the scattering attenuation may be related to the scatter distribution and size.The total attenuation is consistent with the previous studies in this region,and the separate intrinsic and scattering attenuation may be useful in understanding regional tectonics and important in earthquake prevention and disaster reduction.

Study on Integrated Recurrence Behaviors of Strong Earthquakes Along Entire Active Fault Zones in the Sichuan-Yunnan Region, China

Based on historical earthquake data, we use statistical methods to study integrated recurrence behaviors of strong earthquakes along 7 selected active fault zones in the Sichuan-Yunnan region. The results show that recurrences of strong earthquakes in the 7 fault zones display near-random, random and clustering behaviors. The recurrence processes are never quasi-periodic, and are neither strength-time nor time-strength dependent. The more independent segments for strong earthquake rupturing a fault zone has, the more complicated the corresponding recurrence process is. And relatively active periods and quiescent periods for earthquake activity occur alternatively. Within the active periods, the distribution of recurrence time intervals between earthquakes has relatively large discretion, and can be modelled well by a Weibull distribution. The time distribution of the quiescent periods has relatively small discretion, and can be approximately described by some distributions as the normal. Both the durations of the active periods and the numbers of strong earthquakes within the active periods vary obviously cycle by cycle, leading to the relatively active periods having never repeated quasi-periodically. Therefore, the probabilistic assessment for middle- and long-term seismic hazard for entireties of active fault zones based on data of historical strong earthquakes on the fault zones still faces difficulty.

The Evolutionary Characteristics of Seismic Activity in the Sichuan-Yunnan Region,China

Based on the earthquake activity characteristics of the diamond block in the Sichuan- Yunnan region and by using the method of the meso-scope damage dynamics and damage evolution, we studied the damage evolution process for moderately strong earthquakes along two seismic belts. The original combination patterns of all the units which illuminate the changes from stable state to destroyed state are given. All these patterns can direct the earthquake prediction practice in this region.

The Two-dimensional Time Coordinate System and Time Prediction Research of M≥6.7 Strong Earthquakes in the Sichuan-Yunnan Region

Since the 20 thcentury,the time intervals of M ≥6.7 strong earthquakes in the SichuanYunnan region show obvious regularity.Using the years of the strong events,a twodimensional time coordinate system is generated,based on which,the time prediction model is constructed for strong earthquakes in the Sichuan-Yunnan region.Prediction analysis shows that there is risk of generating four earthquakes with M ≥ 6.7 in the Sichuan-Yunnan region in the future 16 years,and there are strong signals for M ≥6.7earthquakes for periods 2012-2021 and 2025-2029.The strong earthquakes may occur around 2014-2015,2019 and 2027.

Determination of the degree 120 time-variable gravity field in the Sichuan-Yunnan region using Slepian functions and terrestrial measurements

The terrestrial time-variable gravity measurements are characterized by a high signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity to the sources of mass change in the Earth's crust.These gravity data have many applications,such as surface deformation,groundwater storage changes,and mass migration before and after earthquakes.Based on repeated terrestrial gravity measurements at 198 gravity stations in the Sichuan-Yunnan region(SYR)from 2015 to 2017,we determine a time series of degree 120 gravity fields using the localized spherical harmonic(Slepian)basis functions.Our results show that adopting the first 6 Slepian basis functions is sufficient for effective localized Slepian modeling in the SYR.The differences between two gravity campaigns at the same time of year show an obvious correlation with tectonic features.The degree 120 timevariable gravity models presented in this paper will benefit the study of the regional mass migration inside the crust of the SYR and supplement the existing geophysical models for the China Seismic Experimental Site.

Analysis of Ground Motion Attenuation Characterization for Moderate Earthquakes in the Sichuan-Yunnan Region

The ground motion attenuation models for PGA,PGV and response spectrum at rock sites and soils sites are derived separately from the digital strong motion records of moderate earthquakes in the Sichuan-Yunnan region after 2007. By comparison with Yu Yanxiangs attenuation model for rock sites in western China,reliability of the model is verified for moderate earthquake. According to the distribution of strong motion data against magnitude and epicentral distance,the applicability and reliability of the results in this paper are discussed.

Numerical simulation of the influence of lower-crustal flow on the deformation of the Sichuan-Yunnan Region

On the basis of distribution of active fault and regional rheological structure, a three-dimensional finite element model of Sichuan-Yunnan region, China, is constructed to simulate contemporary crustal motion and stress distribution and discuss the dynamic mechanism of crustal motion and deformation in the Sichuan-Yunnan region. Linear Maxwell visco-elastic model is applied, which includes the active fault zones, the elastic upper crust and viscous lower crust and upper mantle. Four different models with different boundary conditions and deep structure are calculated. Some conclusions are drawn through comparison. Firstly, the crustal rotation about the eastern syntaxis of the Himalaya in the Sicuan-Yunnan region may be controlled by the special dynamic boundary condition. The drag force of the lower-crust on the upper crust is not negligible. At the same time, the main active fault zones play an important role in the contemporary crustal motion and deformation in Sichuan-Yunnan region.

Study on Postseismic Impact of Wenchuan Earthquake on the Sichuan-Yunnan Region Based on Three-Dimensional Viscoelastic Finite Element Method

Based on the lateral segmentation and vertical stratification characteristics of the crustal medium in Sichuan-Yunnan region,and the asymmetry of the static dislocations on the coseismic fault plane of the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake,we built a three-dimensional viscoelastic finite element model of the crust in the Sichuan-Yunnan region.The postseismic impact of the Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake on the Sichuan-Yunnan region was studied.The results show that:①The far-field horizontal deformation caused by the viscoelastic relaxation of the medium in the 10 years after the earthquake is about 0-20 mm within the Sichuan-Yunnan diamond-shaped block,which has a greater influence on north side and smaller on south side.②In the 10 years after the earthquake,the far-field vertical deformation caused by the viscoelastic relaxation effect of the medium is small,and it shows an increase of about 0-4 mm in most areas of the Sichuan-Yunnan diamond-shaped block.③The Xianshuihe fault and the eastern segment of the East Kunlun fault,which are close to the seismogenic fault,show a high gradient on deformation fields after the earthquake.④In order to compare with the strong earthquake activity in the SichuanYunnan region after the Wenchuan earthquake,the horizontal stress state and the Coulomb failure stress change of the active block boundary are also calculated.From the spatial distribution of the coseismic and postseismic displacement field,the fault activity characteristics reflected by the stress state and the stress loading of the fault layer reflected by the Coulomb failure stress change,there is a certain correlation with the spatial distribution of strong earthquake activity in this region.

Study on the Relationship Between Recent Crustal Deformation and the Temporal-Spatial Distribution of Strong Earthquakes (M_s≥6.0) in the Sichuan-Yunnan Region

Analysis of deformation data measured across the faults, regional vertical deformation data and GPS measurements in the Sichuan-Yunnan region made since the 1980s permitted us to conclude that the crustal deformation in the region during this period of time was relatively weak and caused the occurrence of earthquakes (M S≥6.0), which were not distributed along the major boundary active faults in the region after the 1981 Dawu M S 6.9 earthquake and that the seismic activity is characterized by quasi-clockwise migration. Thus, it follows that earthquake prediction research should be focused on the central part of the Sichuan-Yunnan region in the coming years. Finally, a concept of temporal division of the region into active blocks is suggested and the preliminary result of the division is given in the paper.

Tidal Response Characteristics of the Well Water Level in the Sichuan-Yunnan Region

In this paper,the long time series data of the well water-level data of 12 wells in the Sichuan and Yunnan area is analyzed by the Baytap-G tidal analysis software,and well water level tidal response characteristic parameters( amplitude ratio and phase change)are extracted. We analyzed the features of the shape and stage change,and characteristic parameters of the tidal response of well water level before and after the earthquakes,which can provide a new method and approach to analyzing the response relationships between well water level and earth tide and barometric pressure. The results show that Luguhu Well and 9 other wells are affected by earth tides,and their well water level amplitude ratios and phases are relatively stable; the Nanxi Well and Dayao Well water level changes are affected by the barometric pressure combined with tide force,and their well water level amplitude ratios and phases are more discrete. The water level amplitude ratios and phases of Jiangyou Well,Luguhu Well and Dongchuan Well are significant to large earthquakes,and the relationship between seismic energy density and water level amplitude ratios and phases of M_2 wave of the three wells are presented.

Present status and prospective on the seismic hazard studies of major seismic gaps in the Sichuan-Yunnan region

Several seismic gaps have been identified along the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault zone and the Longmenshan fault zone in the Sichuan-Yunnan region, including the Daofu-Shimian gap on the Xianshuihe Fault, the Anninghe-Zemuhe gap, parts of the Xiaojiang Fault, and the Dayi gap between the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes. The seismic hazards of the Daofu-Shimian and Dayi gaps have aroused great concern and caused considerable debate. This paper reviews the recent geophysical observations and multidisciplinary studies conducted by domestic and international researchers in these areas, focusing on seismogenic structures, seismic activity, fault locking, stress fields, as well as earthquake triggering, and further analyzes the current controversial viewpoints about the seismic hazards in these regions. Based on the comprehensive analysis, we argue that the kinematic status along the Daofu-Shimian segment may vary significantly along the fault strike. Due to limitations in data and models, there is no consensus on the seismogenic potential of this area. Conversely, the Dayi seismic gap presents a high seismic potential. Furthermore, we delve into the scientific problems associated with major seismic gaps in the Sichuan-Yunnan region and make prospects for the strategy of future work. We propose a research framework that combines dense array and distributed acoustic sensing, artificial intelligence and big data technologies, joint inversion of multiple geophysical fields, as well as numerical simulation techniques for comprehensive seismic hazard analysis in seismic gaps.

Thermospheric neutral wind studies over the equatorial region:A review

Thermospheric neutral winds(TNWs)refer to the neutral gases in the thermosphere circulating as tides,which play a crucial role in the dynamics of the thermosphere-ionosphere system(TIS).Global geospace neutral winds,particularly over the magnetic equator,have been a subject of study for several decades.However,despite the known importance of neutral winds,a comprehensive understanding and characterization of the winds is still lacking.Various ground-based and satellite missions have provided valuable information on the contribution of neutral winds to the global atmospheric dynamics.However,efforts in the global monitoring of neutral winds are still lacking,and the drivers behind the behavior of TNWs as well as their influence on the TIS remain incomplete.To address these knowledge gaps in the global circulation of TNWs,it is crucial to develop a deep understanding of the neutral wind characteristics over different regions.The low-latitude equatorial region in particular has been observed to exert complex influences on TNWs because of the unique effects of the Earth’s magnetic field at the dip equator.Studying neutral winds over this region will provide valuable insights into the unique dynamics and processes that occur in this region,thereby enhancing our understanding of their role in the overall dynamics of the TIS.Additionally,through empirical observations,an improved ability to accurately model and predict the behavior of this region can be achieved.This review article addresses challenges in understanding equatorial winds by reviewing historical measurements,current missions,and the interactions of ionospheric and thermospheric phenomena,emphasizing the need for comprehensive measurements to improve global atmospheric dynamics and weather forecasting.

Burden of mental disorders and risk factors in the Western Pacific region from 1990 to 2021

BACKGROUND The burden of mental disorders(MD)in the Western Pacific Region(WPR)re-mains a critical public health concern,with substantial variations across demogra-phics and countries.AIM To analyze the burden of MD in the WPR from 1990 to 2021,along with associated risk factors,to reveal changing trends and emerging challenges.METHODS We used data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021,analyzing prevalence,incidence,and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)of MD from 1990 to 2021.Statistical methods included age-standardisation and uncertainty analysis to address variations in population structure and data completeness.RESULTS Between 1990 and 2021,the prevalence of MD rose from 174.40 million cases[95%uncertainty interval(UI):160.17-189.84]to 234.90 million cases(95%UI:219.04-252.50),with corresponding DALYs increasing from 22.8 million(95%UI:17.22-28.79)to 32.07 million(95%UI:24.50-40.68).During this period,the burden of MD shifted towards older age groups.Depressive and anxiety disorders were predominant,with females showing higher DALYs for depressive and anxiety disorders,and males more affected by conduct disorders,attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder,and autism spectrum disorders.Australia,New Zealand,and Malaysia reported the highest burdens,whereas Vietnam,China,and Brunei Darussalam reported the lowest.Additionally,childhood sexual abuse and bullying,and intimate partner violence emerged as significant risk factors.CONCLUSION This study highlights the significant burden of MD in the WPR,with variations by age,gender,and nation.The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has exacerbated the situation,emphasizing the need for a coordinated response.

Spatial Patterns and Controlling Factors of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in the Three River Headwaters Region,China

The alpine ecosystem has great potential for carbon sequestration.Soil organic carbon(SOC)and total nitrogen(TN)are highly sensitive to climate change,and their dynamics are crucial to revealing the effect of climate change on the structure,function,and services of the ecosystem.However,the spatial distribution and controlling factors of SOC and TN across various soil layers and vegetation types within this unique ecosystem remain inadequately understood.In this study,256 soil samples in 89 sites were collected from the Three River Headwaters Region(TRHR)in China to investigate SOC and TN and to explore the primary factors affecting their distribution,including soil,vegetation,climate,and geography factors.The results show that SOC and TN contents in 0-20,20-40,40-60,and 60-80 cm soil layers are 24.40,18.03,14.04,12.40 g/kg and 2.46,1.90,1.51,1.17 g/kg,respectively;with higher concentrations observed in the southeastern region compared to the northwest of the TRHR.One-way analysis of variance reveals that SOC and TN levels are elevated in the alpine meadow and the alpine shrub relative to the alpine steppe in the 0-60 cm soil layers.The structural equation model explores that soil water content is the main controlling factor affecting the variation of SOC and TN.Moreover,the geography,climate,and vegetation factors notably indirectly affect SOC and TN through soil factors.Therefore,it can effectively improve soil water and nutrient conditions through vegetation restoration,soil improvement,and grazing management,and the change of SOC and TN can be fully understood by establishing monitoring networks to better protect soil carbon and nitrogen.

Magnitude and distance distribution of strong aftershocks in Sichuan-Yunnan region

研究了川滇地区1966年以来12次主震震级Ms≥6.5的地震序列中，主震与强余震（本文定义为所有Ms≥5的余震）震级差分布特征和强余震与主震距离的分布特征。结果表明，强余震与主震震级差服从截断的指数分布，据此推导出了强余震与主震震级差的概率密度函数；强余震距离分布的优势范围是距主震10-39km，且强余震与主震震中的距离服从正态分布。

GPS-constrained inversion of present-day slip rates along major faults of the Sichuan-Yunnan region, China

A linked-fault-element model is employed to invert for contemporary slip rates along major active faults in the Sichuan-Yunnan region (96°-108°E, 21°-35°N) using the least squares method. The model is based on known fault geometry, and constrained by a GPS-derived horizontal velocity field. Our results support a model attributing the eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau driven mainly by the north-northeastward indentation of the Indian plate into Tibet and the gravitational collapse of the plateau. Resisted by a relatively stable south China block, materials of the Sichuan-Yunnan region rotate clockwise around the eastern Himalayan tectonic syntaxis. During the process the Garzê-Yushu, Xianshuihe, Anninghe, Zemuhe, Daliangshan, and Xiaojiang faults, the southwest extension of the Xiaojiang fault, and the Daluo-Jinghong and Mae Chan faults constitute the northeast and east boundaries of the eastward extrusion, with their left slip rates being 0.3-14.7, 8.9-17.1, 5.1 ± 2.5, 2.8 ± 2.3, 7.1 ± 2.1, 9.4 ± 1.2, 10.1 ± 2.0, 7.3 ± 2.6, and 4.9 ± 3.0 mm/a respectively. The southwestern boundary consists of a widely distributed dextral transpressional zone other than a single fault. Right slip rates of 4.2 ± 1.3, 4.3 ± 1.1, and 8.5 ± 1.7 mm/a are detected across the Nanhua-Chuxiong-Jianshui, Wuliangshan, and Longling-Lancang faults. Crustal deformation across the Longmenshan fault is weak, with short-ening rates of 1.4 ± 1.0 and 1.6 ± 1.3 mm/a across the Baoxing-Beichuan and Beichuan-Qingchuan segments. Northwest of the Longmenshan fault lies an active deformation zone (the Longriba fault) with 5.1±1.2 mm/a right slip across. Relatively large slip rates are detected across a few faults within the Sichuan-Yunnan block: 4.4±1.3 mm/a left slip and 2.7±1.1 mm/a shortening across the Litang fault, and 2.7±2.3 mm/a right-lateral shearing and 6.7±2.3 mm/a shortening across the Yunongxi fault and its surrounding regions. In conclusion, we find that the Sichuan-Yunnan region is divided into more than a dozen active micro-blocks by a large number of faults with relatively slow slip rates. The eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau is absorbed and adjusted in the region mainly by these faults, other than a small number of large strike-slip faults with fast slip rates.

Recent movement changes of main fault zones in the Sichuan-Yunnan region and their relevance to seismic activity

The Wenchuan earthquake occurred near the "triple junction" linking the Bayan Har block, the South China block, and the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block, and its influences on the surrounding blocks and the main fault zones in the Sichuan-Yunnan region, i.e., the block boundary zone, cannot be ignored. In this paper, changes of movement and stress of the fault zones before and after a strong earthquake were simulated based on the GPS repetition survey results recently obtained during 1999–2007, 2009–2011, and 2011–2013 with a two-dimensional finite-element contact model and the "block- loading" method. The results show that, before the Wenchuan earthquake, the movement of the Longmenshan fault zone was very slow and its compressive stress accumulated rapidly; after the Wenchuan earthquake, movements toward the E-SSE direction of the Bayan Har, southwestern Yunnan, and rhombic blocks were enhanced, and the dextral and horizontal compressive speeds and annual accumulative compressive stress of the Longmenshan fault zone increased markedly by factors of 4.5, 2.1, and 2.5, respectively. The southern Xianshuihe, Anninghe, Zemuhe, Daliangshan, and Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault zones accumulated compressive stress rapidly, forming enhanced compressive stress zones along a NE strike crossing the central part of the Sichuan-Yunnan region. The tensional movement of the Xianshuihe fault zone was enhanced and the slip movement in the central part of the zone was reversed in a short time. The changes are tightly related to the medium-intensity earthquakes that occurred during the same period in this region, revealing that the spatial migration of seismic activity is related to changes of movement of the blocks.

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.

Wavelet analysis and interpretation of gravity data in Sichuan-Yunnan region, China

The Bouguer gravity anomaly data of Sichuan-Yunnan region and its vicinity were analyzed with wavelet trans- formation method. In the process, complete orthogonal wavelet function system with good symmetry and higher vanishing moment was selected to decompose the gravity anomaly into two parts. With the power spectral analysis on the decomposed anomalies, we interpreted that the two parts of anomalies represent the density variation in upper and middle crust, and in deep crust and uppermost mantle, respectively. The two parts of anomalies indicate the difference between shallow and deep tectonics. The results of shallow-layer apparent density mapping reveal that: a) the crustal density in Sichuan basin is higher than that in Songpan-Garze orogenic zone; b) the density of Kangdian rhombic block is heterogeneous; c) the boundary faults of Kangdian block are of different density fea- tures, suggesting different tectonic signification. The results of deep-layer apparent density mapping show a similar, but not the same, density distribution pattern as the shallow results, and indicate that the tectonics of shallow and deep crust are different, they may be in a status of incomplete coupling. Our results also show that the earthquakes in this area are controlled not only by the fracture zones but also by the deep density distribution.

Strong Earthquake Activity and Its Relation to Regional Neotectonic Movement in Sichuan-Yunnan Region

Based on analyzing space inhomogeneous image of strong earthquake activity, the image of source rupture and the mechanical property of the source fault in Sichuan-Yunnan region, the relations among the strong earthquake activity, active fault, modern movement status of active blocks and structural background of the deep media have been discussed, and the characteristics of strong earthquake activity and possible mechanism have been also discussed.