Fine upper crustal structure of Jiashi strong earthquake swarm region in Xinjiang in-ferred from high resolution seismic refraction profile data

The data obtained from a high resolution seismic refraction profile, which was carded out in Jiashi, Xinjiang, strong earthquake swarm area, were processed with both finite difference inversion and Hagedoorn refractor wavefront imaging technique and the fine upper crustal structure was determined. The results show that the upper crustal structure is relatively well-distributed in laterally and obviously by layers vertically.From surface to 11.0 km depth, there are about four layers. The P wave velocity of top two layers range from 1.65 to 4.5 km/s and their bottom boundaries, the buried depths of which are 0.4, 2.96-3.0 km respectively, are almost horizontal; The third layer is comparatively complicated and its P wave velocity presents inhomogeneous in both laterally and vertically. The bottom boundary of third layer is crystalline basement and shows a little uplift, which seemly suggest that the upper crust had been resisted while the hard Tarim block inserting into Tianshan Mountain; The forth layer is relatively even and its P wave velocity is about 6.3 km/s. There are a lateral velocity variation at the depth of about 4.0 km, and suggest that it has something to do with the hidden Meigaiti fault and Meigaiti-Xiasuhong fault but there are no the structure features about these faults stretching to the surface and passing through the crystalline basement. The seismogenic tectonic of Jiashi strong earthquake swarm at least lies in middle or lower crust beneath 11.0 km depth.

Analysis of the Effect and Solution of Geomagnetic Room Humidity on Geomagnetic Observation

It is not easy to control humidity in a geomagnetic room. If humidity is too high or the change is too fast it will lead to an abnormal change on data. The intelligent real-time humidity analysis and monitoring system of a geomagnetic room and probe can not only monitor and display the change of humidity in the geomagnetic room and send an alarm signal when it exceeds the pre-set range, but also dehumidify intelligently. One can arbitrarily control the sensor to monitor the ambient humidity of the probe in order to ensure that the data is stable and true. The design idea and main functions of the system are introduced in the paper.

Basement interface structural characteristics beneath Jiashi strong earthquake swarm area in Xinjiang, China

The seismic data obtained from high resolution seismic refraction profile in Jiashi strong earthquake swarm area in Xinjiang, China were further processed with ray hit analysis method and more complete basement interface structural characteristics beneath Jiashi strong earthquake swarm area were determined. The results show that there are two clear basement interfaces at the upper crust in Jiashi strong earthquake swarm area. The first one with buried depth ranging from 2.6 km to 3.3 km presents integral and continuous structure, and it appears an inclined plane interface and smoothly rises up toward Tianshan Mountain. The second basement interface with buried depth from 8.5 km to 11.8 km, is the antiquated crystalline basement of Tarim basin. Near the post number of 37 km, the buried depth of the crystalline basement changed abruptly by 2.5 km, which maybe result from an ultra crystalline basement fault. If taking this fault as a boundary, the crystalline basement could be divided into two parts, i.e. the southwestern segment with buried depth about 11.5 km, and the northeastern segment with buried depth approxi-mately from 8.5 km to 9.0 km. That is to say, in each segment, the buried depth changes not too much. The northeast segment rises up as a whole and upheaves slightly from southwest to northeast, which reflects the upper crustal deformation characteristics under the special tectonic background at the northwestern edge of Tarim basin.

Characteristics of the Zhengzhou Laoyachen Fault Revealed by Seismic Exploration Data

Exploration and research of fault activities are the fundamentals of earthquake prediction and prevention and disaster reduction. In order to determine the location, characteristics and activities of the Zhengzhou-Laoyachen fault, shallow seismic prospecting with different exploration depth across the Laoyachen fault was carried out in the northern suburbs of Zhengzhou city in 2006. The images of the subterranean structure and tectonics at depths of 30m～6000m have been available by applying the combined methods of explosive seismic sources and vibrator seismic sources, as well as the combination of diverse observation systems with different parameters. The outcome indicates that the Laoyachen fault is a normal fault running NW and dipping NE, which offsets stratums ahead of Neogene (N). However, no fault displacements are found in the interior stratums of Q+N.

Crustal and upper mantle structure and deep tectonic genesis of large earthquakes in North China

From the 1960 s to 1970 s, North China has been hit by a series of large earthquakes. During the past half century,geophysicists have carried out numerous surveys of the crustal and upper mantle structure, and associated studies in North China.They have made significant progress on several key issues in the geosciences, such as the crustal and upper mantle structure and the seismogenic environment of strong earthquakes. Deep seismic profiling results indicate a complex tectonic setting in the strong earthquake areas of North China, where a listric normal fault and a low-angle detachment in the upper crust coexist with a high-angle deep fault passing through the lower crust to the Moho beneath the hypocenter. Seismic tomography images reveal that most of the large earthquakes occurred in the transition between the high-and low-velocity zones, and the Tangshan earthquake area is characterized by a low-velocity anomaly in the middle-lower crust. Comprehensive analysis of geophysical data identified that the deep seismogenic environment in the North China extensional tectonic region is generally characterized by a low-velocity anomalous belt beneath the hypocenter, inconsistency of the deep and shallow structures in the crust, a steep crustalal-scale fault,relative lower velocities in the uppermost mantle, and local Moho uplift, etc. This indicates that the lithospheric structure of North China has strong heterogeneities. Geologically, the North China region had been a stable craton named the North China Craton or in brief the NCC, containing crustal rocks as old as ～3.8 Ga. The present-day strong seismic activity and the lower velocity of the lower crust in the NCC are much different from typical stable cratons around the world. These findings provide significant evidence for the destruction of the NCC. Although deep seismic profiling and seismic tomography have greatly enhanced knowledge about the deep-seated structure and seismogenic environment, some fundamental issues still remain and require further work.

Ray hit analysis method and its application to complex upper crustal structure survey

Based on the results obtained from Pg wavefront imaging in active source deep seismic sounding, we propose a new ray hit analysis method for high-resolution seismic refraction profile data processing. This method can be used to further determine possible refraction interface, especially spatial location of basement and its pattern characteristics in complex upper crustal structure region, making data processing for high-resolution refraction profiles more fine. We use this method to study the crystalline basement structure of east part of A＇nyemaqên suite zone at northeast side of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the basement patterns as well as its spreading features at the east part of Anemaqen suite zone and its adjacent region were determined.