This study emphasizes the advantage of tectonic phase separation in determination of a tectonic evolution of complicated fault zones. The research focused on the Sudetic Marginal Fault Zone(SMFZ) –a 250 km long activ...This study emphasizes the advantage of tectonic phase separation in determination of a tectonic evolution of complicated fault zones. The research focused on the Sudetic Marginal Fault Zone(SMFZ) –a 250 km long active fault zone with documented intraplate seismicity situated on the NE margin of the Bohemian Massif(the Czech Republic). The tectonic history of the SMFZ as well as its kinematic development has been rather complicated and not quite understood. A field structural investigation was carried out in extensive surroundings of the fault zone. The fault-slip data were collected in a number of natural outcrops and quarries with the aim at establishing a robust and field-constrained model for local brittle structural evolution of the studied area. A paleostress analysis was calculated using the collected fault-slip data inversion. The T-Tecto software was utilized for semiautomatic separation of the paleostress phases. Simultaneously three methods of data separation were employed:(1) the Gauss inverse method,(2) the Visualization of Gauss object Function, and(3) the frequency analysis. Within the fault zone multiphase movements were observed on various types of faults as well as wide range of the kinematic indicators orientations. The frequency analysis confirmed the multiphase history of the SMFZ. The calculated tectonic phases were divided according to their relative age as constrained by cross cutting relationships and, where observed, multiple striations on a single fault plane and classified from the oldest to the younger. Data separation and inversion usingT-Tecto software with the Gauss inverse method revealed four different stress phases which are 3 strike-slip stress regimes and one compressional regime. The strike-slip regimes are characterized by σ1 trending NW-SE(43), NNE-SSW(18), ENE-WSW(76) and the compressional one by σ1 trending W-E(26). First, compression occurred parallel to the SMFZ supposedly during the Variscan period. Second, compression at an angle of 60° to general direction of the SMFZ yielded right-lateral movement along the fault zone. This is considered to have occurred during the late-Variscan and post-Variscan period. Third, compression in the W-E direction with almost vertical extension led to reverse movement along the fault zone. This is considered to have occurred during Cenozoic. Fourth, compression almost perpendicular to the SMFZ led to left-lateral transpression along the SMFZ. This is considered to have occurred during Quaternary.展开更多
The East Kuulun active fault zone, which lies in the valley of the Kuulun Mountains above an elevation of 4,000 meters, is an important active fault zone in the Northeast Qinghai-Xizang （Tibet） Plateau. The 1937, th...The East Kuulun active fault zone, which lies in the valley of the Kuulun Mountains above an elevation of 4,000 meters, is an important active fault zone in the Northeast Qinghai-Xizang （Tibet） Plateau. The 1937, the Tosonhu lake Ms7. 5 earthquake occurred in the eastern segment of the East Kuulun active fault zone. Four field investigations were launched on this seism in 1963, 1971, 1980, and between 1986 and 1990. However, due to different extents of the investigations, four different conclusions have been gained. Concerning the length aspect of the surface rupture zone of this earthquake, the unanimous consensus is that its eastern end lies in the west side of the main Ridge of the A ＇nyemaqen Mountains, but opinions about the western end and the location of the macro-epicenter are different. Based on investigation and comprehensive study, a series of scientific problems like geometric and kinetic characteristics, the length of the rupture zone, the maximum sinistral horizontal displacement and the macroepicenter were re-evaluated. We believe that the total length of this earthquake＇s surface deformation zone is at least 240km; the western end of the zone is at the west of Wnsuwuwoguole; the maximum sinistral horizontal displacement is 8m to the west of Baerhalasha gully on the east side of Sanchakou; the maximum vertical displacement is 3.5m in the south of Sanchakou and the macro-epicenter is in Sanchakou.展开更多
Uncertainties are common in the dating of paleoearthquakes.To improve the credibility of the dating of paleoearthquakes,analysis was done on fault activity,sedimentary environment and seismo-geomorphology to investiga...Uncertainties are common in the dating of paleoearthquakes.To improve the credibility of the dating of paleoearthquakes,analysis was done on fault activity,sedimentary environment and seismo-geomorphology to investigate paleoearthquakes along the Zemuhe active fault zone.Grouped trenches were excavated near Daqingliangzi,which revealed three palaeoearthquake events aged 160a,3100a and 5500a～8900a,respectively,including recurrence intervals of about 3000a.Sedimentary processes related to strike-slip fault type earthquakes were discussed,and a sedimentary model was put forward for strike-slip faults at hillsides where drumlin and reverse scarp developed.展开更多
During the process of preparation and occurrence of a large earthquake, the stress-strain state along the fault zone has close relation with the weak seismicity around the fault zone. The seismic energy release near t...During the process of preparation and occurrence of a large earthquake, the stress-strain state along the fault zone has close relation with the weak seismicity around the fault zone. The seismic energy release near the fault zone before an earthquake can better reflect the dynamic process of earthquake preparation. Thus, in this paper, the method of natural orthogonal function expansion has been adopted to discuss the time variation about the energy field of the seismic activity along the Longmenshan fault zone before the Wenchuan MsS. 0 earthquake, 2008. The results show that evident short-term rise changes appeared in the time factors of the typical field corresponding to several key eigenvalues of the energy field along the Longmenshan fault zone before the Wenchuan earthquake, probably being the short-term anomaly message for this earthquake. Through contrastive analysis of earthquake examples such as the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, the authors think that the study of time variation of energy field of seismicity along active fault zone will be helpful for conducting intentional and intensive earthquake monitoring and forecast in active fault regions with high seismic risk based on medium- and long-term earthquake trend judgment.展开更多
The great Haiyuan earthquake occurred at 20:06:09 on December 16,1920 in the south of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.The magnitude of this earthquake is 8.5,listed as one of the three greatest earthquakes to ever occur...The great Haiyuan earthquake occurred at 20:06:09 on December 16,1920 in the south of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.The magnitude of this earthquake is 8.5,listed as one of the three greatest earthquakes to ever occur in Chinese continent.This devastating earthquake killed about 230,000 people according to previous reports.Recent studies show that total casualties may have reached 270,000.The study of this earthquake using modern scientific and technological methods is the first in the history of earthquake research in China.Significant breakthroughs took place in the middle of last century.The earthquake surface rupture,with 200km in length and prominent left-lateral strike-slip displacement,was discovered.The first monograph on the Haiyuan earthquake was published.In the 1980s,innovative large-scale geological mapping technology for active faults was developed during studies on the Haiyuan earthquake surface ruptures,with the publication of the first large-scale map of the Haiyuan active fault.Quantitative studies were carried out on the fine structure and geometry of the fault zone,Holocene slip rate,co-seismic displacement,paleoearthquake and recurrence intervals and future earthquake risk assessment.The innovative studies also included rupture propagation along the strike-slip fault,evolution of pull-apart basins,determination of total displacement of the strike-slip fault,transition equilibrium between strike-slip displacement along its major strand and crustal shortening at the end of the strike-slip fault,and the mechanism of deformation on Liupan Mountain.On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Haiyuan earthquake,careful retrospect of scientific progress achieved during the recent 20 years would be helpful in providing further direction in the study of active faults and earthquake hazard reduction.While taking this occasion to remember those lost by the Haiyuan earthquake,we aim to make greater contributions to earthquake prediction and seismic hazard reduction.展开更多
The regional tectonic background and characteristics of active faults of the Yutian MS7.3earthquake on February 12,2014 are discussed in this paper.After the analysis of the epicenter area of the MS7.3 earthquake in 2...The regional tectonic background and characteristics of active faults of the Yutian MS7.3earthquake on February 12,2014 are discussed in this paper.After the analysis of the epicenter area of the MS7.3 earthquake in 2014 and the focal mechanisms of the former strong earthquakes around it,the authors deduced that the seismogenic fault of the MS7.3earthquake is the east branch of the Ashikule fault.The MS7.3 earthquake in 2014 and the MS7.3 earthquake in 2008 are two strong earthquake events on the different sections of the Altun Tagh fault,where the fault behavior changes from sinistral slip to normal faulting because of the extensional tail effects in the southern end of the Altun Tagh fault.It is concluded that the two MS7.3 earthquakes have the same dynamic source,and the MS7.3earthquake in 2008 promoted the occurrence of the MS7.3 earthquake in 2014.Finally,we calculate the Coulomb stress change to the seismogenic fault of the MS7.3 earthquake in2014 from the MS7.3 earthquake in 2008 using the layered crust model.The result also shows that the MS7.3 earthquake in 2008 accelerated the occurrence of the MS7.3earthquake in 2014.展开更多
Madoi-Gade fault is an active fault in the Bayan Har block. According to field investigation, there is an earthquake surface rupture fairly well preserved on the Gade segment of the Madoi-Gade fault zone. The length o...Madoi-Gade fault is an active fault in the Bayan Har block. According to field investigation, there is an earthquake surface rupture fairly well preserved on the Gade segment of the Madoi-Gade fault zone. The length of the rupture is approximately 50km, with a general strike of NW. The maximum horizontal sinistral displacement is about 7.6m and the maximum vertical displacement is about 4m. A large number of earthquake traces are to be found along the rupture zone, and the phenomena on the surface rupture are also various. Field investigation and analysis on the geological and geomorphological phenomena show that the formation age of the surface rupture is relatively young. A series of linear arranged, triangular facets, fault scarps, fault springs, dislocated gullies, twisted mountain ridges, sag-ponds, dislocated ridges, etc. exist along the fault. Based on the analysis of field investigation and the data available, we believe that the surface rupture is due to a strong earthquake in the history of this area. And it is inferred that the Madoi- Gade fault within the Bayan Har block has been highly active since Late Quaternary and may still be active nowadays.展开更多
Based on other previous researches, we recalculate the micro-displacement along the Heizi fault with recent deformation data of the Heizi reservoir. The result shows that activity characteristics of Heizi fault has ch...Based on other previous researches, we recalculate the micro-displacement along the Heizi fault with recent deformation data of the Heizi reservoir. The result shows that activity characteristics of Heizi fault has changed greatly since 1973 and have experienced four phases. The third phase is characteristics of normal fault, and others characteristic of reverse faults. Constructing the reservoir dam and reservoir sluice has important effect on present activity of the fault, even changed the activity characteristics of faults in some phases. Seismicity has some effect on deformation data and fault activity.展开更多
The location and late Quaternary activity of the Central-North Segment of the Taihang Mountains Piedmont fault zone have been studied by shallow seismic survey and combined drill exploration.Our results show that the ...The location and late Quaternary activity of the Central-North Segment of the Taihang Mountains Piedmont fault zone have been studied by shallow seismic survey and combined drill exploration.Our results show that the Baoding-Shijiazhuang fault and the Xushui fault were active in the late Pleistocene,but the south Xushui fault has been inactive since the late Pleistocene.The maximum magnitude of potential earthquake of the faults is 6.0.展开更多
As the most influential strike-slip fault in East China,the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone draws scholars attention for its strong seismic activity. Nevertheless,most research has been conducted along segments in Shandon...As the most influential strike-slip fault in East China,the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone draws scholars attention for its strong seismic activity. Nevertheless,most research has been conducted along segments in Shandong Province and Bohai Bay where huge earthquakes occur frequently. Meanwhile,it is generally believed that segments lying to the south of Huaihe River have been inactive since the late Quaternary and thus it is incapable of generating moderate or strong earthquakes. However,these understandings about the Tancheng-Lujiang fault have been questioned by our recent work for part of the fault south to the Huaihe River. Based on interpretation of high-resolution satellite images,detailed field investigations near Wuhe county and Mingguang City in northern Anhui Province and elaborate microstructure analysis, we come to the conclusion that the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone mainly consists of four branches and at least one should be active since the late Pleistocene for the Wuhe-Mingguang section. This segment is monopolized by dextral strike-slip motion in late Quaternary. Different from obvious faults in bed rocks or consolidated sediments,the latest activity trace in Quaternary loose sediment revealed by trench excavation is not obvious or even invisible to visual observation. According to our recent work and previous studies, we call for more attention to be paid to invisible faults in young sediment and also suggest that more research be conducted along this seemingly placid segment.展开更多
Taking the Huaihe to the Nvshanhu segment of the Tanlu( Tancheng-Lujiang) fault zone as the main research target to explore whether there has been new activity since the late Quaternary,and based on the interpretation...Taking the Huaihe to the Nvshanhu segment of the Tanlu( Tancheng-Lujiang) fault zone as the main research target to explore whether there has been new activity since the late Quaternary,and based on the interpretation of remote sensing images and repeated surface investigations,we excavated trenches at the sections where the tectonic landform is significant,identified and recorded the deformation patterns of the fault and analyzed the activity behavior. Samples of new activity and deformation were collected and oriented slices were ground based on the samples ' original state to make the micro structural analysis and demonstration. All of the above research shows very clear linear tectonic geomorphology along the fault,three trenches across the fault zone all revealed new deformation traces since late Quaternary. The latest stratum dislocated by the fault is the late Quaternary and Holocene. The main slip mode is stick slip,as represented typically by fault scarps,wedge accumulation,the faults and the filled cracks and so on. In general,it shows the characteristics of brittle high-speed deformation and belongs to the prehistoric earthquake ruins. The above understanding was confirmed partially by microscopic analysis. In addition,the similarities and differences and the possible reasons for the characteristics of the latest activities of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone in the north and south of the Huaihe River regions are also discussed in this paper.展开更多
Based on seismic data from the regional network for the last 34 years, we analyzed the present fault behavior of major fault zones around the Mabian area, southern Sichuan, and identified the risky fault-segments for ...Based on seismic data from the regional network for the last 34 years, we analyzed the present fault behavior of major fault zones around the Mabian area, southern Sichuan, and identified the risky fault-segments for potential future. The method of analysis is a combination of activity background of historical strong earthquakes mainly show ~ （ 1 ） The spatial distribution of b-values strong and large earthquakes in the spatial distribution of b-values with and current seismicity. Our results indicates significant heterogeneity in the studied area, which reflects the spatial difference of cumulative stress levels along various fault zones and segments. （2） Three anomalously low b-value areas with different dimensions were identified along the Mabian-Yanjin fault zone. These anomalies can be asperities under relatively high cumulated stress levels. Two asperities are located in the north of Mabian county, in Lidian town in western Muchuan county, and near Yanjin at the south end of the fault zone. These two areas represent potential large earthquake seismogenic sites around the Mabian area in the near future. Besides them, the third relatively smaller asperity is identified at southern Suijiang, as another potential strong- earthquake source. （3） An asperity along the southwestern segment of the Longquanshan fault zone indicates the site of potential moderate-to-strong earthquakes. （4） The asperity along the segment between Huangmu town in Hanyuan county and Longchi town in Emeishan city on Jinkouhe-Meigu fault has potential for a moderate-strong earthquake.展开更多
According to field investigation and interpretation of remote sensing images,the north segment of the Longling-Ruili fault is a Holocene dextral strike-slip fault with a small amount of normal faulting.Based on large-...According to field investigation and interpretation of remote sensing images,the north segment of the Longling-Ruili fault is a Holocene dextral strike-slip fault with a small amount of normal faulting.Based on large-scale geological mapping at some typical locations and quantitative geomorphologic deformation measurement and dating analysis,this fault is a Holocene active fault.The strike-slip rate of the Longling-Ruili fault is 2.2 ~2.5mm / a and vertical slip rate is 0.6mm /a since the late Pleistocene epoch.The strike-slip rate of the Longling-Ruili fault is 1.8~3.0mm /a and vertical slip rate is 0.5mm /a since the Holocene epoch.Based on the Poisson model,lognormal model and BPT model,the occurrence probability of strong earthquakes in 50 years is estimated to be 6.32%,0.08%and 0.05%,respectively.Then,a 1.82% probability of occurrence of characteristic earthquake for the north segment of the Longling-Ruili fault is obtained by setting a weight of 0.28,0.36 and 0.36 to the Poisson model,lognormal model and BPT model,respectively.展开更多
The Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone has great influence in eastern China. Studies have shown obvious signs of neotectonic activities on the Xinyi-Wuhe segment of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone. In this study,on the basis...The Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone has great influence in eastern China. Studies have shown obvious signs of neotectonic activities on the Xinyi-Wuhe segment of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone. In this study,on the basis of the previous work,many seismological surveys are made along the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone and trenches are excavated in key sites.Combined with the analysis of the seismic activities along the fault,the fault movement features and future seismic risk are discussed. Much first-hand information obtained in the paper can provide an important reference value for the study of large earthquake recurrence rules and the mid and long-term earthquake prediction on the Xinyi-Wuhe segment of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone.展开更多
The Kunlun Fault, an active fault on the border between the Bayan Har and Kunlun-Qaidam blocks, is one of the major left lateral strike-slip faults in the Tibetan Plateau. Previous research has not reached a consensus...The Kunlun Fault, an active fault on the border between the Bayan Har and Kunlun-Qaidam blocks, is one of the major left lateral strike-slip faults in the Tibetan Plateau. Previous research has not reached a consensus on agreeable slip rates along much of its length and the slip rate gradient along the eastern part, both of which play critical roles in a range of models for the eastward extrusion and thickened crust of the Tibetan Plateau. New slip rates have been determined at sites along the eastern part of the Kunlun Fault by dating deposits and measuring atop displaced fluvial terrace risers. Field investigations and interpretation of satellite images reveal geometrical features of the fault and the late Quaternary offset, new earthquake ruptures and surface-rupturing segmentation, from which long-term slip rates and earthquake recurrence intervals on the fault are estimated. The tectonic geomorphology method has determined that the long-term horizontal slip rates on the Tuosuohu, Maqin and Ma- qu segments from west to east are 11.2±1, 9.3±2, and 4.9±1.3 mm/a while their vertical slip rates are 1.2±0.2, 0.7±0.1, and 0.3 mm/a in the late Quaternary. Results indicate that the slip rates regularly decrease along the eastern -300 km of the fault from 〉10 to 〈5 mm/a. This is consistent with the decrease in the gradient such that at the slip rate break point is at the triple point intersection with the transverse fault, which in turn is transformed to the Awancang Fault. The vector decomposition for this tectonic transformation shows that the western and eastern branches of the Awancang Fault fit the slip-partitioning mode. The slip rate of the southwestern wall is 4.6 mm/a relative to the northeastern wall and the slip direction is 112.1°. The mid-eastern part of the Kunlun Fault can be divided into three independent segments by the A＇nyemaqen double restraining bend and the Xigongzhou intersection zone, which compose the surface rupture segmentation indicators for themselves as well as the ending point of the 1937 M7.5 Tuosuohu earthquake. The average recurrence interval of the characteristic earthquakes are estimated to be 500-1000 a, respectively. The latest earthquake ruptures occurred in AD 1937 on the western Tuosuohu segment, as compared to -514-534 a BP on the Maqin segment, and -1055 to 1524 a BP on the Maqu segment. This may indicate a unidirectional migration for surface rupturing earthquakes along the mid-eastern Kunlun Fault related to stress triggered between these segments. Meanwhile, the long-term slip rate is obtained through the single event offset and the recurrence interval, which turn out to be the same results as those determined by the offset tectonic geomorphology method, i.e., the decreasing gradient corresponds to the geometrical bending and the fault＇s intersection with the transverse fault. Therefore, the falling slip rate gradient of the mid-eastern Kunlun Fault is mainly caused by eastward extension of the fault and its intersection with the transverse fault.展开更多
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...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.展开更多
The Cenozoic basin offshore the Bohai Sea underwent a multicycle-rifting during its evolutionary process, which resulted in the multiple unconformities in the strata. The tectonic activities shown by these unconformit...The Cenozoic basin offshore the Bohai Sea underwent a multicycle-rifting during its evolutionary process, which resulted in the multiple unconformities in the strata. The tectonic activities shown by these unconformities have different manifestations and influences on the basin evolution. The authors systematically analyze the tectonic evolution characteristics of the sags off-shore the Bohai Sea with a large set of hydrocarbon exploration data. The analysis reveals that two phases of tectonic activities during the late depositional stage of the third member of Shahejie Formation (about 38 Ma) and the late depositional stage of Dongying Formation (about 24 Ma) reflect the significant changes in the basin's features and structural framework before and after these tectonic activities. As a result, the two phases of tectonic activities are recognized as important turning points (i.e., tectonic transitions) of Cenozoic basin evolution. The regional dynamic backgrounds of the two phases of tectonic transitions are also discussed. It is suggested that the early tectonic transition occurred at about 38 Ma under such regional dynamic back- ground that a huge kinematics adjustment happened between Eurasian Plate and its neighboring plates, i.e., Pacific Plate and Indian Plate. Meanwhile, the Tan-Lu Fault's slip reversed from left lateral to right lateral. The late tectonic transition occurred in late Paleogene (about 24 Ma) and reflected the Himalayan orogeny's influence on the Chinese continent and even the Asian continent; at the same time, the stress field produced by the escape tectonics was related to the Himalayan orogeny, superposed on the pre-existing stress field, and then enhanced the right lateral slip activity of the Tan-Lu Fault.展开更多
On the basis of comprehensive analyses of fault textures and geometry,the active methods,stress field,mechanism and time of the Yishu Fault Zone during the neotectonic period are discussed in this paper.The results sh...On the basis of comprehensive analyses of fault textures and geometry,the active methods,stress field,mechanism and time of the Yishu Fault Zone during the neotectonic period are discussed in this paper.The results show that the Yishu Fault Zone is a major mobile belt since the Quaternary.It consists of four major active faults with reverse dextral slip.Their active intensity increases eastwards and southwards.Fault-slip data from many active faults in the fault zone demonstrate that ENE-WSW compression predominated in the neotectonic period.Detailed field investigation shows that formation mechanism of shallow,active faults in the Yishu Fault Zone includes direct boundary fault reactivity,buried fault propagation,and reactivity of antithetic and truncating faults.In most cases,shallow,active faults in the fault zone are developed through direct reactivity or upward propagation of the previous four graben boundary faults.展开更多
More than 80 layers of seismites were recognized from the Early Cretaceous Dasheng Group in the Mazhan and Tancheng graben basins in the Tanlu Fault Zone, eastern China. The responsible seismic events took place about...More than 80 layers of seismites were recognized from the Early Cretaceous Dasheng Group in the Mazhan and Tancheng graben basins in the Tanlu Fault Zone, eastern China. The responsible seismic events took place about 110–100 Ma in the Early Cretaceous. The fault zone was affected at the time by strong tectonics, due to tension-related stretching and scattered squeezing by strike-slip faults. These tectonic activities induced a series of strong earthquakes with Richter magnitudes(M) of 5–8.5. The earthquakes affected saturated or semi-consolidated flood and lake sediments, and produced intra-layer deformations by several processes, including liquefaction, thixotropy, drop, faulting, cracking, filling and folding, which resulted in the formation of various soft-sediment deformation structures, such as dikes and veins of liquefied sand, liquefied breccias, liquefied homogeneous layers, load structures, flame structures, ball-and-pillow structures, boudinage, diapirs, fissure infillings, a giant conglomerate wedge, and syn-sedimentary faults. The seismites are new evidence of tectonic and seismic activities in the Tanlu Fault Zone during the Early Cretaceous; the series of strong seismic events that can be deduced from them must be considered as a response to the destruction of the North China Craton.展开更多
基金supported by the Grant Agency of Charles University (43-258020)the Czech Science Foundation (250/09/1244)the Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics AS CR, v.v.i. (A VOZ30460519)
文摘This study emphasizes the advantage of tectonic phase separation in determination of a tectonic evolution of complicated fault zones. The research focused on the Sudetic Marginal Fault Zone(SMFZ) –a 250 km long active fault zone with documented intraplate seismicity situated on the NE margin of the Bohemian Massif(the Czech Republic). The tectonic history of the SMFZ as well as its kinematic development has been rather complicated and not quite understood. A field structural investigation was carried out in extensive surroundings of the fault zone. The fault-slip data were collected in a number of natural outcrops and quarries with the aim at establishing a robust and field-constrained model for local brittle structural evolution of the studied area. A paleostress analysis was calculated using the collected fault-slip data inversion. The T-Tecto software was utilized for semiautomatic separation of the paleostress phases. Simultaneously three methods of data separation were employed:(1) the Gauss inverse method,(2) the Visualization of Gauss object Function, and(3) the frequency analysis. Within the fault zone multiphase movements were observed on various types of faults as well as wide range of the kinematic indicators orientations. The frequency analysis confirmed the multiphase history of the SMFZ. The calculated tectonic phases were divided according to their relative age as constrained by cross cutting relationships and, where observed, multiple striations on a single fault plane and classified from the oldest to the younger. Data separation and inversion usingT-Tecto software with the Gauss inverse method revealed four different stress phases which are 3 strike-slip stress regimes and one compressional regime. The strike-slip regimes are characterized by σ1 trending NW-SE(43), NNE-SSW(18), ENE-WSW(76) and the compressional one by σ1 trending W-E(26). First, compression occurred parallel to the SMFZ supposedly during the Variscan period. Second, compression at an angle of 60° to general direction of the SMFZ yielded right-lateral movement along the fault zone. This is considered to have occurred during the late-Variscan and post-Variscan period. Third, compression in the W-E direction with almost vertical extension led to reverse movement along the fault zone. This is considered to have occurred during Cenozoic. Fourth, compression almost perpendicular to the SMFZ led to left-lateral transpression along the SMFZ. This is considered to have occurred during Quaternary.
基金the National Science Foundation (Grant No.40474037) and by the Special Programfor Early-stage Investigation of National Major Basic Research of the Ministry of Science and Technology,China (Grant No.JC200016)
文摘The East Kuulun active fault zone, which lies in the valley of the Kuulun Mountains above an elevation of 4,000 meters, is an important active fault zone in the Northeast Qinghai-Xizang （Tibet） Plateau. The 1937, the Tosonhu lake Ms7. 5 earthquake occurred in the eastern segment of the East Kuulun active fault zone. Four field investigations were launched on this seism in 1963, 1971, 1980, and between 1986 and 1990. However, due to different extents of the investigations, four different conclusions have been gained. Concerning the length aspect of the surface rupture zone of this earthquake, the unanimous consensus is that its eastern end lies in the west side of the main Ridge of the A ＇nyemaqen Mountains, but opinions about the western end and the location of the macro-epicenter are different. Based on investigation and comprehensive study, a series of scientific problems like geometric and kinetic characteristics, the length of the rupture zone, the maximum sinistral horizontal displacement and the macroepicenter were re-evaluated. We believe that the total length of this earthquake＇s surface deformation zone is at least 240km; the western end of the zone is at the west of Wnsuwuwoguole; the maximum sinistral horizontal displacement is 8m to the west of Baerhalasha gully on the east side of Sanchakou; the maximum vertical displacement is 3.5m in the south of Sanchakou and the macro-epicenter is in Sanchakou.
基金funded by the National Key Technology R&D Program(2004CB418401)
文摘Uncertainties are common in the dating of paleoearthquakes.To improve the credibility of the dating of paleoearthquakes,analysis was done on fault activity,sedimentary environment and seismo-geomorphology to investigate paleoearthquakes along the Zemuhe active fault zone.Grouped trenches were excavated near Daqingliangzi,which revealed three palaeoearthquake events aged 160a,3100a and 5500a～8900a,respectively,including recurrence intervals of about 3000a.Sedimentary processes related to strike-slip fault type earthquakes were discussed,and a sedimentary model was put forward for strike-slip faults at hillsides where drumlin and reverse scarp developed.
文摘During the process of preparation and occurrence of a large earthquake, the stress-strain state along the fault zone has close relation with the weak seismicity around the fault zone. The seismic energy release near the fault zone before an earthquake can better reflect the dynamic process of earthquake preparation. Thus, in this paper, the method of natural orthogonal function expansion has been adopted to discuss the time variation about the energy field of the seismic activity along the Longmenshan fault zone before the Wenchuan MsS. 0 earthquake, 2008. The results show that evident short-term rise changes appeared in the time factors of the typical field corresponding to several key eigenvalues of the energy field along the Longmenshan fault zone before the Wenchuan earthquake, probably being the short-term anomaly message for this earthquake. Through contrastive analysis of earthquake examples such as the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, the authors think that the study of time variation of energy field of seismicity along active fault zone will be helpful for conducting intentional and intensive earthquake monitoring and forecast in active fault regions with high seismic risk based on medium- and long-term earthquake trend judgment.
文摘The great Haiyuan earthquake occurred at 20:06:09 on December 16,1920 in the south of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.The magnitude of this earthquake is 8.5,listed as one of the three greatest earthquakes to ever occur in Chinese continent.This devastating earthquake killed about 230,000 people according to previous reports.Recent studies show that total casualties may have reached 270,000.The study of this earthquake using modern scientific and technological methods is the first in the history of earthquake research in China.Significant breakthroughs took place in the middle of last century.The earthquake surface rupture,with 200km in length and prominent left-lateral strike-slip displacement,was discovered.The first monograph on the Haiyuan earthquake was published.In the 1980s,innovative large-scale geological mapping technology for active faults was developed during studies on the Haiyuan earthquake surface ruptures,with the publication of the first large-scale map of the Haiyuan active fault.Quantitative studies were carried out on the fine structure and geometry of the fault zone,Holocene slip rate,co-seismic displacement,paleoearthquake and recurrence intervals and future earthquake risk assessment.The innovative studies also included rupture propagation along the strike-slip fault,evolution of pull-apart basins,determination of total displacement of the strike-slip fault,transition equilibrium between strike-slip displacement along its major strand and crustal shortening at the end of the strike-slip fault,and the mechanism of deformation on Liupan Mountain.On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Haiyuan earthquake,careful retrospect of scientific progress achieved during the recent 20 years would be helpful in providing further direction in the study of active faults and earthquake hazard reduction.While taking this occasion to remember those lost by the Haiyuan earthquake,we aim to make greater contributions to earthquake prediction and seismic hazard reduction.
基金funded by the Spark Program of Earthquake Science of China(XH15047Y)the National Science Foundation of China(41404043)
文摘The regional tectonic background and characteristics of active faults of the Yutian MS7.3earthquake on February 12,2014 are discussed in this paper.After the analysis of the epicenter area of the MS7.3 earthquake in 2014 and the focal mechanisms of the former strong earthquakes around it,the authors deduced that the seismogenic fault of the MS7.3earthquake is the east branch of the Ashikule fault.The MS7.3 earthquake in 2014 and the MS7.3 earthquake in 2008 are two strong earthquake events on the different sections of the Altun Tagh fault,where the fault behavior changes from sinistral slip to normal faulting because of the extensional tail effects in the southern end of the Altun Tagh fault.It is concluded that the two MS7.3 earthquakes have the same dynamic source,and the MS7.3earthquake in 2008 promoted the occurrence of the MS7.3 earthquake in 2014.Finally,we calculate the Coulomb stress change to the seismogenic fault of the MS7.3 earthquake in2014 from the MS7.3 earthquake in 2008 using the layered crust model.The result also shows that the MS7.3 earthquake in 2008 accelerated the occurrence of the MS7.3earthquake in 2014.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program(973 program) of China(Grant No.2008CB425701)
文摘Madoi-Gade fault is an active fault in the Bayan Har block. According to field investigation, there is an earthquake surface rupture fairly well preserved on the Gade segment of the Madoi-Gade fault zone. The length of the rupture is approximately 50km, with a general strike of NW. The maximum horizontal sinistral displacement is about 7.6m and the maximum vertical displacement is about 4m. A large number of earthquake traces are to be found along the rupture zone, and the phenomena on the surface rupture are also various. Field investigation and analysis on the geological and geomorphological phenomena show that the formation age of the surface rupture is relatively young. A series of linear arranged, triangular facets, fault scarps, fault springs, dislocated gullies, twisted mountain ridges, sag-ponds, dislocated ridges, etc. exist along the fault. Based on the analysis of field investigation and the data available, we believe that the surface rupture is due to a strong earthquake in the history of this area. And it is inferred that the Madoi- Gade fault within the Bayan Har block has been highly active since Late Quaternary and may still be active nowadays.
文摘Based on other previous researches, we recalculate the micro-displacement along the Heizi fault with recent deformation data of the Heizi reservoir. The result shows that activity characteristics of Heizi fault has changed greatly since 1973 and have experienced four phases. The third phase is characteristics of normal fault, and others characteristic of reverse faults. Constructing the reservoir dam and reservoir sluice has important effect on present activity of the fault, even changed the activity characteristics of faults in some phases. Seismicity has some effect on deformation data and fault activity.
基金sponsored by Active Faults Seismic Hazard Assessment in Key Earthquake Monitoring and Defensive Region of China
文摘The location and late Quaternary activity of the Central-North Segment of the Taihang Mountains Piedmont fault zone have been studied by shallow seismic survey and combined drill exploration.Our results show that the Baoding-Shijiazhuang fault and the Xushui fault were active in the late Pleistocene,but the south Xushui fault has been inactive since the late Pleistocene.The maximum magnitude of potential earthquake of the faults is 6.0.
基金funded by the program of Active Faults Detection and Seismic Hazard Assessment in Hefei City,Anhui Province
文摘As the most influential strike-slip fault in East China,the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone draws scholars attention for its strong seismic activity. Nevertheless,most research has been conducted along segments in Shandong Province and Bohai Bay where huge earthquakes occur frequently. Meanwhile,it is generally believed that segments lying to the south of Huaihe River have been inactive since the late Quaternary and thus it is incapable of generating moderate or strong earthquakes. However,these understandings about the Tancheng-Lujiang fault have been questioned by our recent work for part of the fault south to the Huaihe River. Based on interpretation of high-resolution satellite images,detailed field investigations near Wuhe county and Mingguang City in northern Anhui Province and elaborate microstructure analysis, we come to the conclusion that the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone mainly consists of four branches and at least one should be active since the late Pleistocene for the Wuhe-Mingguang section. This segment is monopolized by dextral strike-slip motion in late Quaternary. Different from obvious faults in bed rocks or consolidated sediments,the latest activity trace in Quaternary loose sediment revealed by trench excavation is not obvious or even invisible to visual observation. According to our recent work and previous studies, we call for more attention to be paid to invisible faults in young sediment and also suggest that more research be conducted along this seemingly placid segment.
基金jointly funded by the Anhui provincial geological public-welfare project“New Activities of Quaternary and Medium Velocity Structure Exploration and Evaluation for Key Sections of the Tan-Lu Fault Zone(the Anhui segment)”(2015-g-25)the project of“3-D Seismic Section Model and Earthquake Prediction Research in the Tanlu Fault Zone”,China Earthquake Administration(TYZ20160101)
文摘Taking the Huaihe to the Nvshanhu segment of the Tanlu( Tancheng-Lujiang) fault zone as the main research target to explore whether there has been new activity since the late Quaternary,and based on the interpretation of remote sensing images and repeated surface investigations,we excavated trenches at the sections where the tectonic landform is significant,identified and recorded the deformation patterns of the fault and analyzed the activity behavior. Samples of new activity and deformation were collected and oriented slices were ground based on the samples ' original state to make the micro structural analysis and demonstration. All of the above research shows very clear linear tectonic geomorphology along the fault,three trenches across the fault zone all revealed new deformation traces since late Quaternary. The latest stratum dislocated by the fault is the late Quaternary and Holocene. The main slip mode is stick slip,as represented typically by fault scarps,wedge accumulation,the faults and the filled cracks and so on. In general,it shows the characteristics of brittle high-speed deformation and belongs to the prehistoric earthquake ruins. The above understanding was confirmed partially by microscopic analysis. In addition,the similarities and differences and the possible reasons for the characteristics of the latest activities of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone in the north and south of the Huaihe River regions are also discussed in this paper.
基金This research is supported by the National Key Basic Research 973 Project(Grant No.:2008CB425701)the Special Project M7.0~8.0 of China Earthquake Administration
文摘Based on seismic data from the regional network for the last 34 years, we analyzed the present fault behavior of major fault zones around the Mabian area, southern Sichuan, and identified the risky fault-segments for potential future. The method of analysis is a combination of activity background of historical strong earthquakes mainly show ~ （ 1 ） The spatial distribution of b-values strong and large earthquakes in the spatial distribution of b-values with and current seismicity. Our results indicates significant heterogeneity in the studied area, which reflects the spatial difference of cumulative stress levels along various fault zones and segments. （2） Three anomalously low b-value areas with different dimensions were identified along the Mabian-Yanjin fault zone. These anomalies can be asperities under relatively high cumulated stress levels. Two asperities are located in the north of Mabian county, in Lidian town in western Muchuan county, and near Yanjin at the south end of the fault zone. These two areas represent potential large earthquake seismogenic sites around the Mabian area in the near future. Besides them, the third relatively smaller asperity is identified at southern Suijiang, as another potential strong- earthquake source. （3） An asperity along the southwestern segment of the Longquanshan fault zone indicates the site of potential moderate-to-strong earthquakes. （4） The asperity along the segment between Huangmu town in Hanyuan county and Longchi town in Emeishan city on Jinkouhe-Meigu fault has potential for a moderate-strong earthquake.
基金sponsored by the Science and Technology Development Program of Ministry of Railways,PRC(2008G027-B)Special Program of Deep Exploration Techniques and Experimental Studies of Ministry of Land and Resources,PRC(Sinoprobe-06-04)
文摘According to field investigation and interpretation of remote sensing images,the north segment of the Longling-Ruili fault is a Holocene dextral strike-slip fault with a small amount of normal faulting.Based on large-scale geological mapping at some typical locations and quantitative geomorphologic deformation measurement and dating analysis,this fault is a Holocene active fault.The strike-slip rate of the Longling-Ruili fault is 2.2 ~2.5mm / a and vertical slip rate is 0.6mm /a since the late Pleistocene epoch.The strike-slip rate of the Longling-Ruili fault is 1.8~3.0mm /a and vertical slip rate is 0.5mm /a since the Holocene epoch.Based on the Poisson model,lognormal model and BPT model,the occurrence probability of strong earthquakes in 50 years is estimated to be 6.32%,0.08%and 0.05%,respectively.Then,a 1.82% probability of occurrence of characteristic earthquake for the north segment of the Longling-Ruili fault is obtained by setting a weight of 0.28,0.36 and 0.36 to the Poisson model,lognormal model and BPT model,respectively.
基金jointly sponsored by the Special Fund for Earthquake-related Scientific Research of China Earthquake Administration(201308012)the Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation(10040606Q24),China
文摘The Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone has great influence in eastern China. Studies have shown obvious signs of neotectonic activities on the Xinyi-Wuhe segment of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone. In this study,on the basis of the previous work,many seismological surveys are made along the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone and trenches are excavated in key sites.Combined with the analysis of the seismic activities along the fault,the fault movement features and future seismic risk are discussed. Much first-hand information obtained in the paper can provide an important reference value for the study of large earthquake recurrence rules and the mid and long-term earthquake prediction on the Xinyi-Wuhe segment of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40821160550 and 40974057)International Scientific Joint Project of China (Grant No. 2009DFA21280)
文摘The Kunlun Fault, an active fault on the border between the Bayan Har and Kunlun-Qaidam blocks, is one of the major left lateral strike-slip faults in the Tibetan Plateau. Previous research has not reached a consensus on agreeable slip rates along much of its length and the slip rate gradient along the eastern part, both of which play critical roles in a range of models for the eastward extrusion and thickened crust of the Tibetan Plateau. New slip rates have been determined at sites along the eastern part of the Kunlun Fault by dating deposits and measuring atop displaced fluvial terrace risers. Field investigations and interpretation of satellite images reveal geometrical features of the fault and the late Quaternary offset, new earthquake ruptures and surface-rupturing segmentation, from which long-term slip rates and earthquake recurrence intervals on the fault are estimated. The tectonic geomorphology method has determined that the long-term horizontal slip rates on the Tuosuohu, Maqin and Ma- qu segments from west to east are 11.2±1, 9.3±2, and 4.9±1.3 mm/a while their vertical slip rates are 1.2±0.2, 0.7±0.1, and 0.3 mm/a in the late Quaternary. Results indicate that the slip rates regularly decrease along the eastern -300 km of the fault from 〉10 to 〈5 mm/a. This is consistent with the decrease in the gradient such that at the slip rate break point is at the triple point intersection with the transverse fault, which in turn is transformed to the Awancang Fault. The vector decomposition for this tectonic transformation shows that the western and eastern branches of the Awancang Fault fit the slip-partitioning mode. The slip rate of the southwestern wall is 4.6 mm/a relative to the northeastern wall and the slip direction is 112.1°. The mid-eastern part of the Kunlun Fault can be divided into three independent segments by the A＇nyemaqen double restraining bend and the Xigongzhou intersection zone, which compose the surface rupture segmentation indicators for themselves as well as the ending point of the 1937 M7.5 Tuosuohu earthquake. The average recurrence interval of the characteristic earthquakes are estimated to be 500-1000 a, respectively. The latest earthquake ruptures occurred in AD 1937 on the western Tuosuohu segment, as compared to -514-534 a BP on the Maqin segment, and -1055 to 1524 a BP on the Maqu segment. This may indicate a unidirectional migration for surface rupturing earthquakes along the mid-eastern Kunlun Fault related to stress triggered between these segments. Meanwhile, the long-term slip rate is obtained through the single event offset and the recurrence interval, which turn out to be the same results as those determined by the offset tectonic geomorphology method, i.e., the decreasing gradient corresponds to the geometrical bending and the fault＇s intersection with the transverse fault. Therefore, the falling slip rate gradient of the mid-eastern Kunlun Fault is mainly caused by eastward extension of the fault and its intersection with the transverse fault.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41472180 & 41172180)
文摘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.
基金supported by the Important National Science & Technology Specific Project (Grant No. 2011ZX05023)
文摘The Cenozoic basin offshore the Bohai Sea underwent a multicycle-rifting during its evolutionary process, which resulted in the multiple unconformities in the strata. The tectonic activities shown by these unconformities have different manifestations and influences on the basin evolution. The authors systematically analyze the tectonic evolution characteristics of the sags off-shore the Bohai Sea with a large set of hydrocarbon exploration data. The analysis reveals that two phases of tectonic activities during the late depositional stage of the third member of Shahejie Formation (about 38 Ma) and the late depositional stage of Dongying Formation (about 24 Ma) reflect the significant changes in the basin's features and structural framework before and after these tectonic activities. As a result, the two phases of tectonic activities are recognized as important turning points (i.e., tectonic transitions) of Cenozoic basin evolution. The regional dynamic backgrounds of the two phases of tectonic transitions are also discussed. It is suggested that the early tectonic transition occurred at about 38 Ma under such regional dynamic back- ground that a huge kinematics adjustment happened between Eurasian Plate and its neighboring plates, i.e., Pacific Plate and Indian Plate. Meanwhile, the Tan-Lu Fault's slip reversed from left lateral to right lateral. The late tectonic transition occurred in late Paleogene (about 24 Ma) and reflected the Himalayan orogeny's influence on the Chinese continent and even the Asian continent; at the same time, the stress field produced by the escape tectonics was related to the Himalayan orogeny, superposed on the pre-existing stress field, and then enhanced the right lateral slip activity of the Tan-Lu Fault.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.91214301)Geological Survey of China(Grant No.1212011120104)
文摘On the basis of comprehensive analyses of fault textures and geometry,the active methods,stress field,mechanism and time of the Yishu Fault Zone during the neotectonic period are discussed in this paper.The results show that the Yishu Fault Zone is a major mobile belt since the Quaternary.It consists of four major active faults with reverse dextral slip.Their active intensity increases eastwards and southwards.Fault-slip data from many active faults in the fault zone demonstrate that ENE-WSW compression predominated in the neotectonic period.Detailed field investigation shows that formation mechanism of shallow,active faults in the Yishu Fault Zone includes direct boundary fault reactivity,buried fault propagation,and reactivity of antithetic and truncating faults.In most cases,shallow,active faults in the fault zone are developed through direct reactivity or upward propagation of the previous four graben boundary faults.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41272066)the National Science and Technology Support Program (Grant No. 2012BAK19B04-01)the Yangtze River Scholars and Innovation Team Development Plan (Grant No. IRT13075)
文摘More than 80 layers of seismites were recognized from the Early Cretaceous Dasheng Group in the Mazhan and Tancheng graben basins in the Tanlu Fault Zone, eastern China. The responsible seismic events took place about 110–100 Ma in the Early Cretaceous. The fault zone was affected at the time by strong tectonics, due to tension-related stretching and scattered squeezing by strike-slip faults. These tectonic activities induced a series of strong earthquakes with Richter magnitudes(M) of 5–8.5. The earthquakes affected saturated or semi-consolidated flood and lake sediments, and produced intra-layer deformations by several processes, including liquefaction, thixotropy, drop, faulting, cracking, filling and folding, which resulted in the formation of various soft-sediment deformation structures, such as dikes and veins of liquefied sand, liquefied breccias, liquefied homogeneous layers, load structures, flame structures, ball-and-pillow structures, boudinage, diapirs, fissure infillings, a giant conglomerate wedge, and syn-sedimentary faults. The seismites are new evidence of tectonic and seismic activities in the Tanlu Fault Zone during the Early Cretaceous; the series of strong seismic events that can be deduced from them must be considered as a response to the destruction of the North China Craton.
