Slip model for the 2011 M_w 9.0 Sendai （Japan） earthquake and its M_w 7.9 aftershock derived from GPS data

Using GPS-measured coseismic and post-seismic displacements for the 8 h following the M w 9.0 Sendai earthquake of March 11, 2011, coseismic and post-seismic fault slip models were developed based on a layered crustal model. The geodetic moment magnitude of the main shock was measured as approximately M w 8.98. The slip exhibits clear reverse characteristics, with a maximum near the hypocenter, and a magnitude of about 23.3 m. Some strike-slip behavior may occur on the two sides of the peak rupture zone. Almost 90% of the seismic moments released by the main shock occurred at depths less than 40 km. The energy released by the fault slip in the 8 h following the main shock is approximately equal to an earthquake of M w 8.13. With a maximum of ~1.5 m, the post-seismic slip was concentrated in the southwestern part of the coseismic rupture fault, which agrees well with the location and behavior of the M w 7.9 aftershock. This implies that the post-seismic deformation in the 8 h after the main shock was mainly induced by the M w 7.9 aftershock. In addition, a post-seismic slip of 0.2-0.4 m was observed at the down-dip extension of the coseismic rupture, which may have been caused by the effect of after-slip during this period.     

Extent, duration and speed of the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake imaged by the Hi-Net array

The disastrous Sumatra-Andaman earthquake of 26 December 2004 was one of the largest ever recorded. The damage potential of such earthquakes depends on the extent and magnitude of fault slip. The first reliable moment magnitude estimate of 9.0 was obtained several hours after the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, but more recent, longer-period, normal-mode analyses have indicated that it had a moment magnitude of 9.3, about 2.5 times larger. Here we introduce a method for directly imaging earthquake rupture that uses the first-arriving compressional wave and is potentially able to produce detailed images within 30 min of rupture initiation. We used the Hi-Net seismic array in Japan as an antenna to map the progression of slip by monitoring the direction of high-frequency radiation. We find that the rupture spread over the entire 1,300-km-long aftershock zone by propagating northward at roughly 2.8 km s(-1) for approximately 8 minutes. Comparisons with the aftershock areas of other great earthquakes indicate that the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake did indeed have a moment magnitude of approximately 9.3. Its rupture, in both duration and extent, is the longest ever recorded.     

“311”东北日本M9.0大地震可预测性特征探索

 大地震不是任何地方都能发生的,大地震也不是任何时间都能发生的,大地震有其特定的时空结构。前期工作表明,条环交会、差异活动以及深震与“天外来客”事件等是制约发震时空窗口的主要因素。2011年3月11日发生在日本海沟俯冲带的M9.0大地震,其震前地震活动全面、清晰地展现出了其可预测性特征：(1) 1925年开始出现的板间地震长期平静区;(2) 2003年开始出现的位于平静区中部,起始于深震的海沟垂向地震活动条带;(3) 2009年3月(海沟垂向地震活动条带形成后)开始出现的广义前震发震地方时的非随机显著聚集特征;(4) 2011年3月9日(主震前2天)发生在平静区内的前震。主震发生在平静区边缘,海沟垂向地震活动条带与日本海沟板间地震带的交会处的地震活动差异性较大的地方,其断层面与海沟垂向地震活动条带内另外两个板间地震(2005-08-16地震和前震)的断层面共面。主震发生于广义前震发震地方时非随机聚集时段的中位时辰。日本大地震的可预测性特征逐一印证了我们的前期研究。     

强震孕育过程中地震类型的动态变化及实验研究

 讨论了1965年以来云南地区强震孕育过程中地震类型的动态变化,发现:云南地区发生6.7级以上强震前数月至数年,云南省内均有2次以上5级双震或群震型地震发生;部分强震前数月至数年,至少有3次以上前主震型地震密集发生.强震发生在这些前主震、双震、群震型地震150 km以外地区.典型地区地震类型的追踪研究也表明:宁蒗地区发生5级双震、前主震型地震以及腾冲地区发生6级群震型地震,云南地区均发生6.5级和7级以上强震,但地点远在宁蒗、腾冲200 km以外地区.实验中,随着载荷的增大,岩样的破裂类型经历了主余破、孤立破→群破→前主破→破裂类型多元化的过程.震例和实验研究结果的对照显示:地震的类型不仅与发震地区地质构造有关,也与地壳介质所处的应力状态有关.     

Interaction between adjacent left-lateral strike-slip faults and thrust faults: the 1976 Songpan earthquake sequence

Based on the published focal mechanisms we have built the fault model of the main shocks of the 1976 Songpan earthquake sequence and calculated the coseismic Coulomb stress changes in the region. The results show that most of the aftershocks had occurred in the region where the Coulomb stresses had been increased, indicating a triggering relationship between the main shocks and the aftershocks. We also show that the first main shock （Ms = 7.2）, which is a left-lateral slip event, had increased the Coulomb stresses by 5×10^5 Pa at the second main shock （a thrust event with Ms = 6.7）. Therefore, we conclude that the first main shock had triggered the second main shock. The third main shock is also a left-lateral event, however, the triggering relationship between the third main shock and the previous two events is less obvious. General model calculations show that there is a good triggering relationship between adjacent left-lateral slip fault and thrust fault, but triggering between parallel slip faults is rather weak.     

Deep structure beneath the southwestern section of the Longmenshan fault zone and seimogenetic context of the 4.20 Lushan M S7.0 earthquake

Magnetotelluric measurements were carried out along two profiles across the middle and southwestern sections of the Longmenshan fault zone (LMSf) from 2009 to 2011, after the 2008 Wenchuan M _W7.9 earthquake. The former profile crosses the Wenchuan event epicenter and the latter one crosses 2013 Lushan M _S7.0 event epicenter. The data were analyzed using advanced processing techniques, including phase tensor and two-dimensional inversion methods, in order to obtain reliable 2-D profiles of the electrical structure in the vicinity of the two earthquakes. A comparison of the two profiles indicates both similarities and differences in the deep crustal structure of the LMSf. West of the southwestern section, a crustal high conductivity layer (HCL) is present at about 10 km depth below the Songpan-Garzê block; this is about 10 km shallower than that under the middle section of the LMSf. A high resistivity body (HRB) is observed beneath the southwestern section, extending from the near surface to the top of upper mantle. It has a smaller size than the HRB observed below the middle section. In the middle section, there is a local area of decreased resistivity within the HRB but there is absence of this area. The 2013 Lushan earthquake occurred close to the eastern boundary of HRB and the Shuangshi-Dachuan fault, of which the seismogenic context has both common and different features in comparison with the 2008 Wenchuan event. On a large scale, the 2013 Lushan earthquake is associated with the HCL and deformation in the crust including HCL of the eastern Tibetan Plateau. In order to assess seismic risk, it is important to consider both the stress state and the detailed crustal structure in different parts of the LMSf.     

Far-field coseismic displacements associated with the great Sumatra earthquakes of December 26, 2004 and March 29, 2005 constrained by Global Positioning System

On December 26, 2004, a great earthquake along the northern Sumatra coast, with its consequent tsunami, caused about 300000 deaths (refer to the 2004 earth-quake hereafter). This great thrust faulting event oc-curred on the subduction zone between Indian …     

Source rupture process of Lushan M S7.0 earthquake, Sichuan, China and its tectonic implications

The source rupture process of the M _S7.0 Lushan earthquake was here evaluated using 40 long-period P waveforms with even azimuth coverage of stations. Results reveal that the rupture process of the Lushan M _S7.0 event to be simpler than that of the Wenchuan earthquake and also showed significant differences between the two rupture processes. The whole rupture process lasted 36 s and most of the moment was released within the first 13 s. The total released moment is 1.9×10¹⁹N m with M _W=6.8. Rupture propagated upwards and bilaterally to both sides from the initial point, resulting in a large slip region of 40 km×30 km, with the maximum slip of 1.8 m, located above the initial point. No surface displacement was estimated around the epicenter, but displacement was observed about 20 km NE and SW directions of the epicenter. Both showed slips of less than 40 cm. The rupture suddenly stopped at 20 km NE of the initial point. This was consistent with the aftershock activity. This phenomenon indicates the existence of significant variation of the medium or tectonic structure, which may prevent the propagation of the rupture and aftershock activity. The earthquake risk of the left segment of Qianshan fault is worthy of attention.     

Relocation of the mainshock and aftershock sequences of M S7.0 Sichuan Lushan earthquake

The mainshock of April 20, 2013 Sichuan Lushan M _S7.0 earthquake was relocated using a 3-D velocity model. Double difference algorithm was applied to relocate aftershock sequences of Lushan earthquake. The locations of 2405 aftershocks were determined. The location errors in E-W, N-S and U-D direction were 0.30, 0.29 and 0.59 km on average, respectively. The location of the mainshock is 102.983°E, 30.291°N and the focal depth is 17.6 km. The relocation results show that the aftershocks spread approximately 35 km in length and 16 km in width. The dominant distribution of the focal depth ranges from 10 to 20 km. A few earthquakes occurred in the shallow crust. Focal depth profiles show fault planes dip to the northwest, manifested itself as a listric thrust fault. The dip angle is steep in the shallow crust and gentle in the deep crust. Although the epicenters of aftershocks distributed mainly along both sides of the Shuangshi-Dachuan fault, the seismogenic fault may be a blind thrust fault on the eastern side of the Shuangshi-Dachuan fault. Earthquake relocation results reveal that there is a southeastward tilt aftershock belt intersecting with the seismogenic fault with y-shape. We speculate it is a back thrust fault that often appears in a thrust fault system. Lushan earthquake triggered the seismic activity of the back thrust fault.     

Chuetsu earthquake damages in Niigata County of Japan

An Earthquake M_L=6.8 occurred on October 23, 2004 in Chuetsu area of Niigata County in Japan, which caused 40 people dead, more than 4500 people injured and 1000000 people homeless; nearly 140000 buildings were damaged or collapsed. The estated total loss of this earthquake was about 3000 billions Yen. In this paper, we investigate the Chuetsu earthquake damage from different aspects, including the seismic outline, seismicity, intensity distribution, wave feature, damage analyses, and economic losses. Finally, experiences and lessons from the earthquake damage are given. The content in this paper may be a reference for structural seismic design and code modification.     

The Lushan M S7.0 earthquake and activity of the southern segment of the Longmenshan fault zone

Following the Lushan M _S7.0 earthquake on 20 April 2013, a topic of much concern is whether events of M _S7 or greater could occur again on the southern segment of the Longmenshan fault zone. In providing evidence to answer this question, this work analyzes the tectonic relationship between the Lushan event and the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and the rupture history of the southern segment of the Longmenshan fault zone, through field investigations of active tectonics and paleoearthquake research, and our preliminary conclusions are as follows. The activity of the southern segment of the Longmenshan fault zone is much different to that of its central section, and the late Quaternary activity has propagated forward to the basin in the east. The seismogenic structure of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake is the central-fore-range fault system, whereas that of the 2013 Lushan event is attributed to the fore-range-range-front fault system, rather than the central fault. The southern segment of the Longmenshan fault zone becomes wider towards the south with an increasing number of secondary faults, of which the individual faults exhibit much weaker surface activity. Therefore, this section is not as capable of generating a major earthquake as is the central segment. It is most likely that the 2013 earthquake fills the seismic gap around Lushan on the southern segment of the Longmenshan fault zone.     

Focal mechanism analysis and parameter estimation of Zhangbei-Shangyi earthquake from differential SAR interferometry

On 10 January, 1998 an earthquake of Ms=6.2occurred in the Zhangbei-Shangyi region of North China.The surface seismic deformation was measured in the previous study using the 3 pass ERS-1/2 SAR differential interferometric technology (D-INSAR). In this note the focal mechanism of Zhangbei-Shangyi earthquake is estimated from the D-INSAR measurement of surface deformation based on a standard elastic dislocation model for seismic displacement. The inversion procedure is an iterative, linear least-squares algorithm. Through the relation between the focal parameters and displacement in the line of sight direction measured in the radar interferogram, the optimum focal parameter set is derived. The results show that the seismic fault of Zhangbei-Shangyi earthquake is a thrust fault dipping SW with a large right-lateral displacement component.The strike and dip are 95° and 30° respectively on a fault patch of 12 km long by 14 km wide. Its hypocenter is located at N40°58', E114°21', and 7.5 km in depth. The estimated slip vector is 0.728 m with a rake of 105.95°, the trend of slip is NW13.26°, and M0is 2.69×1018 N @ m.     

Analysis of ionospheric anomalies before the 2011 <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>w</Subscript> 9.0 Japan earthquake

On March 11, 2011, a large earthquake of Mw=9.0 occurred near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. This paper investigates preearthquake ionospheric anomalies during the earthquake period, using data from global navigation satellite systems and ionosonde stations near the epicenter. A clear anomaly that occurred on March 8 lasted 6 hours. Eliminating ionospheric anomalies that may have been caused by solar activities and magnetic storms, we believe that a positive anomaly on March 8 was very possibly an ionospheric precursor. The affected ionospheric area on March 8, which is evident on a vertical total electron content distribution map, extended to 50° in longitude and 20° in latitude, with length ratio approximately 3:1. The anomaly peak arose from 15:00-19:00 LT, and its location did not coincide with the vertical projection of the epicenter, but was instead to its south. Corresponding ionospheric anomalies are also observed in the magnetically conjugated region. There were no obvious ionospheric anomalies in other parts of the world. To analyze changes in the ionospheric anomaly, computerized ionospheric tomography technology was used to invert the spatial and temporal distribution of electron density in the ionosphere. The ionospheric anomaly on March 8, 2011 is suggested to be an ionospheric precursor of the March 11 earthquake in Japan.     

基于时空影响域的地震网络动力学演化特征分析

为了研究地震网络的动力学行为,基于时空影响域的地震网络,分析以大地震发生时间为基点的网络的拓扑特征演化.结果发现:大地震发生前网络的规模和熵值较小,模块度较大;大地震发生后网络的规模变大,熵值跳变到相对大的值,模块度值达到极小值.同时分析了1992年地震网络的多参数拓扑特征演化,结果表明地震网络表现出一种内在的网络动力学行为.此外,发现从大地震发生前100 d开始网络模块度振荡出现极大值,熵值振荡出现极小值,并呈现很好的负相关性.     

用非均匀速度模型对汶川8.0级地震余震重新定位

为了进一步探讨龙门山断裂带深部结构,根据四川省地震局提供的地震原始资料,采用Hypo 2000对汶川大地震以及震后M≥2.0级余震进行重新定位。从2008年5月12日汶川发生8.0级大地震后,截止到2011年4月15日,获得了26 278个地震记录。重新定位后对结果的总结为:(1)主震发生在龙门山推覆构造带中央断裂中段的北川-映秀断裂上,余震主要沿龙门山断裂带方向延伸,呈南北分段分布。重新定位后的到时残差为±0.35s,水平误差为±1.32km,深度误差为±5km。(2)在主震附近的映秀、理县和黑水有一条北西向的余震带与龙门山断裂带的捩断层一致。(3)在青川附近(龙门山断裂带的北端),此段成为余震密集地区,这与历史上此地很少有地震发生不吻合。     

Remote triggering of deep earthquakes in the 2002 Tonga sequences

It is well established that an earthquake in the Earth's crust can trigger subsequent earthquakes, but such triggering has not been documented for deeper earthquakes. Models for shallow fault interactions suggest that static (permanent) stress changes can trigger nearby earthquakes, within a few fault lengths from the causative earthquake, whereas dynamic (transient) stresses carried by seismic waves may trigger earthquakes both nearby and at remote distances. Here we present a detailed analysis of the 19 August 2002 Tonga deep earthquake sequences and show evidence for both static and dynamic triggering. Seven minutes after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurred at a depth of 598 km, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake (664 km depth) occurred 300 km away, in a previously aseismic region. We found that nearby aftershocks of the first mainshock are preferentially located in regions where static stresses are predicted to have been enhanced by the mainshock. But the second mainshock and other triggered events are located at larger distances where static stress increases should be negligible, thus suggesting dynamic triggering. The origin times of the triggered events do not correspond to arrival times of the main seismic waves from the mainshocks and the dynamically triggered earthquakes frequently occur in aseismic regions below or adjacent to the seismic zone. We propose that these events are triggered by transient effects in regions near criticality, but where earthquakes have difficulty nucleating without external influences.     

Evidence from the AD 2000 Izu islands earthquake swarm that stressing rate governs seismicity

Magma intrusions and eruptions commonly produce abrupt changes in seismicity far from magma conduits that cannot be associated with the diffusion of pore fluids or heat. Such 'swarm' seismicity also migrates with time, and often exhibits a 'dog-bone'-shaped distribution. The largest earthquakes in swarms produce aftershocks that obey an Omori-type (exponential) temporal decay, but the duration of the aftershock sequences is drastically reduced, relative to normal earthquake activity. Here we use one of the most energetic swarms ever recorded to study the dependence of these properties on the stress imparted by a magma intrusion. A 1,000-fold increase in seismicity rate and a 1,000-fold decrease in aftershock duration occurred during the two-month-long dyke intrusion. We find that the seismicity rate is proportional to the calculated stressing rate, and that the duration of aftershock sequences is inversely proportional to the stressing rate. This behaviour is in accord with a laboratory-based rate/state constitutive law, suggesting an explanation for the occurrence of earthquake swarms. Any sustained increase in stressing rate--whether due to an intrusion, extrusion or creep event--should produce such seismological behaviour.     

对2004年北Sumatra地震序列两次强余震的灰色预测

应用灰色系统理论对2004年底北苏门答腊9．0级地震序列两次强余震(系指ML≥6)的发震时间进行了尝试性预测．对2004年12月29日6．3级余震时间进行灰色预测，预测出余震将于2004年12月29日9时7分35．6秒发生，事实上在2004年12月29日13时56分51秒发生了6．3级地震，两者相差不到5小时，比较吻合．对2005年1月1日7．0级余震进行灰色预测，预测出余震将于2004年12月31日20时37分24．6秒发生，比实际余震发生时间2005年1月1日14时25分47．2秒提前了将近18h，预测基本正确。     

Decay of aftershock density with distance indicates triggering by dynamic stress

The majority of earthquakes are aftershocks, yet aftershock physics is not well understood. Many studies suggest that static stress changes trigger aftershocks, but recent work suggests that shaking (dynamic stresses) may also play a role. Here we measure the decay of aftershocks as a function of distance from magnitude 2-6 mainshocks in order to clarify the aftershock triggering process. We find that for short times after the mainshock, when low background seismicity rates allow for good aftershock detection, the decay is well fitted by a single inverse power law over distances of 0.2-50 km. The consistency of the trend indicates that the same triggering mechanism is working over the entire range. As static stress changes at the more distant aftershocks are negligible, this suggests that dynamic stresses may be triggering all of these aftershocks. We infer that the observed aftershock density is consistent with the probability of triggering aftershocks being nearly proportional to seismic wave amplitude. The data are not fitted well by models that combine static stress change with the evolution of frictionally locked faults.     

Rupture process of the Wenchuan <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>8.0 earthquake of Sichuan China: the segmentation feature

Moment tensor solution, rupture process and rupture characteristics of the great Wenchuan M8.0 earthquake are studied by using 39 long-period P and SH waveforms with evenly azimuth coverage of stations. Our results reveal that the Wenchuan M8.0 event consisted of 5 sub-events of Mw≥7.3 occurring succesively in time and space. Rupture started with a Mw7.3 introductory strike-slip faulting in the first 12 s, then within 12?40 s, two sub-events with Mw7.6 and Mw7.4 occurred within 80 km northeast from the init...