Journals
  Publication Years
  Keywords
Search within results Open Search
Please wait a minute...
For Selected: Toggle Thumbnails
RETROSPECTIVE TEST OF EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION BASED ON RELATIVE INTENSITY ALGORITHM AND PARAMETER TRAVERSAL TEST——AN EXAMPLE OF SICHUAN-YUNNAN REGION
FAN Xiao-yi, QU Jun-hao, GU Qin-ping, CHEN Fei, WANG Fu-yun
SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY    2024, 46 (3): 686-698.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2024.03.010
Abstract153)   HTML5)    PDF(pc) (3933KB)(76)       Save

Examining the spatial and temporal distribution of seismic activity holds significant importance for seismic risk assessment, particularly in regions prone to frequent and intense earthquakes such as the Sichuan-Yunnan region in China. It is widely recognized that earthquakes exhibit non-random patterns in both spatial and temporal dimensions.

Early scientists endeavored to predict earthquakes using statistical principles, leading to the development of various forecasting methods. Among these, the Relative Intensity(RI)and Pattern Informatics(PI)methods emerged as statistical approaches to earthquake prediction modeling. Essentially, both methods fall under the category of smoothing seismic activity models. They employ techniques to quantify temporal changes in seismic activity graphs, generating maps that highlight areas(hot spots)where earthquakes may occur during specific future periods. While the RI algorithm’s theory is straightforward, its forecasting efficacy is robust, particularly notable in predicting major earthquakes, demonstrating similar advantages to the PI algorithm. Widely adopted globally for proactive predictions across diverse tectonic systems, it has shown commendable results in seismic forecasting practices both domestically and internationally. Over years of development, its predictive performance has gained prominence. However, further research is needed to assess its suitability for predicting minor seismic events in low-seismicity zones. Additionally, its successful application hinges on background seismic activity and the selection of target magnitudes.

To aid seismic activity prediction in the Sichuan-Yunnan region and identify potential future seismic source areas, a comprehensive parameter analysis was conducted using the Relative Intensity(RI)algorithm with the parameter traversal test(PTT). The RI algorithm operates on the premise that the predicted intensity of future earthquakes in a given region closely mirrors the intensity of past earthquakes. While it may not explicitly consider the “active” and “quiet” characteristics of seismic activity, as a fundamental prediction algorithm, it often yields improved prediction outcomes when applied to assess seismic probability in regions with high seismic activity, such as the Sichuan-Yunnan region.

In this study, the statistical-based Relative Intensity(RI)algorithm is employed to calculate the relative intensity of earthquakes based on quantitative earthquake characteristics. The study involves gridding the investigated area and statistically analyzing historical earthquake occurrences within each grid unit under specific magnitude conditions to inform predictions of future earthquake frequencies. The research focuses on evaluating the influence of four key model parameters: grid size, length of the anomalous learning window, starting point of the prediction window, and length of the prediction window, on the algorithm’s prediction efficiency. Furthermore, the study investigates the applicability of the RI algorithm to the Sichuan-Yunnan regions in China. The results yield two significant findings:

(1)The integration of the Relative Intensity(RI)algorithm with the Parameter Traversal Test(PTT)yielded significantly improved results compared to random guessing, primarily due to its optimized parameter selections. These parameters include the grid size, length of the anomalous learning time window, starting time of the prediction time window, and length of the prediction time window.

(2)The parameters of the prediction model exhibit a degree of stability and demonstrate predictive capability for seismic activity in the Sichuan-Yunnan region over the next 1-5 years. The study revealed specific rules and effective parameter intervals applicable to earthquake-prone areas in Sichuan-Yunnan.

The findings suggest that the integration of the Relative Intensity(RI)algorithm with the Parameter Traversal Test(PTT)holds promise for predicting seismic activities in the Sichuan-Yunnan region. This approach enhances the pool of references available for predicting earthquake trends in regions prone to frequent and intense earthquakes. Further research on the RI algorithm is anticipated to yield a more refined numerical model for earthquake trend prediction, contributing to enhanced forecasting accuracy and preparedness in earthquake-prone areas.

Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics
GEOMETRIC STRUCTURE CHARACTERISTICS OF XINYI SEGMENT OF ANQIU-JUXIAN FAULT
ZHANG Hao, WANG Jin-yan, XU Han-gang, LI Li-mei, JIANG Xin, ZHAO Qi-guang, GU Qin-ping
SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY    2022, 44 (6): 1448-1468.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2022.06.006
Abstract681)   HTML44)    PDF(pc) (16789KB)(223)       Save

The Tanlu fault zone is the most active fault zone in eastern China. It has been active mainly along the Anqiu-Juxian Fault(AJF)since the Quaternary. Predecessors have done a lot of research on the age, paleoearthquake and geometry structure of the AJF, but most of them focus on the exposed area of the fault, and relatively few studies on the buried section. Using field geological survey, shallow seismic exploration, drilling, and paleoearthquake trench, this paper focuses on the geometry structure of the Xinyi section(the buried section)of the AJF, and analyzes its geometry distribution characteristics in the plane and the structural relationship between the deep and the shallow parts, thus filling the gap of the activity characteristics of the Xinyi section of the AJF. The results show that the Xinyi section of the AJF can be divided into three sections from north to south: the Beimalingshan-Guanzhuang section, the Guanzhuang-Tangdian section and the Tangdian-Xindian section.
The Xinyi section of the AJF, mainly manifested as strike-slip and normal faulting, has a right-handed and right-step distribution. The step-over zone with~900m in width and~16km in length is dominated by extension, leaving a length-width ratio of 18:1, much larger than the traditional pull-apart basin ratio of 3:1. According to the shallow seismic profile, the shallow seismic line in the Guanzhuang-Tangdian section revealed the extensional fault depression basin on the north side of the terrace, and the bedrock top of the basin gradually became shallower toward the north. The top of the bedrock in the shallow seismic survey line on the north side of the Nanmalingshan suddenly became deeper, and the NNE-trending compressional near-EW basins of the Nanmalingshan and Tashan developed. The two basins were formed from different origin. With the activity of the Anqiu-Juxian Fault and the erosion and deposition of the Shu River, the two basins gradually developed and merged into a composite basin, and the basin structure was consistent with the Quaternary stratigraphic isopach.
The Xinyi section of the Anqiu-Juxian Fault presents the deformation characteristics of the same genesis and coordinated geometric structure in the deep and superficial layers, showing a single branch in the deep, cutting through the Cretaceous strata, extending and rupturing upward along the contact interface between the bedrock mountains and the Quaternary soft soil layer in the superficial layer. The fault is shown as a single branch in the north and south Maling Mountains, and ruptured to the surface in many places. In the pull-apart basin in the middle of the fault, the thickness of the Quaternary system is more than 300m. When the Anqiu-Juxian Fault ruptures to the upper part, it divides into two branches, the east and the west, which are concealed and stand opposite to each other in the shape of “Y”, forming the Anqiu-Juxian Fault. On the east-west boundary of the fault, the latest activity is along the west branch of the fault, which is a Holocene active fault. When it extends to the basement rock mass of the Maling Mountains in the north and south, the depth of the upper fault point gradually becomes shallower until it is exposed.
The vertical movement of the Xinyi section of the AJF shows the four quadrants characteristics of uplift and subsidence. The extensional area forms a pull-apart basin, while the compressive area constitutes an uplift. The vertical bedrock offset of the Guanzhuang-Tangdian section, with the maximum vertical offset of~230m, gradually decreases to both sides. It can be concluded that the Xinyi section of the AJF presents a spiral-like pivot movement.

Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics
A STUDY ON THE SEISMOGENIC STRUCTURE OF GAOYOU-BAOYING MS4.9 EARTHQUAKE
ZHAO Qi-guang, SUN Ye-jun, HUANG Yun, YANG Wei-lin, GU Qin-ping, MENG Ke, YANG Hao
SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY    2021, 43 (3): 630-646.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2021.03.010
Abstract1259)   HTML    PDF(pc) (10586KB)(315)       Save
The Gaoyou-Baoying MS4.9 earthquake on July 20, 2012 occurred in the Gaoyou Sag in the Subei Basin. This earthquake was a relatively rare medium-strength earthquake in the weak seismicity region of eastern China. Although studies on the seismogenic structure of this earthquake have been conducted previously, the seismogenic structure itself is still under debate and needs to be further studied. This paper uses the methods such as distribution of seismic intensity, precise positioning of earthquake sequence, focal mechanism, regional tectonic stress, seismic exploration, etc. to comprehensively study the seismogenic structure of this earthquake.
The characteristics of earthquake sequence show that the seismic structure is a high dip-angle fault spreading along the NNE direction, dipping ESE. The result of focal mechanism solutions shows that the strike of one of the two nodal planes is NNE, and the fault plane shows high dip angle. The earthquake is mainly characterized by strike-slip motion. Through the seismic exploration lines(GYL1, GYL2)laid at the epicenter area of the earthquake, a fault structure is identified, which strikes nearly NNE and dips near ESE. This fault is located between the Linze sag and the Liubao low uplift, coinciding with the distribution of the Liuling Fault, the boundary fault in the northwest of the Gaoyou Sag, so it can be judged that all the detected breakpoints belong to the Liuling Fault. The “Y-shaped” breakpoints detected by the two seismic exploration lines are characterized by high dip angle. There is a very obvious wave group disorder area at the distance of 6 500~9 000m on the GYL1 seismic exploration line. This area is about 2.5km in width displayed on the post-stack migration profile and shows an uplifting trend. The disordered uplifting of wave group is caused by intrusion of soft material into the structural breakage and weakness, squeezed by horizontal stress. The GYL2 post-stack migration profile shows obvious uplift appearing in the reflection wave group(Tg)on the top of the bedrock. This arc-shaped uplift also reflects the effect of strong compression of horizontal stress.
In order to further discuss the seismogenic structure of the Gaoyou-Baoying MS4.9 earthquake, we used the focal mechanism data to invert the modern tectonic stress field in the Northern Jiangsu-South Yellow Sea Basin where the earthquake occurred. The maximum principal stress in this area is NE-SW, while the minimum principal stress is NW-SE; both of them are nearly horizontal, and the intermediate principal stress is nearly vertical. According to Zoback's rule for dividing the types of dislocation in the direction of the force axis, the distribution of principal stresses in the Northern Jiangsu-South Yellow Sea Basin is equivalent to a strike-slip dislocation.
To sum up, the stress characteristics reflected by the Liuling Fault are consistent with the horizontal forces on the P-axis and T-axis shown by the focal mechanism solution results, and also consistent with the horizontal state of the stress in the tectonic stress field in this region. The above characteristics indicate that the development of the Liuling Fault is affected and controlled by modern tectonic activities. At the same time, the characteristics of the strike and dip of the seismic fault reflected by the methods of seismic intensity investigation, precise earthquake positioning, focal mechanism solution and seismic exploration, etc. are consistent with each other. Therefore, the occurrence of this earthquake may be the result of continuous stress accumulation and sudden instability and rupture of the NNE-trending Liuling Fault under the long-term compression of the NE-direction principal stress.
Reference | Related Articles | Metrics
RAYLEIGH WAVE PHASE VELOCITY AND AZIMUTHAL ANISOTROPY OF THE MIDDLE-SOUTHERN SEGMENT OF THE TAN-LU FAULT ZONE AND ADJACENT REGIONS FROM AMBIENT NOISE TOMOGRAPHY
GU Qin-ping, KANG Qing-qing, ZHANG Peng, MENG Ke, WU Shan-shan, LI Zheng-kai, WANG Jun-fei, HUANG Qun, JIANG Xin, LI Da-hu
SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY    2020, 42 (5): 1129-1152.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2020.05.007
Abstract575)   HTML    PDF(pc) (16177KB)(353)       Save
The middle-southern segment of the Tan-Lu fault zone and its adjacent area is located in the joint zone of the North China craton and Yangtze craton. It is a natural test ground for studying the problems of intracontinental collision, continental convergence and growth, geodynamics and lithospheric deformation. Although early research involved the central-south section of the Tan-Lu fault zone and its neighboring areas, it is difficult to carry out a detailed discussion on the S-wave velocity and azimuthal anisotropy in the middle and south section of the Tan-Lu fault zone and its adjacent areas, due to different research purposes and objects, the limitation in selecting research scope or the lack of resolution.
To obtain more detailed crust-mantle velocity structure and azimuthal anisotropy distribution characteristics in the study area, this paper uses waveform data recorded by 261 fixed wideband seismic stations in the middle-southern segment of the Tan-Lu fault zone and its adjacent zone for two consecutive years. The phase velocity dispersion curve of Rayleigh surface wave with 5~50s period was extracted by time-frequency analysis. Then, the study area was divided into 0.25°×0.25°grids, and the two-dimensional Rayleigh phase velocity and azimuthal anisotropy distribution image in the area was retrieved using the Tarantola method.
The phase velocity and azimuthal anisotropy distribution images of 6 representative periods were analyzed. These images reveal the lateral heterogeneity of the crust-mantle velocity structure and spatial differences in azimuthal anisotropy in the middle-southern segment of the Tan-Lu Fault and its adjacent areas. The results show that the distribution characteristics of phase velocity have a good correspondence with geological tectonic units. In the shallow part of the earth's crust, the basins covered by thick unconsolidated sedimentary layers and the bedrock exposed orogenic belts show low and high velocity anomalies, respectively. With the increase of the period(15~20s), the influence of the shallow sedimentary layer is weakened, and the high-speed anomaly appears in some plain areas such as the Hehuai Basin and Subei Basin. The distribution of phase velocity in the lower crust and upper mantle(25~30s)is affected by the thickness of the crust, which is inversely related to the burial depth of Moho surface. For example, the Dabie orogenic belt with a thickness of 40km changes from a short period high-speed to a low-speed distribution.
Due to the differences in the tectonic environment of each geological structural unit in the study area, the azimuthal anisotropy of Rayleigh waves has obvious spatial differences. In general, the strength of anisotropy increases with increasing period(depth), and the direction of fast wave is more regular and followable. Based on the consistent distribution of low velocity and azimuthal anisotropy from the shallow crust to the lithospheric mantle in the Subei Basin, we believe that there may be a strong crust-mantle coupling phenomenon. The results obtained by different seismic anisotropy observation methods are different manifestations of anisotropy. However, due to the one-sided and low-resolution problems of single observation method, it is necessary to carry out joint inversion or comprehensive multiple observation methods.
Reference | Related Articles | Metrics
THE CRUSTAL SHALLOW STRUCTURES AND FAULT ACTIVITY DETECTION IN XINYI SECTION OF TAN-LU FAULT ZONE
GU Qin-ping, XU Han-gang, YAN Yun-xiang, ZHAO Qi-guang, LI Li-mei, MENG Ke, YANG Hao, WANG Jin-yan, JIANG Xin, MA Dong-wei
SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY    2020, 42 (4): 825-843.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2020.04.004
Abstract1552)   HTML    PDF(pc) (7994KB)(291)       Save
The Tan-Lu fault zone is the largest active tectonic zone in eastern China, with a complex history of formation and evolution, and it has a very important control effect on the regional structure, magmatic activity, the formation and distribution of mineral resources and modern seismic activity in eastern China. Xinyi City has a very important position as a segmental node in the Shandong and Suwan sections of the Tan-Lu fault zone. Predecessors have conducted research on the spatial distribution, occurrence and activity characteristics of the shallow crustal faults in the Suqian section of the Tan-Lu belt, and have obtained some new scientific understandings and results. However, due to different research objectives or limitations of research methods, previous researches have either focused on the deep crustal structure, or targeted on the Suqian section or other regions. However, the structural style and deep-shallow structural association characteristics of Xinyi section of Tan-Lu belt have not been well illustrated, nor its activity and spatial distribution have been systematically studied. In order to investigate the shallow crustal structure features, the fault activities, the spatial distribution and the relationship between deep and shallow structures of the Xinyi section of the Tan-Lu Fault, we used a method combining mid-deep/shallow seismic reflection exploration and first-break wave imaging. Firstly, a mid-deep seismic reflection profile with a length of 33km and a coverage number greater than 30 was completed in the south of Xinyi City. At the same time, using the first arrival wave on the common shot record, the tomographic study of the shallow crust structure was carried out. Secondly, three shallow seismic reflection profiles and one refraction tomography profile with high resolution across faults were presented. The results show that the Xinyi section of Tan-Lu fault zone is a fault zone composed of five concealed main faults, with a structural pattern of “two grabens sandwiched by a barrier”. The five main faults reveal more clearly the structural style of “one base between two cuts” of the Tan-Lu fault zone. From west to east, the distribution is as follows: on the west side, there are two high-angle faults, F4 and F3, with a slot-shaped fault block falling in the middle, forming the western graben. In the middle, F3 and F2, two normal faults with opposite dip directions, are bounded and the middle discontinuity disk rises relatively to form a barrier. On the east side, F2 and F1, two conjugate high-angle faults, constitute the eastern graben. The mid-deep and shallow seismic reflection profiles indicate that the main faults of the Xinyi section of Tan-Lu fault zone have a consistent upper-lower relationship and obvious Quaternary activities, which play a significant role in controlling the characteristics of graben-barrier structure and thickness of Cenozoic strata. The shape of the reflective interface of the stratum and the characteristics of the shallow part of the fault revealed by shallow seismic reflection profiles are clear. The Mohe-Lingcheng Fault, Xinyi-Xindian Fault, Malingshan-Chonggangshan Fault and Shanzuokou-Sihong Fault not only broke the top surface of the bedrock, but also are hidden active faults since Quaternary, especially the Malingshan-Chonggangshan Fault which shows strong activity characteristics of Holocene. The results of this paper provide a seismological basis for an in-depth understanding of the deep dynamics process of Xinyi City and its surrounding areas, and for studying the deep-shallow tectonic association and its activity in the the Xinyi section of the Tan-Lu Fault.
Reference | Related Articles | Metrics
RESEARCH ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF QUATERNARY ACTIVITIES OF SU-XI-CHANG FAULT
ZHANG Peng, ZHANG Yuan-yuan, XU Han-gang, LIU Jian-da, CHEN Jian-qiang, LI Li-mei, LI Jin-liang, GU Qin-ping, JIANG Xin
SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY    2019, 41 (5): 1172-1184.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2019.05.007
Abstract689)   HTML    PDF(pc) (6456KB)(610)       Save
Running across the urban areas of Changzhou, Wuxi and Suzhou, the NW-trending Su-Xi-Chang Fault is an important buried fault in Yangtze River Delta. In the respect of structural geomorphology, hilly landform is developed along the southwest side of the Su-Xi-Chang Fault, and a series of lakes and relatively low-lying depressions are developed on its northeast side, which is an important landform and neotectonic boundary line. The fault controlled the Jurassic and Cretaceous stratigraphic sedimentary and Cenozoic volcanic activities, and also has obvious control effects on the modern geomorphology and Quaternary stratigraphic distribution.
Su-Xi-Chang Fault is one of the target faults of the project "Urban active fault exploration and seismic risk assessment in Changzhou City" and "Urban active fault exploration and seismic risk assessment in Suzhou City". Hidden in the ground with thick cover layer, few researches have been done on this fault in the past. The study on the activity characteristics and the latest activity era of the Su-Xi-Chang Fault is of great significance for the prevention and reduction of earthquake disaster losses caused by the destructive earthquakes to the cities of Changzhou, Wuxi and Suzhou.
Based on shallow seismic exploration and drilling joint profiling method, Quaternary activities and distribution characteristics of the Su-Xi-Chang Fault are analyzed systematically. Shallow seismic exploration results show that the south branch of the Su-Xi-Chang Fault in Suzhou area is dominated by normal faulting, dipping to the north-east, with a dip angle of about 60° and a displacement of 3~5m on the bedrock surface. The north branch of the Su-Xi-Chang Fault in Changzhou area is dominated by normal faulting, dipping to the south, with a dip angle of about 55°~70° and a displacement of 4~12m on the bedrock surface. All breakpoints of Su-Xi-Chang Fault on the seismic exploration profiles show that only the bedrock surface was dislocated, not the interior strata of the Quaternary.
On the drilling joint profile in the Dongqiao site of Suzhou, the latest activity of the south branch of Su-Xi-Chang Fault is manifested as reverse faulting, with maximum displacement of 2.9m in the upper part of Lower Pleistocene, and the Middle Pleistocene has not been dislocated by the fault. The fault acts as normal fault in the Pre-Quaternary strata, with a displacement of 3.7m in the Neogene stratum. On the drilling joint profile in the Chaoyang Road site of Changzhou, the latest activity of the north branch of Su-Xi-Chang Fault is manifested as reverse faulting too, with maximum displacement of 2.8m in the bottom layer of the Middle Pleistocene. The fault acts as normal fault in the Pre-Quaternary strata, with a displacement of 10.2m in the bedrock surface.
Combining the above results, we conclude that the latest activity era of Su-Xi-Chang Fault is early Middle Pleistocene. The Su-Xi-Chang Fault was dominated by the sinistral normal faulting in the pre-Quaternary period, and turned into sinistral reverse faulting after the early Pleistocene, with displacement of about 3m in the Quaternary strata. The maximum magnitude of potential earthquake on the Su-Xi-Chang Fault is estimated to be 6.0.
Reference | Related Articles | Metrics
NEW EVIDENCE ON NE-SEGMENT OF JINTAN-RUGAO FAULT DISCOVERED BY SHALLOW SEISMIC EXPLORATION METHOD
GU Qin-ping, YANG Hao, ZHAO Qi-guang, MENG Ke, WANG Jin-yan, LI Yun, MA Dong-wei
SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY    2019, 41 (3): 743-758.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2019.03.013
Abstract783)   HTML    PDF(pc) (10653KB)(347)       Save
The NE-trending regional deep fault, i.e. the Jintan-Rugao Fault, is a boundary fault between the Subei depression and Nantong uplift, and its research has always received broad attention because of its importance and complexity. For the absence of definite proof, there is little consensus regarding the structure and spatial distribution of the fault among geoscientists, and its latest active time is ambiguous. The study of Quaternary activity characteristics of the Jintan-Rugao Fault is of great significance for earthquake trend prediction and engineering safety evaluation, and for earthquake prevention and disaster reduction in Jiangsu Province. In order to investigate the spatial location, characteristics and tectonic features and redefine the activity of the NE-segment of the Jintan-Rugao Fault, and on the basis of likely location and marker beds derived from petroleum seismic exploration sections, we collect and arrange 4 shallow seismic exploration profiles crossing the fault to conduct high-resolution seismic reflection imaging, following the working concept of ‘from known to unknown, from deep to shallow’. In this study, an observation system with trace intervals of 4~6m, shot intervals of 12~18m, and channels of 90~256 and 15~36 folds is used. In addition, by introducing different tonnage vibroseis to suppress the background noise, the raw data with high SNR(signal-noise ratio)can be obtained. By using the above working method and spread geometry, we obtained clear imaging results of the subsurface structure and fault structure in the coverage area of the survey lines. This exploration research accurately locates the NE-segment of Jintan-Rugao Fault, and further shows that it is not a single fault but a fault zone consisting of two normal faults with N-dipping and NE-striking within the effective detection depth. The shallow seismic profiles reveal that the up-breakpoint on the south branch with stronger activity is at depth of 235~243m, which offsets the lower strata of lower Pleistocene. Combining drilling data around the survey lines, we infer the activity time of this fault is early Pleistocene. The results of this paper provide reliable seismological data for determining the location and activity evaluation of the NE-segment of Jintan-Rugao Fault. In eastern China, where the sedimentary layer is thicker, the latest active age of faults can not be determined entirely according to the latest faulted strata. For a fault passing through the thicker area of new deposits, its latest active age should be based on the tectonic background, seismic activity, present tectonic stress field, topographic deformation, structural micro-geomorphological characteristics, sedimentary thickness of new strata, controlling effect of faults on new strata and the latest strata of faults, and combined with upper breakpoints, morphology, structure and occurrence of faults, the active state of the target concealed faults should be analyzed. If the activity of the fault is judged only by the upper faulted point, it may lead to overestimating the age of the fault activity.
Reference | Related Articles | Metrics
NEW EVIDENCES FOR LATE QUATERNARY ACTIVITY IN THE SOUTHERN SEGMENT OF THE YISHU-TANGTOU FAULT, THE TAN-LU FAULT ZONE, AND ITS TECTONIC IMPLICATION
CAO Jun, XU Han-gang, RAN Yong-kang, LIANG Ming-jian, LEI Sheng-xue, ZHANG Peng, LI Li-mei, GU Qin-ping, ZHAO Qi-guang
SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY    2017, 39 (2): 287-303.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2017.02.003
Abstract1072)   HTML    PDF(pc) (10673KB)(475)       Save
The Tan-Lu Fault Zone(TLFZ), a well-known lithosphere fault zone in eastern China, is a boundary tectonic belt of the secondary block within the North China plate, and its seismic risk has always been a focus problem. Previous studies were primarily conducted on the eastern graben faults of the Yishu segment where there are historical earthquake records, but the faults in western graben have seldom been involved. So, there has been no agreement about the activity of the western graben fault from the previous studies. This paper focuses on the activity of the two buried faults in the western graben along the southern segment of Yishu through combination of shallow seismic reflection profile and composite drilling section exploration.
Shallow seismic reflection profile reveals that the Tangwu-Gegou Fault(F4)only affects the top surface of Suqian Formation, therefore, the fault may be an early Quaternary fault. The Yishui-Tangtou Fault(F3)has displaced the upper Pleistocene series in the shallow seismic reflection profile, suggesting that the fault may be a late Pleistocene active fault. Drilling was implemented in Caiji Town and Lingcheng Town along the Yishui-Tangtou Fault(F3)respectively, and the result shows that the latest activity time of Yishui-Tangtou Fault(F3)is between(91.2±4.4)ka and(97.0±4.8)ka, therefore, the fault belongs to late Pleistocene active fault.
Combined with the latest research on the activity of other faults along TLFZ, both faults in eastern and western graben were active during the late Pleistocene in the southern segment of the Yishu fault zone, however, only the fault in eastern graben was active in the Holocene. This phenomenon is the tectonic response to the subduction of the Pacific and Philippine Sea Plate and collision between India and Asian Plate. The two late Quaternary active faults in the Yishu segment of TLFZ are deep faults and present different forms on the surface and in near surface according to studies of deep seismic reflection profile, seismic wave function and seismic relocation. Considering the tectonic structure of the southern segment of Yishu fault zone, the relationship between deep and shallow structures, and the impact of 1668 Tancheng earthquake(M=8(1/2)), the seismogenic ability of moderate-strong earthquake along the Yishui-Tangtou Fault(F3)can't be ignored.
Reference | Related Articles | Metrics
NEW EVIDENCES OF THE HOLOCENE FAULT IN SUQIAN SEGMENT OF THE TANLU FAULT ZONE DISCOVERED BY SHALLOW SEISMIC EXPLORATION METHOD
XU Han-gang, FAN Xiao-ping, RAN Yong-kang, GU Qin-ping, ZHANG Peng, LI Li-mei, ZHAO Qi-guang, WANG Jin-yan
SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY    2016, 38 (1): 31-43.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2016.01.003
Abstract1263)      PDF(pc) (10420KB)(1648)       Save

The fault F5 is considered as the most active fault in the Tanlu fault zone(Yi-Shu fault zone), which is located from Weifang of Shandong Province to Jiashan of Anhui Province, with a length of 360km. It has always been a focus of concern to many geoscientists because of its complexity and importance. But, for a long period of time, there exists biggish indetermination in the accurate position and active ages of the fault F5 in Suqian section of Tanlu fault zone. Seismic reflection exploration is the main technique in present urban active faults detecting. In order to investigate the spatial distribution, characteristics and activities of the fault F5 in covered terrains, we carried out a systematic survey to the fault with shallow seismic prospecting method and obtained the accurate position and development characteristics of the fault. The results show that the fault F5 continues to develop toward south rather than ending at the Huancheng South Road of Suqian City. F5 is mainly composed of two main faults, which dip in opposite directions and almost vertically. Near the Sankeshu town, F5 is composed of three faults with right-stepping, forming a small pull-apart basin with length of 6km, width of 2.5km, controlling the deposition of Neogene and Quaternary strata. By combining the results of composite drilling section and trenching, we make a conclusion that the western branch of fault F5 is a Holocene active fault, and the eastern branch is a Pleistocene active fault. Our general view is that fault F5 is a Holocene active fault.

Reference | Related Articles | Metrics
RESEARCH ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF QUATERNARY ACTIVITIES OF FEIHUANGHE FAULT IN XUZHOU AREA
ZHANG Peng, LI Li-mei, LIU Jian-da, XU Han-gang, LI Jin-liang, GU Qin-ping, JIANG Xin
SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY    2015, 37 (1): 208-221.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2015.16
Abstract520)      PDF(pc) (9610KB)(400)       Save

Running diagonally across the urban area of Xuzhou, the Feihuanghe(the abandoned Yellow River)Fault starts from Jiahezhai in the northwest, extending southeastwards through Sushantou, Xuzhou City and Liangtang along the abandoned Yellow River till the north of Wangji Town of Suining County, striking NWW, dipping SW, with a total length of about 70 kilometers. It is a buried fault, crosscutting Xuzhou-arc structure. There are significant topographic features indicating the existence of the fault on the earth's surface, which are clearly displayed in remote sensing images. There have been no devastating earthquakes occurring along the fault since the recorded history.
Feihuanghe Fault is one of the target faults of the project "Urban active fault exploration and seismic risk assessment in Xuzhou City". Few researches have been done on this fault in the past. The previous analysis assumes that the fault is a sinistral transtensional fault with extensional faulting in the Xuzhou-Suzhou arcuate structure at first and transtensional faulting of the Neocathaysian system later.
Based on field geological survey, shallow seismic exploration and composite drilling section method, Quaternary activities of Feihuanghe Fault are analyzed. Shallow seismic exploration results show that the Feihuanghe Fault is composed of a NE-trending south branch and a SW-trending north branch, forming a graben structure with the width of 1~2km. All breakpoints of the Feihuanghe Fault on the seismic exploration profiles show that only the bedrock surface was dislocated, not the interior strata of the Quaternary. The composite drilling profiling results show that Feihuanghe Fault has dislocated the strata of Mid Pleistocene, but not the top surface of Mid Pleistocene. Furthermore, we discovered a secondary fault of Feihuanghe Fault exposed at Fengshan Hill, and its latest activity date is the mid period of Mid-Pleistocene inferred from the cementation degree of gouge, dating results and geomorphic features. Combining the above results, we conclude that Feihuanghe Fault is of sinistral strike-slip in the early stage, and extensional faulting since the Quaternary, and the latest activity date is the middle period of Mid Pleistocene. Controlled by the tectonic setting, the activities of the NW-trending faults in Xuzhou area are significantly weaker than that of the NW-trending fault in adjacent southwest Shandong.

Reference | Related Articles | Metrics