Table of Content

20 February 2018, Volume 40 Issue 1

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SEISMOTECTONICS OF THE 8 AUGUST 2017 JIUZHAIGOU EARTHQUAKE AND THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL FAULT MODELS IN THE SEISMIC REGION

LU Ren-qi, XU Xi-wei, CHEN Li-chun, CHEN Gui-hua, YAO Qi, SUN Jian-bao, REN Jun-jie, REN Zhi-kun, XU Chong, WEI Zhan-yu, TAN Xi-bin, DONG Shao-peng, SHI Feng, WU Xi-yan

2018, 40(1):  1-11.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.001

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On 8 August 8 2017, an M_S7.0 earthquake occurred in Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province. Field geological investigations did not find any co-seismic surface rupture in the epicenter area, implying that the seismogenic structure is likely a hidden active fault. Based on the results of the relocated aftershocks, the seismogenic fault was simulated and characterized using the SKUA-GOCAD software. The three-dimensional model of the seismogenic fault was preliminarily constructed, which shows that the main shock of the Jiuzhaigou M_S7.0 earthquake occurred at the sharp bending area of the fault surface, similar to the geometry of the active fault that generated several major earthquakes in the Songpan area during 1973-1976. Our study suggests that high seismicity of this area may be closely related to the inhomogeneous geometry of the fault surface. In this work, we collected the historical earthquakes of M ≥ 6.5, and analyzed the geometric and kinematic features of the active faults in the study area. A three-dimensional fault model for the 10 main active faults was constructed, and its limitation in fault modeling was discussed. It could provide evidence for analyzing the seismotectonics of historical earthquakes, exploring the relationships between earthquakes and active faults, and predicting major earthquakes in the future.

TWO-DIMENSIONAL WHOLE CYCLE SIMULATION OF SPONTANE-OUS RUPTURE OF THE 2008 WENCHUAN EARTHQUAKE USING THE CONTINUOUS-DISCRETE ELEMENT METHOD

ZHAO You-jia, ZHANG Guo-hong, ZHANG Ying-feng, SHAN Xin-jian, QU Chun-yan

2018, 40(1):  12-26.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.002

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The May 12, 2008 M_S7.9 Wenchuan earthquake is ranked as one of the most devastating natural disasters ever occurred in modern Chinese history. The Longmenshan Fault(LMSF) zone is the seismogenic source structure, which consists of three sub-parallel faults, i.e., the Guanxian-Jiangyou Fault(GJF) in the frontal, the Yingxiu-Beichuan Fault(YBF) in the central fault and the Wenchuan-Maowen Fault(WMF) in the back of the LMSF. In this study, geological survey and seismic profiles are used to constrain the faults geometry and medium parameters. Three visco-elastic finite element models of the LMSF with different main faults are established. From the phase of interseismic stress accumulation to coseismic stress release and postseismic adjustment, the Wenchuan earthquake is simulated using Continuous-Discrete Element Method(CDEM). Modeling results show that before the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, the GJF becomes unstable due to the interaction between its unique fault geometry and the tectonic stress loading. In the fault geometry model, the GJF is the most gently dipped fault among the three faults, which in return makes it having the smallest normal stress and the greatest shear stress. The continuous shear stress loading finally meets the fault failure criteria and the Wenchuan earthquake starts to initiate on the GJF at the depth of 15~20km. The earthquake rupture then propagated to the YBF. At the same time, due to the GJF and YBF rupture, the interseismic stress accumulation has been greatly reduced, causing the WMF failed to rupture. Although the stress accumulation in the WMF has been reduced significantly after the earthquake, yet it has not been released completely, which means that the WMF likely has with high seismic risk after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. We also find that the stress perturbation caused by gently dipping segment of the fault can promote the passive rupture in the steeply dipping segment, making the upper limit of dip angles larger than traditional assumption.

MAP PREPARATION OF EARTHQUAKE SURFACE RUPTURES IN THE NATIONAL EXPERIMENTAL FIELD OF EARTHQUAKE MONITORING AND PREDICTION IN SICHUAN AND YUNNAN PROVINCE

WU Xi-yan, XU Xi-wei, YU Gui-hua, CHENG Jia, CHEN Gui-hua, AN Yan-fen, WANG Qi-xin

2018, 40(1):  27-41.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.003

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To establish an experimental, practical and open scientific experimental platform for earthquake monitoring and prediction, with reference to that of the southern California earthquake center(SCEC), China Earthquake Administration initiated a project for an experimental field in Sichuan and Yunnan Province in 2014. The chosen area is a seismically active region in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau. A series of work compiling basic maps have been launched to collect fundamental data of this area including geologic structure, earthquake geology, geophysics, geodesy, and geochemistry. The map of earthquake surface ruptures in this region is one of these basic maps. This paper presents the compilation of this map. It includes earthquake epicenters, earthquake surface ruptures, faults, strata, magmatic rocks, and geographical data. This work summarized 87 destructive earthquakes, and 22 earthquake surface rupture zones, and analyzed the distribution characterization of earthquake epicenters, strata and magmatic rocks. The content in the map is reliable and integrated. This work will provide reliable earthquake-geology data for establishing geodynamics models and other future research of the national experimental field of earthquake monitoring and prediction in Sichuan and Yunnan Province.

THE RESPONSE OF FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FUJIANG DRAINGE BASIN TO ACTIVITY OF THE HUYA FAULT ZONE

LIANG Ou-bo, REN Jun-jie, LÜ Yan-wu

2018, 40(1):  42-56.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.004

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The Huya Fault, located in the steep topographic boundary of the Minshan Mountains in the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau, has documented many major earthquakes such as the 1630(M=6 3/4), 1973 Huanglong(M_S=6.5) and the 1976 Songpan-Pingwu earthquake swarm(M_S=7.2, 6.7, 7.2). While its activity remains unclear because of lacking Quaternary sediments. In the past few decades, there have been significant advances in understanding the relationship between bedrock channel landscapes and active tectonics, indicating that the bedrock fluvial features can well record the tectonic activity. Many studies reveal that tectonism is the primary factor of landscape evolution in tectonically active regions, and the erosional landscapes can be used to reveal tectonic signals on timescales of 10³~10⁶ years. The Huya Fault crosses the Fujiang drainage basin, making it suitable for the study of bedrock rivers and tectonic uplift in the eastern margin of Minshan. In this study, we calculate the geomorphologic indeices(hillslope, local relief, normalized steepness indices and hypsometric integral) on the basis of the digital elevation model(DEM) SRTM-1. For better understanding the tectonic activity along this fault, we derive some small catchments on the two sides of the Huya fault to analyze the differences of average steepness indices and hypsometric integral. Combining with field observations, lithology, precipitation and modern erosion rates, this study suggests that tectonic activity is the controlling factor of geomorphology in the eastern margin of the Minshan Mountains. We use focal mechanism solutions, GPS data and geomorphic evidence to explore the relationship between the geomorphologic indices of the Fujiang drainage and activity characteristics of the Huya fault. Our results suggest that:(1) The Fujiang drainage basin is in a steady state. The characteristics of the knickpoints indicate that they are mainly controlled by the locally resistant substrate. (2) The suggested value of the geomorphologic index on the west side of the Huya fault is generally larger than on the east side, showing differential tectonic uplift rates across the fault. (3) The difference of the geomorphologic index of the small catchments on both sides of the Huya fault is gradually increasing from north to south along this fault, in accordance with that the north and south segments of the Huya fault are dominated by strike-and reverse-slip, respectively.

GEOMETRY AND DEFORMATION TRANSFORMATION OF THE XIMALIN FAULT

ZHOU Yue-ling, YOU Hui-chuan, YANG Qi-yan

2018, 40(1):  57-70.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.005

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The Ximalin fault is the northwest section of the Ximalin-Shuiquan fault, which is part of the north-edge fault zone of the Yanghe Basin, located in the conjunction of the Zhangjiakou-Bohai fault zone and Shanxi fault-depression basin, and its structural geometry and deformation characteristics can facilitate the research on the interaction of the two tectonic belts. In this paper, data of geological surveys and geophysical exploration are used to study this fault exhaustively, concerning its geometry, structural features and activity as well as its relationship with adjacent faults and rule in the deformation transform of the north-edge fault zone of the Yanghe Basin. The results show that the Ximalin Fault is a strike-slip feature with thrust component. Its vertical slip rates are 0.17mm/a and 0.25~0.38mm/a, and the horizontal slip rate is 0.58~0.67mm/a and 0.50mm/a during the late Middle Pleistocene and Holocene, respectively. It is formed alternately by the NW-trending main faults and secondary NE-trending faults, of which the former is characterized by high-angle reverse with sinistral strike-slip, and the latter shows normal faulting. The two sets of structures have specific structural geometry relations, and the motion manners and deformation characteristics match each other. During the active process of the north-edge fault of the Yanghe Basin, the NW trending Ximalin fault played a role similar to a transform fault in deformation change and stress transfer, and its sinistral strike slip activity accommodated the NE trending normal faulting at the both ends.

LATE QUATERNARY CRUSTAL SHORTENING RATE OF THE BEILUNTAI FAULT IN SOUTHERN TIAN SHAN, XINJIANG

YAO Yuan, SONG He-ping, CHEN Jian-bo, LI Shuai, JIA Hai-liang

2018, 40(1):  71-86.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.006

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The Beiluntai Fault is a Holocene active fault. It is the boundary between southern Tian Shan and Tarim Basin. Since the late Quaternary, steady activities of the Beiluntai fault have resulted in offsets, folds, and uplift of pluvial terraces. We used the high-resolution RTK topographic surveys to reveal that the fault scarp morphology on the Akeaiken(Ak) segment and Zhuanchang(Zc) segment of the Beiluntai fault. We found that the crustal shortening of Ak and Zc segments are dominated by thrusting and folding-uplift, respectively. We employed th optically stimulated luminescence(OSL) dating method to develop a new chronology for the different pluvial terraces, indicating that they formed at 49.14~58.51, 27±3, 13.72~14.64, 7.13±0.88, (3.32±0.43) ka, respectively. These data permitted to estimate the crustal shortening rate(about 2.4mm/a) remains largely constant on the Ak segment, while the crustal shortening rate of Zc segment was 1.43~1.81mm/a since the Fan4 pluvial terraces was abandoned. Compared with the Ak segment, the crustal shortening rate of the Zc segment declined obviously. This shows that the NS-trending crustal shortening rate of the Beituntai fault decreased gradually from west to east. A comprehensive comparison of the reverse fault-fold belt system in the front of southern Tian Shan also indicates that the crustal shortening rate drops from west to east.

SHALLOW STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ZHUYANGGUAN-XIAGUAN FAULT IN THE NANYANG BASIN

TIAN Yi-ming, LIU Bao-jin, SHI Jin-hu, WANG Xiao-qian, FENG Shao-ying, LI Wen

2018, 40(1):  87-96.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.007

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The Zhuyangguan-Xiaguan fault is a major fault in the Nanyang Basin. Together with the the Shangxian-Danfeng fault in the south and the Tieluzi fault in the north, it serves as the north boundary of the East Qingling Mountains, as well as the dividing line between North China and South China blocks. This work studied the spatial extension, activity and shallow structure of Zhuyangguan-Xiaguan Fault by combination of shallow seismic exploration of three profiles across the fault and a composite drilling cross-section data.
The anti-interference and high resolution shallow seismic reflection exploration method based on Vibseis techniques was used in the seismic survey. The results show the existence of the main fault and its southern branch. It can be determined that the the Zhuyangguan-Xiaguan fault is a NWW-trending normal fracture. The composite drilling cross-section reveals that the buried depth of the fault's up-breakpoint is about 17.6 to 20.5 meters and the latest active time is the late Middle Pleistocene.
As one of the major buried faults in the Nanyang Basin, the Zhuyangguan-Xiaguan fault has restricted the development of Nanyang City for a long time due to its unclear location and activity characteristics. The results of this study can provide geological and geophysical evidence for seismic risk assessment and site selection for the major lifeline projects in Nanyang City.

HOLOCENE ACTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NORTHERN SEGMENT OF THE MINJIANG FAULT IN THE EASTERN MARGIN OF THE TIBETAN PLATEAU

LI Feng, LIU Hua-guo, JIA Qi-chao, XU Xi-wei, ZHANG Xiao-liang, GONG Fei

2018, 40(1):  97-106.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.008

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As a part of the north-south seismic zone in China, a lot of M6.0-7.2 earthquakes have occurred in the margin faults of the Minshan block in history. This work attempted to characterize the geometry and activity of the north section of the Minjiang fault in this region based on high-resolution satellite images, geologic and geomorphic investigations, micro-geomorphic surveys, and trench excavation. The results show left-lateral-slip and Holocene activity of this structure. Along it, the offset landform has a continuous linearity on Ⅱ terraces near the Chuanpan village. The vertical height of the fault scarp measures 3.1 meters, which is almost the same as the accumulative horizontal displacement of the gully. The accumulative horizontal shortening due to faulting is 3.0 meters. Calculation using the model of displacement-dependent characteristic earthquakes shows both the vertical and horizontal co-seismic displacements and the horizontal shortening amount are about 1.0 meter. While strata dating suggests that the vertical and horizontal slip rates are all about 0.7-0.9mm/a, and the horizontal shortening rate is approximately 1.0-1.1mm/a. The excavated trench, perpendicular to the fault trace, reveals low-angle thrust dipping in 260åt 29°. From the relationship of the fault, colluvial wedge and stratigraphy ages, three palaeoseismic events are identified from youngest to oldest at 0-295a BP, 1 405-1 565a BP, and 2 750-2 875a BP, respectively, with recurrence intervals 1 110-1 565 years and elapsed time about 0-295 years。According to the relationship between magnitude and active parameters, it is considered that the northern segment of the Minjiang fault is capable of generating M7 or greater earthquakes. Now it is in the process of stress accumulation, having a certain seismic risk.

DISCUSSION ON THE SEISMOGENIC STRUCTURE OF THE 2016 MENYUAN M6.4 EARTHQUAKE IN MENYUAN, QINGHAI

LEI Dong-ning, LIU Jie, LIU Zhu-mei, HE Yu-lin, QIAO Yue-qiang

2018, 40(1):  107-120.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.009

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On January 21, 2016, a M6.4 earthquake occurred in Menyuan county, Qinghai Province. Its epicenter is located in the Qilian-Hexi Zoulang tectonic zone, which records several moderate-large historical earthquakes. Previous studies on this event are based on geology, remote sensing data and focal mechanism solutions, lacking analysis on its seismogenic structure. In order to study seismogenic fault plane and seismoteconic style of the earthquake, this work uses data of seismic intensity, aftershocks, and geology to address this issue. Furthermore, we calculate Coulomb stress changes imposed by the 1927 Gulang M8 and 1986 Menyuan M6.4 earthquake on the fault plane of the 2016 Menyuan M6.4 earthquake. The results indicate the early two events have posed distinct impacts on two nodal planes:loading or triggering on nodal plane Ⅰ, and unloading or delay on Ⅱ. In some cases such triggering stress is approaching or up to the threshold value of 0.01 MPa. Combining isoseismals, aftershock distribution, geological structure and different Coulomb stress changes aforementioned, the nodal plane Ⅱ of the source model is considered the seismogenic feature. In conjunction with geophysical data, we establish the seismogenic model of the Menyuan earthquake, which is a positive flower structure in a profile, gentle in the upper and steep in the lower, characterized by thrusting in a strike slipping fault system. This is a possible model for thrusting earthquakes generated by strike-slip faults in a compressional tectonic regime.

ACTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SANWEISHAN FAULT IN THE NORTHERN MARGIN OF THE TIBETAN PLATEAU DURING LATE PLEISTOCENE

LIU Xing-wang, YUAN Dao-yang, ZOU Xiao-bo, LIU Yu

2018, 40(1):  121-132.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.010

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The Sanweishan fault is located in the northern margin of the Tibetan plateau. It is a branch of the Altyn Tagh fault zone which extends to the northwest. A detailed study on Late Quaternary activity characteristics of the Sanwei Shan Fault can help understanding the strain distribution of the Altyn Tagh fault zone and regional seismic activity and northward growth of the Tibetan plateau. Previous research on this fault is insufficient and its activity is a controversial issue. Based on satellite images interpretation, field investigations and geological mapping, this study attempts to characterize this feature, especially its activity during Late Quaternary. Trench excavation and sample dating permit to address this issue, including determination of paleoseismic events along this fault.
The results show that the Sanweishan fault is a large-scale active structure. It starts from the Shuangta reservoir in the east, extending southward by Shigongkouzi, Lucaogou, and Shugouzi, terminates south of Xishuigou, with a length of 175km. The fault trends in NEE, dipping SE at angles 50°~70°. It is characterized by left-lateral strike-slip with a component of thrust and local normal faulting. According to the geometry, the fault can be divided into three segments, i.e. Shuangta-Shigongkouzi, Shigongkouzi-Shugouzi and Shugouzi-Xishuigou from east to west, looking like a left-or right-step pattern. Plenty of offset fault landforms appear along the Sanweishan Fault, including ridges, left-lateral strike-slip gullies, fault scarps, and fault grooves. The trench study at the middle and eastern segments of the fault shows its activity during Late Pleistocene, evidenced by displaced strata of this epoch. Identification marks of the paleoearthquakes and sample dating reveal one paleoearthquake that occurred at(40.3±5.2)~(42.1±3.9) ka.

FEATURES OF EARTHQUAKE CLUSTERING FROM CALCULATION OF COULOMB STRESS AROUND THE BAYAN HAR BLOCK, TIBETAN PLATEAU

CHENG Jia, XU Xi-wei

2018, 40(1):  133-154.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.011

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Since 1997, several major earthquakes occurred around the Bayan Har block in the Tibetan plateau, providing an opportunity to further understanding the mechanism of intraplate earthquakes. What is the effect of interactions among these events on the earthquake occurrence pattern is an issue to be addressed. In this article, we use the visco-elastic Coulomb stress changes model to calculate the stress interactions among the historical events close to or large than M_S7.0 since 1893 in the Bayan Har block. We apply the relationships between the slip rate and stress accumulation rate to transform the Coulomb stress changes into the influenced time. Then we remove such influence time from the occurrence years, and analyze the effects of the earthquake interactions on the clustering patterns of the historical earthquakes in the Bayan Har block. The results show that the major earthquakes in the Bayan Har block are characterized by a quasi-period of about 16 years from 1893 to 1973 and a clustering occurrence time period from 1997 to present following a relatively long quiescence period. The Bayan Har block is still in the active period with high probabilities of major quakes. We calculate the conditional probabilities of the rupture segments that did not rupture since 1893 of the boundary faults of the Bayan Har block in the next 30 years. The following faults or fault sections seem to be of major risk:The Maqin segment and the Maqu fault of the East Kunlun fault zone, the Awanang fault, the Luocha segment of the Tazhong fault, the Moxi segment of the Xianshuihe fault, and the Dangjiang fault. Other Fault segments in the Bayan Har block without seismic events since 1893 probably also have hazard of M_S7 earthquakes in the future.

DEEP STRUCTURE BENEATH THE 1631 CHANGDE, HUNAN M6 EARTHQUAKE AREA DERIVED FROM MAGNETOTELLURIC SOUNDING

ZHAO Ling-qiang, ZHAN Yan, ZHOU Ben-gang, SUN Xiang-yu, CHEN Xiao-bin, YANG Hao

2018, 40(1):  155-170.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.012

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In 1631, an earthquake of M_S6 3/4 occurred in the Taiyangshan uplift about 10km north of Changde City, Hunan Province, which is the largest destructive temblor documented in history of South China. With the economic and social development of Changde City and the expansion of the urban, it is necessary to conduct assessment of seismic hazard, including probing the deep structure beneath the region around this historical event. To this end, three magnetotelluric(MT) profiles have been carried out across the Taiyangshan area with 76 sites in 2014. Remote reference, "robust", and phase tensor decomposition techniques were used to process the acquired MT data, and the NLCG two-dimensional inversion was made to image the deep electrical structure in combination with relevant geological and geophysical data available. The images of 3 MT profiles permit to delineate the deep extension of major faults and the deep structural features of the tectonic units in the study area. The largest fault, the Xiaowupu fault shows a steep southwest-dipping with extension of tens of kilometers from the surface to the subsurface. The Shichaipo Fault presents a low-resistivity body around a depth of about 5km. The Huanxian and Dongting Lake Basins show a low-resistivity characteristic from the ground to a depth more than 10km, good-electricity layering, meaning tectonic stability, and corresponding to extensive Cretaceous and Cenozoic strata. The electrical structure of Taiyangshan uplift overall presents a high-resistivity characteristic from the surface to a depth of about 20km, which is the widest in the central Taiyang Mountains. The deep electrical structure of 3 profiles together reveal that the contact between the Dongting Lake Basin and Taiyang Mountains is obviously segmented in NS direction. It is inferred that the Xiaowupu fault is probably the causative feature of the 1631 Changde M_S6 3/4 earthquake. The deep electrical structure nearby the epicenter appears to be complex with alternating high and low resistivity, and the epicenter is located in the high resistivity zone. The low-resistance decoupling in proximity of the fault is likely responsible for the earthquake generation. The Taiyangshan uplift resides in the southwest corner of the Jianghan-Dongtinghu Basin, where differential up and down activity during Quaternary was most intense resulting in big landform contrast, forming the tectonic setting of medium-sized earthquakes in this region.

SIMULATION OF SEISMIC RISK IN THE DALIANGSHAN SUB-BLOCK AND ADJACENT AREAS USING THE NONLINEAR FRICTION FEM METHOD

YAO Qi, XING Hui-lin, XU Xi-wei, ZHANG Wei, LIU Jie

2018, 40(1):  171-185.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.013

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Most earthquakes result from fault activity under heterogeneous loading and complex physical properties, also affected by fault structure and interaction between faults. Such a complicated mechanism makes often failures of the "seismic gap" theory in the effort of medium-and long-term earthquake prediction. This study attempts to address this issue using the finite element method(FEM).The friction behavior of faults can be used to simulate the non-uniformity of rupture processes of the seismogenic structure. So we use the FEM containing non-linear friction to simulate fault ruptures in the Daliangshan sub-block and adjacent areas, and compare the results with time-space evolution of historical M_S ≥ 7 earthquakes since 1840 in this region. In the simulation, the sequence of large-batch fault contact nodes change from "stick state" to "slip state" in short time, which mimics the sudden fault slip and the occurrence of major earthquakes. The results show that the fault breaking lengths from simulation are largely consistent with the magnitudes of historical earthquakes in the study area, such as the 1850 Puge-Xichang M_S7.5, and 1887 Shiping M_S7.0 earthquakes. The simulation also shows the development of seismic gaps and "gap breaks" by major earthquakes on the Xianshuihe fault, such as 1955 Kangding M_S7.5 earthquake. Especially, the results illustrated the very long time of the seismogenic process of the 2008 Wenchuan M_S8.0 earthquake, and the corresponding sudden big rupture along the Longmenshan Fault, which is very similar to the observed surface rupture and very long incubation time and sudden co-seismic process. Then, this simulation is further applied to long-term earthquake prediction for the study area by calculation on a much longer time. The simulation results suggest that the Xiaojiang fault and the Zemuhe fault have relatively higher seismic risk, while moderate-sized earthquakes might occur on the Daliangshan fault and the Aninghe fault, and major earthquakes might rupture the northern segment of the Xianshuihe fault in a much longer time.

HOLOCENE SLIP RATE AND EARTHQUAKE HAZARD OF THE NORTH-EDGE FAULT OF THE YANQI BASIN, SOUTHEASTERN TIAN SHAN, CHINA

HUANG Wei-liang, YANG Xiao-ping, LI Sheng-qiang, YANG Hai-bo

2018, 40(1):  186-203.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.014

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The Tian Shan Mountains is an active orogen in the continent. Previous studies on its tectonic deformation focus on the expanding fronts to basins on either side, while little work has been done on its interiors. This work studied the north-edge fault of the Yanqi Basin on the southeastern flank of Tian Shan. Typical offset landforms, and lineaments of scarps on the eastern segment of this fault were used to constrain the vertical displacement and shortening rates. Geological and geomorphic mapping in conjunction with high-resolution GPS differential measurement reveals that the vertical offsets can be divided into three groups of 1.9m, 2.4m and 3.0m, and the coseismic vertical offset was estimated as 0.5~0.6m. In situ ¹⁰Be terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide dating of three big boulders capping the regional geomorphic surface that preserved 3.0m vertical offset suggests that the surfaces were exposed at~5ka. Meanwhile, the lacustrine sediments from Bosten Lake within the Yanqi Basin suggest climate change during cooling-warming transitions was also at~5ka. The climate, therefore, controlled creation and abandonment of geomorphic surfaces in southern piedmont of Tian Shan. Combining the exposure ages and vertical offsets, we inferred that the east section of the north-edge fault in the Yanqi Basin has a dip slip rate 0.6~0.7mm/a,~0.5mm/a of vertical slip and~0.4mm/a of shortening since 5ka. Based on calculation of earthquake moment, we estimated that this fault is capable of generating M7.5 earthquakes in the future. This study provides new data for further understanding tectonic deformation of Tian Shan and is useful in seismic hazard assessment of this area.

EXPLORATION OF UNDERWATER THREE-DIMENSIONAL TOPOGRAPHY AND ACTIVE FAULTS: A CASE STUDY OF QIONGHAI, XICHANG

CAI Ming-gang, LU Ren-qi, HE Hong-lin, XU Xi-wei, WANG Zhen-nan, LI Hai-ou, WU Xi-yan

2018, 40(1):  204-214.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.015

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The theories, techniques and methods for the exploration of active faults in the terrestrial domain are relatively mature, while such efforts in the water domain remain very few. In this study, the AAE shallow profiler was used to detect the underwater three-dimensional topography and active faults in the Qionghai area, Xichang for the first time. Based on the SKUA-GOCAD software platform and its DSI interpolation method, three-dimensional modeling of the exploration data was carried out. The survey profiles clearly reveal three different reflection interfaces, including the underwater interface, the interface between the silt layer and shallow sedimentary layer, and the bottom of the shallow sedimentary layer. The three-dimensional topography of the Qionghai area was mapped initially. Moreover, evidence of active faults was first found in several survey profiles from the reflection interface cutoff. This study also analyzed and discussed the working principle and characteristics of the AAE shallow profiler, including their parameters and various factors of exploration. The mapped three-dimensional topography and active faults in the Qionghai area of Xichang can provide a reference for research on the active tectonics underwater in the future.

3D P-WAVE VELOCITY STRUCTURE AT THE NORTHEASTERN MARGIN OF ORDOS BLOCK

HAN Xiao-ming, Liu Fang, ZHANG Fan, CHEN Li-feng, LI Juan, LI Shuan-hu, YANG Hong-ying

2018, 40(1):  215-231.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.016

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Using the 7 100 absolute first arrivals of P waves and 91 513 relative P arrival times of 726 events at the northeastern margin of the Ordos block since 2009, the 3D fine structure of P wave velocity within the depth of 15km in the crust was inverted by the double difference seismic tomography method. The results show that there exist obvious high-speed continuous bodies in the northwest of the study area, and their lateral areas increase gradually with depth, while the velocity of east and south is relatively low. The velocity inhomogeneity exists and differs at different depths. The lateral differences of velocity are related to seismicity and faults. The 5~15km depth profile shows that earthquakes tend to occur in the area with relatively high velocity or high speed transition zones, which to some extent reflects the fragility of regional crustal media and the strong differential movement of faults in vertical and horizontal directions where the crust body is easy to absorb and store strain energy and generate major earthquakes. A "Y"-shape low-velocity channel is present in the lower crust around Liangcheng, corresponding to the NW-trending Heilaoyao-Shahukou fault set, which may reveal the migration path of the Late Tertiary-Quaternary basalt eruption. The Helingeer M6.2 earthquake in 1976 was related to the formation of the locking section of the thermal welding in this area. The three-dimensional fine structure of P wave velocity presented in this paper provides intuitive seismological evidence for physical and chemical properties of crustal media and the deep tectonic environment of earthquake preparation.

A PANORAMA OF LANDSLIDES TRIGGERED BY THE 8 AUGUST 2017 JIUZHAIGOU, SICHUAN M_S7.0 EARTHQUAKE

XU Chong, WANG Shi-yuan, XU Xi-wei, ZHANG He, TIAN Ying-ying, MA Si-yuan, FANG Li-hua, LU Ren-qi, CHEN Li-chun, TAN Xi-bin

2018, 40(1):  232-260.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.017

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The M_S7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake in Sichuan Province of 8 August 2017 triggered a large number of landslides. A comprehensive and objective panorama of these landslides is of great significance for understanding the mechanism, intensity, spatial pattern and law of these coseismic landslides, recovery and reconstruction of earthquake affected area, as well as prevention and mitigation of landslide hazard. In this paper, we use the trinity method of space, sky and earth to create a panorama of the landslides triggered by this event. There are 4 roads in the distribution area of the coseismic landslides. The Jinglinghai-Xiamo and Jiudaoguai-Jiuzhaitiantang road sections register the most serious coseismic landslides. The landslides are mainly of moderate-and small-scales, and also with a few large landslides and avalanches. A detailed visual interpretation of the coseismic landslides is performed in two areas of Wuhuahai(11.84km²) and Zharusi-Shangsizhai village(47.07km²), respectively. The results show the overall intensity of landsliding(1088 landslides, a total area 1.514km²) in the Wuhuahai area is much higher than those in the Zharusi-Shangsizhai village area(528 landslides, a total area 0.415km²). On the basis of a scene of post-earthquake Geoeye -1 satellite images, we delineate more than 4 800 coseismic landslides with a total occupation area 9.6km². The spatial pattern of these landslides is well related with the locations of the inferred seismogenic fault and aftershocks. Widely distributed earthquake-affected weakened slopes, residual loose materials staying at high-position slopes and in valleys have greater possibilities to fail again and generate new landslides or debris flows under the conditions of strong aftershocks or heavy rainfalls in the future. Geological hazard from these events will become one of the most serious problems in the recovery and reconstruction of the earthquake-affected area which should receive much attention.

PALEOSEISMOLOGY ON THE YEMAHE SEGMENT OF THE YEMAHE-DAXUESHAN FAULT REVEALED BY TRENCH STUDY

HE Wen-gui, ZHANG Bo, WU Ming, WANG Peng-tao, ZOU Xiao-bo, GAO Xiao-dong

2018, 40(1):  261-275.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.018

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A series of NWW striking faults are obliquely intersected by the NEE striking Altyn Tagh fault zone in the western Qilian Mountains. These faults were mostly active in late Quaternary and play an important role in accommodating regional lateral extrusion by both reverse and sinistral slip. Detailed studies on late Quaternary activity, tectonic transformation, paleoseismology, and strain partitioning not only significantly affect our recognition on seismogenic mechanism and zones of potential large earthquakes, but also provide useful information for exploring tectonic deformation mechanism in the northern Tibetan plateau. The Danghenanshan Fault, Yemahe-Daxueshan fault, and Altyn Tagh Fault form a triplet junction point at southwest of Subei county. The Yemahe-Daxueshan fault is one important branch fault in the western Qilian Mountains that accommodated eastward decreasing slip of the Altyn Tagh Fault, which was active in late Holocene, with a length up to 170km. Based on geometry and late Quaternary activity, the Yemahe-Daxueshan fault was subdivided into 3 segments, i.e. the Subei fault, Yemahe fault and Daxueshan Fault. The Yemahe Fault has the most prominent appearance among them, and is dominated by left-lateral slip with a little normal component. The heights of fresh scarps on this fault are only several tens of centimeters. We dug 2 trenches at the Zhazhihu site, and cleaned and reinterpreted one trench of previous studies. Then we interpreted trench profiles and paleoseismic events, and collected ¹⁴C and Optical Stimulated Luminescence samples to constrain event ages. Finally, we determined 3 events on the Yemahe fault with ages(6 830±30) a BP-(6 280±40) a BP, (5 220±30) a BP, (2 010±30) a BP, respectively. The elapsed time of most recent earthquake is(2 010±30) years before present, which is very close to the recurrence interval, so the possibility of major earthquakes on the Yemahe fault is relatively large.

REDETERMINATION OF THE SURFACE RUPTURES CAUSED BY THE HONGYAPU, GANSU PROVINCE, M7 1/4 EARTHQUAKE OF 1609

HUANG Xiong-nan, YANG Xiao-ping, YANG Hai-bo

2018, 40(1):  276-294.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2018.01.019

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The Hongyapu M7 1/4 earthquake in 1609 occurred on the Fodongmiao-Hongyazi fault, which is a Holocene active thrust in the middle segment of the northern Qilianshan overthrust fault zone, located in the north-eastern edge of the Tibet plateau. This earthquake caused death of more than 840 people, ruined the Hongyapu Village and had an affected area ca. 200km². Previous work provided different opinions on the length of the earthquake surface rupture zone, such as 60km from the Bailanghe western riverbank to the Fenglehe eastern river bank, and only 11km from the Hongyazi village to eastern edge of the Hujiatai anticline. And the surface rupture zone appears in the western and middle segments of the Fodongmiao-Hongyazi fault zone.
Our detailed geomorphic analysis and topographic survey found that the surface rupture zone with a total length of ca 95km is present on the new geomorphic surfaces which are slightly higher than the modern allvial-dilvial fans and riverbeds, which begins from the Hongshuiba river, Jiuquan in the west extending to the Toudaodongwan, southern Gansu in the east along the Fodongmiao-Hongyazi Fault. The surface rupture zone occurred later than 0 A D, proved by the study of trenchs and chronology. Compared to the previous research on the epicenters of the historical major earthquakes in and around the study region, this surface rupture zone is considereded to be the surface rupture zone of the Hongyapu earthquake of 1609 in Gansu provice.
Average vertical co-seismic displacement of the 1609 Hongyapu earthquake is 1.1m with maximum 1.8m, dominated by thrusting. The NNW striking Xiaoqun segment shows thrust with a component of dextral strike slip and the NEE-trending East Hongshancun segment is also mainly thrust but with sinistral strike slipp. The lateral movement could be caused by the local change of the fault strike direction.
Based on the length of surface ruptures, the maximum coseismic displacement and fault dipping, this event is estimated to be of ca. M_W7.0~M_W7.4, close to the M7 1/4 suggested by previous studies.