Spatiotemporal Seismotectonic Implications for the Izu–Bonin–Mariana Subduction Zone from b-Values

2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 1679-1693
Author(s):  
Zhou Gui ◽  
Yongliang Bai ◽  
Zhenjie Wang ◽  
Dongdong Dong ◽  
Shiguo Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Studies on the physical properties of the entire Izu–Bonin–Mariana (IBM) subduction zone contribute to comprehensive seismotectonic understanding and earthquake potential assessment, especially given previous controversial conclusions. Determining seismic b-value is a method that has been used for other regions and is adopted here to study the spatiotemporal variations along the IBM system. Based on the frequency–magnitude distribution relation log10(N)=a−bM, b-values are mapped within the subduction zone using earthquakes with Mw≥2 after 2005. The b-value anomalies in cross sections indicate detailed seismotectonic characteristics against the regional geological background. The common characteristics from north to south: (1) regional high b-values at shallow depths in the overriding are associated with relatively low temperatures in thermal model, the bottom half of which correspond with highly serpentinized mantle wedge; and (2) low b-values at intermediate depths are associated with high temperatures along the primarily heated hydrated slab. In the Izu–Bonin segment, low b-values around the slab deflection at deep depths respond to stress buildup and shearing instability of metastable olivine in primarily heated hydrated slabs. In the Mariana segment, high b-values beneath the volcanic region at depths from the surface to 50 km and between 50 and 100 km are associated with extension and volcanism and the melting region, respectively. Temporal b-value variations indicate regional changes before and after large events for further seismic risk analysis. Stress drops of large intermediate and deep earthquakes are negligible to local stress state in strong flexure of the incoming slab. The rupture zone around the Pagan region at an approximate depth of 200 km and the region around the rifting–spreading transition in the northern Mariana trough at depths between 180 and 350 km are areas for potential large earthquakes.

2013 ◽  
Vol 07 (04) ◽  
pp. 1350030 ◽  
Author(s):  
SANTI PAILOPLEE ◽  
PEERASIT SURAKIATCHAI ◽  
PUNYA CHARUSIRI

The potential areas of upcoming earthquakes were investigated along the Northern segment of the Sumatra–Andaman Subduction Zone according to the b-value of the frequency-magnitude distribution. After enhancing the completeness of the earthquake catalogue, two datasets, those recorded during (i) 1980–1994 and (ii) 1980–2003, were tested in order to verify the effective correlation between precursory b-values and the location of subsequent earthquakes. The results confirmed that areas with low b-values agreed well with the locations of the subsequent earthquakes in that region. Accordingly, the present-day dataset from 1980–2010 was carefully evaluated to determine the b-values across the region. Within this spatial investigation, three areas of low b-values and so potential hazards were found. These consisted of the (i) West coast of Myanmar, and (ii) North and (iii) South of the Nicobar Islands. From 2010–2012, a major earthquake with magnitude 7.5 mb was recorded as being generated in the region South of the Nicobar Islands. Thus, attention should be paid to the remaining two until now quiescent areas, and mitigation plans should be raised for both seismic and tsunami hazards.


2014 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 1450010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santi Pailoplee

In this study, the geospatial frequency–magnitude distribution (FMD) b-value images of the prospect sources of upcoming earthquakes were investigated along the Indonesian Sunda Margin (ISM) that strikes parallel to and near the Indonesian Island chain. After enhancing the completeness and stability of the earthquake catalogue, the seismicity data were separated according to their seismotectonic setting into shallow crustal and Intraslab earthquakes. In order to verify the spatial relationship between the b-values and the occurrence of subsequent major earthquakes, the complete shallow crustal seismicity dataset (1980–2005) was truncated into the 1980–2000 sub-dataset. Utilizing the suitable assumption of fixed-number of earthquakes, retrospective tests of both the complete and truncated datasets supported that areas of comparatively low b-values could reasonably be expected to predict likely hypocenters of future earthquakes. As a result, the present-day distributions of b-values derived from the complete (1980–2005) shallow crustal and Intraslab seismicity datasets revealed eight and six earthquake-prone areas, respectively, along the ISM. Since most of these high risk areas proposed here are quite close to the major cities of Indonesia, attention should be paid and mitigation plans should be developed for both seismic and tsunami hazards.


2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1375-1385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Z. Zhao ◽  
Z. L. Wu

Abstract. The b-value in the Gutenberg-Richter frequency-magnitude distribution, which is assumed to be related to stress heterogeneity or asperities, was mapped along the Longmenshan fault zone which accommodated the 12 May 2008, Wenchuan, MS 8.0 earthquake. Spatial distributions of b-value before and after the Wenchuan earthquake, respectively, were compared with the slip distribution of the mainshock. It is shown that the mainshock rupture nucleated near to, but not within, the high-stress (low b-value) asperity in the south part of the Longmenshan fault, propagating north-eastward to the relatively low stress (high b-value) region. Due to the significant difference between the rupture process results from different sources, the comparison between slip distribution and pre-seismic b-value distribution leads to only conclusion of the rule-of-thumb. The temporal change of b-value before the mainshock shows a weak trend of decreasing, being hard to be used as an indicator of the approaching of the mainshock. Distribution of b-values for the aftershocks relates the termination of the mainshock rupture to the harder patch along the Longmenshan fault to the north.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Po-Yuan Chen ◽  
Sean Kuanhsiang Chen ◽  
Yih-Min Wu

<p>Recent studies show that earthquake b values gradually decrease before large earthquakes at the epicenters and then immediately increase after the earthquakes. Temporal b-value variations may result from crustal stress changes associated with a large earthquake. However, the physical process is rarely observed and remains unclear. Taiwan island is a young orogeny leading to frequent earthquakes with magnitudes greater than M<sub>L</sub> 6.0, which provides an excellent laboratory to examine the physical process. We calculated b-value variation before and after M<sub>L</sub> ≥ 6.0 Taiwan earthquakes at the epicenters from 2012 to 2019. The time period is based on an enhancement of earthquake detection capability from the Central Weather Bureau Seismic Network in Taiwan, which allows the magnitude of completeness (M<sub>c</sub>) down to 1.5 in the inland region. We used a relocated earthquake catalog to precisely estimate b value and M<sub>c </sub>by the maximum likelihood method and maximum curvature method, respectively. We designed three steps in our research. First, we calculated the b value and M<sub>c</sub> at the epicenters of the M<sub>L</sub> ≥ 6.0 earthquakes in overall 8 years to know the background seismic activity. Based on this, second, we calculated b values and M<sub>c</sub> per half year to test the sensitivity between the radius from epicenters (r) and the number of earthquakes with magnitudes greater than M<sub>c</sub> (n). Finally, we will apply moving window approach with specific criteria to continuously calculate temporal b-value variations. Our results showed that spatial b values in Taiwan in overall 8 years have an average of 1.0. The b values are systematically lower in the epicenters of M<sub>L</sub> ≥ 6.0 earthquakes from 2012 to 2019. We have determined suitable r and n values for each earthquake at the epicenters and some epicenters share similar r and n values. We preliminarily observed temporal b-value decreases before the 2018 M<sub>w</sub> 6.4 Hualien earthquake. Considering temporal b-value variation by moving windows, we aim to realize whether temporal b-value variation by a large earthquake can be frequently observed in Taiwan.</p>


Author(s):  
P.A. Crozier

Absolute inelastic scattering cross sections or mean free paths are often used in EELS analysis for determining elemental concentrations and specimen thickness. In most instances, theoretical values must be used because there have been few attempts to determine experimental scattering cross sections from solids under the conditions of interest to electron microscopist. In addition to providing data for spectral quantitation, absolute cross section measurements yields useful information on many of the approximations which are frequently involved in EELS analysis procedures. In this paper, experimental cross sections are presented for some inner-shell edges of Al, Cu, Ag and Au.Uniform thin films of the previously mentioned materials were prepared by vacuum evaporation onto microscope cover slips. The cover slips were weighed before and after evaporation to determine the mass thickness of the films. The estimated error in this method of determining mass thickness was ±7 x 107g/cm2. The films were floated off in water and mounted on Cu grids.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (21) ◽  
pp. 49-63
Author(s):  
Zdzisław Kaliniewicz ◽  
Piotr Markowski ◽  
Andrzej Anders ◽  
Paweł Tylek ◽  
Zbigniew Krzysiak ◽  
...  

The basic dimensions and the mass of common beech nuts and seeds from five nut batches, harvested from tree stands in northern Poland, were determined. Environmental conditions had a greater influence on seed plumpness than the age of tree stands. The results of measurements were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance, correlation analysis and linear regression analysis. Despite differences in their plumpness, nuts were characterized by nearly identical cross-sections which resembled an equilateral triangle. The thickness of nuts and seeds was highly correlated with their mass, and this information can facilitate seed husking and separation into mass categories. Before and after husking, seeds should be separated with the use of a mesh screen with longitudinal openings. Medium-sized (most numerous) seeds were separated into the following plumpness categories using a screen separator with ≠6 mm and ≠7 mm openings: 84% of moderately plump seeds, 3% of seeds with reduced plumpness, and 13% of plump seeds.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1038 ◽  
pp. 93-99
Author(s):  
Alexander Levterov ◽  
Julia Nechitailo ◽  
Tatyana Plugina ◽  
Oleg Volkov

In the article, the issues of using the methods of thermo-frictional and chemical-thermal treatments for surface strengthening of steel tools were disclosed. 65G steel and U8A steel were considered. A flat graver and a cylindrical root roller were considered to be tools in need of hardening. The nature of the jewellery work using such a tool has been described. Hardening techniques, experimental studies and macro photographs of the samples were presented in this article. A detailed metallographic analysis and measurement of the microhardness of the cross-sections of the prototypes after their strengthening using various methods was carried out. The metallographic nature of the reinforcement with the formation of surface "white layers" was shown. Comparison of the properties of the samples before and after strengthening was carried out. Conclusions about the strengthening effect of the thermo-frictional and chemical-thermal methods of strengthening were made.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document