Preliminary Report on the 18 May 2020 Ms 5.0 Qiaojia Earthquake, Yunnan, China

Author(s):  
Zhen Fu ◽  
Changsheng Jiang ◽  
Fengling Yin ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Xuanye Shen ◽  
...  

Abstract The 18 May 2020 Ms 5.0 Qiaojia earthquake occurred in Qiaojia County, Yunnan Province, ∼25  km away from the 3 August 2014 Ms 6.5 Ludian earthquake. This earthquake was well recorded by dense local seismic stations of the Qiaojia array constructed near the Xiaojiang fault zone. The focal mechanism of the mainshock exhibited strike-slip motion with a centroid depth of 8 km. We determined the seismogenic fault of the Qiaojia earthquake using aftershock relocation with local dense seismic arrays. The mainshock is located on a previously unmapped fault. Aftershocks clearly delineated east–west rupture plane, which was not revealed by the regional seismic network due to relatively sparse stations. The length and width of the aftershock zone are ∼5  km and 3 km, respectively. The focal mechanisms of 70 aftershocks with magnitudes ML≥1.0 showed similar focal mechanism with the mainshock. The stress field inverted from focal mechanisms of the aftershocks is consistent with the tectonic stress field. The coseismic and postseismic static coulomb stress changes show that the Ludian earthquake has a negative impact on the Qiaojia earthquake with a value of −0.01  MPa, implying that the Qiaojia earthquake was unlikely statically triggered by the Ludian earthquake. The Qiaojia earthquake sequence was characterized by low b-value and low-decay rate in the aftershock area, indicating high-seismic risk in this region. The dense seismic observation allows us to study the moderate earthquake in detail and provides us with valuable information of near-fault seismicity to analyze earthquake hazard and the potential of large earthquakes in the future.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Cesca ◽  
Carla Valenzuela Malebrán ◽  
José Ángel López-Comino ◽  
Timothy Davis ◽  
Carlos Tassara ◽  
...  

<p> A complex seismic sequence took place in 2014 at the Juan Fernández microplate, a small microplate located between Pacific, Nazca and Antarctica plates. Despite the remoteness of the study region and the lack of local data, we were able to resolve earthquake source parameters and to reconstruct the complex seismic sequence, by using modern waveform-based seismological techniques. The sequence started with an exceptional Mw 7.1-6.7 thrust – strike slip earthquake doublet, the first subevent being the largest earthquake ever recorded in the region and one of the few rare thrust earthquakes in a region otherwise characterized by normal faulting and strike slip earthquakes. The joint analysis of seismicity and focal mechanisms suggest the activation of E-W and NE-SW faults or of an internal curved pseudofault, which is formed in response to the microplate rotation, with alternation of thrust and strike-slip earthquakes. Seismicity migrated Northward in its final phase, towards the microplate edge, where a second doublet with uneven focal mechanisms occurred. The sequence rupture kinematics is well explained by Coulomb stress changes imparted by the first subevent. Our analysis show that compressional stresses, which have been mapped at the northern boundary of the microplate, but never accompanied by large thrust earthquakes, can be accommodated by the rare occurrence of large, impulsive, shallow thrust earthquakes, with a considerable tsunamigenic potential.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
Murat Utkucu ◽  
Hatice Durmuş

It has been globally documented over different tectonic environments that Coulomb static stress changes caused by a mainshock can promote or demote stresses along the neighboring faults and thus triggers or delays following seismicity. In the present study Coulomb stress changes of the earthquakes in the Lake Van area are calculated using available data and the likely source faults. The calculated stress change maps demonstrate that the large earthquakes in the Lake Area are mostly stressed by the preceding earthquakes, suggesting earthquake rupture interactions. It is further suggested that Coulomb stress maps could be used for constraining the likely locations of the future large earthquakes and in the earthquake hazard mitigation studies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Yu ◽  
Xuejun Qiao ◽  
Wei Xiong ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Zhaosheng Nie ◽  
...  

Abstract On January 19, 2020, an Mw 6.0 earthquake occurred in Jiashi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. The epicenter was located at the basin-mountain boundary between the southern Tian Shan and the Tarim Basin. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is used to obtain the coseismic deformation field from both ascending and descending Sentinel-1A satellite images of the European Space Agency. The results showed that the coseismic deformation is distributed between the Kalping fault and the Ozgertaou fault. The earthquake produced significant deformation over an area of approximately 40 km by 30 km. The maximum and minimal displacements along the line of sight (LOS) are 5.3 cm and -4.2 cm for the ascending interferogram and are 7.2 cm and -3.0 cm for the descending interferogram, respectively. The fault geometry from the Multi peak Particle Swarm Optimization computation indicates that the seismogenic fault is a shallow low-dipping planar fault that is 4.58 km depth underground. The finite slip model inverted by the Steepest Descent Method implies that the rupture is dominated by a thrust fault. The slips are concentrated in a depth of 5 ~ 7 km with a maximum slip of 0.29 m. The estimated total seismic moment is 1.688×1018 Nm, corresponding to a magnitude of Mw 6.1. The seismogenic fault is the Kalping fault which has a listric structure. The coseismic deformation only occurred on the décollement layer and did not involve the ramp segment. The coseismic Coulomb stress changes have enhanced the stress on the deep margin of the Jiashi earthquake rupture area, indicating that there is still the possibility of strong earthquakes in this region in the future.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Yu ◽  
Xuejun Qiao ◽  
Wei Xiong ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Zhaosheng Nie ◽  
...  

Abstract On January 19, 2020, an Mw 6.0 earthquake occurred in Jiashi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. The epicenter was located at the basin-mountain boundary between the southern Tian Shan and the Tarim Basin. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is used to obtain the coseismic deformation field from both ascending and descending Sentinel-1A satellite images of the European Space Agency. The results showed that the coseismic deformation is distributed between the Kalping fault and the Ozgertaou fault. The earthquake produced significant deformation over an area of approximately 40 km by 30 km. The maximum and minimal displacements along the line of sight (LOS) are 5.3 cm and -4.2 cm for the ascending interferogram and are 7.2 cm and -3.0 cm for the descending interferogram, respectively. The fault geometry from the Multi peak Particle Swarm Optimization computation indicates that the seismogenic fault is a shallow low-dipping planar fault that is 4.58 km depth underground. The finite slip model inverted by the Steepest Descent Method implies that the rupture is dominated by a thrust fault. The slips are concentrated in a depth of 5 ~ 7 km with a maximum slip of 0.29 m. The estimated total seismic moment is 1.688×1018 Nm, corresponding to a magnitude of Mw 6.1. The seismogenic fault is the Kalping fault which has a listric structure. The coseismic deformation only occurred on the décollement layer and did not involve the ramp segment. The coseismic Coulomb stress changes have enhanced the stress on the deep margin of the Jiashi earthquake rupture area, indicating that there is still the possibility of strong earthquakes in this region in the future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Yu ◽  
Xuejun Qiao ◽  
Wei Xiong ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Zhaosheng Nie ◽  
...  

Abstract On January 19, 2020, an Mw 6.0 earthquake occurred in Jiashi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. The epicenter was located at the basin-mountain boundary between the southern Tian Shan and the Tarim Basin. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is used to obtain the coseismic deformation field from both ascending and descending Sentinel-1A satellite images of the European Space Agency. The results showed that the coseismic deformation is distributed between the Kalping fault and the Ozgertaou fault. The earthquake produced significant deformation over an area of approximately 40 km by 30 km. The maximum and minimal displacements along the line of sight (LOS) are 5.3 cm and − 4.2 cm for the ascending interferogram and are 7.2 cm and − 3.0 cm for the descending interferogram, respectively. The fault geometry from the Multi peak Particle Swarm Optimization computation indicates that the seismogenic fault is a shallow low-dipping planar fault that is 4.58 km depth underground. The finite slip model inverted by the Steepest Descent Method implies that the rupture is dominated by a thrust fault. The slips are concentrated in a depth of 5–7 km with a maximum slip of 0.29 m. The estimated total seismic moment is 1.688 × 1018 Nm, corresponding to a magnitude of Mw 6.1. The seismogenic fault is the Kalping fault which has a listric structure. The coseismic deformation only occurred on the décollement layer and did not involve the ramp segment. The coseismic Coulomb stress changes have enhanced the stress on the deep margin of the Jiashi earthquake rupture area, indicating that there is still the possibility of strong earthquakes in this region in the future.


Solid Earth ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Li ◽  
A. Hampel

Abstract. Combined seismological, space-geodetic and numerical studies have shown that the seismicity at subduction zones may be modulated by tides and glacier fluctuations on timescales of 1–100 a, because these changes in loads on Earth's surface are able to alter the stress field in the upper plate and along the plate interface. Here we use a two-dimensional finite-element model of a subduction zone to investigate how glacial-interglacial sea-level changes affect the forearc region and the plate interface. The model results show that a sea-level fall by 125 m over 100 ka causes up to 0.7 m of vertical displacement, with the maximum uplift occurring between the trench and the coast. The uplift signal induced by the sea-level fall decreases to zero ~20 km landward of the coastline. A subsequent sea-level rise by 125 m over 20 ka causes subsidence, which is again most pronounced in the submarine part of the forearc. The sea-level changes cause horizontal displacements of up to 0.12 m, which are directed seaward during sea-level fall and landward during sea-level rise. With respect to the stress field, the sea-level changes lead to variations in the vertical stress and the shear stress of up to 1.23 MPa and 0.4 MPa, respectively. The shear stress variations are highest beneath the coast, i.e. in the area where the sea-level changes cause the strongest flexure. The resulting Coulomb stress changes on the plate interface are of the order of 0.2–0.5 MPa and indicate that earthquakes are promoted during sea-level fall and delayed during sea-level rise. Our findings imply that eustatic sea-level changes during glacial-interglacial periods may have induced displacements and stress changes that were large enough to affect the seismic cycle of subduction thrusts.


2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 2093
Author(s):  
K. M. Leptokaropoulos ◽  
E. E. Papadimitriou ◽  
B. Orlecka–Sikora ◽  
V. G. Karakostas

The region of northern Aegean has suffered several strong earthquakes since the beginning of the 20th century, causing extensive damage and loss of lives. For the seismic hazard assessment in the area, several studies have been accomplished, among them being the ones dealing with the Coulomb stress changes due to the seismic slip caused by major earthquakes, in addition with the constant tectonic loading on the major regional faults. The aim of the present study is to evaluate if seismicity rate changes from 1964 to 2008 are associated with changes in the stress field. For this purpose the stronger events (Μw>5.8) that occurred in this period were considered and their contribution to the stress field evolution was investigated by calculations performed just before and after their occurrence. This influence was then examined in connection with the occurrence rate of small events (Μw > 3.8) for the respective time intervals. After defining the probability density function (PDF) of the small events distribution, a rate/state model was used to correlate static stress changes with seismicity rate and to compare the observed with the expected seismicity rate for each time period.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1889-1902 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Utkucu ◽  
H. Durmuş ◽  
H. Yalçın ◽  
E. Budakoğlu ◽  
E. Işık

Abstract. Coulomb stress changes before and after the 23 October 2011 Van, eastern Turkey, earthquake have been analysed using available data related to the background and the aftershock seismicity and the source faults. The coseismic stress changes of the background seismicity had slightly promoted stress over the rupture plane of the 2011 Van earthquake, while it yielded a stress shadow over the Gürpı nar Fault which has been argued to have produced the 7 April 1646 Van earthquake. The stress shadow over the Gürp\\i nar fault has become more pronounced following the occurrence of the 2011 Van earthquake, meaning that the repetition of the 1646 Van earthquake has been further suppressed. Spatial distribution and source mechanisms of the 2011 Van earthquake's aftershocks have been utilised to define four clusters with regard to their relative location to the mainshock rupture. In addition, the aftershock sequence covers a much broader area toward the northeast. Correlations between the observed spatial patterns of the aftershocks and the coseismic Coulomb stress changes caused by the mainshock are determined by calculating the stress changes over both optimally oriented and specified fault planes. It is shown here that there is an apparent correlation between the mainshock stress changes and the observed spatial pattern of the aftershock occurrence, demonstrating the usefulness of the stress maps in constraining the likely locations of the upcoming aftershocks and mitigating earthquake hazard.


2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1001-1019
Author(s):  
T. Li ◽  
A. Hampel

Abstract. Combined seismological, space-geodetic and numerical studies have shown that the seismicity at subduction zones may be modulated by tides and glacier fluctuations on timescales of 1–100 a, because these changes in loads on Earth's surface are able to alter the stress field in the upper plate and along the plate interface. Here we use a two-dimensional finite-element model of a subduction zone to investigate how glacial-interglacial sea-level changes affect the forearc region and the plate interface. The model results show that a sea-level fall by 125 m over 100 ka causes up to 0.7 m of vertical displacement, with the maximum uplift occurring between the trench and the coast. The uplift signal induced by the sea-level fall decreases to zero ~20 km landward of the coastline. A subsequent sea-level rise by 125 m over 20 ka causes subsidence, which is again most pronounced in the submarine part of the forearc. The sea-level changes cause horizontal displacements of up to 0.12 m, which are directed seaward during sea-level fall and landward during sea-level rise. With respect to the stress field, the sea-level changes lead to variations in the vertical stress and the shear stress of up to 1.23 MPa and 0.4 MPa, respectively. The shear stress variations are highest beneath the coast, i.e. in the area where the sea-level changes cause the strongest flexure. The resulting Coulomb stress changes on the plate interface are of the order of 0.2–0.5 MPa and indicate that earthquakes are promoted during sea-level fall and delayed during sea-level rise. Our findings imply that eustatic sea-level changes during glacial-interglacial periods may have induced displacements and stress changes that were large enough to affect the seismic cycle of subduction thrusts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Shan ◽  
Yashan Feng ◽  
Chengli Liu ◽  
Xiong Xiong

ABSTRACT Italy has a historical earthquake record that is complete for events with a magnitude above 5.8 since A.D. 1349, making it possible to study Coulomb failure stress changes (ΔCFS) over a long period. In this study, we investigated the interactions between moderate-to-large earthquakes through ΔCFS over 100 yr in central Italy. This region is characterized by intense seismicity with predominantly extensional components. Hence, earthquake hazard assessment is of great public concern. Besides, earthquake interactions on normal faults are relatively less studied compared to reverse and strike-slip faults. ΔCFS calculations in this study incorporated both coseismic stress transfer and postseismic viscoelastic relaxation, and found the epicenters of 13 out of 15 events located in positively stressed lobes induced by previous earthquakes, confirming a correlation between the ΔCFS pattern and locations of moderate-to-large earthquakes. Next, we estimated the current distribution of ΔCFS on active faults, and after a comprehensive analysis of ΔCFS accumulation, slip rates, historical seismicity, and locations of populated cities, we identified three regions of potential seismic hazards in this region.


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