Topography of the Moho and Conrad discontinuities in the Kyushu district,Southwest Japan

The first P-arrival time data from local earthquakes are inverted for two-dimensional variation of the depths to the Conrad and Moho discontinuities in the Kyushu district, southwest Japan. At the same time, earthquake hypocenters and station corrections are determined from the data. The depths to the discontinuities are estimated by minimizing the travel time residuals of first P-arrival phases for 608 earthquakes observed at 57 seismic stations. In the land area of Kyushu, the Conrad and Moho discontinuities are located within the depth ranges of 16–18 and 34–40 km, respectively. The Conrad discontinuity is not as largely undulated as the Moho discontinuity. The depth to the Moho is deep along the east coast of Kyushu, and the deepest Moho is closely related to markedly low velocity of P wave. We regard the deepest Moho as reflecting the Kyushu–Palau ridge subducting beneath the Kyushu district, together with the Philippine Sea slab. In western Kyushu, the shallow Moho is spreading in the north–northeast–south–southwest direction in the Okinawa trough region. Based on the presence of low-velocity anomaly in three-dimensional velocity structure and seismogenic stress field of shallow crustal earthquakes, the shallow Moho is interpreted as being due to lower crustal erosion associated with a small-scale mantle upwelling in the Okinawa trough region. The velocity discontinuity undulation basically has insignificant effect on hypocenter determination of the local earthquakes, but the Moho topography makes changes in focal depths of some upper mantle earthquakes. The depth variation of the Moho discontinuity has a good correlation with the Bouguer gravity anomaly map; i.e., the shallow Moho of western Kyushu and the deep Moho of eastern Kyushu closely correlate with the positive and negative Bouguer gravity anomalies, respectively.     

巧家地震和鲁甸地震震源区周边P波速度结构

本文利用2010年1月至2020年6月巧家地震和鲁甸地震震源区周围发生地震事件的走时观测资料,应用双差层析成像方法获得了2014年M_S6.5鲁甸地震和2020年5月18日巧家M_S5.0地震周边区域中上地壳的P波速度结构。成像结果显示:整个研究区域的速度结构存在很强的非均匀性:在鲁甸地震震源区附近,浅部存在速度高达6.4 km/s的显著高速异常,10 km深度以下存在速度低至约5.8 km/s的明显低速异常;鲁甸地震的初始破裂点位于高低速异常的过渡带;在2010年巧家M_S4.8和2020年巧家M_S5.0地震的震源区,尽管浅部没有显著的高速异常,但在主震的初始破裂点下方均存在明显的局部低速异常;巧家北部中上地壳存在明显低速异常。      

Crustal velocity,density structure,and seismogenic environment in the southern segment of the North-South Seismic Belt,China

The southern segment of the North-South Seismic Belt in China is a critical region for earthquake preparedness and risk reduction efforts. However, limited by the low density of seismic stations and the use of single-parameter physical structural models, the deep tectonic features and seismogenic environment in this area remain controversial. Thus, a comprehensive analysis based on high-resolution crustal structures and multiple physical parameters is required. In this study, we applied the ambient noise tomography method to obtain the three-dimensional (3D) crustal S-wave velocity structure using continuous waveform data from 112 permanent stations and 350 densely distributed temporary stations in the southern segment of the North-South Seismic Belt. Then, we obtained the high-resolution 3D density structure through wavenumber-domain 3D gravity imaging constrained by the velocity structure. The low-velocity and low-density anomalies in the upper crust of the study area were mainly distributed in the Sichuan Basin and around Dali and Simao, while the high-velocity and high-density anomalies were primarily distributed in the Panxi region, corresponding to the surface geological features. Two prominent low-velocity and low-density anomalies were observed in the middle and lower crust: one to the west of the Songpan-Garzê block and Sichuan-Yunnan diamond-shaped block, and the other near the Anninghe-Xiaojiang fault. Combined with the spatial distribution of seismic events in the study area, we found that previous earthquakes predominantly occurred in the transition zones between high and low anomaly regions and in the low-velocity and low-density zones in the upper crust. In contrast, moderate-to-strong earthquakes mainly occurred within the transition zones between high and low anomaly regions and close to the high-velocity and high-density regions, often with low-velocity and low-density layers below their hypocenters. Fluids play a critical role in the seismogenic process by reducing fault strength and destabilizing the stress state, which may be a triggering factor for earthquakes in the study area. Additionally, the upwelling of molten materials from the mantle may lead to energy accumulation and stress concentration, providing an important seismogenic background for moderate-to-strong earthquakes in this area.     

Influence of fluids on deep crustal Jabalpur earthquake of 21, May 1997: Geophysical evidences

We present the geophysical evidences on the role of fluids for generation of the lower crustal Jabalpur earthquake (21 May 1997, mb 6.0, Mw 5.8), in the mid-continental fracture zone of the Indian Peninsular Shield. With a focal depth of 35 km, it indicates a high angled (< 62^∘ enclosed with maximum principal stress direction) reverse fault with small component of left-lateral strike slip in the lower crust. The Son-Narmada-Tapti (SONATA) magalineament, during the past two centuries, has experienced about 25 moderate to strong earthquakes; two of which namely the Son Valley (1927, M 6.5) and Jabalpur (21 May 1997) were disastrous. Historical earthquakes and recent earthquake swarms indicate a moderate to high seismicity in SONATA belt that is due to high strain accumulation, flexuring of the crust and neotectonic movements of the faults in the rift zones. By analyzing geophysical parameters such as Zero-Free air-based (ZFb) gravity anomalies (∼ −10 to –30 mGals), heat flow values (45–47 mWm⁻²), magneto-telluric values (1- Ohm m), strain rate (1.5 × 10⁻⁸) and failure stress conditions, we identify plausible causative factors for the occurrence of lower crustal earthquake in this region Fluids, due to dehydration of serpentinite in the lower crust, are suggested to be present in the earthquake source zone. The estimated pore-fluid factor for the Jabalpur earthquake (λ _v ) is 0.95. The diffusion of pore-pressure relaxation, represented as pressure perturbation generated by coseismic stress change was seen in the form of swarm activity two years prior to the Jabalpur earthquake. We suggest the existence of a deep pre-fractured zone with low shear stress (τ = 15–18 MPa) that indicates the presence of fluid filled fractured mafic material in the felsic crust, in critical state of unstable failure condition, and also fluid driven migration of swarm activity before the Jabalpur earthquake.     

Three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure in the upper crust beneath Kuju Volcano, central Kyushu, Japan

 Kuju Volcano lies near Aso Caldera at the center of Kyushu Island, western Japan. After a few hundred years of dormancy, a phreatic explosion accompanied by a small ash eruption occurred on 11 October 1995. This study was undertaken to determine the subsurface seismic velocity structure associated with the active magmatic regime in the Kuju volcanic region. The three-dimensional, upper crustal, P-wave velocity structure beneath Kuju Volcano was determined using methods for the simultaneous inversion of P-wave arrival times from local earthquakes in and around the Kuju volcanic region for velocities and hypocentral parameters. Results reveal two shallower low-velocity anomalies located in the northern and southern parts of Kuju Volcano, consistent with the presence of significant negative Bouguer gravity anomalies. In addition, a high-velocity anomaly is located approximately 5 km northwest of Mt. Kuju, one of the domes in Kuju Volcano. Beneath this high-velocity anomaly, a low-velocity anomaly is present. This velocity structure suggests a magmatic regime that has a lid consisting of cooled solid material overlying a chamber of partially molten material. Received: 23 September 1997 / Accepted: 20 June 1998     

Study on the pattern and mode of vertical crustal deformation during the seismogenic process of intraplate strong earthquakes

Ｓｔｕｄｙｏｎｔｈｅｐａｔｔｅｒｎａｎｄｍｏｄｅｏｆｖｅｒｔｉｃａｌｃｒｕｓｔａｌｄｅｆｏｒｍａｔｉｏｎｄｕｒｉｎｇｔｈｅｓｅｉｓｍｏｇｅｎｉｃｐｒｏｃｅｓｓｏｆｉｎｔｒａｐｌａｔｅｓｔｒｏｎｇｅａｒｔｈｑｕａｋｅｓ杨国华，桂昆长，巩曰沐，杨春花，韩...     

Insight into the Crustal Structure of the Eastern Marmara Region, NW Turkey

In order to investigate crustal structure beneath the eastern Marmara region, a seismic refraction survey was conducted across the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) zone in north west Turkey. Two reversed profiles across two strands of the NAF zone were recorded in the Armutlu Highland where a tectonically active region was formed by different continents. We used land explosions in boreholes and quarry blasts as seismic sources. A reliable crustal velocity and depth model is obtained from the inversion of first arrival travel times. The velocity-depth model will improve the positioning of the earthquake activities in this active portion of the NAF. A high velocity anomaly (5.6–5.8 km s⁻¹) in the central highland of Armutlu block and the low velocity (4.90 km s⁻¹) pattern north of Iznik Lake are the two dominant features. The crustal thickness is about 26 ± 2 km in the north and increases to about 32 ± 2 km beneath the central Armutlu block in the south. P-wave velocities are about 3.95 km s⁻¹ to 4.70 km s⁻¹ for the depth range between about 1 km and 5 km in the upper crust. The eastern Marmara region has different units of upper crust with velocities varying with depth to almost 8 km. The high upper crust velocities are associated with Armutlu metamorphic rocks, while the low velocity anomalies are due to unconsolidated sedimentary sequences. The western side of Armutlu block has complex tectonics and is well known for geothermal sources. If these sources are continuous throughout the portions of the crust, it may be associated with a granitic intrusion and deformation along the NAF zone. That is, the geothermal sources associated with the low velocity may be due to the occurrence of widespread shear heating, even shear melting. The presence of shear melting may indicate the presence of crustal fluid imposed by two blocks of the NAF system.     

Crustal structure and dynamical analysis of seismogenesis in the lower Yangzi Valley — South Yellow Sea area

Seismotectonic characteristics and its relationships with crustal structure have been analyzed in the lower Yangzi—South Yellow Sea area. The finite element method is employed to evaluate the stress-strain status of the lithosphere, and the dynamic origin of earthquakes is discussed. The moderate-weak earthquake division is tectonically controlled by three first-degree faults in the Hangzhou bay—Qinling, Tancheng—Lujiang, and the Yangzi River mouth—Jizhou island. The earthquake frequency is higher than 70% in the major hypocentral layer of the crust at a depth of 5 to 15 km of which the highest frequency particularly emerges at a depth of 10 to 15 km, and generally, the depth ranges from 5 to 20 km in the predominant hypocentral layer. The hypocentral layer is superimposed in the crustal magnetosphere with the mid-crustal low density layer. The results from the finite element analysis show that the maximum horizontal displacements appear in the hypocentral layer of the crust, and that the radial hypocentral zones on the flanks of the anomalous mantle, accompanied by the faults or fractured zones, correspond to the gradient zones of the major principal stresses and strains varying within the lithosphere. Therefore, we could consider the mechanism of the decoupling-drift of the lithosphere and the crustal sliding or detachment, from the continent to the sea, as a main dynamogenesis of the earthquakes in the area studied. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,14, 164–171, 1992. This research was supported by the China National Post-Doctoral Research Foundation in part. Some contents on the aeromagnetic anomalies and their mathematical processes are deleted in revision.     

Tomographic inversion for the three-dimensional seismic velocity structure of the Aswan region,Egypt

The Thurber iterative simultaneous inversion program is used to determine the three-dimensionalP-wave velocity structure in the Aswan seismic region of Egypt. The tomographic inversion presented in this study is based on 1131P-phase observations at 13 stations from 89 local earthquakes, all of which occurred within the Kalabsha fault zone. The assumed initial velocity model is that deduced from local explosion experiments. The results indicate that the Aswan region is characterized by a heterogeneous crust, consisting of a shallow, low-velocity zone and a deeper high-velocity anomaly. Seismic velocity structure within the shallow part demonstrates that the inferred change in velocity exists primarily across the east-west trending Kalabsha fault scarp, whereas the high-velocity zone is located south of this fault. Two well-resolved, low-velocity zones appear within the upper 6 km of the crust. The first coincides with a graben structure located between the Kalabsha and Seiyal faults and the second exists between the N-S Kurkur fault and the main axis of Lake Aswan. Both low-velocity zones occupy an area of approximately 30×40 km, located along the western bank of the lake. The most significant result of this study is that the location of the deeper, high-velocity anomaly coincides with the concentration of seismic activity in the lower crustal layer.     

青藏高原东南缘多尺度重力场及构造含义

本文基于EGM2008重力场模型研究了青藏高原东南缘均衡重力异常和多尺度的布格重力异常特征, 以鲁甸和景谷地震为例, 认识其深部构造环境和动力学过程, 为该区域的构造运动和地震孕育环境研究提供依据。 结果表明, 研究区布格重力异常和均衡重力异常与地质构造格局相关性较好, 川滇地块剧烈的区域布格重力异常和非均衡状态与其强烈的地壳变形、 断裂及地震活动密切相关。 强震多分布在断裂带两侧重力异常的过渡地带和高梯度带, 断裂带两侧横向和垂向的显著介质密度差异是强震孕育的深部构造背景。 布格重力异常和均衡重力异常揭示的鲁甸、 景谷震源区深浅差异性的重力异常特征, 暗示鲁甸和景谷地震孕震环境的不同。     

Magnetic evidence of a crustal fault affecting a linear laccolith: The Guadiana Fault and the Monchique Alkaline Complex (SW Iberian Peninsula)

Magnetic anomalies can help reveal the structure of the upper crust in regions with intermediate or basic igneous rocks, and their continuity is essential to determine the position of crustal faults. The southwestern Iberian Peninsula constitutes the foreland of the Betic Cordillera and is characterized by an elongated E-W dipole extending 200 km toward its external zones. The anomaly is related to the outcropping Monchique Alkaline Complex, characterized by rocks of moderate magnetic susceptibility (0.029 SI) intruding into the metapelitic host rock of the South Portuguese Zone. Analysis of aeromagnetic and field magnetic anomalies serves to constrain the geometry of this laccolith. Toward the east, the magnetic dipole has a 60 km long N-S sharp boundary that coincides with the southern part of the Guadiana River. Field magnetic and gravity anomalies confirm the presence of this structure. It is produced by a sharp step in the elongated anomalous body, with an E downthrown block, interpreted as the offset produced by a deep N-S crustal fault—the Guadiana Fault. Therefore, the Guadiana River has three long linear segments near its mouth, locally coinciding with a N-S trending joint set, that support the presence of this major fault. To date, no evidence of this tectonic discontinuity, coinciding with the Spanish-Portuguese border, has been reported. Magnetic research is essential for understanding the structure of wide regions intruded by intermediate and/or basic igneous rocks.     

Source Parameters of the Deadly M<Subscript>w</Subscript> 7.6 Kashmir Earthquake of 8 October, 2005

During the last six years, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad has established a semi-permanent seismological network of 5–8 broadband seismographs and 10–20 accelerographs in the Kachchh seismic zone, Gujarat with a prime objective to monitor the continued aftershock activity of the 2001 M_w 7.7 Bhuj mainshock. The reliable and accurate broadband data for the 8 October M_w 7.6 2005 Kashmir earthquake and its aftershocks from this network as well as Hyderabad Geoscope station enabled us to estimate the group velocity dispersion characteristics and one-dimensional regional shear velocity structure of the Peninsular India. Firstly, we measure Rayleigh-and Love-wave group velocity dispersion curves in the period range of 8 to 35 sec and invert these curves to estimate the crustal and upper mantle structure below the western part of Peninsular India. Our best model suggests a two-layered crust: The upper crust is 13.8 km thick with a shear velocity (Vs) of 3.2 km/s; the corresponding values for the lower crust are 24.9 km and 3.7 km/sec. The shear velocity for the upper mantle is found to be 4.65 km/sec. Based on this structure, we perform a moment tensor (MT) inversion of the bandpass (0.05–0.02 Hz) filtered seismograms of the Kashmir earthquake. The best fit is obtained for a source located at a depth of 30 km, with a seismic moment, Mo, of 1.6 × 10²⁷ dyne-cm, and a focal mechanism with strike 19.5°, dip 42°, and rake 167°. The long-period magnitude (M_A ~ M_w) of this earthquake is estimated to be 7.31. An analysis of well-developed sPn and sSn regional crustal phases from the bandpassed (0.02–0.25 Hz) seismograms of this earthquake at four stations in Kachchh suggests a focal depth of 30.8 km.     

THE 3-D VELOCITY STRUCTURE OF CRUST AND UPPERMOST MANTLE AND ITS TECTONIC IMPLICATIONS IN FUJIAN PROVINCE

It is important to detect the fine velocity structures of the crust and uppermost mantle to understand the regional tectonic evolution, earthquake generation processes, and to conduct earthquake risk assessment. The inversion of uppermost mantle velocity and Moho depth are strongly influenced by crustal velocity heterogeneity. In this study, we collected first arrivals of Pg and Pn and secondary arrivals of Pg wave from the seismograms recorded at Fujian provincial seismic network stations. New 3-D P-wave velocities were inverted by multi-phase joint inversion method in Fujian Province. Our results show that the fault zones in Fujian Province have various velocity patterns. The shallow crust is characterized by high velocity that represents mountains, while the mid-lower crust shows low velocities. The anomalous velocities are correlated closely with tectonic faults in Fujian Province. Velocity anomalies mainly show NE-trending distribution, especially in the mid-lower crust and uppermost mantle, which is consistent with the NE-trending of the regional main fault zones. Meanwhile, a part of velocity patterns show NW trending, which is related to the secondary NW-oriented faults. Such velocity distribution also shows a geological structural pattern of "zoning in east-west direction and blocking in north-south direction" in Fujian area. In the crust, a low velocity zone is found along Zhenghe-Dapu fault zone as mentioned by previous study, however our result shows the low velocity exists at depth of 20~30km in mid-lower crust. Compared with previous study, this low velocity zone is larger and deeper both in range and depth. The crustal thickness of 28~35km from our joint inversion is similar to the results from the receiver functions of previous studies. The thinnest crust(28km)is observed at offshore in the north of Quanzhou; while the thickest crust(35km)is located west of Zhangzhou near the Zhenghe-Dapu fault zone. Generally, thinner crustal thickness is found in offshore of Fujian Province, and thicker crustal thickness is in the mainland. However, we also found that crustal thickness becomes thinner along the east side of Yongan-Jinjiang Fault. The values of Pn velocities in the region vary from 7.71 to 8.26km/s. The velocity distribution of the uppermost mantle presents a large inhomogeneity, which is correlated with the distribution of the fault zone. High Pn velocity anomalies are found mainly along the west side of the Zhenghe-Dapu fault zone(F₂), and the east side of the Shaowu-Heyuan fault zone(F₁), which is strip-shaped throughout the central part of Fujian. Low Pn velocity anomalies are observed along the coast and Taiwan Straits, including the Changle-Zhaoan fault zone, the coastal fault zone, and the Fuzhou Basin. We also found a low Pn velocity anomaly zone, which extends to the coast, in the Shaowu-Heyuan fault zone at the junction of the Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi Provinces. In the west of Taiwan Straits, both high and low Pn velocity anomalies are observed. Our results show that the historical strong earthquakes(larger than magnitude 6.0) are mainly distributed between positive and negative anomaly zones at different depth profiles of the crust, and similar anomalies distribution also exists at the uppermost mantle, suggesting that the occurrence of strong earthquakes in the region is not only related to the anomalous crustal velocity structure, but also affected by the velocity anomaly structure from the uppermost mantle.     

四川芦山MS7.0地震震源区及其周边区域P波三维速度结构研究

利用四川数字地震台网和流动地震台站在芦山M_S7.0地震震后(2013年4月20日—6月23日)记录到的2026次区域地震事件的28188条P波到时资料,采用地震层析成像方法反演得到了芦山地震震源区及其周边区域中上地壳P波三维速度结构. 结果表明,浅部地壳的P波速度异常分布特征与地表地质构造、 地形和岩性密切相关,即成都断陷盆地表现出与第四纪沉积有关的低速异常区;犍为、 乐山一带的川中微升区和川青块体龙门山以西的邻近地带均表现为与构造抬升有关的高速异常;宝兴、 康定附近分布的基性火山岩及火山碎屑岩均呈局部高速异常分布. 芦山地震震源位于高低速异常分界线附近且偏向高速体一侧,其下方存在明显的低速异常分布,可能与流体的存在有关. 流体的作用导致中上地壳内部发震层的弱化,使孕震断层易于破裂,可能对芦山地震起到了触发作用. 芦山地震与汶川地震两次地震的余震密集区相距50 km,这50 km地震空区震源体的深度范围附近目前正处于高速异常区内,加之龙门山断裂带西南段又具有比较典型的断错地貌发育,使得该段地震空区(大邑—邛崃活动断裂破裂空段)现在所处的深浅部构造环境变得复杂,其潜在的地震危险性仍值得进一步关注.      

新疆精河6.6级地震周边地区密度构造、均衡异常以及岩石圈挠曲机理

依据EIGEN-6C4重力模型和ETOPO1高程模型数据,围绕新疆精河6.6级地震展开岩石圈均衡与挠曲机理研究,得到如下结论：（1）震中附近的布格与自由空气重力异常分别为-221和-92mGal(10~(-5 )m·s~(-2)）,震中位于重力异常高梯度带上;（2）震中周边地区地壳厚度约为50km,密度结构总体变化平缓,东西方向地壳厚度变化较小,但自南向北地壳厚度逐渐变薄,精河6.6级地震初始破裂发生在上中地壳分界面附近;（3）震中附近岩石圈承载的垂向构造应力为20MPa左右,震中位于岩石圈垂向构造应力极大值附近的高梯度带上;（4）地震周边地区岩石圈有效弹性厚度最优解为26km,加载比最优解为F_1=1,F_2=F_3=0,表明该区域岩石圈相对坚硬,且导致岩石圈变形的初始加载全部来自地表．     

Satellite and surface geophysical expression of anomalous crustal structure in Kentucky and Tennessee

An equivalent layer magnetization model obtained from inversion of long-wavelength satellite magnetic anomaly data indicates a very magnetic source region centered in south central Kentucky. The magnetization maximum nearly coincides with a gravity high elongated north-south and extending into Tennessee. Previous refraction profiles suggest that the source of the gravity anomaly is a large mass of rock occupying much of the crustal thickness. The outline of the source delineated by gravity contours is also discernible in aeromagnetic anomaly patterns. Taken together, the geophysical data suggest a large, localized mass of intracrustal rock which is both dense and very magnetic. A simple magnetization/density model is given which accounts for the gravity and long-wavelength aeromagnetic anomalies due to the body. We interpret it as a mafic plutonic complex, and several lines of evidence are consistent with a rift association. The body is, however, clearly related to the inferred position of the Grenville Front. It is bounded on the north by the fault zones of the 38th Parallel Lineament. The inferred mean magnetization (4 A/m) of the body is large, but not inconsistent with values reported by others for deep crustal bodies associated with long-wavelength magnetic anomalies. Such magnetization levels can be achieved with magnetic mineralogies produced by normal oxidation and metamorphic processes and enhanced by viscous build-up, especially in mafic rocks of alkaline character.     

川滇地区地壳密度变化与强震孕育关系

为研究川滇地区地壳密度的时空演化特征与强震孕育的关系,本文基于2011—2014年川滇地区的重力复测资料,利用阻尼最小二乘反演算法,获得了川滇地区0—50 km深度范围内分辨率为55 km×55 km×10 km （长×宽×高）的三维动态密度变化模型。以所获取的动态密度变化为依据,分析了川滇地区三维密度变化特征与2013年四川芦山M_S7.0、2014年云南鲁甸M_S6.5和四川康定M_S6.3地震的关系,并由此对强震重点构造部位的深部地壳结构特征、孕震背景及区域动力学过程进行了深入分析。结果显示:川滇地区出现多个与主要活动断裂带展布方向基本一致的密度变化高梯度带,在三次地震的震中区及其附近观测到明显的区域性密度变化异常。15—35 km深度范围内的密度变化水平剖面显示:强震容易发生在上地壳密度变化正、负异常过渡的高梯度带和密度变化四象限分布的中心;中地壳深度密度变化低异常是强震孕育的主要介质条件;下地壳深度密度变化低异常或密度变化高梯度带均有可能是孕育地震的主要介质结构。0—50 km深度的垂直剖面上的密度变化结果显示,地震震中区及附近浅部、深部地壳呈现解耦变化。壳内垂向正负密度变化过渡带可能是强震孕育的又一个主要特征构造。      

Correction to the crustal thickness of the northwestern China using the data of seis-mic tomography

Introduction The gravity anomaly is an indicator of the density distribution of the underground material. Therefore the gravity anomalies have been important data used for studying the deep crustal struc-ture for a long time. Many people have made detailed researches on the regional crustal structure inverted by Bouguer anomalies. In particular some empirical formulae and practical algorithms about the crustal thickness were brought forward, and a series of results were obtained (MENG, 1996)…     

Rayleigh wave phase velocity tomography and strong earthquake activity on the southeastern front of the Tibetan Plateau

To investigate the relationship between velocity structure and earthquake activity on the southeastern front of the Tibetan Plateau, we make use of continuous observations of seismic ambient noise data obtained at 55 broadband stations from the regional Yunnan Seismic Network. These data are used to compute Rayleigh wave Green's Functions by cross-correlating between two stations, extracting phase velocity dispersion curves, and finally inverting to image Rayleigh wave phase velocity with periods between 5 and 34 s by ambient noise tomography. The results show significant lateral variations in crustal and uppermost mantle structures in the studied region. Phase velocity anomalies at short periods(5–12 s) are closely related to regional tectonic features such as sediment thickness and the depth of the crystalline basement. The Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block, enclosed by the Honghe, Xiaojiang and Jianchuan faults, emerges as a large range of low-velocity anomalies at periods of 16–26 s, that inverts to high-velocity anomalies at periods of 30–34 s. The phase velocity variation in the vicinity of the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block suggests that the low-velocity anomaly area in the middle-lower crust may correspond to lower crustal channelized flow of the Tibetan Plateau. The spatial distribution of strong earthquakes since 1970 reveals that the Yunnan region is inhomogeneous and shows prominent characteristics of block motion. However, earthquakes mostly occur in the upper crust, with the exception of the middle-Yunnan block where earthquakes occur at the interface zone between high and low velocity as well as in the low-velocity zones, with magnitudes being generally less than 7. There are few earthquakes of magnitude 5 at the depths of 15–30 km, where gather earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher ones which mainly occur in the interface zone between high and low velocities with others extending to the high-velocity abnormal zone.     

南北地震带地壳结构多参数成像及强震触发机制研究

通过反演由大量的纵、横波地震数据组成的综合数据集,获得了南北地震带地壳的多参数三维精细结构,探讨和分析了南北地震带的高地震活动性和强震频发的原因.成像结果表明,尽管1976年松潘一平武地震(M7.2)与2008年汶川地震(M8.0)以及2013年芦山地震(M7.0)均发生在高速、低泊松比异常区域,并且在其震源的下方均有一低速、高泊松比异常区域.我们认为,上述三个地震的触发与流体侵入导致的地壳形变之间有密切的联系.1955年炉霍地震(M7.4)和1973年康定地震(M7.1)均发生在鲜水河断裂带上,其震源中心区域表现为低速、高泊松比异常,可以解释为下地壳中的流体沿断层面上涌.在震源区的周边区域兼有高速、高泊松比异常,低速、高泊松比异常以及高速、低泊松比异常,可能分别与含流体的岩石、沿断裂带发育的变质岩以及坚硬的克拉通块体对应.流体的侵入不仅能够改变断层面上的应力情况,还能降低岩石骨架的岩石力学强度,进而触发地震.1970年云南通海大地震(M7.1)发生在哀牢山一红河断裂带附近的曲江断裂上,其震源处于高速度、低泊松比异常与低速度、高泊松比异常之间的边界区域,被认为是流体挤压后的应变能积累,最终导致脆性破裂,以至于发生地震.根据本次研究获得的多参数结构图像,结合前人的研究成果,我们认为南北地震带地壳强烈形变与流体侵入是造成该区域地震活动性较高及强震频发的两个主要因素.