The preliminary study of seismic energy release in Taiwan

Abstract

Taiwan is located in the plate junction. Due to the observing GPS data, the Philippine Sea plate with an annual rate of 7 cm moves forward the Northwest direction. It could easily lead to the accumulation of stress, but also caused many earthquakes. Therefore, by the point of view of Taiwan geological system, the accumulation and release energy is the main cause of the earthquakes in Taiwan. In this study, we will consider the seismic energy, from 1973 to 2012 earthquake catalogue and build 40 sets of seismic energy release profile of each year on an annual basis. Because the Taiwan earthquake observation network has an important change in 1991, therefore, this study will be discussed the two periods of seismic energy release graphs. It was found that the number of earthquakes decreased from 2003 to 2004 and from 2005 to 2006, but the release of seismic energy was increased. But, the number of earthquakes increased from 2004 to 2005, 2007 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2010, but the seismic energy release decreased. Finally, the study will establish the seismic energy release map from 1973 to 2012 in Taiwan. In the future, the energy release rate in the current year can be calculated. From the analysis of the release rate, it can be estimated that where will be the great earthquake area.