Steep Dip Angle Research Articles

Modeling Subduction With Extremely Fast Trench Retreat

AbstractThe Tonga‐Kermadec subduction zone exhibits the fastest observed trench retreat and convergence near its northern end. However, a paradox exists: despite the rapid trench retreat, the Tonga slab maintains a relatively steep dip angle above 400 km depth. The slab turns flat around 400 km, then steepening again until encountering a stagnant segment near 670 km. Despite its significance for understanding slab dynamics, no existing numerical model has successfully demonstrated how such a distinct slab morphology can be generated under the fast convergence. Here we run subduction models that successfully reproduce the slab geometries while incorporating the observed subduction rate. We use a hybrid velocity boundary condition, imposing velocities on the arc and subducting plate while allowing the overriding plate to respond freely. This approach is crucial for achieving a good match between the modeled and observed Tonga slab. The results explain how the detailed slab structure is highly sensitive to physical parameters including the seafloor age and the mantle viscosity. Notably, a nonlinear rheology, where dislocation creep reduces upper mantle viscosity under strong mantle flow, is essential. The weakened upper mantle allows for a faster slab sinking rate, which explains the large dip angle. Our findings highlight the utilizing rheological parameters that lead to extreme viscosity variations within numerical models to achieve an accurate representation of complex subduction systems like the Tonga‐Kermadec zone. Our study opens new avenues for further study of ocean‐ocean subduction systems, advancing our understanding of their role in shaping regional and global tectonics.

Seismicity associated with hydraulic fracturing in Changning shale gas field, China: Constraints from source mechanisms, stress field and fluid overpressure thresholds

Source properties and stress fields are critical to understand fundamental mechanisms for fluid-induced earthquakes. In this study, we identify the focal mechanism solutions (FMSs) of 360 earthquakes with local magnitude ML ≥ 1.5 in the Changning shale gas field from January 2016 to May 2017 by fitting three-component waveforms. We then constrain the directions of the maximum horizontal stress (σHmax) for four dense earthquake clusters using the stress tensor inversion method. The stress drops of 121 earthquakes with ML ≥ 1.5 are calculated using the spectral ratio method. We examine the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of stress field, and discuss the cause of non-double-couple (non-DC) components in seismicity clusters. Following the Mohr-Coulomb criterion, we estimate the fluid overpressure thresholds from FMS for different seismic clusters, providing insights into potential physical mechanisms for induced seismicity. The FMS results indicate that shallow reverse earthquakes, with steep dip angles, characterize most events. The source mechanisms of earthquakes with ML ≥1.5 are dominated by DC components (> 70%), but several earthquakes with ML > 3.0 and the microseismic events nearby during injection period display significant non-DC components (> 30%). Stress inversion results reveal that the σHmax direction ranges from 120° to 128°. Stress drops of earthquakes range between 0.10 and 64.49 MPa, with high values occurring on reverse faults situated at a greater distance from the shale layer, accompanied by a moderate rotation (≤ 25°) in the trend of σHmax. The seismic clusters close to the shale layer exhibit low fluid overpressure thresholds, prone to being triggered by high pore-pressure fluid. The integrated results suggest that the diffusion of high pore pressures is likely to be the primary factor for observed earthquakes. The present results are expected to offer valuable insights into the origin of anomalous seismicity near the shale gas sites.

Late Quaternary Surface Displacements on Accretionary Wedge Splay Faults in the Cascadia Subduction Zone: Implications for Megathrust Rupture

Because splay faults branch at a steep dip angle from the plate-boundary décollement in an accretionary wedge, their coseismic displacement can potentially result in larger tsunamis with distinct characteristics compared to megathrust-only fault ruptures, posing an enhanced hazard to coastal communities. Elsewhere, there is evidence of coseismic slip on splay faults during many of the largest subduction zone earthquakes, but our understanding of potentially active splay faults and their hazards at the Cascadia subduction zone remains limited. To identify the most recently active splay faults at Cascadia, we conduct stratigraphic and structural interpretations of near-surface deformation in the outer accretionary wedge for the ~400 km along-strike length of the landward vergence zone. We analyze recently acquired high-frequency sparker seismic data and crustal-scale multi-channel seismic data to examine the record of deformation in shallow slope basins and the upper ~1 km of the surrounding accreted sediments and to investigate linkages to deeper décollement structure. We present a new fault map for widest, most completely locked portion of Cascadia from 45 to 48°N latitude, which documents the distribution of faults that show clear evidence of recent late Quaternary activity. We find widespread evidence for active splay faulting up to 30 km landward of the deformation front, in what we define as the active domain, and diminished fault activity landward outside of this zone. The abundance of surface-deforming splay faults in the active outer wedge domain suggests Cascadia megathrust events may commonly host distributed shallow rupture on multiple splay faults located within 30 km of the deformation front.

Deformation mechanism and treatment effect of deeply excavated expansive soil slopes with high groundwater level: Case study of MR-SNWTP, China

Taking a 4 km long deeply excavated expansive soil canal segment of the South–North Water Transfer Project Middle Route (MR-SNWTP) in China as an example, a comprehensive investigation of the deformation mechanism and effect of treatment work on the slope with high groundwater level was carried out. First, the project background and initial behaviour were introduced. Second, a series of site investigation, including visual inspection, exploration pit, and geological penetrating radar, was employed to identify the deformation characteristics, appearance damage, and groundwater distribution. Third, the environmental factors were analyzed, and the spatio-temporal deformation characteristics were identified. Then the zoned numerical model was built to analyze the slope stability. Finally, the deformation mechanism and effect of treatment work were discussed. The results show that although the slope surface was replaced with a cement-treated weak expansive soil layer, the water vapor exchange between the undisturbed expansive soils and atmosphere is not completely isolated. The perched groundwater is also still replenished by precipitation infiltration. Groundwater, perched groundwater, long-large fissure and dense fissure zone induce the lateral creep deformation of the slope, and result in significant trend changes. The stability of the deformed body is in a critical state. The critical sliding surface is a broken line consisting of a gentle dip angle at the leading edge and a steep dip angle at the trailing edge. The depth of the potential sliding surface varies due to the geological condition and arrangement of anti-slide piles. Drainage wells can discharge deeper groundwater, thus can lower groundwater level and discharge perched groundwater. Supporting and unloading measures should also be taken to improve the slope stability.

Structure and dynamics of southern Mariana margin: Constraints from seismicity, tomography and focal mechanisms

The southern Mariana margin is a tectonically distinctive and rapidly deforming region with the world deepest trench and unusual deformation and magmatism. However, its related deep structure and dynamics are still poorly understood. In this study, we determine robust 3-D P and S wave velocity models down to 130 km depth beneath the southern Mariana margin by using arrival-time data of local earthquakes recorded at 12 near-field seismic stations. Our tomographic results together with local seismicity and focal mechanisms reveal that the subducted Pacific slab is rapidly rolling back with a steep dip angle and narrowly but strongly coupled with the thin forearc block, which results in the deepest trench. An inferred eastward mantle flow transports the enhanced hydrous mantle melt beneath the southwest Mariana rift to the southern Mariana Trough, causing unusual deformation, magmatism and volcanism in the new oceanic crust. In addition, seismicity in the west Mariana ridge lithosphere may indicate active foundering of the arc lower crust.

Complex Rupture Features and Triggering during the 2022 Chishang Earthquake Sequence in Eastern Taiwan Estimated by InSAR, GPS, Strong Motion, and Teleseismic Waveform Evidence

Abstract The most recent 2022 Chishang earthquake sequence broke a long-time seismic quiescence on the Central Range fault (CRF), attracting lots of attention to the seismic behaviors and fault interactions of the Longitudinal Valley zone (LVZ), eastern Taiwan orogeny. However, detailed rupture features of both the foreshock and mainshock are still scarce. Here, available static displacements (i.e., Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar [InSAR], Global Positioning System [GPS], and strong motion [SM]) and kinematic waveform evidence (i.e., high-frequency GPS, strong motion, and teleseismic data) are used to delineate the rupture behaviors of both the foreshock and mainshock in this sequence. Our results indicate that the static displacements derived from strong-motion sites rival the high precision of GPS observations, replenishing the near-field constraints on the hanging wall together with InSAR and GPS. The optimal uniform slip models exhibit that both the foreshock and mainshock generally ruptured the west-dipping CRF along the south-southwest-striking direction with a steep dip angle >65°. The slip distribution models revealed that the rupture of foreshock and mainshock nearly ruptured a total length of CRF within 65 km from the Guanshan to Ruisui at a depth of above 14 km, and their slips are concentrated within one asperity and two asperities, respectively. The spatial evolution of this sequence’s ruptures exhibits a discontinued and separated pattern, and is well consistent with the local seismicity. Considering that the mainshock was initialed in a weak slip and negative static Coulomb stress region caused by the foreshock, the 2022 sequence occurrence is in favor of a preslip triggering mechanism. The rupture region of the 2022 sequence filled the “seismic gap” along the western flank of the LVZ and will promote the potential seismic hazard in this region.

A Semi‐Analytical Solution for the Equivalent Permeability Coefficient of the Multilayered Porous Medium With Continuous Fracture

AbstractFractures significantly alter the permeability characteristics of the natural porous media, especially for the multilayered porous medium system. The most direct and effective approach to assess the hydraulic conductivity of a multilayered porous medium with continuous fracture is to determine its equivalent permeability coefficient (EPC). A mathematical model with second‐order accuracy is established to analysis the permeability characteristics of the multilayered porous medium incorporating a continuous fracture. The Navier‒Stokes equation is used to govern the clear fluid motion in the continuous fracture, and the seepage fluid motion in the multilayered porous matrix is governed by the Brinkman‒Darcy equation. The semi‐analytical solutions for the velocity profile and EPC of the present model are derived under the conditions of the jumping stress at the fracture‐matrix interface and the continuous velocity at the matrix(i)‐matrix(i +1) interface. The Lattice Boltzmann method, finite element method, and one domain method simulations are conducted to verify the deduced semi‐analytical solutions of the velocity profile. Furthermore, the calculated EPC of the present multilayered model is in good agreement with that of the existing classic models (i.e., one region: fracture, two regions: fracture‐matrix, three regions: fracture‐matrix1‐matrix2, and multilayered porous medium without fracture). Parameter sensitivity reveals that increasing the thickness, dip angle, and porosity of the fractured porous media increases the flow velocity, while an increase in the stress jump coefficient can result in the opposite effect. This implies that porous layers containing fracture are more susceptible to erosion, particularly under conditions of steep dip angle and strong permeability.

Persistent asperities at the Kermadec subduction zone controlled by changes in forearc structure: 1976 and 2021 doublet earthquakes

To what degree large earthquakes are ‘characteristic’ is a critical question in understanding the fundamentals of earthquake physics and the seismic cycle. Here we study the ruptures of the 2021 Mw7.4 and Mw8.1 doublet earthquake sequence in the Kermadec subduction zone and compare them with the 1976 doublet that occurred at the same location. We find that although the 2021 mainshock likely re-ruptured the same asperity as the 1976 Mw7.9 event, the detailed slip distribution is different. Other ruptures in the doublets also differ in character and location. Our observations indicate the variability between large earthquakes on the same segment of the plate boundary in each earthquake cycle. All earthquakes occur in an isolated area of the megathrust, which is bounded by changes in the lithospheric structure of the overriding plate as indicated by bathymetric and gravity data. This high-seismicity region is coincident with an isolated forearc sedimentary basin, possibly formed by basal erosion related to seismogenesis, suggesting that seismic slip has persisted here for several million years. Refined up-dip aftershock and background seismicity focal mechanisms have a steeper dip angle than the slab interface, suggesting these events are located within the subducting oceanic slab, possibly forming a rougher plate interface that facilitates basal erosion. We conclude that the stress heterogeneity within this bounded seismogenic zone is long-lived and has produced a rich spectrum of earthquake ruptures.

Analysis of Deformation Formation Causes and Reinforcement Disposal Effects in Deep Excavated Expansive Soil Canal Slope: Case Study

Deeply excavated expansive soil canal slopes can have instability risks during operations. The deformation mechanism is analyzed using internal and external factors, such as engineering geology, hydrogeology, rainfall, and groundwater levels in the middle expansive soil canal slope in the central line of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, Taocha District, Nanyang City, Henan Province, China. The stability of the canal slope and the effect of the reinforcement and disposal measures are evaluated with a geological survey, manual inspection of the defects, safety monitoring data analysis, hidden danger geophysical detection, and stability numerical simulation. The following conclusions are drawn: (1) the surface-refilled cement-treated soil failed to isolate the water vapor exchange between the expansive soil and the atmosphere; and (2) the stagnant water in the upper layer is replenished by precipitation, leading to the increase in the groundwater level during the rainy season and the decrease in the groundwater level during the dry season. Shear creep deformation occurs along the fissure of the second to fourth grade canal slopes. The potential sliding surface consists of a gentle dip angle leading edge and a steep dip angle trailing edge. The arrangement of the antisliding piles on the water-passing section and the crack surface distribution had an effect, and the potential shear outlet is in the first grade berm, the deformed body is still developing, and the trailing edge is not apparent. The potential failure mode of the slope is deep sliding, and the current safety factor is 1.002. A combination of groundwater discharge and micropile reinforcement is required to improve the stability of the canal slope. After the drainage and reinforcement are implemented, the slope’s deep antislide stability safety factor increases to 1.462, which met the safety requirements. The results could provide a reference for the operation management and reinforcement governance of similar projects.

Numerical simulation of mesomechanical properties of limestone containing dissolved hole and persistent joint

In order to reveal the complex mechanical properties and mesoscopic failure behavior of limestone rock mass containing both dissolved hole defect and persistent joint, numerical models are developed using the two-dimensional particle flow code (PFC2D) to carry out the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests. The stress–strain, contact force chain, vertical stress field, and crack evolution characteristics of limestone samples containing circular holes and different dip angles persistent joints were analyzed. The results show that the UCS and elastic modulus of the rock samples can be reduced by the circular hole and the persistent joint, and the persistent joints with steep dip angles have a more obvious control effect on the mechanical properties of the rock samples. With the increase in loading stress level, the contact force chain in the hole-joint combination model gradually deflects slightly along the joint dip angle from the left and right sides of the hole and gradually spreads outward. Under uniaxial compression, the initiation cracks in persistent joints and rock blocks are primarily tensile cracks. The initiation positions first appear in the persistent joint, and the initiation positions in the rock block change from the upper and lower vertices of the circular hole to the junction below the joint with the increase of the joint dip angle. The crack initiation stress in the persistent joint is smaller than that in the corresponding rock block, and the control effect of the joint dip angle on the crack initiation stress of the whole rock sample is reduced.

Microseismic Monitoring of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation and Seismic Risks in Shale Reservoir with a Steep Dip Angle

Microseismic Monitoring of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation and Seismic Risks in Shale Reservoir with a Steep Dip Angle

Igneous genesis of the Bayan Obo REE–Nb–Fe deposit: New petrographical and structural evidence from the H1–H9 cross-section and deep-drilling exploration

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a focus of global attention because of their unique properties and high-tech applications. Bayan Obo is the world's largest REE deposit and is hosted in the Paleoproterozoic Bayan Obo Group, Inner Mongolia. The REE resources are concentrated in unit H8, “dolomite marble.” However, whether unit H8 has an igneous or sedimentary origin is debated, and relationships among units H1–H9 are unclear, hindering our understanding of the formation of such a giant REE deposit. It was previously assumed that the unit H8 orebody is located in both limbs of the Bayan syncline and unit H9 in the core, which also needs to be confirmed because it is a guide for ore exploration. Field observations and petrographic studies of units H1–H9 were undertaken to re-evaluate the petrology and structure of the Bayan Obo Group. It was found that some units (e.g., H5–H7) are missing from the studied cross-section, with the two sides of unit H9, across the hinge of the so-called syncline, not being directly comparable. Unit H8 displays petrological, mineralogical, and whole-rock REE geochemical characteristics distinct from those of the other units investigated, suggesting they are of different origin. Moreover, deep-drilling exploration indicates major differences between the two limbs of the orebodies in terms of thickness, occurrence, and spatial distribution. The East orebody has a steep dip angle of 70°–80° and continuously extends to depth without reduction of angle, suggesting the syncline is probably nonexistent. These results, combined with the reported intrusion relationship of unit H8 with surrounding rock and in situ isotopic studies previously reported, indicate that the orebody is a carbonatitic igneous conduit rather than being of sedimentary origin. SHRIMP U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from the units H2–H9 yielded ages of 2574 ± 25 to 132 ± 2 Ma, overlapping the ages of units H1–H9 and the main REE mineralization periods reported previously. These protracted and complicated ages of the orebody likely represent fluid-aided resetting ages.

Comprehensive identification of statistical homogeneity of fractured rock masses for a candidate HLW repository site, China

Determining the statistically homogeneous regions is important for engineering geological modeling and promoting systematic research on regional rock mass characteristics and rock engineering designs. This study proposes a comprehensive framework considering multiple discontinuity geometry parameters (e.g., orientation, trace length, density, and cluster characteristics.) to distinguish statistical homogeneity of fractured rock masses. First, based on the equal-area plot method (Schmidt net), the quantitative judgment ability of the Miller method for determining the similarity between two discontinuity orientation populations was improved by optimizing block network division scheme and blank area merging principle. Then, considering the distribution characteristics of discontinuity in rock mass space and the variation features of discontinuity at different geographical locations, a three-dimensional fracture network model, established using the discontinuity geometry parameters obtained from field investigation, was combined with the fractal dimension method (called the network fractal dimension method; NFD) to further evaluate the statistical homogeneity of fractured rock mass. The proposed approaches were subsequently applied to the identification of the statistical homogeneity of several typical granite fracture outcrops in the Beishan area, which is a candidate site for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repository of China. The case study reveals that the optimized Miller method is more flexible and applicable than the conventional orientation-based methods, especially in dealing with the complex situation of the coexistence of gentle dip angle and steep dip angle as well as clustering characteristics of discontinuity. The NFD method was used to unify the influence of the main discontinuity characteristic parameters for a logical and unbiased evaluation of the statistical homogeneity. The comprehensive framework developed herein integrates the advantages of the two methods and reduces the interference of subjective evaluation. Therefore, it can be employed to efficiently determine the statistical homogeneity of rock masses at different locations at a large scale without concern over the deviation caused by different directions and size of the compared areas.

The 2014–2015 complex collapse of the Bárðarbunga caldera, Iceland, revealed by seismic moment tensors

Between August 2014 and February 2015, a caldera collapse process in Bárðarbunga volcano accompanied a fissure eruption at the Holuhraun lava field after magma had propagated laterally 45 km from the Bárðarbunga magma chamber to the lava field. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported around 30,000 earthquakes at the caldera, including more than 70 earthquakes with moment magnitude MW ≥ 5.0. We built a moment tensor catalog of around 230 seismic events at the caldera with MW between 3.7 and 5.5 using a waveform inversion method. We identified five event families based on focal mechanisms, double couple (DC) and compensated linear vector dipole (CLVD) components, epicentral distribution relative to the caldera center, and time of occurrence. The main characteristics of these families are (1) DC to CLVD normal faulting events with steep (50°–70°) to near-vertical (>70°) dip angles on the northern side of the caldera; (2) DC to CLVD normal events with predominant steep (50°–70°) dip angles on the southern side of the caldera; (3) intra-caldera oblique strike-slip events; and (4) thrust events at the eastern side of the caldera with a horizontal tension axis compensated linear vector dipole (T-CLVD) component. Each family provided new insights about the Bárðarbunga collapse mechanism such as (1) a systematic increase in the CLVD component with magnitude, corroborating that the curvature in the ring fault is the likely cause for the vertical CLVD moment tensors observed for the largest events; (2) seismic evidence of near-vertical dip angles in agreement with the vertical faults observed in many calderas worldwide, and numerical and analog models of caldera collapse structures; (3) intra-caldera oblique and strike-slip events on the western side of the caldera occurred by asymmetric collapse; (4) thrust horizontal T-CLVD events observed at the last stage of the eruption, possibly related to a viscoelastic response.

The 25 October 2018 Zakynthos (Greece) earthquake: seismic activity at the transition between a transform fault and a subduction zone

SUMMARYThe properties of the Mw = 6.7 earthquake that took place on 25 October 2018, 22:54:51 UTC, ∼50 km SW of the Zakynthos Island, Greece, are thoroughly examined. The main rupture occurred on a dextral strike-slip, low-angle, east-dipping fault at a depth of 12 km, as determined by teleseismic waveform modelling. Over 4000 aftershocks were manually analysed for a period of 158 d. The events were initially located with an optimal 1D velocity model and then relocated with the double-difference method to reveal details of their spatial distribution. The latter spreads in an area spanning 80 km NNW–SSE and ∼55 km WSW–ENE. Certain parts of the aftershock zone present strong spatial clustering, mainly to the north, close to Zakynthos Island, and at the southernmost edge of the sequence. Focal mechanisms were determined for 61 significant aftershocks using regional waveform modelling. The results revealed characteristics similar to the main shock, with few aftershocks exhibiting strike-slip faulting at steeper dip angles, possibly related to splay faults on the accretionary prism. The slip vectors that correspond to the east-dipping planes are compatible with the long-term plate convergence and with the direction of coseismic displacement on the Zakynthos Island. Fault-plane solutions in the broader study area were inverted for the determination of the regional stress-field. The results revealed a nearly horizontal, SW–NE to E–W-trending S1 and a more variable S3 axis, favouring transpressional tectonics. Spatial clusters at the northern and southern ends of the aftershock zone coincide with the SW extension of subvertical along-dip faults of the segmented subducting slab. The main shock occurred in an area where strike-slip tectonics, related to the Cephalonia Transform Fault and the NW Peloponnese region, gradually converts into reverse faulting at the western edge of the Hellenic subduction. Plausible scenarios for the 2018 Zakynthos earthquake sequence include a rupture on the subduction interface, provided the slab is tilted eastwards in that area, or the reactivation of an older east-dipping thrust as a low-angle strike-slip fault that contributes to strain partitioning.

Dynamic Stability Evaluation of Underground Caverns in Jointed Rock Mass using Friction Energy Generated by Joint Sliding

General seismic damage surrounding underground excavations of jointed rock masses is closely associated with the presence and response of discrete fracture networks. As the failure of rock masses is mainly controlled by joints, energy dissipated through slippage along joints is proposed as an evaluation index for dynamic stability analysis of underground caverns. Energy dissipated in slippage is represented as a product of the shear stress and plastic shear displacement. The method was demonstrated through dynamic analysis of an underground cavern containing joints of varying dip friction angle and location. The results show that the proposed index can record the failure history and damage of rock structures surrounding an underground cavern subjected to dynamic loading. The effects of four types of joint sets on the dynamic stability of a cavern in the DaGangshan hydropower project were assessed using the friction energy of the joints. The combination of steep and non-steep joint sets was found to be much more unfavorable to large caverns than joints sets of only steep dip angle or non-steep dip angle.

Contribution of bedrock dip angle impact to nitrogen and phosphorus leakage loss under artificial rainfall simulations on slopes parallel to and perpendicular to the bedrock dip in a karst trough valley

The bedrock dip angle is a critical factor for nutrient leakage loss on karst trough valley slopes. This study aimed to a) reveal the effects of the bedrock dip angle on the characteristics of nutrient leakage loss on dip-parallel/dip-perpendicular slopes and b) determine the bedrock dip angle threshold for nutrient leakage loss in karst trough valleys. To achieve this objective, the geographical structure of a karst trough valley slope was simulated using a newly designed steel experimental flume and a monoclinal bedrock tilt, respectively. The results revealed that i) for a flat bedrock dip angle of 10°, the surface runoff-associated TN and TP pollution moduli were maximal for dip-parallel slopes, while the underground sediment-associated nutrient leakage loss is minimum on dip-perpendicular slope. ii) Under dip-perpendicular slopes, 40° was the critical bedrock dip angle for underground runoff-associated nutrient leakage loss. iii) Surface TN and TP losses on dip-parallel slopes were always higher than those of dip-perpendicular slopes, and underground nutrient leakage showed the opposite trend. The underground sediment-associated nutrient loss rate was dominant under steep rock dip angle, and the opposite was found for flat and gentle rock dip angle conditions. These results could provide a theoretical foundation for controlling agricultural non-point source pollution and modelling in karst trough valleys under similar conditions.

Seismic evidence for influences of deep fluids on the 2019 Changning Ms 6.0 earthquake, Sichuan basin, SW China

• Velocity models and earthquake locations are determined in Changning source area. • The Changning mainshock is underlain by low-Vp, low-Vs and high Vp/Vs anomalies. • Mantle fluids could play a key role in stress concentration of seismogenic layers. An Ms 6.0 earthquake struck Changning county, Sichuan basin, SW China on 17 June 2019, which caused huge casualties and economic losses. Four Ms greater than 5.0 events subsequently occurred around the Changning source area, three of which occurred within one week. In order to better understand the mechanism of these moderate-sized earthquakes, we determine 3-D high-resolution velocity models around the source area simultaneously relocating earthquakes using double-difference tomography. In the present study, we use a total of 53,487 P-wave and 52,527 S-wave arrival times from 8818 events recorded at 39 seismic stations. Our results show that focal depths of the Changning mainshock and most aftershocks are ~5–10 km, and they form a fault plane with a steep dip angle. Most earthquakes are underlain by the zone with low Vp, low Vs, and high Vp/Vs anomalies, reflecting the existence of fluids there. These results suggest that the Changning mainshock and other moderate-sized earthquakes might be associated with the influence of fluids that could decrease effective normal stress on the fault planes. These fluids might be related to the hot and wet mantle upwelling in the big mantle wedge due to the deep subduction of the Indian plate down to the mantle transition zone. A clear high-to-low velocity transition zone is observed at ~10 km depth beneath the Gongxian and Xingwen swarms, which matches well with the detachment layer revealed by deep seismic soundings in the area. All these results suggest that the structural contrast could control the mainshock generation and aftershock extension.

Role of rock dip angle in runoff and soil erosion processes on dip/anti-dip slopes in a karst trough valley

Due to the great difficulty of monitoring surface and underground runoff and sediment yield directly, the surface and underground hydrological processes associated with soil leakage loss in karst trough valleys remain unknown. The objective of this study was to analyse the role of the rock dip angle in the water and soil leakage loss processes, to assess the characteristics of surface and underground runoff and soil erosion and to investigate their conversion relationships using rainfall experiments. The results showed the following. i) At a steep rock dip angle (60°), the underground runoff yield had a shorter stabilization time than the surface runoff yield and that the underground runoff coefficient of the dip slope exceeded 0.5. ii) The surface sediment yield could be divided into the suspended load and the bed load and the underground sediment yield included only the suspended load. On the anti-dip slope, the surface erosion modulus was 0.83–2.50 times the underground erosion modulus. iii) The surface and underground cumulative runoff was linearly correlated with the cumulative sediment yield. The rock dip angle had a significant quadratic relationship with the surface and underground runoff and sediment yield. These results improve the understanding of the surface-underground runoff and soil erosion processes and have significance for preventing water and soil leakage loss on the slopes of karst trough valleys.

Control of Subduction Zone Age and Size on Flat Slab Subduction

Flat slab subduction is an enigmatic style of subduction where the slab attains a horizontal orientation for up to several hundred kilometers below the base of the overriding plate. It has been linked to the subduction of buoyant aseismic ridges or plateaus, but the spatial correlation is problematic, as there are subducting aseismic ridges and plateaus that do not produce a flat slab, most notably in the Western Pacific, and there are flat slabs without an aseismic ridge or plateau. In this paper an alternative hypothesis is investigated which poses that flat slab subduction is associated with subduction zones that are both old (active for a long time) and wide (large trench-parallel extent). A global subduction zone compilation is presented showing that flat slabs preferentially occur at old (> ~80-100 Myr) and wide (≥ ~6000 km) subduction zones. This is explained by the tendency for wide subduction zones to decrease their dip angle in the uppermost mantle with progressive time, especially in the center. A set of numerical subduction models confirms this behavior, showing that only the central parts of wide slabs progressively reduce their slab dip, such that slab flattening, and ultimately flat slab subduction, can occur. The models further show that a progressive decrease in slab dip angle for wide slabs leads to increased vertical deviatoric tensional stresses at the top surface of the slab (mantle wedge suction), facilitating flat slab subduction, while narrow slabs retain steep dip angles and low vertical deviatoric tensional stresses. The results provide a potential explanation why present-day flat slabs only occur in the Eastern Pacific, as only here subduction zones were old and wide enough to initiate flat slab subduction, and why Laramide flat slab subduction and South China flat slab subduction were possible in the geological past.