Reverse Fault Type Research Articles

Stress field in northeastern Japan and its relationship with faults of recent earthquakes

Inversion tectonics, in which old normal faults act as reverse faults in current stress fields, are frequently observed in northeastern Japan (Tohoku District); however, the conditions that control these fault activities remain unclear. To improve the identification of faults that are more favorable to slip under current stress conditions, the regional fault mechanisms in the Tohoku District must be better understood. The stress field in the Tohoku District and the likelihood of fault activities were thus estimated using slip tendency (ST) analysis. The results show that in the eastern margin of the Japan Sea (EMJS), the reverse fault type is dominant in the stress field. The maximum horizontal direction changes clockwise from E–W to NW–SE from the northern to the southern regions and counterclockwise from NW–SE to E–W from the Japan Sea to the inland area. In the Tohoku inland area, the estimated direction of the maximum horizontal axis changed after the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake, from E–W to WNW–ESE. ST values were calculated for seven events in the EMJS area. To avoid the influence of the Tohoku-Oki earthquake, only stress field data prior to the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake were used to determine ST values for four of the events in the Tohoku inland area. The results showed eastward-dipping fault planes with low dip angles (approximately 30°–45°) and large ST values (approximately > 0.7). The large ST values indicate that the stress field fault is favorable to slip and the results were consistent with the actual fault plane in the EMJS area. However, in the Tohoku inland area and the southern part of fault model of the 1993 Hokkaido Nansei-Oki earthquake, fault planes with large ST values were found to be inconsistent with the slipped fault plane, thus indicating that slipping was unfavorable. The regional differences are consistent with the volcano distribution and thus, the fluid supply from volcanic activity may have helped the fault slip under difficult stress conditions.Graphical

Tsunami Numerical Modelling in Ujung Kulon National Park with the Earthquake Magnitude Scenario of 6.5 and 6.9 Mw

Tsunami modelling was conducted to simulate tsunami events based on earthquake data previously occurring around Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK), Banten Province using TUNAMI-F1 and TUNAMI-N3. TUNAMI-F1 is a modelling method to get the wave height and tsunami arrival time with a grid spacing of 0.00167°. While the TUNAMI-N3 is a model that applies the theory of wave propagation linearly in a grid variation to get a high output of tsunami inundation. The tsunami source data was used from historical earthquake generation on January 14, 2022 (6.5 Mw) and August 2, 2019 (6,9 Mw). The reverse fault type scenario from Wells & Coppersmith (1994) is used to calculate the scaling law with length, width, and the focal mechanism value obtained from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to generate initial waves based on the multideform model. The TUNAMI-N3 model applies a nested model with variations in grid spacing and the most detailed value is 68,556 m. The tsunami wave height based on the magnitude 6.5 Mw scenario is around 0.001 m to 0.05 m with the highest wave height found on the southern coast of TNUK and the southern coastal area of Peucang Island (0.03-0.05m). The inundation produced is only visible in the E1 domain reaching 96-192 m in areas A, B, C. Then, the maximum inundation area is the south coast of TNUK (0.01-0.03m). Based on the second scenario, the height of the tsunami waves generated is in the range of 0.001 − 0.3 m. The maximum tsunami height was in the Rancecet Beach area, south of Tinjil Island, the south, east, and north coasts of TNUK (0.03-0.3m). The run-up distance resulting from scenario 1 is less than 1 km. Based on TUNAMI-F1 model results, wave height maximum caused by 6.5 Mw magnitude is higher than 6.9 Mw.

A new type of gold mineralization in the basement of the Aldan-Stanovoi gold-bearing province

A new type of gold mineralization has been revealed in rocks of the basement of the Aldan-Stanovoi goldbearing province, within the Spokoininsky ore cluster of the Tyrkandinsky gold-bearing region of southern Yakutia. A geological model has been created of an object with a bulk-minable nonlinear type gold mineralization related to elements of plicative structures and to the reverse fault type tectonics in the hosting metamorphic rocks of the basement. The modeled object is represented by a combination of lodes with veinlet-disseminated sulfide-(pyrite)quartz mineralization. A complex has been refined of prospecting guides and criteria, that characterizes this mineralization type represented by the ore-bearing lodes with gold-quartz and gold-low-sulfide-quartz veinletdisseminated mineralization in rocks of the basement and Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous magmatic formations. The structural-geological position, the morphological type, the composition of the ore-hosting rocks and ores, and the principal parametric characteristics of the gold mineralization have been determined. Sampled intervals with the gold grades corresponding to the required parameters for the preliminary estimation have been distinguished in the exploration workings. Forecasted resources of the P2 category have been assessed.

Coseismic fault slip inversion of the 2013 Lushan Ms 7.0 earthquake based on the triangular dislocation model

The 2013 Lushan Ms 7.0 earthquake occurred on the Longmenshan thrust tectonic zone, a typical blind reverse-fault type earthquake that caused the death of nearly 200 people. The investigation of the fault geometry and fault slip distribution of this earthquake is important for understanding the seismogenic tectonic type and seismic activity mechanism of the Longmenshan Fault Zone. In this paper, for the fault geometry of the Ms 7.0 earthquake in Lushan, the geometric parameters of the planar fault are inverted based on the rectangular dislocation model using GPS coseismic displacement data, and on this basis, a curved fault steeply-dipping on top and gently-dipping at depth is constructed by combining the aftershock distribution. The GPS and leveling data are used to invert the slip distribution of the curved fault for the Lushan Ms 7.0 earthquake. The results show that the fault is dominated by reverse slip with a small amount of sinistral rotation, and there is a peak slip zone with a maximum slip of 0.98 m, which corresponds to a depth of ~ 13.50 km, and the energy released is 1.05 × 1019 N/m with a moment magnitude of Mw 6.63. Compared with the planar rectangular dislocation model, the curved fault model constructed by using triangular dislocation elements can not only better approximate the fault slip, but also better explain the observed surface displacement, and the root mean square error of the GPS and leveling data fitting is reduced by 1.3 mm and 1.9 mm, respectively. Both the maximum slip and moment magnitude of the fault based on the inversion of the curved structure are slightly larger than the results based on the planar structure.

Precise aftershock distribution of the 2019 Yamagata-oki earthquake using newly developed simple anchored-buoy ocean bottom seismometers and land seismic stations

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 occurred in the Japan Sea off Yamagata on June 18, 2019. The mainshock had a source mechanism of reverse-fault type with a compression axis of WNW–ESE direction. Since the source area is positioned in a marine area, seafloor seismic observation is indispensable for obtaining the precise distribution of the aftershocks. The source area has a water depth of less than 100 m, and fishing activity is high. It is difficult to perform aftershock observation using ordinary free-fall pop-up type ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs). We developed a simple anchored-buoy type OBS for shallow water depths and performed the seafloor observation using this. The seafloor seismic unit had three-component seismometers and a hydrophone. Two orthogonal tiltmeters and an azimuth meter monitored the attitude of the package. For seismic observation at shallow water depth, we concluded that an anchored-buoy system would have the advantage of avoiding accidents. Our anchored-buoy OBS was based on a system used in fisheries. We deployed three anchored-buoy OBSs in the source region where the water depth was approximately 80 m on July 5, 2019, and two of the OBSs were recovered on July 13, 2019. Temporary land seismic stations with a three-component seismometer were also installed. The arrival times of P- and S-waves were read from the records of the OBSs and land stations, and we located hypocenters with correction for travel time. A preliminary location was performed using absolute travel time and final hypocenters were obtained using the double-difference method. The aftershocks were distributed at a depth range of 2.5 km to 10 km and along a plane dipping to the southeast. The plane formed by the aftershocks is consistent with the focal mechanism of the mainshock. The activity region of the aftershocks was positioned in the upper part of the upper crust. Focal mechanisms were estimated using the polarity of the first arrivals. Although many aftershocks had a reverse-fault focal mechanism similar to the focal solution of the mainshock, normal-fault type and strike–slip fault type focal mechanisms were also estimated.Graphical

Subsurface Structure Models Of Sumbawa Island And Flores Back Arc Thrust Based On Gravity Data

Based on the BMKG report on Wednesday, July 29, 2018, at 05.47 WIB, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 SR occurred at the epicenter at a depth of 24 km and was 47 km northeast of the island of Lombok. They are allegedly originating from the Back Arc Thrust Flores, the interaction between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian plate. This study aims to analyze the subsurface structure of the island of Sumbawa and Flores sea based on the distribution of density values. The analysis was carried out by modeling the subsurface structure based on regional gravity field anomaly data. The data used is secondary data downloaded from the topex.ucsd.edu page 18,400 measuring points. Data processing consists of data correction, separation of anomalies, determination of the Second Vertical Derivative (SVD) value, and 3D and 2D inversion modeling. The data corrections performed are Bouguer correction and terrain correction to produce the total gravity anomaly value. Upward continuation is used to separate regional anomalies and residual anomalies. Analysis of the Second Vertical Derivative (SVD) value was carried out to identify rock contact positions and fault structures. The 3D inversion modeling is done by making a mesh model, and to get a 2D cross-section, six slices are used in the 3D model. The results of the 3D model and 2D cross-section, namely the island of Sumbawa to the Back Arc Thrust zone of Flores, consists of 3 main layers comprised of the upper crust with a density of 2.29 gr/cc - 2.63 gr/cc, the middle crust with a density of 2.64 gr/cc - 2.90 gr/cc, and the lower crust with a density of 2.91 gr/cc - 3.14 gr/cc, and based on the model and SVD value, it shows that the Flores back fault, the reverse fault type, starts at a depth of ± 26 km

Seismic source characteristics of the 2016 Pedernales-Ecuador earthquake (Mw 7.8)

The 2016 Pedernales earthquake (Mw 7.8), is part of the sequence of large earthquakes in Ecuador and Colombia: 1906 (~8.8 Mw), 1942 (Mw 7.8), 1958 (Mw 7.7), 1979 (Mw 8.2), all these events with a focal mechanism of the thrust fault type. In this research, we have obtained the seismic source distribution (indicating the presence of 2 main asperities), from inversion of teleseismic signals, as well as the parameters of the seismic rupture process: focal mechanism that indicates a type of inverse fault (strike = 25∘, dip = 12∘, rake = 118∘) for a focal depth of 23 km and the source time function indicating a composite event, the duration of the rupture process was around 70 s, assuming an average rupture velocity of 3.0 km/s. The seismic moment was calculated at 5.77×1020 Nm, equivalent to a magnitude of Mw 7.8. The smallest asperity is located around the epicentre and the main asperity is located around the coastline to the south-west from the epicentre. The maximum dislocation or slip was 3.75 m. The coseismic vertical displacement is not conductive to the generation of a large tsunami, as it is around 1 m only. The zone of Pedernales have a Coulomb stress transfer of 22 bar, therefore, this area is loaded with stresses and is a potentially seismic zone for an upcoming earthquake.

Bolkardağı-Bozkır Birlikleri ile Ulukışla Havzası Sınırının Jeolojik Karakteri ve Bölgenin Yapısal Evrimi

The character of the boundary between the tectonic units in the Central Taurides and the Ulukışla Basin is controversial. The contact has been accepted as discordant or tectonic contact by different researchers. The deformation data of the units in the study area provide important information about the Mesozoic - Cenozoic period geological developments of the region. Regional compression in NW - SE direction has caused the development of fold, foliation and reverse fault type structures in the units in the study area. Similar structural deformations are observed in the rock units defined in the Ulukışla Basin as well. In this study, structural data were collected from the field in order to determine the deformation pattern and contact relations of the units in the region. Field data and structural analysis reveal that the contact between the Ulukışla Basin deposits and the Bolkardağı Unit in the study area is of 70° - 80° southeast dipping reverse fault character. These structural data in the region were interpreted as the product of a movement from southeast to northwest.

Focal mechanisms and the stress field in the aftershock area of the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake (MJMA\u2009=\u20096.7)

The tectonic stress field was investigated in and around the aftershock area of the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake (MJMA = 6.7) occurred on 6 September 2018. We deployed 26 temporary seismic stations in the aftershock area for approximately 2 months and located 1785 aftershocks precisely. Among these aftershocks, 894 focal mechanism solutions were determined using the first-motion polarity of P wave from the temporary observation and the permanent seismic networks of Hokkaido University, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), and High Sensitivity Seismograph Network Japan (Hi-net). We found that (1) the reverse faulting and the strike-slip faulting are dominant in the aftershock area, (2) the average trend of P- and T-axes is 78° ± 33° and 352° ± 51°, respectively, and (3) the average plunge of P- and T-axes is 25° ± 16° and 44° ± 20°, respectively: the P-axis is close to be horizontal and the T-axis is more vertical than the average of the P-axes. We applied a stress inversion method to the focal mechanism solutions to estimate a stress field in the aftershock area. As a result, we found that the reverse fault type stress field is dominant in the aftershock area. An axis of the maximum principal stress (σ1) has the trend of 72° ± 7° and the dipping eastward of 19° ± 4° and an axis of the intermediate principal stress (σ2) has the trend of 131° ± 73° and the dipping southward of 10° ± 9°, indicating that both of σ1- and σ2-axes are close to be horizontal. An axis of the minimum principal stress (σ3) has the dipping westward of 67° ± 6° that is close to be vertical. The results strongly suggest that the reverse-fault-type stress field is predominant as an average over the aftershock area which is in the western boundary of the Hidaka Collision Zone. The average of the stress ratio R = (σ1 − σ2)/(σ1 − σ3) is 0.61 ± 0.13 in the whole aftershock area. Although not statistically significant, we suggest that R decreases systematically as the depth is getting deep, which is modeled by a quadratic polynomial of depth.

KAJI-SAIEARTHQUAKEonNovember 14, 2014 withКР=13.7, Mw=5.4, I0=7 (Kyrgyzstan, SouthernIssyk-Kul’)

Information on the earthquake with Mw=5.4 that occurred on the southern coast of the Issyk-Kul lake on the southwestern slope of the Tegerek mountains (Kyrgyzstan) on November 14, 2014 is given. The epicenter is located in the Jumgalo-Terskey zone, identified as the Tonsky block, in which felt earthquakes with intensity up to 7 have occurred repeatedly. 231 aftershocks were recorded in the first day, in the second day – 13 aftershocks, then seismic activity decreased. Most of the aftershocks are localized in the depth range of 17–21 km, close to the depth of the main shock (h=20 km). The earthquake had the reverse fault type. Macroseismic survey was fulfilled only in the epicentral zone due to the complex weather conditions (late autumn, highlands). The theoretical isoseismal map was created for receiving the more complete picture of the earthquake impact outside of its epicentral zone.

Possible Source of the Deep Earthquake of October 15, 2018 in the Sea of Azov

Earthquakes in the Sea of Azov are quite commonplace. Until now, the idea of ​​their nature has focused on tectonic processes in the Earth’s crust. In our work, using morphotectonic analysis, we examined on a lithospheric scale the geodynamic situation in the collision zone of the East Black Sea Plate and the margin of the East European Platform, in order to show that not only in the crust, but also in the lower lithosphere, the necessary tectonic prerequisites exist for the accumulation of seismic energy with subsequent release in the form of earthquakes. Based on a case study of an earthquake that occurred on October 15, 2018, in the Sea of Azov, we showed the possible causes of its occurrence for two options of solving the seismological problem, obtained by the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences and including in the solution according to V.Yu. Burmin’s method. The following focal parameters are published on the Geophysical Survey website: latitude, 46.36; longitude, 37.18; depth, 5 km; mb= 4.3. The focal parameters were obtained for the solution using the Burmin method: latitude, 46.42564; longitude, 37.24274; H = 133.4 km. The mechanisms of two solutions were constructed; for a source with a depth of 5 km, the focal mechanism was obtained: a reverse fault, with the source confined to the intersection of Kalmius-Dzhiginsky and the Main Azov faults; for 133.4 km, a strike-slip fault, with the source confined to the intersection of the Gubkinsky-Central Azov, Kalmius-Dzhiginsky, and the Main Azov faults. The constructed model of collision of the continental lithosphere of the East European Platform and the subducting East Black Sea Plate shows that under conditions of weak compressive forces from the side of the Arabian indenter, a pseudosubduction situation is formed, as a result of which shear stresses occur in the deformable frontal part of the continental lithosphere of the East European Platform, transitioning to a reverse fault along the line of shear. During this process, seismic energy is accumulated, accompanied by weak and moderate earthquakes, of a reverse-fault type for the earth’s crust in the region of the Azov Rise, and a normal-fault type in the lower part of the wedge of the continental lithosphere as a result of its destruction. Regional morphotectonic analysis did not allow us to choose the most probable focal mechanism for the earthquake. However, it is noteworthy that the results of our research have shown that the occurrence of deep earthquakes has all the necessary tectonic prerequisites, despite the well-established opinion of seismologists about the exclusively crustal location of earthquakes in this region.

Methodology for failure mode prediction of onshore buried steel pipelines subjected to reverse fault rupture

Oil and gas buried steel pipelines are vulnerable to permanent ground displacements, such as those resulting from tectonic fault activation. The dominant failure mechanism is strongly dependent on the type of faulting. The more complex case is the reverse fault type because the crossing pipeline is significantly compressed and bent and consequently, it may fail due to local buckling, upheaval buckling or tensile weld fracture. Which among those failure modes will be critical, depends on a set of parameters, comprising fault crossing geometry, diameter to thickness ratio (D/t) of the pipeline, pipeline steel grade, and backfill soil properties. An extensive parametric study is carried out, followed by statistical processing of the results in order to formulate simplified statistical models for the prediction of the predominant failure mode according to criteria set by the American Lifelines Alliance and EN 1998-4 standards. The study thus offers the first comprehensive attempt to quantify the qualitative criterion that deeply buried pipes with high D/t ratio tend to buckle locally, while shallowly buried pipes with low D/t ratio tend to buckle globally. Pipe designers may use the provided expressions to predict the predominant failure mode in order to either apply the necessary seismic countermeasures or re-design the pipeline if necessary.

Identification of Fault Structure in Lombok region, West Nusa Tenggara using Tomography Lombok Earthquake Data of July-August 2018

Lombok and Nusa Tenggara are one of the regions in Indonesia that have quite complex tectonic arrangements. With this order, not infrequently in the region there are often natural disaster phenomena. One of the most striking things is the occurrence of a series of earthquakes of magnitude Mw > 5.0 that rocked the northern region of the Island of Lombok on 29 July 2018 (Mw = 6.4), 5 August 2018 (Mw = 6.9), 9 August 2018 (Mw = 5.9), 19 August 2018 (Mw = 6.3 and 6.9) and 25 August 2018 (Mw = 5.5). This study aims to identify the condition of tectonic structures under the surface of the earthquake occurring region using the tomography method. This method utilizes earthquake travel time data recorded at 15 BMKG seismic stations. The tomogram results show the contrast of anomalous values in the Vp and Vs models. The contrast of the anomalous is associated with the presence of fault structures that have an allowance angle of about ± 20-30° and a thrust fault type, verified by focal mechanism ball data. This thrust fault is then indicated as the cause of the occurrence of earthquakes with magnitude Mw > 5.0, which shook the northern part of the island of Lombok in July-August 2018. According to the tomography result, the fault is located closer to the north side of Lombok Island than Flores Back arc Thrust.

A study on the potential of tsunamigenic earthquakes in Java Subduction Zones

Subduction zone is a source of tectonic earthquakes that has potential to cause a tsunami. The study aims to obtain the estimation of earthquake parameter as a tsunami generator. Earthquake parameters were analyzed by using the scaling law theory for thrust fault type in the subduction zone. This study employed three magnitude scenarios, namely 8.9, 9.0 and 9.2 taken from the National Earthquake Study Center (Pusgen) of Indonesia and Blaser’s Equation. The results of model design in a vertical displacement indicated that deformation occurred on the seafloor. The results of source modeling illustrated the variations in maximum vertical displacement values for all three scenarios, namely 4,123; 5,309 and 4,831 meters based on the Blaser’s equation and 3,517; 3,183 and 4,526 meters based on the Pusgen’s data. The results of the study indicated that the value of vertical displacement can provide an estimate of the tsunami wave height at sea level.

Simultaneous Study of VLF/ULF Anomalies Associated with Earthquakes in Japan

We carried out a simultaneous study of ground-based magnetic field and lower ionospheric anomalies during major earthquakes occurring around Japan in 2010 and 2012. Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) geomagnetic field waveforms of Esashi station and Very Low Frequency (VLF) Japanese transmitter (JJY) electric signal amplitude received in Moshiri station Hokkaido during nighttime (22:00-02:00 LT) were used to minimize the local interference. Twenty earthquakes having magnitude greater than 5.5 were considered for the data analysis for two years. Nighttime amplitude fluctuations and polarization from the received VLF transmitter signal amplitude and ULF magnetic field respectively were calculated to identify anomalous signatures in relation to every earthquake. We found most earthquakes analyzed indicating VLF amplitude anomalies simultaneously occurred with ULF magnetic field anomalies within a week prior to the earthquakes. Stronger anomalies were observed for larger magnitude and shallower earthquakes. Focal mechanism of earthquakes was also examined to identify the effectiveness of generating anomaly. Both VLF and ULF anomalies were observed for reverse fault type earthquakes occurring under the strong pressure in the crust. Obtained results may indicate the common anomaly source both for VLF and ULF in the lithosphere and are consistent with currently proposed Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere (LAI) coupling scenarios during the earthquake preparation period.

Analysis of the destructive earthquakes end of 2017 (Mw 6.9) and early 2018 (Mw 6.1) south of West Java, Indonesia

On December 15, 2017, and January 23, 2018, there were destructive earthquakes to the south of West Java, Indonesia, with Mw 6.9 and Mw 6.1, respectively. We have determined the hypocenter location for both mainshocks through re-picking of the Pand S-wave arrival times recorded by the Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) seismic stations in West Java and its vicinity. We have then relocated the aftershocks for both events. We have also conducted focal mechanism analysis to estimate the type of fault slip. Our results show the 2017 and 2018 events occurred in the intra-slab at 108.6 km and 46.5 km depths, respectively. The focal mechanism solution shows a thrust fault type with the strike direction almost perpendicular to the trench for the 2017 event, and it is almost parallel to the trench for the 2018 event.

Geological characteristics and enrichment laws of normal-pressure shale gas in the basin-margin transition zone of SE Chongqing

The southeastern Sichuan Basin and its basin-margin transition zone (hereinafter referred to as “the basin-margin transition zone of SE Chongqing”) is the focus of normal-pressure shale gas exploration in China. In order to summarize the geological characteristics and enrichment laws of shale gas in the basin-margin transition zone of SE Chongqing, we analyzed the geological characteristics of shale gas reservoirs in the Nanchuan–Wulong area of this transition zone from the aspects of sedimentary formation, tectonic reworking and production characteristics by using geophysical, drilling, logging and testing data, and then we compared it with the overpressure shale gas reservoirs in the Jiaoshiba Block. Finally, we explored the main factors controlling the enrichment & high yields of normal-pressure shale gas in this transition zone and their hydrocarbon accumulation patterns. And the following research results were obtained. (1) Different from the over-pressure shale gas reservoirs in Jiaoshiba Block, the normal-pressure shale gas reservoirs in this transition zone are characterized by lower organic porosities, more developed micro-fractures, higher ratios of adsorbed gas, greater differences of stresses in two directions, lower geothermal gradients, lower formation pressure coefficients, higher initial fluid production rates and higher fluid flowback rates. (2) The enrichment & high yields of normal-pressure shale gas in this area is mainly controlled by three factors, i.e., carbon-rich, silicate-rich and graptolite-rich shale, organic pores, and tectonic stress field, among which, the first factor controlled by deepwater continental shelf facies is the basis of shale gas enrichment, the second is the main controlling factor of shale gas enrichment, and the third is the key factor of high-yield shale gas. (3) The hydrocarbon accumulation patterns of normal-pressure shale gas reservoirs in the transition zone can be divided into four types, including the anticline type, the syncline type, the slope type and the reverse fault type. And the enrichment & high-yield characteristics of shale gas in different hydrocarbon accumulation patterns are also clarified. In conclusion, the research results enrich the geological theory of enrichment & high-yield laws of normal-pressure shale gas and provide a support for the exploration and development of normal-pressure shale gas in complex structures.

Focal Mechanism of Volcano-tectonic Earthquakes at Merapi Volcano, Indonesia

Merapi (2968 m), located in central Java, is one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in Indonesia. The volcano has repeated episodes of dome growth and collapse, producing pyroclastic flows during historical time. Volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes have been classified into deep (VTA) and shallow one (VTB). Since August 2000, number of VT events (M=1.0-1.6) had increased, and pyroclastic flows have successively occurred from the middle of January, 2001. The focal zone vertically extends to about 4 km deep beneath the summit. VTA events are located at the depth 2.2-4.1 km and the VTB ones at the depth shallower than 1.3 km. An aseismic zone is observed around 1.3-2.2 km deep between the hypocenter zones of the two types of VT earthquakes, interpreted as shallow magma storage. Focal mechanism of VT events was estimated by using both polarity and amplitude of P-wave first motions at 4 seismic stations, assuming double couple mechanism and homogenous medium. Determined focal mechanisms for VTA events are of normal-fault types. VTA events might originate by increase in horizontal tension when magma rose up from deeper portion. Orientation of their T-axes is nearly horizontal in NEE-SWW direction which might be affected by the E-W regional tectonic stress. As for the VTB, normal fault types dominate the deep VTB zone, while at the shallow part, both reverse fault and normal fault types are originated. The pressure increases at shallow magma storage may cause generation of deep VTB events of normal fault types. As VTB events frequently originated, corresponding to increase of multiphase (MP) events which are related to growth of lava dome, shallow VTB events of reverse fault type might be generated by horizontal compression related to pressure decrease in magma conduit due to extrusion of lava and gases, and occasionally by pressure increase at the shallow part due to accumulation of magma or volcanic gases.

Source rupture process of the 2015 Gorkha, Nepal Mw7.9 earthquake and its tectonic implications

On 25 April, 2015, an Mw7.9 earthquake occurred in Nepal, which caused great economic loss and casualties. However, almost no surface ruptures were observed. Therefore, in order to interpret the phenomenon, we study the rupture process of the earthquake to seek answers. Inversion of teleseismic body-wave data is applied to estimate the rupture process of the 2015 Nepal earthquake. To obtain stable solutions, smoothing and non-negative constraints are introduced. 48 teleseismic stations with good coverage are chosen. Finite fault model is established with length and width of 195 km and 150 km, and we set the initial seismic source parameters referring to CMT solutions. Inversion results indicate that the focal mechanism of this earthquake is a thrust fault type, and the strike, dip and rake angle are in accordance with CMT results. The seismic moment is 0.9195 × 1021 Nm (Mw7.9), and source duration is about 70 s. The rupture nucleated near the hypocenter and then propagated along the dip direction to the southeast, and the maximum slip amounts to 5.2 m. Uncertainties on the amount of slip retrieved by different inversion methods still exist, the overall characteristics are inconsistent. The lack of shallow slip during the 2015 Gorkha earthquake implies future seismic hazard and this region should be paid more attention to.

Estimation of the 2010 Mentawai tsunami earthquake rupture process from joint inversion of teleseismic and strong ground motion data

Joint inversion of teleseismic body-wave data and strong ground motion waveforms was applied to determine the rupture process of the 2010 Mentawai earthquake. To obtain stable solutions, smoothing and non-negative constraints were introduced. A total of 33 teleseismic stations and 5 strong ground motion stations supplied data. The teleseismic and strong ground motion data were separately windowed for 150 s and 250 s and band-pass filtered with frequencies of 0.001–1.0 Hz and 0.005–0.5 Hz, respectively. The finite-fault model was established with length and width of 190 km and 70 km, and the initial seismic source parameters were set by referring to centroid moment tensor (CMT) solutions. Joint inversion results indicate that the focal mechanism of this earthquake is thrust fault type, and the strike, dip, and rake angles are generally in accordance with CMT results. The seismic moment was determined as 5.814 × 1020 Nm (Mw7.8) and source duration was about 102 s, which is greater than those of other earthquakes of similar magnitude. The rupture nucleated near the hypocenter and then propagated along the strike direction to the northwest, with a maximum slip of 3.9 m. Large uncertainties regarding the amount of slip retrieved using different inversion methods still exist; however, the conclusion that the majority of slip occurred far from the islands at very shallow depths was found to be robust. The 2010 Mentawai earthquake was categorized as a tsunami earthquake because of the long rupture duration and the generation of a tsunami much larger than was expected for an earthquake of its magnitude.