Title: RELOCATION OF THE M_S 8.0 WENCHUAN EARTHQUAKE SEQUENCE IN PART:PRELIMINARY SEISMOTECTONIC ANALYSIS
Abstract: 2741 aftershocks of the May 12,2008 MS8.0 Wenchuan earthquake from May 12 to June 26 were relocated using the double difference algorithm to investigate tentatively the seismotectonic deformation and rupture process of the earthquake.Most relocated aftershocks occurred in the upper crust at depths of 0~20km,and fewer in the lower crust from depth of 25 to 40km,which may correspond to faulting in the lower crust.An aseismic layer appears beneath the Longmenshan thrust nappe zone between 20 and 25km depth after relocation,which may be correlated with the detachment for thrusting of the nappe zone.Spatial distribution of the relocated aftershocks and focal mechanism solutions show that the earthquake ruptured from south to north unilaterally with segmentation characteristics.The seismic belt formed by the aftershocks may be divided into two segments by the Gaochuan stepover in Anxian.The width of the seismic belt becomes narrower from south to north in map view,implying that the dip of the seismic fault may become steeper northward.The focal mechanism solutions suggest that rupturing in the south segment where the initial rupture point locates may be dominated by thrust slip with less component of strike slip,while it may have both thrust slip and dextral strike slip in the north segment.From Beichuan to the northeast end of the rupture zone,the seismic belt cannot be correlated with any fault in the north segment of the Longmenshan thrust nappe zone,even it cuts athwart the Qingchuan Fault.We can conclude that no controlling fault in the north segment of the Longmenshan thrust nappe zone was involved in earthquake generating and rupturing.The hypocenters in this part delineate a near vertical rupturing plane perpendicular to the strike of the seismic belt,and the focal mechanism solutions show great dextral strike slip component.
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 19
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