Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Insights into seismicity from the perspective of the crustal stress field: a comment

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Natural Hazards Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Knowledge of the crustal stress field is critical to understanding the driving forces and processes responsible for seismicity. The purpose of this article is to systematically comment on the interaction between the stress state and seismicity, as well as the potential application value and limitations of stress/strain observations in earthquake research. In situ stress measurements and stress/strain monitoring have been employed to detect the stress/strain anomalies and the corresponding earthquake precursors, and great progress has been made. There are some correlations between seismicity and the stress field from stress monitoring before and after an earthquake. However, the relationship between stress changes and the mechanism of earthquake genesis cannot be well explained because of a lack of strong evidence. Moreover, the extremely shallow depth of stress/strain measurements relative to the focal depth limits the efficacy and persuasiveness. Therefore, it is necessary to master the mechanical state and strain energy accumulation at the earthquake source during the adjustment of the regional stress field in earthquake prediction. In addition, emphasis should be placed on investigations of the genesis of abnormal stress/strain and action mode and scope of the stress/strain to study the mechanism of earthquake precursor anomalies and earthquake focal mechanisms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amadei B, Stephansson O (1997) Rock stress and its measurement. Chaman & Hall, London, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson EM (1951) The dynamics of faulting and dyke formation with application to britainby. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakun W, Aagaard B, Dost B et al (2005) Implications for prediction and hazard assessment from the 2004 Parkfield earthquake. Nature 437:969–974. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04067

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barosh PJ (1986) Neotectonic movement, earthquakes and stress state in the eastern United States. Tectonophysics 132:117–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(86)90029-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brudy M, Zoback MD, Fuchs K et al (1997) Estimation of the complete stress tensor to 8 km depth in the KTB scientific drill holes: implications for crustal strength. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 102:18453–18475. https://doi.org/10.1029/96JB02942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byerlee J (1978) Friction of rocks. Pure Appl Geophys 116:615–626

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai MF (1995) Principles and techniques of in-situ stress measurements. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai Z (2008) A continuous crustal stress monitoring method for earthquake prediction. Pure Appl Geophys 165:1879–1889. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-008-0406-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai MF, He MC, Liu DY (2002) Rock mechanics and engineering. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai M, Peng H, Ma X, Jiang J (2009) Evolution of the in situ rock strain observed at Shandan monitoring station during the M8.0 earthquake in Wenchuan, China. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 46:952–955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.12.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen JG, Ma XG (1993) A study of the relationship between stress state and earthquakes in North China area. North China Earthq Sci 11:80–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark BR (1982) Monitoring change of stress along active faults in Southern California. J Geophys Res 86:4645–4656

    Google Scholar 

  • Cui J, Lin W, Wang L et al (2014) Determination of three-dimensional in situ stresses by anelastic strain recovery in Wenchuan earthquake fault scientific drilling project hole-1 (WFSD-1). Tectonophysics 619–620:123–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2013.09.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denham D, Alexander LG, Worotnicki G (1980) The stress field near the sites of the Meckering (1968) and Calingiri (1970) earthquakes, Western Australia. Tectonophysics 67:283–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(80)90271-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding JM, Liang GP (1984) On stress field in epicentral areas of 1976 Tangshan earthquake and 1679 Sanhe-Pinggu earthquake. Acta Seismol Sin 6:195–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng CJ, Chen QC, Li GQ et al (2014) In-situ stress measurement in Lijiang-Jianchuan area and tentative discussion on the seismic hazards on the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Geol Bull China 33:524–534

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkbeiner T, Zoback M, Flemings P, Stump B (2001) Stress, pore pressure, and dynamically constrained hydrocarbon columns in the South Eugene Island 330 field, Northern Gulf of Mexico. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 85:1007–1031

    Google Scholar 

  • Geller RJ, Jackson DD, Kagan YY, Mulargia F (1997) Earthquakes cannot be predicted. Science 275(80):1616

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardebeck JL (2012) Coseismic and postseismic stress rotations due to great subduction zone earthquakes. Geophys Res Lett 39:L21313. https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL053438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hast N (1969) The state of stress in the upper part of the earth’s crust. Tectonophysics 8:169–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Hauksson E (1994) State of stress from focal mechanisms before and after the 1992 Landers earthquake sequence. Bull Seismol Soc Am 84:917–934

    Google Scholar 

  • Heidbach O, Rajabi M, Cui XF et al (2018) The World Stress Map database release 2016: Crustal stress pattern across scales. Tectonophysics 744:484–498

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennings P, Allwardt P, Paul P et al (2012) Relationship between fractures, fault zones, stress, and reservoir productivity in the Suban gas field, Sumatra, Indonesia. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 96:753–772. https://doi.org/10.1306/08161109084

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hickman S, Zoback M (2004) Stress orientations and magnitudes in the SAFOD pilot hole. Geophys Res Lett. https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL020043

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaeger JC, Cook NGW, Zimmerman R (1979) Fundamentals of rock mechanics. Chapman and Hall Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan T, Chen Y, Gasparini P et al (2011) Operational earthquake forecasting: state of knowledge and guidelines for utilization. Ann Geophys 54:315–391. https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-5350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee JB, Chang C (2009) Slip tendency of quaternary faults in southeast Korea under current state of stress. Geosci J 13:353–361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-009-0033-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lei X, Ma S (2014) Laboratory acoustic emission study for earthquake generation process. Earthq Sci 27:627–646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11589-014-0103-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li SG (1973) Introduction to geomechanics. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Li SG (1974) Earthquake geology. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Li FQ (2011) Developing Li Siguang’s scientific thought on earthquake prediction. J Geomech 17:74–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Cai M (2018) Distribution law of in situ stress field and regional stress field assessments in the Jiaodong Peninsula, China. J Asian Earth Sci 166:66–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Li FQ, Wang LJ (1979) Stress measurements in North China. Acta Geophys Sin 22:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Li FQ, Sun SZ, Li LQ (1982) In-situ stress measurements in North China and Tancheng–Lujiang fault zone. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 1:73–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Li H, Xie FR, Wang HZ et al (2012) Characteristics of in-situ stress measurements near the fault and fault activity in Urumqi City. Chin J Geophys 55:3690–3698

    Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Cai M, Guo Q, Miao S (2018) Characteristics and implications of stress state in a gold mine in Ludong area, China. Int J Miner Metall Mater 25:1363–1372

    Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Cai MF, Guo QF, Miao SJ (2019a) In situ stress state of the northwest region of the Jiaodong Peninsula, China from overcoring stress measurements in three gold mines. Rock Mech Rock Eng 52:4497–4507

    Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Cai MF, Miao SJ, Guo QF (2019b) New insights into the current stress field around the Yishu fault zone, eastern China. Rock Mech Rock Eng 52:4133–4145

    Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Ren FH, Cai MF et al (2019c) Present-day stress state and fault stability analysis in the capital area of China constrained by in situ stress measurements and focal mechanism solutions. J Asian Earth Sci 185:104007

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao C, Zhang C, Wu M et al (2003) Stress change near the Kunlun fault before and after the Ms 8.1 Kunlun earthquake. Geophys Res Lett 30:2027–2030

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin WR, Yeh EC, Ito H et al (2007) Current stress state and principal stress rotations in the vicinity of the Chelungpu fault induced by the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan, earthquake. Geophys Res Lett 34:L1307. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL030515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin W, Yeh E-C, Hung J-H et al (2010) Localized rotation of principal stress around faults and fractures determined from borehole breakouts in hole B of the Taiwan Chelungpu-fault Drilling Project (TCDP). Tectonophysics 482:82–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2009.06.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin W, Conin M, Moore JC et al (2013) Stress state in the largest displacement area of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. Science 80(339):687–690

    Google Scholar 

  • Linde AT, Gladwin MT, Johnston MJS et al (1996) A slow earthquake sequence on the San Andreas fault. Nature 383:65–68. https://doi.org/10.1038/383065a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meng W, Chen Q, Zhao Z et al (2015) Characteristics and implications of the stress state in the Longmen Shan fault zone, eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Tectonophysics 656:1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Michael AJ (1987) Stress rotation during the Coalinga aftershock sequence. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 92:7963–7979. https://doi.org/10.1029/JB092iB08p07963

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng H, Ma XM, Jiang JJ (2008) Analysis of the volume strain data from the Shandan in-situ stress monitoring station. J Geomech 14:97–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng H, Ma X, Jiang JJ (2009) Process analysis of in-situ strain during the Ms8.0 Wenchuan earthquake-data from the stress monitoring station at Shandan. Acta Geol Sin 83:754–766. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-6724.2009.00099.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu Z (2014) On monitoring precursors of major earthquakes with dense network of borehole strainmeters. Acta Seismol Sin 36:738–749

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu ZH, Yang G, Tang L et al (2013) Abnormal strain changes observed by a borehole strainmeter at Guza Station before the Ms7 0 Lushan earthquake. Geod Geodyn 4:19–29. https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1246.2013.03019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajabi M, Tingay M, Heidbach O (2016) The present-day stress field of New South Wales, Australia. Aust J Earth Sci 63:1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Raleigh B, Evernden J (1981) Case for low deviatoric stress in the lithosphere. In: Mechanical behavior of crustal rocks. American Geophysical Union (AGU), pp 173–186

  • Reasenberg PA, Simpson RW (1992) Response of regional seismicity to the static stress change produced by the Loma Prieta earthquake. Science 80(255):1687–1690

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid HF (1910) Mechanics of the earthquake, the California Earthquake of April 18, 1906. Report of the State Investigation Commission, Washington, D.C

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid HF (1991) The elastic rebound theory of earthquakes. Univ Calif Publ Bull Dep Geol 6:416–444

    Google Scholar 

  • Sacks IS, Evertson DW (1971) Sensitive borehole strain-rate meter. Carnegie Inst Washingt Yearb 68:448–453

    Google Scholar 

  • Sacks IS, Linde AT, Suyehiro S, Snoke JA (1978) Slow earthquakes and stress redistribution. Nature 275:599–602. https://doi.org/10.1038/275599a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakaguchi K, Yokoyama T (2017) Changes in in-situ rock stress before and after the major 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. Procedia Eng 191:768–775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.05.243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibson RH, Rowland JV (2003) Stress, fluid pressure and structural permeability in seismogenic crust, North Island, New Zealand. Geophys J Int 154:584–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson D, Duffield W, Fiske R (1976) Displacement of the south flank of Kilauea Volcano: the result of forceful intrusion of magma into the rift zone. US Geol Surv Prof Pap 963:1–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan CX, Zhang P, Feng CJ et al (2014) An approach to deep borehole crustal stress measuring and real-time monitoring and its application in seismogeology research in Capital Beijing region. Acta Geol Sin 88:1436–1452

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan CX, Zhang P, Lu SL et al (2019) Significance and role of in-situ crustal stress measuring and real-time monitoring in earthquake prediction research. J Geomech 25:866–876

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka Y, Oka Y (1979) Generation mechanism of rock bursts and water induced earthquakes under the tectonic stress field. Rock Mech Japan 3:183–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka Y, Fujimori K, Otsuka S (1998) In-situ stress measurement and prediction of great earthquake. Earthquake 50:201–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Townend J, Zoback MD (2000) How faulting keeps the crust strong. Geology 28:399–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Wu XP, Zhao T (2011) Influence of source parameters of the 2011 Yushu earthquake on its coulomb failure stress calculation and on aftershock activity. Acta Seismol Sin 33:595–604

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang CH, Song CK, Guo QL et al (2015) New insights into stress changes before and after the Wenchuan Earthquake using hydraulic fracturing measurements. Eng Geol 194:98–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Wesson R, Boyd O (2007) Stress before and after the 2002 Denali fault earthquake. Geophys Res Lett. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL029189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams JDO, Fellgett MW, Quinn MF (2016) Carbon dioxide storage in the Captain Sandstone aquifer: determination of in situ stresses and fault-stability analysis. Pet Geosci 22:211–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu ML, Zhang CS, Liao CT et al (2005) The recent state of stress in the central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau according to in-situ stress measurements. Chinese J Geophys 48:327–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu ZH, Chen QC, Barosh P et al (2013) Stress rise precursor to earthquakes in the Tibetan Plateau. Nat Sci 5:46–55. https://doi.org/10.4236/ns.2013.58A1006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu M, Zhang C, Fan T (2016) Stress state of the Baoxing segment of the southwestern Longmenshan Fault Zone before and after the Ms 7.0 Lushan earthquake. J Asian Earth Sci 121:9–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2016.02.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyss M, Kovach RL (1988) Comment on “A single-force model for the 1975 Kalapana, Hawaii, Earthquake” by Holly K. Eissler and Hiroo Kanamori. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 93:8078–8082

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyss M, Aceves R, Park S et al (1997) Cannot earthquakes be predicted? Science 80(278):487–490. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.278.5337.487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie FR, Chen QC, Cui XF et al (2003) Crustal stress in China. Geological Publishing House, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie FR, Zhang HY, Du Y (2010) The recent tectonic stress districts and strong earthquakes in China. In: ISRM international symposium on in-situ rock stress, Beijing, pp 35–40

  • Xie FR, Zhang HY, Cui XF, Al (2011) The modern tectonic stress field and strong earthquakes in China. Recent Dev World Seismol (1):4–12

  • Yamashita F, Fukuyama E, Omura K (2004) Estimation of fault strength: reconstruction of stress before the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Science 306:261–263. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1101771

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zoback ML (1992) First- and second-order patterns of stress in the lithosphere: the world stress map project. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 97:11703–11728. https://doi.org/10.1029/92JB00132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zoback MD, Healy JH (1992) In situ stress measurements to 3.5 km depth in the Cajon Pass Scientific Research Borehole: implications for the mechanics of crustal faulting. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 97:5039–5057. https://doi.org/10.1029/91JB02175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zoback ML, Zoback MD, Adams J et al (1989) Global patterns of tectonic stress. Nature 341:291–298. https://doi.org/10.1038/341291a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zoback ML, Magee M, Whitmarsh RB et al (1991) Stress magnitudes in the crust: constraints from stress orientation and relative magnitude data. Philos Trans R Soc London Ser A Phys Eng Sci 337:181–194. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.1991.0115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zoback MD, Barton CA, Brudy M et al (2003) Determination of stress orientation and magnitude in deep wells. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 40:1049–1076

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research is financially supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. FRF-TP-20-041A1), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. U2034206 and No. 52074020) and the State Key Research Development Program of China (No. 2016YFC0600801).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Peng Li & Mei-feng Cai

  2. Key Laboratory of High-Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines (Ministry of Education of China), University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Peng Li & Mei-feng Cai

  3. Beijing Key Laboratory of Urban Underground Space Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Peng Li & Mei-feng Cai

Authors
  1. Peng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mei-feng Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peng Li.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, P., Cai, Mf. Insights into seismicity from the perspective of the crustal stress field: a comment. Nat Hazards 111, 1153–1178 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-021-05124-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-021-05124-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation