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A circum-earth shear zone at low-latitudes and episodic large earthquakes in it and the circum-Pacific seismic zone

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Abstract

Because of the differential motions between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres of the Earth, there exists a motion discordant zone between them. On the surface this zone consists of 13 large faults dominant with strike-slip. We call it a global shear zone at low-latitudes (E system). By statistical analysis of temporal distribution of earthquakes M w ⩾ 7.5 in the E system and the circum-Pacific (P system) during 1900–2003, we find that there exist quasi-episodic and alternative activities in and between these two systems. This phenomenon is likely associated with the half-sphere oscillation in dilation and contraction and the change of the Earth’s rotation rate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, 100029, China

    Ma Zongjin, Du Pinren & Gao Xianglin

  2. Institute of Earthquake Science, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, 100036, China

    Ren Jinwei

Authors
  1. Ma Zongjin
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  2. Du Pinren
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  3. Ren Jinwei
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  4. Gao Xianglin
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Correspondence to Ma Zongjin.

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Ma, Z., Du, P., Ren, J. et al. A circum-earth shear zone at low-latitudes and episodic large earthquakes in it and the circum-Pacific seismic zone. SCI CHINA SER D 49, 897–903 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-006-0897-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-006-0897-0

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