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Tectonic stress accumulation in Bohai–Zhangjiakou Seismotectonic Zone based on 3D visco-elastic modelling

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Abstract

Future earthquake potential in the Bohai–Zhangjiakou Seismotectonic Zone (BZSZ) in North China deserves close attention. Tectonic stress accumulation state is an important indicator for earthquakes; therefore, this study aims to analyse the stress accumulation state in the BZSZ via three-dimensional visco-elastic numerical modelling. The results reveal that the maximum shear stress in the BZSZ increases gradually as the depth increases, and the stress range is wider in the lower layer. In the upper layer, the maximum shear stress is high in the Zhangjiakou area, whereas in the lower layer, relatively high values occur in the Penglai–Yantai area, which may be affected by the depth of the Moho surface. Besides, weak fault zones will be easily fractured when the maximum shear stress is not sufficiently high due to their low strengths, resulting in earthquakes. Therefore, based on the modelling results, the upper layer of the Zhangjiakou area and the lower layer of the Penglai–Yantai area in the BZSZ in North China are more likely to experience earthquakes.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express our deep gratitude to the two anonymous reviewers and the Associate Editor, Dr K Krishnamoorthy for their constructive comments and suggestions which improved this manuscript in many aspects. We wish to thank the China Earthquake Networks Center and the International Scientific and Technical Data Mirror Site, Computer Network Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences for earthquake data and topographic maps. This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 2015QNA69) and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Educations Institutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resources and Geoscience, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    Ju Wei & Sun Weifeng

  2. College of Resources, Shijiazhuang University of Economics, Shijiazhuang, 050031, China

    Ma Xiaojing

  3. Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    Ma Xiaojing & Jiang Hui

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  1. Ju Wei
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Correspondence to Ju Wei.

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Corresponding editor: K Krishnamoorthy

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Wei, J., Weifeng, S., Xiaojing, M. et al. Tectonic stress accumulation in Bohai–Zhangjiakou Seismotectonic Zone based on 3D visco-elastic modelling. J Earth Syst Sci 125, 1021–1031 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-016-0706-x

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