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Complicated Source Rupture Process and Induced Coseismic Surface Deformation of the Wenchuan Mw 7.9 Earthquake and Their Tectonic Implications

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Earthquake Geology and Tectonophysics around Eastern Tibet and Taiwan

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Abstract

The source rupture processes and coseismic surface rupture of the Wenchuan earthquake are recognized as having the complicated patterns of a great earthquake. In this article, we review some of the Wenchuan earthquake source studies conducted by scientists from Taiwan and mainland China under the scientific cooperation of both sides of the Taiwan Strait. To clarify how these ruptures developed and their tectonic implications, we report the source imaging using two regional seismic arrays based on the back-projection method and a detailed investigation of the surface rupture in the Xiaoyudong, Sichuan area, which is the junction area of the two main surface ruptures, and of the kinematic fault rupture process. The role of the Xiaoyudong salient is thoroughly investigated, and further implications regarding earthquake rupture processes and regional tectonics are addressed.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, grant MOST 105-2923-M-006-006-MY3 and grant MOST 107-2119-M-001-048 and 108-2119-M-001-019. Thanks to Elsevier for granting permission to use several figures of this study which revised from its original publications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

    Bor-Shouh Huang

  2. Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research, National Central University, Zhongli, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Chung-Pai Chang

Authors
  1. Bor-Shouh Huang
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  2. Chung-Pai Chang
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Correspondence to Bor-Shouh Huang .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Ching-Hua Lo

  2. China Earthquake Administration, Institute of Crustal Dynamics, Beijing, China

    Xiwei Xu

  3. Eastern Taiwan Earthquake Research Center (E-TEC), National Dong Hwa University, Hualian, Taiwan

    Wen-Yen Chang

  4. Center for Integrated Research and Education of Natural Hazards, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan

    Masataka Ando

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Huang, BS., Chang, CP. (2021). Complicated Source Rupture Process and Induced Coseismic Surface Deformation of the Wenchuan Mw 7.9 Earthquake and Their Tectonic Implications. In: Lo, CH., Xu, X., Chang, WY., Ando, M. (eds) Earthquake Geology and Tectonophysics around Eastern Tibet and Taiwan. Atmosphere, Earth, Ocean & Space. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6210-5_1

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