Abstract
From 14:28 (GMT+8) on May 12th, 2008, the origin time of M S 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake, to December 31th, 2008, more than 10 000 aftershocks (M≥2.0) had been recorded by the seismic networks in Sichuan and surrounding areas. Using double difference algorithm, the main shock and more than 7 000 aftershocks were relocated. The aftershocks distribute about 350 km long. The depths of aftershocks are mainly between 10 km and 20 km. The average depth of aftershocks is about 13 km after relocation. In the southwest, the distribution of aftershocks is along the back-range fault, the central-range fault and the front-range fault of Longmenshan faults. In the middle, the distribution of aftershocks is along the central-range fault. In the north, aftershocks are relocated along the Qingchuan-Pingwu fault. Relocations suggest that the back-range fault mainly induced and controlled the aftershock occurrence in the northern section of aftershocks sequence. The M S 8.0 main shock is between central-range and front-range of Longmenshan faults and is near the shear plane of the fault bottom. From the depth distribution of aftershock sequence, it suggests that these three faults show imbricate thrust structure.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Chen J, Liu Q, Li S, Guo B, Li Y, Wang J and Qi S (2009). Seismotectonic study by relocation of the Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake sequence. Chinese J Geophys52(2): 390–397 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Deng Q, Chen S and Zhao X (1994). Tectonics, seismicity and dynamics of Longmenshan mountains and its adjacent region. Seismology and Geology16(4): 389–403 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Geiger L (1921). Probability method for determination of earthquake epicenters from arrival time only. Bull St Louis Univ 60–71.
Huang Y, Wu J, Zhang T and Zhang D (2008). Relocation of the M8.0 Wenchuan earthquake and its aftershock sequence. Science in China (Series D)51(12): 1 703–1 711.
Lü J, Su J, Jin Y, Long F, Yang Y, Zhang Z, Tang L and Li C (2008). Discussion on relocation and seismo-tectonics of the MS8.0 Wenchuan earthquake sequences. Seismology and Geology30(4): 917–925 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Waldhauser F and Ellsworth L W (2000). A double-difference earthquake location algorithm: Method and application to the northern Hayward fault. California Bull Seism Soc Am90(6): 1 353–1 368.
Wen X and Xu X (2009). Wenchuan MS8.0 Earthquake Surface Rupture Zone and Seismogenic Structure—Report of MS8.0 Earthquake Research. Seismological Press, Beijing, 15–38 (in Chinese).
Xu X, Wen X, Ye J, Mao B, Chen J, Zhou R, He H, Tian Q, He Y, Wang Z, Sun S, Feng X, Yu G, Chen L, Chen G, Yu S, Ran Y, Li X, Li C and An Y (2008). The MS8.0 Wenchuan earthquake surface ruptures and its seismogenic structure. Seismology and Geology30(3): 597–629 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Yang Z, Yu X, Zheng Y, Chen Y and Ni X (2004). Earthquake relocation and three-dimensional crustal structure of P-wave velocity in central-western China. Acta Seismologica Sinica17(1): 20–30.
Zhu A, Xu X, Diao G, Su J, Feng X, Sun Q and Wang Y (2008). Relocation of the MS8.0 Wenchuan earthquake sequence in part: Preliminary seismotectonic analysis. Seismology and Geology30(3): 759–767 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Zhao Z, Fan J, Zheng S, Hasegawa A and Horiuchi S (1997). Crustal structure and accurate hypocenter determination along the Longmenshan fault zone. Acta Seismologica Sinica10(6): 761–768.
Zhang P, Yu X, Wei X and Ran Y (2008a). Slip rates and recurrence intervals of the Longmen Shan active fault zoneand tectonic implications for the mechanism of the May 12 Wenchuan earthquake. Chinese J Geophys51(4): 1 066–1 073 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Zhang Y, Feng W, Xu L, Zhou C and Chen Y (2008b). Spatiotemporal rupture process of the 2008 Wenchuan great earthquake. Science in China (Series D)38(10): 1 186–1 194 (in Chinese).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Zhao, B., Shi, Y. & Gao, Y. Relocation of aftershocks of the Wenchuan M S 8.0 earthquake and its implication to seismotectonics. Earthq Sci 24, 107–113 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11589-011-0774-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11589-011-0774-6