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EARTHQUAKE ›› 2022, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (3): 81-98.doi: 10.12196/j.issn.1000-3274.2022.03.006

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Analysis of the Focal Mechanism of Jiashi, Xinjiang, MS5.5 Earthquake Sequences on September 4, 2018

SUN Zhao-jie1, LI Jin2   

  1. 1. Kashgar Seismic Monitoring Center Station, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Earthquake Agency, Kashgar 844000, China;
    2. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Earthquake Agency, Urumqi 830011, China
  • Received:2021-03-31 Revised:2022-03-20 Online:2022-07-31 Published:2023-03-29

Abstract: Based on the broadband waveform recorded by Xinjiang Digital Seismic Network, we inversed the focal mechanism solutions of foreshock, mainshock, and 15 times MS≥3.0 aftershock sequences of the Jiashi MS5.5 on the September 4, 2018 by using CAP mothod and P-wave intial motion method. With the results collected from different research institutions, determination of central of focal mechanism solution is determined with the smallest square difference from several focal mechanisms of the same earthquake. The central focal mechanism of Jiashi MS5.5 mainshock had the Nodal planeⅠwith strike 144.22°/dip 87.13°/rake -175.78°; Nodal plane Ⅱ with strike 54.01°/dip 85.79°/rake -2.88°, the best centroid depth of 18 km. Those indicate that the earthquake is a strike-slip event. Calculating the results of all focal mechanism solutions, strike-slip earthquakes account for the largest proportion of all earthquakes. At the same time, other focal mechanism types of earthquakes also exist, indicating that the area has a complex stress field environment. Combined with the geological structure and focal mechanism solution type of the focal area, it is inferred that Jiashi MS5.5 is a new rupture event of the Xia Suhong blinded fault, and the node plane I is determined to be its seismogenic fault plane. A preliminary analysis is made on the similarities and differences between the sequence of this Jiashi earthquake with other Jiashi strong seismic groups in 1997—1998 and 2003. Inversion of the stress field in the focal area shows that the stress field is a strike-slip stress system. The azimuth of the maximum principal stress σ1 in the region is NEE-SWW, and the stress shape ratio (R) is 0.1, indicating that the tensile stress axis is determined, and the focal area is mainly affected by the tension in the EW direction. Combined with the stress field inversion results of several strong earthquakes from 1997 to 2003, the direction of maximum principal stress caused by this earthquake rotates clockwise, which has certain indication significance for the subsequent strong earthquakes.

Key words: The 2018 Jiashi MS5.5 earthquake sequence, Focal mechanism, Stress field

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