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EARTHQUAKE ›› 2022, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4): 89-99.doi: 10.12196/j.issn.1000-3274.2022.04.007

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Asymmetric Distribution of Moderate-Strong Earthquakes and Geodynamic Mechanism in Dongting Basin

ZHAO Zheng, YANG Pan-xin, XIONG Ren-wei, HU Chao-zhong   

  1. Institute of Earthquake Forecasting, CEA, Beijing 100036, China
  • Received:2021-03-03 Revised:2021-05-11 Published:2023-03-31

Abstract: Dongting Basin is the most active seismic area in Hunan Province, China. According to historical records, the Changde M6¾ earthquake occurred in 1631 was the largest earthquake in the province, and most of the moderate and strong earthquakes were distributed in the western margin of the basin. However, there are no strong earthquake records in the present sedimentary center. Previous studies on the basin tectonic and seismogenic believe that the strong earthquakes in this area are controlled by the normal faults of the basin depression, but it is difficult to explain the asymmetry of strong earthquake distribution. Based on the latest results of geological survey and Quaternary sedimentary research, combined with the consensus of tectonic geomorphology, low-temperature thermochronology, geophysical exploration and stress field, the causes of asymmetric distribution of moderate strong earthquakes in the basin is analyzed. In addition to deep mantle uplift and basin extension and depression, the main reason is the eastward movement of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Sichuan Basin under the eastward pushing for gravitational potentional energy, the sedimentary cap rocks in the southwestern margin of the basin are obviously compressed and uplifted, which is also the main dynamic source of earthquake occurrence in this region.

Key words: Dongting Basin, Tectonic landform, the 1631 Changde M6¾ earthquake, Depression basin, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

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