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EARTHQUAKE ›› 2011, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (4): 1-14.

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On the Causes of the Spatial Distribution Complexity of the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake Sequence

LIU Pu-xiong, LU Xiao-jian   

  1. Institute of Earthquake science, CEA, Beijing 100036, China
  • Received:2011-02-02 Revised:2011-05-05 Online:2011-10-31 Published:2021-09-09

Abstract: By analyzing the aftershock data of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake with higher category of epicentral location accuracy, a clear distribution pattern of three bands of aftershocks trending NE, NWW, and NW respectively has been identified. The analysis explains that the aftershock bands have revealed the three rupture planes of strong events with magnitude 7.8, 7.1 and 6.9 respectively during the sequence. It indicates that the above pattern is related to the source and NE, NWW, and NW trending fault zones based on the research of pre-seismicity pattern. In summary, the source is located in the cross-area of the three fault zones, and the rupture planes of the three strong events located in the source should be regarded as the locked segments on the three fault zones. In conclusion, our analysis has explained the complexity of the source and epicentral distribution of the aftershock sequence.

Key words: Tangshan earthquake, Earthquake sequence, Precursory seismic activity, Source fault, Fault zone

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