Earthquake Research Advances最新文献

We present a detailed catalog of 13 671 earthquakes in the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ) that spans January 1, 2005 to July 31, 2020. We apply a matched filter detection technique on over 15 years of continuous data, resulting in arguably the most complete catalog of seismicity in the ETSZ yet. The magnitudes of newly detected events are determined by computing the amplitude ratio between the detections and templates using a principal component fit. We also compute the b-value for the new catalog and comparatively relocate a subset of newly detected events using XCORLOC and hypoDD, which shows a more defined structure at depth. We find the greatest concentration along and to the east of the New York-Alabama Lineament, as defined by the magnetic anomaly, supporting the argument that this feature likely is related to the generation of seismicity in the ETSZ. We examine seismicity in the vicinity of the Watts Bar Reservoir, which is located about 5 ​km from the epicenter of the M_W 4.4 December 12, 2018 Decatur, Tennessee earthquake, and find possible evidence for reservoir modulated seismicity in this region. We also examine seismicity in the entire ETSZ to search for a correlation between shallow earthquakes and seasonal hydrologic changes. Our results show limited evidence for hydrologically-driven shallow seismicity due to seasonal groundwater levels in the ETSZ, which contradicts previous studies hypothesizing that most intraplate earthquakes are associated with the dynamics of hydrologic cycles.

This study constructs a preliminary inventory of landslides triggered by the M_S 6.8 Luding earthquake based on field investigation and human-computer interaction visual interpretation on optical satellite images. The results show that this earthquake triggered at least 5 007 landslides, with a total landslide area of 17.36 ​km², of which the smallest landslide area is 65 ​m² and the largest landslide area reaches 120 747 ​m², with an average landslide area of about 3 500 ​m². The obtained landslides are concentrated in the IX intensity zone and the northeast side of the seismogenic fault, and the area density and point density of landslides are 13.8%, and 35.73 ​km⁻² peaks with 2 ​km as the search radius. It should be noted that the number of landslides obtained in this paper will be lower than the actual situation because some areas are covered by clouds and there are no available post-earthquake remote sensing images. Based on the available post-earthquake remote sensing images, the number of landslides triggered by this earthquake is roughly estimated to be up to 10 000. This study can be used to support further research on the distribution pattern and risk evaluation of the coseismic landslides in the region, and the prevention and control of landslide hazards in the seismic area.

Relative seismic velocity change (dv/v) is important for monitoring changes in subsurface material properties and evaluating earthquake-induced rock slope damage in a geological disaster-prone region. In this paper, we present a rapid damage assessment on three slow-moving rock slopes by measuring dv/v decrease caused by the 2022 ​M_S 6.8 Luding earthquake in Southwest China. By applying the stretching method to the cross-correlated seismic wavefields between sensors installed on each slope, we obtain earthquake-induced dv/v decreases of ∼2.1%, ∼0.5%, and ∼0.2% on three slopes at distances ranging from ∼86 to ∼370 ​km to the epicenter, respectively. Moreover, based on seismic data recorded by 16 sensors deployed on the rock slope at a distance of ∼370 ​km away from the epicenter, a localized dv/v decease region was observed at the crest of the slope by calculating the spatial dv/v images before and after the earthquake. We also derive an empirical in situ stress sensitivity of −7.29✕10⁻⁸/Pa by relating the dv/v change to the measured peak dynamic stresses. Our results indicate that a rapid dv/v assessment not only can help facilitate on-site emergency response to earthquake-induced secondary geological disasters but also can provide a better understanding of the subsurface geological risks under diverse seismic loadings.

The 2022 M_S 6.8 Luding earthquake is the strongest earthquake in Sichuan Province, Western China, since the 2017 M_S 7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake. It occurred on the Moxi fault in the southeastern segment of the Xianshuihe fault, a tectonically active and mountainous region with severe secondary earthquake disasters. To better understand the seismogenic mechanism and provide scientific support for future hazard mitigation, we summarize the preliminary results of the Luding earthquake, including seismotectonic background, seismicity and mainshock source characteristics and aftershock properties, and direct and secondary damage associated with the mainshock. The peak ground displacements in the NS and EW directions observed by the nearest GNSS station SCCM are ∼35 mm and ∼55 mm, respectively, resulting in the maximum coseismic dislocation of 20 mm along the NWW direction, which is consistent with the sinistral slip on the Xianshuihe fault. Back-projection of teleseismic P waves suggest that the mainshock rupture propagated toward south-southeast. The seismic intensity of the mainshock estimated from the back-projection results indicates a Mercalli scale of VIII or above near the ruptured area, consistent with the results from instrumental measurements and field surveys. Numerous aftershocks were reported, with the largest being M_S 4.5. Aftershock locations (up to September 18, 2022) exhibit 3 clusters spanning an area of 100 km long and 30 km wide. The magnitude and rate of aftershocks decreased as expected, and the depths became shallower with time. The mainshock and two aftershocks show left-lateral strike-slip focal mechanisms. For the aftershock sequence, the b-value from the Gutenberg-Richter frequency-magnitude relationship, h-value, and p-value for Omori’s law for aftershock decay are 0.81, 1.4, and 1.21, respectively, indicating that this is a typical mainshock-aftershock sequence. The low b-value implies high background stress in the hypocenter region. Analysis from remote sensing satellite images and UAV data shows that the distribution of earthquake-triggered landslides was consistent with the aftershock area. Numerous small-size landslides with limited volumes were revealed, which damaged or buried the roads and severely hindered the rescue process.

Grouted sleeves can effectively connect precast elements, but the effect of grouted sleeves for increased stiffness and assembled seam for weakening stiffness on the precast column's mechanical properties is unclear. Based on the full-scale test results of precast columns connected with grouted sleeves and the correctness of the numerical models, the influence analysis of the individual and coupling action of the grouted sleeves and assembled seam on the deformation and bearing capacity of the precast column is carried out. The research results show that grouted sleeves significantly affect the deformation and peak bearing capacity of precast columns; when precast columns are subjected to the action of high axial pressure, grouted sleeves significantly affect the bearing capacity. However, the influence of assembled seams on the peaking capacity of the precast column is more obvious when it was tested under low axial compression. It is recommended that the connection position should be 2 times the height of the grouted sleeve from the bottom of the foundation.

When the sliding bearing is fixed only at the top of the middle column of the underground structure, the cracks at the side end of the middle plate should be aggravated while the seismic damage of the mid-column should be alleviated. To enhance the seismic performance of the mid-plate, a new isolation design method has been mentioned while the elastic sliding bearings are set at the top of the mid-columns and between the side end of the mid-plate and the side wall at the same time. By establishing a nonlinear finite element analysis model for the static-dynamic coupling interaction system, the seismic response characteristics of the cast-in-place station structure without a sliding bearing have been analyzed and compared with those of the station structure with the sliding bearing fixed only at the top of the middle columns, and those of the station structure with sliding bearing be fixed between the mid-plate and the sidewall at the same time. The results show that the new isolation station structures suffer fewer earthquake damages at the mid-plate and mid-columns at the same time, which can improve the overall seismic performance of the subway station structure.

In this study, A time-domain seismic response analysis method and a calculation model of the underground structure that can realize the input of seismic P, SV and Rayleigh waves are established, based on the viscoelastic artificial boundary elements and the boundary substructure method for seismic wave input. After verifying the calculation accuracy, a comparative study on seismic response of a shallow-buried, double-deck, double-span subway station structure under incident P, SV and Rayleigh waves is conducted. The research results show that there are certain differences in the cross-sectional internal force distribution characteristics of underground structures under different types of seismic waves. The research results show that there are certain differences in the internal force distribution characteristics of underground structures under different types of seismic waves. At the bottom of the side wall, the top and bottom of the center pillar of the underground structure, the section bending moments of the underground structure under the incidences of SV wave and Rayleigh wave are relatively close, and are significantly larger than the calculation result under the incidence of P wave. At the center of the side wall and the top floor of the structure, the peak value of the cross-sectional internal force under the incident Rayleigh wave is larger than the calculation result under SV wave. In addition, the floor of the underground structure under Rayleigh waves vibrates in both the horizontal and vertical directions, and the magnification effect in the vertical direction is more significant. Considering that the current seismic research of underground structures mainly considers the effect of body waves such as the shear waves, sufficient attention should be paid to the incidence of Rayleigh waves in the future seismic design of shallow underground structures.

A design procedure for improving the seismic performance of unequal-span underground structures by installing isolation devices at the top end of columns is proposed based on the seismic failure mode of frame-type underground structures and the design concept of critical support columns. A two-dimensional finite element model (FEM) for a soil-underground structure with an unequal-span interaction system was established to shed light on the effects of a complex subway station with elastic sliding bearings (ESB) and lead rubber bearings (LRB) on seismic mitigation. It was found that the stiffness and internal force distribution of the underground structure changed remarkably with the installation of isolation devices at the top end of the columns. The constraints of the beam-column joints were significantly weakened, resulting in a decrease in the overall lateral stiffness and an increase in the structural lateral displacement. The introduction of the isolation device effectively reduces the internal force and seismic damage of the frame column; however, the tensile damage to the isolation structure, such as the roof, bottom plate, and sidewall, significantly increased compared to those of the non-isolation structure. Although the relative slip of the ESB remains within a controllable range under strong earthquake excitation as well as frame columns with stable vertical support and self-restoration functions, the LRB shows a better performance during seismic failure and better lateral displacement response of the unequal-span underground structure. The analysis results provide new ideas and references for promoting the application of seismic isolation technology in underground structures.

The treatment of soft soil foundation under nuclear safety grade corridors with graded sand and gravel materials has a good development prospect. It is of great engineering value to explore the influence of construction parameters of graded sand and gravel foundation on the seismic response of gallery structures. Taking the safety grade underground corridor of a nuclear power plant as the engineering background, the equivalent linear method is used to consider the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of graded sand and gravel. The energy transfer boundary is applied at the truncation boundary to simulate the dissipation effect of scattered wave fluctuation energy and the ground motion input. The thicknessless contact element is introduced to consider the contact effect between the corridor structure and the graded sand and gravel foundation, so as to establish the calculation model of the dynamic interaction between the graded sand and gravel foundation and the corridor structure. Furthermore, the influence of the relative compactness and the foundation treatment depth on the seismic response of the corridor structure is studied, and the calculation results of the acceleration response spectrum and relative displacement of the corridor structure are analyzed. The calculation results show that the two construction parameters have different degrees of influence on the seismic response of corridor structure. The research results can provide reference for the engineering design and construction of underground corridors, and provide technical support for the application of graded gravel materials in soft soil foundation treatment.