The contemporary stress field in the earth＇s crust is important and provides insights into mechanisms that drive plate motions. In this study, elastic plane stress finite element modeling incorporating realistic rock...The contemporary stress field in the earth＇s crust is important and provides insights into mechanisms that drive plate motions. In this study, elastic plane stress finite element modeling incorporating realistic rock parameters was used to calculate the stress field, displacement field, and defor- mation of the plate interactions in the eastern Mediterranean. Modeled stress data for the African- Arabian-Anatolian plate interactions with fixed European platform correlate well with observed contemporary stress indicator from the world stress map （WSM） and focal mechanism of earthquakes; while displacement field agrees qualitatively well with GPS vectors and sense of motion indicated by focal mechanisms for large crustal earthquakes （Ms〉6） and plate motion models. Modeling result shows the direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress （σHmax） toward the direction of absolute motion of these plates. Large perturbations in σHmax orientations are shown to occur in and around tectonic boundaries between those plates. It is observed that, although the African plate acts mostly as indenter, which transmits the collisional motion from the Arabian plate to the Anatolian plate, in the current situation, the far-field stress, probably from the subduction in Aegean Arc, is needed to satisfy the contemporary stress field in Anatolia.展开更多
This paper presents finite element modeling （FEM） to simulate the present-day stress field and crustal deformation using NE-SW structural section in the central Seismic Gap region of the Garhwal Himalaya. Our study ...This paper presents finite element modeling （FEM） to simulate the present-day stress field and crustal deformation using NE-SW structural section in the central Seismic Gap region of the Garhwal Himalaya. Our study deals with the effect of geometrical characteristics and rock layer parameters on the upper crust. Modeling results show that two types of tectonic regimes developed in the central Seismic Gap region： the geotectonics of the northern part has been controlled by regional compression, whereas southern part is characterized by regional extension. Correspondingly, thrust faults are induced in the northern part and normal faults are extensively developed in the southern front. Those evidences noticeably indicate that the compressive tectonic environment of the Himalaya becomes change into the extensional tectonic regime in its front. The computed shear stress accumulation along the northern fiat of Main Himalayan Thrust （MHT） implies that considerable amount of interseismic stress is building up along the MHT system in the Himalaya, which ultimately release through the possible future great Himalayan earthquake （M 〉 8）. The comparison between our modeled stress field, faulting pattern and horizontal shortening rate with the distribution of the microseismic events, focal mechanism solutions, active faulting and GPS data in the central Seismic Gap region shows good agreement.展开更多
Finite Element (FE) modeling under plane stress condition is used to analyze the fault type variation with depth along and around the San Andreas Fault (SAF) zone. In this simulation elastic rheology was used and was ...Finite Element (FE) modeling under plane stress condition is used to analyze the fault type variation with depth along and around the San Andreas Fault (SAF) zone. In this simulation elastic rheology was used and was thought justifiable as the variation in depth from 0.5 km to 20 km was considered. Series of calculations were performed with the variation in domain properties. Three types of models were created based on simple geological map of California, namely, 1) single domain model considering whole California as one homogeneous domain, 2) three domains model including the North American plate, Pacific plate, and SAF zone as separate domains, and 3) Four domains model including the three above plus the Garlock Fault zone. Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and Byerlee's law were used for the calculation of failure state. All the models were driven by displacement boundary condition imposing the fixed North American plate and Pacific plate motion along N34°W vector up to the northern terminus of SAF and N50°E vector motion for the subducting the Gorda and Juan de Fuca plates. Our simulated results revealed that as the depth increased, the fault types were generally normal, and at shallow depth greater strike slip and some thrust faults were formed. It is concluded that SAF may be terminated as normal fault at depth although the surface expression is clearly strike slip.展开更多
The Red Sea continental margin （RSCM） corresponds to a wide hinge zone between Red Sea and Arabian plate. This margin has been studied through geological and geophysical observations primarily in regard to the evolu...The Red Sea continental margin （RSCM） corresponds to a wide hinge zone between Red Sea and Arabian plate. This margin has been studied through geological and geophysical observations primarily in regard to the evolution of Red Sea rift. This margin is characterized by occurrence of thin sediments, significant onshore uplift, tectonic subsidence of the offshore sedimentary basin, active faulting and seismicity. Studies indicate that sedimentary sequences of the margin are deformed by faults and folds resulting from at least two phases of extension and a phase of uplift. During the two phases of extension due to regional plate stress the sequence was cut by set of extensional faults. While during the phase of uplift the sequence was deformed by folding and faulting. The present paper aims to clear the structural development of RSCM during these tectonic episodes, taken as particular tectonic event, by two-dimensional finite element modeling on plane strain condition. Elastic theology is assumed for the oceanic, continental and transitional crust along with syntectonic deposits. Stress field, shear stress and fault distribution suggests that mantle plume weakened the crust following rifting due to regional stress and developed the margin. These results are well consistent with those from present seismicity, active faulting and neotectonic studies.展开更多
文摘The contemporary stress field in the earth＇s crust is important and provides insights into mechanisms that drive plate motions. In this study, elastic plane stress finite element modeling incorporating realistic rock parameters was used to calculate the stress field, displacement field, and defor- mation of the plate interactions in the eastern Mediterranean. Modeled stress data for the African- Arabian-Anatolian plate interactions with fixed European platform correlate well with observed contemporary stress indicator from the world stress map （WSM） and focal mechanism of earthquakes; while displacement field agrees qualitatively well with GPS vectors and sense of motion indicated by focal mechanisms for large crustal earthquakes （Ms〉6） and plate motion models. Modeling result shows the direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress （σHmax） toward the direction of absolute motion of these plates. Large perturbations in σHmax orientations are shown to occur in and around tectonic boundaries between those plates. It is observed that, although the African plate acts mostly as indenter, which transmits the collisional motion from the Arabian plate to the Anatolian plate, in the current situation, the far-field stress, probably from the subduction in Aegean Arc, is needed to satisfy the contemporary stress field in Anatolia.
文摘This paper presents finite element modeling （FEM） to simulate the present-day stress field and crustal deformation using NE-SW structural section in the central Seismic Gap region of the Garhwal Himalaya. Our study deals with the effect of geometrical characteristics and rock layer parameters on the upper crust. Modeling results show that two types of tectonic regimes developed in the central Seismic Gap region： the geotectonics of the northern part has been controlled by regional compression, whereas southern part is characterized by regional extension. Correspondingly, thrust faults are induced in the northern part and normal faults are extensively developed in the southern front. Those evidences noticeably indicate that the compressive tectonic environment of the Himalaya becomes change into the extensional tectonic regime in its front. The computed shear stress accumulation along the northern fiat of Main Himalayan Thrust （MHT） implies that considerable amount of interseismic stress is building up along the MHT system in the Himalaya, which ultimately release through the possible future great Himalayan earthquake （M 〉 8）. The comparison between our modeled stress field, faulting pattern and horizontal shortening rate with the distribution of the microseismic events, focal mechanism solutions, active faulting and GPS data in the central Seismic Gap region shows good agreement.
文摘Finite Element (FE) modeling under plane stress condition is used to analyze the fault type variation with depth along and around the San Andreas Fault (SAF) zone. In this simulation elastic rheology was used and was thought justifiable as the variation in depth from 0.5 km to 20 km was considered. Series of calculations were performed with the variation in domain properties. Three types of models were created based on simple geological map of California, namely, 1) single domain model considering whole California as one homogeneous domain, 2) three domains model including the North American plate, Pacific plate, and SAF zone as separate domains, and 3) Four domains model including the three above plus the Garlock Fault zone. Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and Byerlee's law were used for the calculation of failure state. All the models were driven by displacement boundary condition imposing the fixed North American plate and Pacific plate motion along N34°W vector up to the northern terminus of SAF and N50°E vector motion for the subducting the Gorda and Juan de Fuca plates. Our simulated results revealed that as the depth increased, the fault types were generally normal, and at shallow depth greater strike slip and some thrust faults were formed. It is concluded that SAF may be terminated as normal fault at depth although the surface expression is clearly strike slip.
基金the Japanese Government Ministry of Education and Sports for the Monbukagakusho scholarship
文摘The Red Sea continental margin （RSCM） corresponds to a wide hinge zone between Red Sea and Arabian plate. This margin has been studied through geological and geophysical observations primarily in regard to the evolution of Red Sea rift. This margin is characterized by occurrence of thin sediments, significant onshore uplift, tectonic subsidence of the offshore sedimentary basin, active faulting and seismicity. Studies indicate that sedimentary sequences of the margin are deformed by faults and folds resulting from at least two phases of extension and a phase of uplift. During the two phases of extension due to regional plate stress the sequence was cut by set of extensional faults. While during the phase of uplift the sequence was deformed by folding and faulting. The present paper aims to clear the structural development of RSCM during these tectonic episodes, taken as particular tectonic event, by two-dimensional finite element modeling on plane strain condition. Elastic theology is assumed for the oceanic, continental and transitional crust along with syntectonic deposits. Stress field, shear stress and fault distribution suggests that mantle plume weakened the crust following rifting due to regional stress and developed the margin. These results are well consistent with those from present seismicity, active faulting and neotectonic studies.
