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The Crustal Structure and Seismic Activity in North China
Author(s) -
Rui Feng,
Guifang Huang,
Shuzhen Zheng,
Jun Wang,
Huifen Yan,
Ruoshui Zhang
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
acta geologica sinica ‐ english edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.444
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1755-6724
pISSN - 1000-9515
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-6724.1989.mp2004002.x
Subject(s) - geology , crust , seismology , diapir , induced seismicity , terrane , depth sounding , upper crust , mantle (geology) , tectonics , geophysics , oceanography
A layered crustal block model of North China has been constructed based on large amount of data from seismic sounding carried out in recent two decades. Some deep fault zones, such as the Zhangjiakou‐Penglai and Tancheng‐Lujiang fault zones, divide the upper crust of North China into three upper crustal terranes and nine bolcks. There are distinct differences in velocity and depth distributions, which reflects Cenozoic block faulting in North China in the process of formation of the deep structure. The upper crust shows the features of transition in isostatic adjustment. The existence of a low‐velocity layer in the middle crust is characteristic of the crustal structure in North China. There seems to be an increase of rheology of the rocks in the lower crust and a persistence of stable regional stress field. The patterns of the Moho on two sides of the Yanshan‐Taihang Mountains are different. The relief of the Moho around Beijing, Shijiazhuang and Guangrao where the deep faults join together shows a quadrantal distribution in some degree. The dynamic sources for seismic activity are the NE‐SW horizontal compression and the diapirism of the upper mantle. The middle and upper crust, especially the layered block structure has the most significant effects on seismicity, and the occurrence of earthquakes is more closely related to them than to the Moho.