Statistical Analysis of Co-Seismic Surface Rupture Width and Displacement from Damage Cases

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jcte.202506412

Author(s)

Ziyi Feng1,2, Jing Tian1,2,*, Chuanwei Mei3, Jiayang Feng3, Jianyi Zhang3

Affiliation(s)

1School of Civil Engineering, Institute of Disaster Prevention, Sanhe, Hebei, China 2Key Laboratory of Building Collapse Mechanism and Disaster Prevention, China Earthquake Adminisration, Sanhe, Hebei, China 3School of Geological Engineering, Institute of Disaster Prevention, Sanhe, Hebei, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

Under specific conditions, strong earthquakes can lead to surface ruptures, forming surface deformation zones. Currently, the assessment of co-seismic surface deformation zones has become a focus in seismic geology and geotechnical earthquake engineering research. This paper employs statistical analysis of co-seismic surface deformation zones to primarily investigate geometric parameters such as zone width and vertical dislocation, and establishes a corresponding database. The results reveal significant correlations between the width of the surface deformation zone and the dislocation amount for different fault types, and establish the following relationships between zone width(W) and vertical dislocation(D): the fitting formula for strike-slip faults is W=16.2+35D; for thrust faults, it is W=14.2+3.7D; and for normal faults, it is W=29.1+4.5D. Furthermore, the feasibility of these fitting formulas for earthquakes of magnitude Ms7.0 to Ms 8.0 was verified based on measured data from historical earthquake surface deformation zones.

Keywords

Strong Earthquake; Surface Deformation Zone; Vertical Displacement; Statistical Analysis

References

[1] Jingyi Huang. Research on the method for evaluating the earthquake surface rupture. Institute of Engineering Mechanics, China Earthquake Administration,2016. [2] Wu, C., Shen, J., Shi, J., Li, J., & Xiang, Z. (2011) Surface Deformation of the Wangjiagou Fault Set in Urumqi and the Safety Distance From it, Seismology and Geology, 33.1: 56-66. [3] X. W. Xu, X. Z. Wen, J. Q. Ye, B. Q. Ma, et al. "The Ms8.0 Wenchuan Earthquake Surface Ruptures and Its Seismogenic Structure", Seismology and Geology, (2008),2008,30(3):597-629. [4] Zhao, L, Zhao, J., & Peng, X. (2011) Analysis of Surface Rupture Caused by Wenchuan Earthquake and Reference to Urban Regional Construction, Electric Technology and Civil Engineering: 1962-1965. [5] Jisheng Zhao, Jingfa Wu, Lijing Shi, et al. Distribution of Seismic Damaged Buildings along the Trace of Ground Surface Rupture Caused by the Ms 8.0 Wenchuan Earthquake. Advances in Geosciences,2012,2(1):1-22. [6] Zhang, Y., Sun, P., Shi, J., Yao, X., & Xiong, T. (2010) Investigation of Rupture Influenced Zones and Their Corresponding Safe Distances for Reconstrution after 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake, Journal of Engineering Geology, 18.03: 312-319. [7] Niu P F, Han Z J, Guo P, et al. 2024. Investigation and implication of the surace rupture width of Menyuan Ms6. 9Earthquake in Qinghai Province, 2022. Chinese J. Geophys, (in Chinese),67(2):548-570. [8] NlU Peng-fei, HAN Zhu-jun, GU0 Peng, et al. 2024. "The disaster mechanism of the M 6. 9 earthquake in Menyuan, Qinghai prov-ince,2022[1]. Seismology and Geology,46(4):761-782. [9] SHl Feng, LlANG Ming, jian, LU0 Quan-xing, et al. 2025. Seismogenie fault and coseismic suace deformation of the Dingri M 6. 8earthquake, China. Seismology and Geology,47(1):1-15. [10] F. C. Liu, J. W. Pan, H. B. Li, S. H. Hua, et al. Co-seismic surface rupture of the 2025 M.7. 1 Tingri earthquakeand potential seismic risk in southern Plateau. Acta Geologica Sinica,2025,99(3):685-703. [11] Zhang Bo-xuan, Olan Li, Li'tao, et al. 2024. Geological disasters and surace ruplures of jJanuary 23, 2024 M 7. 1 Wushi earh-quake, China. Seismology and Geology,46(1):220-234. [12] Chen Bai-xu, Yu Zhongyuan, Xiao Peng, et al. 2024. The new findings of surce ruplue zanes amd iks seismalogieal signilicamee althe eastern mirgin af Yumushan Fault, norheastem manin of Qingang plateau. Seimology ad Geolbgy, 46(3): 589-607. [13] YA0 Wen-+qian, WANG Zijun, LlU-ZENG Jing, e al. 2022. Discussion on coseismic surace ruplure length of the 2021 Mw7.4 Madoiearthquake, Qinghai, China. Seismology and Geology, 44(2):541-559. [14] Pan, J., Bai, M., Li, C., Liu, F., Li, H., Liu, D., Marie-Luce, C., Wu, K., Wang, P., Lu, H., Chen, P., & LI, C. (2021) Coseismic surface rupture and seismogenic structure of the 2021-05-22 Maduo (Qinghai) MS 7. 4 earthquake, Acta Geologica Sinica, 95.6: 1655-1670.