Abstract:
[Objective] The Wushi region in Xinjiang is located at the intersection of multiple tectonic units, making it a key area for stress concentration and release. Although previous studies have revealed some characteristics of the tectonic stress field in this region, there is still a lack of in-depth and systematic analysis regarding the potential impact of the 23 January 2024 Wushi M 7.1 earthquake on the regional stress field. Therefore, adopt more systematic focal mechanism data to conduct a detailed analysis of the regional tectonic stress field characteristics and to explore the influence of the Wushi M 7.1 earthquake on the regional stress field. The aim is to provide more comprehensive scientific references for understanding the regional seismogenic environment and predicting future seismic activity.[Methods] Using the damped stress tensor inversion method and incorporating data from multiple institutions, we analyzed the stress field in different subregions of the study area and compared the changes in the tectonic stress field before and after the earthquake.[Results] The results of the stress field inversion show that, except for the area near the Jiashi seismic group, the R value is greater than 0.5, and the azimuth of the maximum principal compressive stress in the Wushi region gradually rotates from approximately NNW in the south to near N—S in the north, the azimuth is from 168.75° to 183.45°, and plunge angle is from 6.85° to 19.58°, it is in a compressive stress state. The Jiashi seismic area cluster shows a strike-slip feature of NNE—SSW compression and NWW—SEE extension.The northern area of the Jiashi seismic shows a thrust stress state, while the southern area presents a strike-slip stress state. By comparing and analyzing the regional stress field changes before and after the Wushi earthquake, it is found that the optimal principal compressive stress direction before the earthquake was N—S direction, and deviated by 12.53° in azimuth after the earthquake, with a spatial rotation angle of 15.06°. This indicates that this earthquake had a relatively small impact on the stress field of this area, which meaning that the stress field did not undergo significant changes after the earthquake, and still remains in the compressive stress system. [Conclusion] The tectonic stress field in the Wushi region is subject to N—S compression from the collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate on the western margin of the Tibetan Plateau to form a strong near-north-south horizontal compression, and the stress from the plate collision is transmitted to the northeast to the Tian Shan orogenic belt, which leads to the shortening of the crust and retrograde thrusting between the Tarim Basin and the Tian Shan. The Wushi M 7.1 earthquake had a relatively minor impact on the regional stress field. The stress system of the entire area is still controlled by deep tectonic activities. The overall stress field is consistent, but the seismic cluster in northern Jiashi is located at the junction of the northern margin of the Tarim Plate and the Tianshan Mountains, presenting a thrust stress mechanism. This area is the plate tectonic transition boundary between the Tarim Basin and the Tianshan orogenic belt.[Significance] By analyzing the characteristics of the tectonic stress field in the Wushi region of Xinjiang and the impact of the Wushi M 7.1 earthquake on the regional stress field, the characteristics of the stress field and the effect of earthquakes on the regional stress field. This contributes to a deeper understanding of the tectonic relationship between the Tianshan orogenic belt and the Tarim Basin. In addition, the northern part of the Jiashi seismic exhibits a thrust stress mechanism, which is inferred to represent a tectonic transition boundary between the Tarim Basin and the Tianshan orogenic belt. This finding holds significant implications for regional tectonic segmentation and seismic hazard assessment.