Earthquake-induced fissures and their formation mechanisms in the 2023 <i>M</i><sub>S</sub> 6.2 Jishishan Earthquake

ZHANG Bo; WANG Aiguo; YAO Yunsheng; HE Xiaolong; YAO Saisai; ZHU Junwen; CAI Yimeng

doi:10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2024114

Volume 31 Issue 2

Apr. 2025

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > Journal of Geomechanics > 2025 > 31(2): 211-222

ZHANG B，WANG A G，YAO Y S，et al.，2025. Earthquake-induced fissures and their formation mechanisms in the 2023 MS 6.2 Jishishan Earthquake[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，31（2）：211−222 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2024114

Citation:

ZHANG B，WANG A G，YAO Y S，et al.，2025. Earthquake-induced fissures and their formation mechanisms in the 2023 M_S 6.2 Jishishan Earthquake[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，31（2）：211−222 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2024114

Citation:

PDF( 12241 KB)

Earthquake-induced fissures and their formation mechanisms in the 2023 M_S 6.2 Jishishan Earthquake

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2024114

ZHANG Bo^{1, 2
,},
WANG Aiguo^{1, 2},
YAO Yunsheng^{1, 2},
HE Xiaolong^{1, 2},
YAO Saisai^{1, 2},
ZHU Junwen^{1, 2},
CAI Yimeng^{1, 2}

1.
Gansu Lanzhou National Geophysical Observation and Research Station, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
2.
Lanzhou Institute of Seismology, China Earthquake Administration, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China

Funds: This research is finacially supported by the Spark Program of Earthquake Technology of China Earthquake Administration (Grant Nos. XH23040A and XH19045Y), the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP), Ministry of Science and Technology ( Grant No. 2019QZKK0901), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Projects (Grant Nos. 42372267, 42072246, and 41602225), and the Basic Scientific Research Special Project of the Institute of Earthquake Forecasting, China Earthquake Administration (Grant No. 2021IESLZ06).

More Information

Received: 2024-11-01
Revised: 2025-02-17
Accepted: 2025-02-19

Available Online: 2025-02-24

Published: 2025-04-27

Abstract

Abstract

Objective Seismic fissures, landslides and mudflows are common secondary hazards of earthquakes. Following the occurrence of moderately strong earthquakes, detailed investigations of landslides and mudflows are usually conducted, but earthquake-induced fissures often receive less attention, because the characteristics and causes of earthquake-induced fissures are controlled by a combination of factors. The 2023 M_S6.2 Jishishan Earthquake formed an extensive and dense earthquake-induced fissure zone in the Jishishan Mountain front and the interior of the Linxia Basin, but there are large differences in the understanding of the genetic mechanisms of earthquake-induced fissures. Methods In order to better understand the characteristics and genetic mechanisms of earthquake-induced fissures in the Jishishan Mountains, 246 fissures were systematically investigated by field observation, statistical analysis, and drone photogrammetry; then, the distribution, characteristics and genetic mechanisms of the earthquake-induced fissures were analyzed. Combined with relevant published studies, the following new findings are made. Results First, the 2023 M_S6.2 Jishishan Earthquake formed a large number of fissures in the VII-VIII degree zone, which can be generally divided into two categories: tectonic-related fissures and non-tectonic fissures, and the non-tectonic fissures are further divided into ridge gravity fissures, landslide-related fissures, and valley fissure-sand liquefaction combinations on the basis of the topography associated with these fissures. Second, the tectonic-related fissures developed along the eastern margin fault of the Jishishan Mountains, with fissure widths at the cm-mm level. The tectonic-related fissures extend through fault planes, joints, and other weaknesses of the Jishishan fault zone, clearly showing that the more than 100 m wide fracture zone (i.e., weak zone in the upper crust) of the eastern margin fault of the Jishishan Mountains dominates the distribution of the earthquake-induced fissures. Meanwhile, the tectonic-related fissures tend to develop at weaknesses in man-made structures, such as road seams and bridge joints; this “weakening-preferred” behavior indicates that these fissures are generated by seismic shaking effects on the fracture zone along the fault, rather than direct rupture by the earthquake-causing fault. Thus, the tectonic micro-fissures are not the surface ruptures mentioned above. Third, the non-tectonic fissures mainly developed in the loess-covered area around the Dahejia-Kexinmin-Ganhetan villages north of the epicenter, where the topography is hilly, predominantly tableland and valleys; ridge (tableland) gravity fissures are large in scale, extend far along the ridge, and exhibit a combination of reticulation, parallelism, or en echelon style; landslide-related fissures on the slopes are comparatively smaller in scale and confined to the landslide area; valley fissures are comparable in scale to tectonic micro-fissures and generally formed in association with sand liquefaction; the fissure widths decrease from dm scale on the ridges (tableland) to mm scale in the valleys. Fourth, the tectonic-related micro-fissures healed naturally within approximately half a year, while the healing of the ridge gravity fissures lasted much longer; some landslide-related fissures may take a long time to heal naturally and may even form permanent displacements that pose a serious threat to people and require repair. Conclusion By reviewing and analyzing the distribution, types, and genetic mechanisms of earthquake-induced fissures in the 2023 M_S6.2 Jishishan Earthquake, and taking into account the magnitude, the epicenter depth, and minor surface displacements, it is speculated that no surface ruptures formed during the Jishishan Earthquake. [ Significance ] An overview of the earthquake-induced fissures of the Jishishan Earthquake is of great significance for understanding the causal mechanisms of secondary earthquake disasters, analyzing seismotectonics, and proposing disaster mitigation strategies.
- earthquake-induced fissures,
- Jishishan Earthquake,
- eastern margin fault of Jishishan Mountains,
- geological hazards of earthquakes,
- surface rupture

Full-text Translaiton by iFLYTEK

The full translation of the current issue may be delayed. If you encounter a 404 page, please try again later.

FullText(HTML)

References(55)

References

[1]	CHEN P, SHU S Q, WU Z H, et al., 2024. Coseismic surface deformation and source mechanism of the 2023 Ms 6.2 Jishishan earthquake, northeastern Tibetan Plateau[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 189: 105290. doi: 10.1016/j.jsg.2024.105290
[2]	CHEN P, QIU L C, YAO Y B, et al., 2025. Surface deformation and hazard analysis after the 2023 Ms 6.2 earthquake in Jishishan, Gansu Province based on InSAR and optical imagery interpretation[J]. Geomatics and Information Science of Wuhan University, 50(2): 257-270. (in Chinese with English abstract
[3]	CHEN X R, LIU H Q, YANG J H et al., 2023. An alys is on the m otion characteristics of seismic crack sliding collapse: Taking Zhangjiagou 2# collapse as an example[J]. Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, 2023, 54(4): 140-150.
[4]	Department of Seismic Disaster Prevention, State Seismological Bureau, 1995. Catalogue of Chinese Historical Strong Earthquakes (23rd century BC to 1911 AD) [M]. Seismological Press, Beijing. (in Chinese)
[5]	GUO F Y, ZHANG Y J, DOU X D, et al., 2024. Distribution patterns and development characteristics of secondary geological hazards caused by the Ms 6.2 earthquake in Jishishan, Gansu[J]. Journal of Lanzhou University (Natural Sciences), 60(1): 6-12. (in Chinese with English abstract
[6]	JU H C, ZHANG Y S, QIN M Z, et al., 2024. Relocation and analysis of the Jishishan M_s6.2 earthquake sequence in Gansu Province[J]. China Earthquake Engineering Journal, 46(4): 918-923. (in Chinese with English abstract
[7]	LEASE R O, BURBANK D W, HOUGH B, et al., 2012. Pulsed Miocene range growth in northeastern Tibet: insights from Xunhua Basin magnetostratigraphy and provenance[J]. GSA Bulletin, 124(5-6): 657-677. doi: 10.1130/B30524.1
[8]	LI K, TAPPONNIER P, XU X W, et al., 2023. The 2022, Ms 6.9 Menyuan earthquake: surface rupture, Paleozoic suture re-activation, slip-rate and seismic gap along the Haiyuan fault system, NE Tibet[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 622: 118412. doi: 10.1016/j.jpgl.2023.118412
[9]	LI Z M, LI Y J, TIAN Q J, et al., 2014. Study on the relationship between paleoseismic on Laji Mountain Fault and catastrophic event on Lajiashan Site[J]. Journal of Seismological Research, 37(S): 109-115. (in Chinese with English abstract
[10]	LIU C Z, LIANG K, WANG X Y, 2024. Cause analysis of disaster chain of soil flow in Dashagou Basin in Jishishan M_s6.2 magnitude earthquake area[J]. Geological Review, 70(3): 960-974. (in Chinese with English abstract
[11]	LIU L, LIU X W, ZHANG B, et al., 2022. Recognition of surface ruptures of Menyuan M_s6.9 earthquake using GF images[J]. China Earthquake Engineering Journal, 44(2): 440-449. (in Chinese with English abstract
[12]	LIU S, HE B, WANG T, et al., 2024. Development characteristics and susceptibility assessment of coseismic geological hazards of Jishishan M_S6.2 earthquake, Gansu Province, China[J]. Journal of Geomechanics, 30(2): 314-331. (in Chinese with English abstract
[13]	LIU X L, XIA T, LIU J, et al., 2022. Distributed characteristics of the surface deformations associated with the 2021 M_w7.4 Madoi earthquake, Qinghai, China[J]. Seismology and Geology, 44(2): 461-483. (in Chinese with English abstract
[14]	PING Z F, GE W P, ZHANG B, et al., 2025. Discussion on the controversies of seismogenic fault dipping direction for 2023 Jishishan M_s6.2 earthquake and seismic hazard assessment of its adjacent faults[J]. China Earthquake Engineering Journal, 47(2): 480-491. (in Chinese with English abstract
[15]	PONTI D J, WELLS R E, 1991. Off-fault ground ruptures in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California: ridge-top spreading versus tectonic extension during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake[J]. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 81(5): 1480-1510.
[16]	SEGALL P, POLLARD D D, 1980. Mechanics of discontinuous faults[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 85(B8): 4337-4350. doi: 10.1029/JB085iB08p04337
[17]	SU R H, YUAN D Y, ZHENG W J, et al., 2024. Surface rupture and damage characteristics of the 2023 M_S6.2 Jishishan earthquake, Gansu[J]. Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 67(9): 3454-3471. (in Chinese with English abstract
[18]	WANG L X, ZHANG H, XU R, et al., 2024. Focal mechanism solutions and seismogenic structure of the M_s6.2 earthquake sequence in Jishishan, Gansu, on December 18, 2023[J]. China Earthquake Engineering Journal, 46(4): 908-917. (in Chinese with English abstract
[19]	WANG S G, XU G Y, LI S, et al., 2024. Analysis of earthquake sequence and seismogenic structure of the 2023 M_s6.2 Jishishan earthquake, Gansu Province, China[J]. Acta Seismologica Sinica, 46(6): 953-968. (in Chinese with English abstract
[20]	XU Q, PENG D L, FAN X M, et al., 2025. Preliminary study on the characteristics and initiation mechanism of Zhongchuan flowslide due to liquefaction triggered by the Ms 6.2 Jishishan earthquake in Gansu Province[J]. Geomatics and Information Science of Wuhan University, 50(2): 207-222. (in Chinese with English abstract
[21]	XU Y R, DOU A X, LI Z M, et al., 2024. Rapid assessment of coseismic hazards induced by Jishishan M_s6.2 Earthquake on December 18, 2023 in Gansu Province, Northwest China[J]. Earthquake, 44(1): 209-215. (in Chinese with English abstract
[22]	YANG C C, LI Z M, XIONG R W, et al., 2024. Preliminary investigation and analysis of seismic geological hazards in Qinghai disaster area induced by the 2023 M_s6.2 Jishishan earthquake[J]. Earthquake, 44(1): 216-225. (in Chinese with English abstract
[23]	YUAN D Y, ZHANG P Z, FANG X M, et al., 2007. Late Cenozoic tectonic deformation of the Linxia Basin, northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 14(1): 243-250. (in Chinese with English abstract
[24]	YUAN D Y, XIE H, SU R H, et al., 2023. Characteristics of co-seismic surface rupture zone of Menyuan M_s6.9 earthquake in Qinghai Province on January 8, 2022 and seismogenic mechanism[J]. Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 66(1): 229-244. (in Chinese with English abstract
[25]	ZHANG B, 2012. The study of new activities on western segment of northern margin of western Qinling fault and Laji Shan fault[D]. Lanzhou: China Earthquake Administration Lanzhou Institute of Seismology. (in Chinese with English abstract
[26]	ZHANG J L, XU Y R, LI W Q, et al., 2024. Analysis of the markers of seismic structures for moderate earthquakes: a case study of the 2023 Jishishan M_s6.2 earthquake[J]. Earthquake, 44(1): 226-234. (in Chinese with English abstract
[27]	ZHANG P Z, ZHENG D W, YIN G M, et al., 2006. Discussion on late Cenozoic growth and rise of northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 26(1): 5-13. (in Chinese with English abstract
[28]	ZHANG W D, JIA L, KANG B L, et al., 2024. Characteristics of strong motion records of the Jishishan, Gansu, M_S6.2 earthquake on December 18, 2023[J]. China Earthquake Engineering Journal, 46(4): 888-898. (in Chinese with English abstract
[29]	ZHANG W T, JI L Y, CHEN Y X, et al., 2025. Analysis of Crustal Deformation of the 2023 Ms 6.2 Jishishan Earthquake in Gansu Province, China[J]. Geomatics and Information Science of Wuhan University, 50(2): 391-403. (in Chinese with English abstract
[30]	ZHANG Y C, ZHANG L H, ZHAO X Q, 2012. Distribution and formation of earthquake-induced secondary geological disasters in China[J]. Seismology and Geology, 34(4): 805-809. (in Chinese with English abstract
[31]	ZHENG D W, ZHANG P Z, WAN J L, et al., 2006. Tectonic events, climate and conglomerate: Example from Jishishan Mountain and Linxia Basin[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 26(1): 63-69. (in Chinese with English abstract
[32]	陈鹏,邱梁才,姚宜斌,等,2025. 基于InSAR和光学影像解译的2023年甘肃积石山Ms6.2震后地表形变和灾害分析[J]. 武汉大学学报(信息科学版),50(2):257-270.
[33]	陈锡锐,刘虹强,杨剑红,等,2023. 震裂滑移式崩塌运动特征分析:以张家沟 2#崩塌为例[J]. 水利水电技术(中英文),54(4):140-150.
[34]	郭富赟,张永军,窦晓东,等,2024. 甘肃积石山Ms 6.2地震次生地质灾害分布规律与发育特征[J]. 兰州大学学报(自然科学版),60(1):6-12.
[35]	国家地震局震害防御司, 1995. 中国历史强震目录(公元前23世纪—公元1911年)[M]. 北京: 地震出版社.
[36]	鞠慧超,张元生,秦满忠,等,2024. 甘肃积石山6.2级地震序列重定位及分析[J]. 地震工程学报,46(4):918-923.
[37]	刘传正,梁宽,王秀英,2024. 积石山M_s6.2级地震区大沙沟泥土流灾害链成因分析[J]. 地质论评,70(3):960-974.
[38]	刘璐,刘兴旺,张波,等,2022. 利用高分影像识别门源M_s6.9地震地表破裂带[J]. 地震工程学报,44(2):440-449.
[39]	刘帅,何斌,王涛,等,2024. 甘肃积石山县M_s6.2地震同震地质灾害发育特征与易发性评价[J]. 地质力学学报,30(2):314-331. doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2024009
[40]	刘小利,夏涛,刘静,等,2022. 2021年青海玛多M_w7.4地震分布式同震地表裂缝特征[J]. 地震地质,44(2):461-483. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2022.02.012
[41]	平孜菲,葛伟鹏,张波,等,2025. 2023年积石山M_s6.2地震发震断层倾向争议讨论与相邻断裂地震危险性评估[J]. 地震工程学报,47(2):480-491.
[42]	苏瑞欢,袁道阳,郑文俊,等,2024. 2023年甘肃积石山M_S6.2地震地表破裂及震害特征分析[J]. 地球物理学报,67(9):3454-3471. doi: 10.6038/cjg2024S0090
[43]	王丽霞,张辉,徐溶,等,2024. 2023年12月18日甘肃积石山6.2级地震序列震源机制解与发震构造分析[J]. 地震工程学报,46(4):908-917.
[44]	王世广,胥广银,李帅,等,2024. 2023年甘肃积石山M_S6.2地震序列及发震构造分析[J]. 地震学报,46(6):953-968. doi: 10.11939/jass.20240007
[45]	许强,彭大雷,范宣梅,等,2025. 甘肃积石山Ms6.2地震触发青海中川乡液化型滑坡-泥流特征与成因机理[J]. 武汉大学学报(信息科学版),50(2):207-222.
[46]	徐岳仁,窦爱霞,李智敏,等,2024. 2023年12月18日甘肃积石山M_s6.2地震触发次生灾害快速评估[J]. 地震,44(1):209-215. doi: 10.12196/j.issn.1000-3274.2024.01.019
[47]	杨传成,李智敏,熊仁伟,等,2024. 2023年甘肃积石山6.2级地震青海灾区地震地质灾害初步调查分析[J]. 地震,44(1):216-225. doi: 10.12196/j.issn.1000-3274.2024.01.020
[48]	袁道阳,张培震,方小敏,等,2007. 青藏高原东北缘临夏盆地晚新生代构造变形及过程[J]. 地学前缘,14(1):243-250. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1005-2321.2007.01.023
[49]	袁道阳,谢虹,苏瑞欢,等,2023. 2022年1月8日青海门源M_s6.9地震地表破裂带特征与发震机制[J]. 地球物理学报,66(1):229-244. doi: 10.6038/cjg2022Q0093
[50]	张波,2012. 西秦岭北缘断裂西段与拉脊山断裂新活动特征研究[D]. 兰州:中国地震局兰州地震研究所.
[51]	张军龙,徐岳仁,李文巧,等,2024. 中强地震发震构造标志浅析:以2023年积石山M_s6.2地震为例[J]. 地震,44(1):226-234. doi: 10.12196/j.issn.1000-3274.2024.01.021
[52]	张卫东,贾璐,康斌龙,等,2024. 2023年12月18日甘肃积石山6.2级地震强震动记录特征分析[J]. 地震工程学报,46(4):888-898.
[53]	张文婷,季灵运,陈玉鑫,等,2025. 2023年甘肃积石山Ms 6.2地震区域地壳形变特征分析[J]. 武汉大学学报(信息科学版),50(2):391-403.
[54]	张业成,张立海,赵晓青,2012. 中国地震次生地质灾害分布特征与形成条件[J]. 地震地质,34(4):805-809. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2012.04.022
[55]	郑德文,张培震,万景林,等,2006. 构造、气候与砾岩:以积石山和临夏盆地为例[J]. 第四纪研究,26(1):63-69. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1001-7410.2006.01.008