Hierarchical properties of the tectonic stress field in the source region of the 2003 Chuya earthquake

Abstract

Abstract Local tectonic stress field have been calculated based on aftershock focal mechanisms using materials of epicentral studies with temporary networks of stations in the epicentral area of the 2003 Chuya earthquake. The originality of this work is that the stress state is studied invoking earthquakes with large differences in energy and using highly accurate data on the location and depth in the analysis of events. The main result is the selection of two hierarchical levels of the stress field. It is shown that the stress state determined from data on large earthquakes is homogeneous (horizontal shear) throughout the aftershock zone, and the stress state determined from data on small events varies according to the block structure of the aftershock region.