The 2019 MW 5.7 Changning earthquake, Sichuan Basin, China – a shallow doublet with different faulting styles

Abstract

The increased seismic activity of the last ~10 years in Changning county of Sichuan Province comprised just small (mostly ML < 5.0) injection-induced earthquakes. The MW 5.7 earthquake of June 17, 2019 is the largest event ever reported there. Moment tensor of the mainshock was remarkably dominated by a compensated linear vector dipole. We resolve its fine structure showing it was a doublet, allowing approximation by a thrust- and strike-slip subevent. The mainshock nucleated as thrust faulting, which (together with the largest aftershocks) can be linked with previously known reverse faults, favorably oriented to regional stress field. Contrarily, the strike-slip segment of the mainshock, less favorably oriented, was probably facilitated by elevated pore pressure due to previous injections. Shallow active strike-slip faulting, not yet mapped in the region, is a new feature, important for future hazard assessment.