Local seismotectonic analysis of the July 2019 Molucca Sea earthquake sequence based on moment tensor solutions

We investigate the local seismotectonic of the Molucca Sea area using moment tensor calculations for the earthquakes that occurred in July 2019 at a depth of 10–55 km. The mainshock of Mw 6.8 occurred on July 7, followed by aftershocks until July 18, with magnitudes ranging from Mw 4.6 to Mw 5.8. Moment tensor solutions are calculated by applying Isolated Asperities (ISOLA) software using the full waveform data recorded at regional seismic stations. The analyzed frequency bands used in this study are 0.01–0.03 Hz and 0.04–0.05 Hz for the event with Mw ≥ 5 and Mw < 5, respectively. We provide validations of new moment tensor solutions for Mw < 5 events in the Molucca Sea region for the period during the earthquake sequence. The results show that thrust and oblique faults are dominant during this event, which indicate a compressional stress of divergent double subduction (DDS) of the Sangihe and Halmahera arcs. Only one full moment tensor solution reveals the normal fault mechanism, which may indicate the manifestation of strain release of compressional stress in the surrounding area. Furthermore, these results also support the previous studies suggesting that the Talaud-Mayu Ridge located in the middle of the Molucca Sea has developed as a consequence of the transpressional tectonic activity.

Analysis of Source Mechanism and Coulomb Stress Change (Case Study: Molucca Sea Earthquakes November 15th, 2014 and November 14th, 2019)

On November 15, 2014, and November 14, 2019, two major earthquakes occurred in the Molucca Sea with a moment magnitude of Mw 7.0 and Mw 7.1, respectively. These earthquakes were caused by the convergence activity between the Sunda Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate which form a double subduction zone in the Molucca Sea. We carried out the moment tensor inversion using Kiwi Tools to analyze the source mechanism for both of the earthquakes. The results show a thrust fault mechanism with the strike, dip, and rake of the ruptured fault planes are 187°, 63°, 85° and 196°, 43°, 83°, for the first and second events, respectively. We refine the location of the two mainshocks and their aftershocks by performing hypocenter relocation using the double difference method. This resulted in NE-SW aftershocks distribution for both events which occured close to the Molucca Sea Plate boundaries with the mainshocks location are relatively close to each other (± 50.32 km). Finally, we calculate the Coulomb stress changes to analyze the triggering effect between the two major events and between the mainshock and its aftershocks for each event. The results show that the hypocenter of the November 14, 2019 earthquake is in the increased zone of Coulomb stress changes produced by the November 15, 2014 earthquake with the value of 1.2 bar. The aftershocks of both events also occurred in the increased Coulomb stress changes with the range value of 0.5 - 1.8 bar for the first event and 0.2 - 0.8 bar for the second event.

Sanding Wells on The Island of Lombok due to Earthquake Vibrations

The Lombok earthquake in 2018 was unique, the shocks occurred sequentially. Several major earthquakes were followed by thousands of aftershocks. The earthquake caused a devastating disaster which destroyed many homes, buildings including wells as the main fresh water supply in the Lombok Island. The focal mechanism of main earthquake shows a thrust fault mechanism. Lombok Island is originally a volcano Island which is still growing actively. Therefore surface of Island is dominated by volcanic materials, such as: volcanic rock, volcanic ash, pumice. This paper describes the phenomenon of sanding wells in Lombok, including the physical mechanisms among rock’s grains when vibrating earthquake waves. These earthquake waves can eliminate static friction between grains and reduce cohesion between grains of rock. Some subsurface images shows a strong correlation between damage grade and the existence of loose sand and hard rock.

An Emerging Fault Related Fold (Mahad Anticline) and its Morphotectonic Interpretations in Northern Iraq

In this study, morphotectonic analyses were prepared for an anticline existing to the north of Maqloub Anticline and extends toward north - south approximately, which is unfamiliar in relation to the major extension of the anticlines in the region. The study involves a structural interpretation of the anticline's origin and its relation with the faulting in the foreland zone in this area, specifically in foothill zone, because of the major fracture that is found adjacent and parallel to the axis of this anticline. The visual interpretation is the major tool used to determine the features of this anticline. Moreover, some facilitating remote sensing technologies, such as digital processing of satellite images and Digital Elevation Model data, were utilized to verify the shape of this geological feature. The origin of the fold was discussed through its relationship to the associated fault within the general tectonic framework and the surrounding areas. This study addresses the tectonic mechanism of the anticline as a fold-related fault mechanism. As a result, and through the compilation of the above interpretations, a final geological map was prepared for this anticline, along with a 3D model demonstrating its mechanism of folding. Proposed names were given to the anticline and the fault, which are Mahad Anticline and Mahad Fault , according to the name of their nearest town (Mahad Town).

Fault diagnosis mechanism of gears and bearings for coal mining equipment in a complex geological environment

The traditional research method of fault diagnosis mechanism has poor stability, which leads to the difference of fault diagnosis and location results. Therefore, under the complex geological environment, a new research method of fault diagnosis mechanism of gear and bearing for coal mining equipment is proposed. This method calculates gears and bearings’ yield strength by analyzing coal mining equipment’s bearing capacity elasticity. According to the fitting degree, the equipment sample’s projection space is confirmed, the fault features of gear and bearing are extracted by segmentation algorithm, the optimal fitness is set by positioning algorithm, the location of fault center is obtained, and the fault mechanism diagnosis is studied. Experimental results show that compared with the traditional method, the proposed method is more stable, and the difference in fault diagnosis results is minimal. It can be seen that this method is more suitable for fault diagnosis of coal mining equipment.