Abstract:

Abstract:  Earthquake is a process concerning the longterm accumulation and abrupt release of energy in natureOn the basis of the analysis of the characteristics of intraplate earthquake, we present a threelevel tectonic model for intraplate earthquakeIt consists of a deep uplift structure of the asthenosphere, a middle sandwich structure,ieductilerheological layer sandwiched between competent layers, as the inner part in the middle crust and a shallow brittle faulting structure in the upper crustThe uplifting of the asthenosphere leads to thinning of the lithosphere of the local area around the upcoming epicenterIt supplies the thermal energy and mechanical energy to the epicenter area of the upcoming earthquakeIt increases the temperature and lowers the viscosity of the inner ductilerheological layer in the sandwich structureThe thermal energy increases the competent difference between the highconductive layer and the highresistive layersThe thermal and mechanical energy concentrates at the boundary area between the competent and incompetent layersActive faulting above the sandwich structure accelerates the thinning of the lithosphere and highly concentrating the stress at the boundary between the competent and incompetent layersWhen the active fault reaches the boundary of the sandwich structure, it triggers the intensive intraplate earthquake—inducing an abrupt release of the strain energy accumulated at the boundary areaOn the basis of the model, we design a primary monitoring system for earthquake prediction from the information gaining from the threelevel tectonic system

Key words: Key words: intraplate earthquake, deep uplift structure of the asthenosphere, middle sandwich structure, shallow brittle faulting structure