Rupture Characteristics of the Dingri MS 6.8 Earthquake in Xizang and Prediction of Strong Aftershocks in the Sequence
Zhao Xiaoyan
He Suge
Kong Lingsong
Zhang Tianyu
Peng Guanling
Wang Guangming
Su Youjin
Abstract：The MS6.8 Dingri earthquake in Xizang on January 7,2025,exhibited a spatially extensive and complex aftershock sequence,with a relatively small maximum aftershock magnitude.Additionally,the lack of comparable historical earthquake data in the region posed significant challenges for strong aftershock prediction.This study utilizes phase reports from the regional seismic network in Xizang and applies the double-difference relocation method to precisely relocate the Dingri MS6.8 earthquake sequence.The results reveal that the aftershock zone extends along a north-south(NS)trend,spanning approximately 80 km in length,with the actual rupture length exceeding empirical estimates.The sequence displays distinct segmentation characteristics,with dense clusters at the northern and southern ends and sparse activity in the central section.The spatial distribution of aftershocks with magnitudes ML≥4.5 is highly complex,influenced and controlled by multiple factors,including heterogeneous coseismic slip,local stress conditions,fault geometry,tectonic setting,and historical seismic rupture patterns.The largest aftershock recorded was MS5.0,yielding a magnitude difference of 1.8 from the mainshock.This observation supports the empirical relationship that"larger rupture lengths correlate with greater magnitude differences between the mainshock and its largest aftershock."
Keywords：Dingri MS6.8 earthquakeML≥4.5 aftershocks predictionDengmocuo faulthypocenter relocationearthquakeshazards
Publication Date：2025-05-30
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：11( 1733-1743 )