The simulation of rupture dynamics from potential earthquakes around XiLuoDu reservoir dam, China

Abstract The XiLuoDu reservoir dam located on the Jinsha River is one of the largest dams in the world. Nearby faults are very active, and two M > 7 strong earthquakes have occurred around the dam. Simulating the rupture dynamics of potential earthquakes on the surrounding faults is very important to estimate the seismic hazard for the dam. In this research, we use the curved grid finite difference method (CG-FDM) to simulate spontaneous ruptures on the major faults around the dam. The main results are that the Leibo middle and south faults (LBMF and LBSF) are more likely to have large destructive earthquakes than the Mabian-Yanjin east fault (MB-YJEF). Asperities on faults that have an impact on strong ground motion are formed under the combined influence of the regional background stress field and fault geometry. Spontaneous ruptures on the LBMF and LBSF are mainly strike-slip with minor thrust components, while those on the MB-YJEF are strike-slip and thrust; these results are consistent with the focal mechanisms of recorded small and moderate earthquakes in this area.