Temporal variation of gravity field before and after Wenchuan Ms8. 0 earthquake

Abstract

Absolute and relative gravity data during 1998 to 2008 were used to study gravity field and temporal variation in the North–south seismic-belt region, and their correlation with seismic activities before and after Wenchuan Ms8. 0 earthquake. The temporal variation of gravity field shows that the portentous information of the gravity field reflects the development and occurrence of earthquake more clearly. The variations of gravity field are inhomogeneous in the space-time distribution, and are associated with the development and occurrence of the Wenchuan Ms8. 0 earthquake, also closely connected with active fault tectonics.

Keywords

• Wenchuan earthquake
• gravity changes
• dynamic process
• precursor
• prediction