Earthquake relocation using a 3D velocity model and implications on seismogenic faults in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

To enhance the understanding of the geometry and characteristics of seismogenic faults in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, we relocated 14805 out of 16063 earthquakes (113°E−120°E, 36°N–43°N) that occurred between January 2008 and December 2020 using the double-difference tomography method. Based on the spatial variation in seismicity after relocation, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region can be divided into three seismic zones: Xingtai–Wen'an, Zhangbei–Ninghexi, and Tangshan. 1). The Xingtai–Wen'an Seismic Zone has a northeast-southwest strike. The depth profile of earthquakes perpendicular to the strike reveals three northeast-striking, southeast-dipping, high-angle deep faults (>10 km depth), including one below the shallow (<10 km depth) listric, northwest-dipping Xinghe fault in the Xingtai region. Two additional deep faults in Wen'an region are suggested to be associated with the 2006 M5.1 Wen'an Earthquake and 1967 M6.3 Dacheng earthquake; 2). The Zhangbei-Ninghexi Seismic Zone is oriented north-northwest. Multiple northeast-striking faults (10–20 km depth), inferred from the earthquake-intensive zones, exist beneath the shallow (<10 km depth) Xiandian Fault, Xiaotangshan Fault, Huailai-Zhuolu Basin North Fault, Yangyuan Basin Fault and Yanggao Basin North Fault; 3). In the Tangshan Seismic Zone, earthquakes are mainly concentrated near the northeast-striking Tangshan-Guye Fault, Lulong Fault, and northwest-striking Luanxian-Laoting Fault. An inferred north-south-oriented blind fault is present to the north of the Tangshan-Guye Fault. The 1976 M7.8 Tangshan earthquake occurred at the junction of a shallow northwest-dipping fault and a deep southeast-dipping fault. This study emphasizes that earthquakes in the region are primarily associated with deep blind faults. Some deep blind faults have different geometries compared to shallow faults, suggesting a complex fault system in the region. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the seismogenic faults in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. Further studies and monitoring of these faults are essential for earthquake mitigation efforts in this region.