Study on the regional deviation of the macroscopic epicenters from relevant epicenters by rapid determination in Chinese mainland

The primary results have been obtained by the analyses on the deviation of macroscopic epicenters from relevant microscopic epicenters determined rapidly after the 139 earthquake events occurred during 1989–2004. Further study has proved the normal distributions exist in both the east and west parts of Chinese mainland partitioned along meridian 105°E. The empirical two-dimensional normal distribution functions for the deviations are presented in the paper. The results are of significance in reducing uncertainty of losses assessment immediately after a destroyed earthquake.