Research on Deformation‐Strain Field Associated with MS8.1 Kunlunshan Earthquake

Based on the displacement velocity of GPS sites before and after MS8.1 Kunlunshan earthquake, the crustal strain parameters are calculated with the elastic model expression. The variation of strain parameters indicates that the seismic area and its surroundings were dominated by compressive strain with a larger velocity before the earthquake. The vector of displacement velocity shows that the epicentral area before the earthquake was “stable” with weaker seismicity relative to the surroundings. The crustal deformation and strain reveals that the seismogenic body has accumulated higher stain potential energy under compression. In the period as MS8.1 earthquake occurred, strain velocity varies significantly due to releasing large amounts of strain energy. The calculated result indicates that the strain generated by the earthquake is up to 4.5×10−6 and the average left-lateral strike slip on the seismogenic fault is 3.31m (89°E~96°E).