Three-dimensional density structure of Xu-Su arc-shaped nappe structure and its relationship with seismic activity

Controlled by the squeezing collision between the Yangtze block and the North China block and the left movement of the Tanlu fault, the Xu-Su region developed into an arc-shaped nappe structure, and many destructive earthquakes occurred in its periphery. The geological structure of this area is complex, and there is the possibility of moderate and strong earthquakes. To further explore the crust density structure and identify the main faults and deep structural features in the Xu-Su region, based on the observed seismic data and gravity/GNSS co-site observation data, combined with the EGM2008 global gravity field model, we obtained the density of three-dimensional structure using cross gradient method joint inversion. Based on this, a geological model of the Xu-Su region was established. The results show that the crustal density anomaly amplitude within 0–25 km of the Xu-Su region ranges from −280 to 490 kg/m³, showing a zonal distribution in east-west direction and a segmented north-south direction. There are several density anomalies in the shallow (0–4 km) region at Tongshan, Huaibei, Xiayi, Woyang, etc. The density anomalies are significantly correlated with the distribution of regional faults. The density structure is divided into two large regions by Subei fault, which can be further divided along the east-west Kouziji-Nanzhao fault and Guzhen-Huaiyuan fault. The earthquakes are obviously related to the regional fault activity and the spatial distribution of abnormal bodies. The earthquake-prone areas (5–15 km) correspond to the abnormal density mutation zone, upper uplift zone, and transformation zone near Xiaoxian, Tongshan, and Xushuanglou faults. The comprehensive results show three weak seismic activity areas in the whole region, which are located near the Huaibei, Xiaoxian, and Wohe faults. The results provide theoretical support for seismic risk analysis in this area, and these three areas should be emphasized in future seismic hazard analysis.