Distribution of Gradients of the Earth’s Surface Displacements in the Vicinity of Inclined Tensile Faults

This paper discusses the influence of inclined faults on the assessment of the geodynamic hazard of the territory. To determine the maximum tilts and relative horizontal deformations, it is proposed to use analytically calculated gradients of horizontal and vertical displacements. Gradients of displacements for the vertical tensile fault are calculated based on the poroelastic and dislocation models. Their comparison corroborates the differences inherent in these models. The assessments carried out within the dislocation model made it possible to calculate the tilts and relative horizontal deformations of the Earth’s surface in the vicinity of tensile faults depending on the angles of their incidence relative to the Earth’s surface. Analysis of the graphs of the displacement gradient distribution made it possible to assess the influence of the tilt angle of the fault zone on the size of the deformation area of the Earth’s surface. It has been found that taking into account the change in the configuration of areas with increased (dangerous) gradients of the Earth’s surface displacements is necessary when analyzing and assessing the geodynamic hazard of the territory in zones of tensile faults.