Application of linked stress release model to historical earthquake data: Comparison between two kinds of tectonic seismicity

The linked stress release model, incorporating a slow buildup of stress wit hin a seismic region, its stochastic release through earthquakes and transf er between seismic regions, is applied to fit historical data from two typi cal kinds of seismicity: earthquakes occurring in intraplate (North China) and plate boundary (New Zealand) regions. The best model among different mo difications of the basic model, which may reflect on a possible geophysical mechanism for earthquake occurrences, is obtained in terms of Akaike infor mation criterion. For both tectonic regions studied, the linked stress rele ase model fits the New Zealand data better than a collection of independent simple models, but is nearly indistinguishable from the simple stress rele ase model in the case of North China. The seismicity in a plate boundary re gion due to subduction is more active and complex than that in an intraplat e region due to collision between tectonic plates. The results highlight th e major differences in tectonic seismicity, especially the heterogeneities of tectonic stress fields, and dynamic triggering mechanism with evidence t hat the crust may lie in a near-critical stair.