Rupture process of the 3 August 2014 Ludian, Yunnan, Mw6.1(Ms6.5) earthquake

The 3 August 2014 Ludian earthquake (M(w)6. 1, M(s)6. 5) is a disastrous strike-slip but not a large-scale event. Influenced by the radiation pattern, the signal-to-noise ratios of teleseismic data are low at certain azimuths, causing some difficulties in distinguishing the causative fault. This paper reviews the fast rupture process inversion of the Ludian earthquake for rapid earthquake emergency response, which was completed 2.4 hours after the earthquake occurrence, and introduces the following revision works. From the revised rupture models, results of two nodal planes of double couple both indicate rupture propagations toward the ground surface and strike directions. Based on the consistencies between rupture area and intensities and aftershock distributions, it can be concluded that the-Ludian earthquake was a left lateral strikeslip event ruptured on a nearly vertical fault with strike 162 degrees and dip 86 degrees. From the source time function determined in rupture process inversion, a large part of the seismic moment was released between 2 s and 5 s after the rupture initiation. The intensive moment release history may be associated with the relatively high surface wave magnitude and the serious disaster of this earthquake.