Numerical modeling of tectonic stress field and fault activity in North China

On the basis of a 3-dimension visco-elastic finite element model of lithosphere in North China, we numerically simulate the recent mutative figures of tectonic stress field. Annual change characteristics of stress field are; 1) Maximum principal tensile stress is about 3–9 kPaa− 1 and its azimuth lie in NNW-SSE. 2) Maximum principal compressive stress is about 1–6 kPaa− 1 and its azimuth lie in NEE-SWW. 3) Maximum principal tensile stress is higher both in the west region and Liaoning Province. 4) Variation of tectonic stress field benefits fault movement in the west part and northeast part of North China. 5) Annual accumulative rates of Coulomb fracture stress in Tanlu fault belt have segmentation patterns: Jiashan-Guangji segment is the highest (6 kPaa− 1), Anshan-Liaodongwan segment is the second (5 kPaa− 1), and others are relatively lower (3–4 kPaa− 1).