Abstract Analysis of tectonic stress from the inversion of fault kinematic and earthquake focal mechanism data is routinely done using a wide variety of direct inversion, iterative and grid search methods. This paper discusses important aspects and new developments of the stress inversion methodology as the critical evaluation and interpretation of the results. The problems of data selection and separation into subsets, choice of optimization function, and the use of non-fault structural elements in stress inversion (tension, shear and compression fractures) are examined. The classical Right Dihedron method is developed in order to estimate the stress ratio R , widen its applicability to compression and tension fractures, and provide a compatibility test for data selection and separation. A new Rotational Optimization procedure for interactive kinematic data separation of fault-slip and focal mechanism data and progressive stress tensor optimization is presented. The quality assessment procedure defined for the World Stress Map project is extended in order to take into account the diversity of orientations of structural data used in the inversion. The range of stress regimes is expressed by a stress regime index R’ , useful for regional comparisons and mapping. All these aspects have been implemented in a computer program TENSOR, which is introduced briefly. The procedures for determination of stress tensor using these new aspects are described using natural sets of fault-slip and focal mechanism data from the Baikal Rift Zone.

Abstract Tectonic stress is one of the fundamental data sets in Earth sciences comparable with topography, gravity, heat flow and others. The importance of stress observations for both academic research (e.g. geodynamics, plate tectonics) and applied sciences (e.g. hydrocarbon production, civil engineering) proves the necessity of a project like the World Stress Map for compiling and making available stress data on a global scale. The World Stress Map project offers not only free access to this global database via the Internet, but also continues in its effort to expand and improve the database, to develop new quality criteria, and to initiate topical research projects. In this paper we present (a) the new release of the World Stress Map, (b) expanded quality ranking schemes for borehole breakouts and geological indicators, (c) new stress indicators (drilling-induced fractures, borehole slotter data) and their quality ranking schemes, and (d) examples for the application of tectonic stress data.

Abstract The paper presents a geodynamic interpretation of the deep structure and active tectonics of the northern Tien Shan, with particular emphasis on strike-slip motions, which produced a pull-apart in the centre of the Issyk-Kul basin. The study is based on a detailed interpretation of satellite imagery, fault plane solutions of earthquakes, seismic, and geodetic data. Seismic and magnetotelluric studies show tectonic layering of the Tien Shan lithosphere, with several nearly horizontal viscoelastic layers and the lower layer underthrust northward in the northern Tien Shan. This active process may be responsible for the intricate present-day tectonic framework of the northern Tien Shan. The recent tectonics of the northern Tien Shan inherits the earlier structure: The lens-shaped Issyk-Kul microcontinent comprising Precambrian-Palaeozoic metamorphic and magmatic rocks is surrounded by thick shear zones which have been involved in the activity over most of the Cenozoic. In the Quaternary the strain propagated as far as the central part of the Issyk-Kul basin.