Uneven aftershock distribution of Wenchuan Ms 8.0 earthquake and possible mechanism

The aftershock activity of Wenchuan Ms8. 0 earthquake showed different spatial and temporal distributions along two different segments of the Longmenshan fault. This difference was likely the result of segmentation of the earthquake rupture process, which in turn may be the result of the fault' s segmentation in its long-term geotectonic condition.