North China is characterized by significant lithosphere heterogeneity and numerous faults, with the occurrence of many historical and ongoing devastating earthquakes. To extend our understanding of the mechanisms of seismicity initiation and fault activity due to lithospheric rheology and lateral difference, we first established a three-dimensional viscoelastic finite element model based on the lithospheric lateral heterogeneity of physical properties across the north–south gravitational lineament (NSGL), spatial distribution of faults, and interseismic global navigation satellite system (GNSS) velocities (1999–2018). We then analyzed the stress accumulation characteristics across the NSGL and its relationship with seismicity. Finally, we explored the temporal and spatial variations of stress along major faults and further analyzed potential relationships between the stress components and rupture mechanisms of typical faults. The results showed that high maximum shear stress, mainly distributed in eastern North China (ENC) and western North China (WNC), corresponding to the focal depth, which suggests that the different brittle crustal thicknesses across the NSGL may be one of the major factors that dominates earthquake depth in North China. Significant maximum shear stress is mainly accommodated on faults around the Ordos Block in WNC and northern faults in ENC, which is consistent with frequent seismic activity in these regions. The relationship between the calculated stress components and rupture mechanisms of typical faults imply that the differential tectonic loading from neighboring blocks may be one of the major dynamic factors for seismogenic processes in North China.

华北地区具有明显的岩石圈非均质性和众多的断层特征，并发生了许多历史性和持续性的破坏性地震。为了扩展我们对岩石圈流变学和侧向差异引起的地震活动和断层活动机制的理解，我们首先建立了一个基于南北重力系岩石物理性质的岩石圈侧向非均质性的三维粘弹性有限元模型。 ），断层的空间分布和地震间全球导航卫星系统（GNSS）的速度（1999-2018年）。然后，我们分析了整个NSGL的应力累积特征及其与地震活动的关系。最后，我们探索了沿主要断层的应力的时空变化，并进一步分析了典型断层的应力分量与破裂机制之间的潜在关系。结果表明，最大的最大剪切应力主要分布在华北东部（ENC）和华北西部（WNC），与震源深度相对应，这表明整个NSGL的不同脆性地壳厚度可能是主要因素之一主导了华北地震的深度。最大的切应力主要集中在WNC的鄂尔多斯地块周围和ENC的北部断层上，这与这些地区的频繁地震活动一致。