The variation characteristics of dynamic stress in crustal blocks and its relationship with earthquakes are comprehensively studied by analyzing geophysical data and calculating the dynamic response of crustal blocks in North China to the tide level change of Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea using a 3D nonlinear dynamic finite element simulation. This study has noticed some new features of crustal dynamic stress: (a) High stress level appears at the place where the stress waves superpose and interference during the process of propagation, and the enhancement of dynamic shear stress is more significant as compared with that of compressive stress; (b) Variation of dynamic stress has influence on seismogenic environment and hence earthquake occurrence; (c) As viewed from the variation characteristics of crustal dynamic stress, the superimposing process of shear stress manifests the preparation process of earthquakes.
