基于临界点概念和对Bowman临界地震的思想的扩展,提出了一种临界圆方法来确定临界区域。模拟检验表明,此方法在确定假定临界区域时是有效的。我们选择了新西兰和中国的几个实例,运用此方法在强震发生前寻找临界区域位置。结果表明,在确定临界区域时该方法是可信的,主震震中位置将落在临界区域内。 Based on the concept of critical point and the extension of Bowman’s theory of critical earthquake, a critical circle method is proposed to determine the critical region. Simulation tests show that this method is effective in determining the hypothetical critical region. We have selected a few examples from New Zealand and China and used this method to find the critical area before strong earthquakes. The results show that this method is credible in determining the critical region, and the epicentral position of the main shock will fall within the critical region.