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• We address a less studied topic: states' cultural response to disasters. • We propose a perspective based on the cultural sociology of the state and cultural theories of trauma, theodicy, and performance. • States' cultural response is " performance ": states project their definitions of situation of disasters and construct their positive self-images when interacting with the publics. • The efficacy of their performance depends on how effectively states' address the key components of the " nomos " or " meaning structure " about catastrophes and suffering and how this performance is influenced by their political structures. • Our theoretical perspective is illustrated in a comparative study of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina in the US. • The findings also speak to an enduring debate over whether democratic or authoritarian regimes perform better in disaster responses. The sociology of disaster has paid scant attention to states' cultural response—states' effort to use meaningful narratives and symbolic actions to address issues about citizens' suffering and death to enhance their legitimacy and secure citizens' support. Our paper starts to address this gap by asking: How do states culturally respond to massive disasters? How effective are their responses? What can explain the efficacy of their cultural responses? We propose a perspective based on the cultural sociology of the state and cultural theories of trauma, theodicy, and performance. We illustrate this perspective in a comparative study of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina in the United States. We argue that the efficacy of their cultural responses depended on whether and how effectively they addressed the key components of the meaning structure of disasters through compassionate reaction to citizens' suffering and death, convincing accounts of states' accountability, and cogent narratives about the long-term consequences of disasters on citizens. Both states struggled to address these issues at various points in their respective disasters, and their cultural responses were shaped by their political structures. The findings also speak to an enduring debate over whether democratic or authoritarian regimes perform better in disaster responses. We eschew the exclusive focus of the debate on administrative responses and its simplistic correlation between regime type and responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep shale gas reservoir (3,500 ∼ 5,000 m) of the Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the southern Sichuan Basin of China has great potential for exploration and development. Complicated by the fault zones and other geostructures, the in situ stress state of shale gas formations in the southern Sichuan Basin is poorly understood, and field in situ stress measurement data are rare in these deep formations. This study provides vital insights into the in situ stress state based on in situ stress measurements and into the development of a 3D in situ stress model. To accurately model the distributions of in situ stress in the Longmaxi shale gas formation, multiple diagnostic fracturing injection tests (DFIT) were conducted on a 310-km2 shale gas development block. The minimum horizontal principal stress (σ h m i n ) and pore pressure were interpreted from the DFIT data by using pressure transient analysis (PTA) methods. The maximum horizontal principal stress (σ h m a x ) was estimated from multiple sources. The 3D in situ stress model was constructed by using the finite element (FE) method based on a site-specific 3D geological model. The stress model was calibrated and constrained by the results from field DFIT stress measurements. The in situ stress modeling revealed a complex in situ stress state in this deep shale gas formation. The presence of faults changes both the magnitudes and orientations of in situ stress. There is a general decrease in the angle between the σ h m a x direction and the fault strike in the vicinity of the faults. The stress magnitudes changed significantly near some faults, and the stress state transitioned from a strike-slip faulting stress regime to a reversed faulting stress regime. The reservoir is highly overpressured, with pore pressure gradients ranging from 17 to 20 kPa/m within the reservoir, which causes some faults to have a higher risk of slipping. Based on the 3D stress model, the fault stability and pore pressures that are required to slip the faults were estimated. Because many previous studies about in situ stress modeling have been based on well log-interpreted stresses, this study emphasizes the importance of constructing in situ stress models based on direct field stress measurements and of constraining the stresses through multiple sources and methods. • In-situ stress conditions at a deep shale gas reservoir in Sichuan Basin are evaluated based on field DFITs. • Maximum horizontal stress was evaluated and constrained by using multiple methods and data sources. • 3D in situ stress field was established by conducting FEM simulations on 3D geology model. • The modeling revealed a complex in-situ stress state. The presence of faults changes both the magnitudes and orientations of in situ stress. Based on the 3D stress modeling the fault slippage analysis was conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]