Abstract:In this paper, by applying the theory of dislocation for fracture and the conception of the force acted on the dislocation in stress field, the effect of horizontal tension region in the crust on the fault in earthquake source has been discussed. The formulas and the directions of the forces acted on the ends of the fault in earthquake source located in the tension region distributed radially have been derived theoretically. It is pointed out that tension region has the effect similar to image force for the fault in earthquake source. Under certain dispositions, this effect is to the benefit of propagating of fracture and cause the change of the propagating direction to the fracture. When the bottom of the crust is acted by certain distributed vertical forces, horizontal tension region will be produced at the surroundings. So, according to the datum of surface deformation of the crust and the geological condition around the fault in earthquake source, we could find out the possible existence of tension region and analyse it's possible effect on the fault in earthquake source.