Methods for determining the Pleistocene–Holocene component of displacement on active faults reactivating pre-Quaternary structures: examples from the Central Apennines (Italy)

In the tectonically active fault system of the Central Apennines Ridge (Italy) several normal/transtensive faults mapped as Quaternary structures show evidence of pre-Neogene thrusting activity. Therefore, determining the amount of fault-slip during Pleistocene–Holocene times is crucial for seismic hazard assessment. Three principal lines of evidence have been used in this study for estimating the pre-Quaternary activity of extensional fault systems in the Central Apennines. The first is the geological and stratigraphic record (i.e. thickness and facies variations) for pre-Quaternary successions. The second is the widespread structural analysis evidence of extensional faults involved in Neogene thrust tectonics; whether considering a passive role (e.g. fault carried and tilted above a thrust-sheet) or inversion (e.g. positive inversion and related minor structures). The third is the geomorphological evidence, particularly erosion surface analysis, which permits the understanding of the relief generated by tectonics after the formation of post-thrusting erosional surfaces. Preliminary results from some faults which belong to the Sibillini Mts. and the Norcia extensional fault zones show clear evidence of Quaternary reactivations.     

GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE GYARING CO FAULT ZONAL DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND ITS STRUCTURAL IMPLICATIONS

Strike-slip faults and normal faults are dominant active tectonics in the interior of Tibetan plateau and control a series of basins and lakes showing extension since the Late Cenozoic, by contrast with the thrust faulting along the orogenic belts bordering the plateau. The late Neotectonic movement of those faults is key information to understand the deformation mechanism for Tibetan plateau. The Gyaring Co Fault is a major active right-lateral strike-slip fault striking~300° for a distance of~240km in central Tibet, in south of Bangong-Nujiang suture zone. The Gyaring Co Fault merges with the north-trending Xainza-Dinggye rift near the southern shore of Gyaring Co. From NW to SE, Dongguo Co, Gemang Co-Zhangnai Co, Zigui Co-Gyaring Co form the Gyaring Co fault zonal drainage basin. Some scholars have noticed that the formation of lakes and basins may be related to strike-slip faults and rift, but there is no analysis on the Gyaring Co fault zonal drainage basin and its response to regional tectonics. In recent years, a variety of quantitative geomorphic parameters have been widely used in the neotectonic systems to analyze the characteristics of the basin and its response mechanism to the tectonic movement. In this paper, we applied ASTER GDEM data on the ArcGIS platform, extracted the Gyaring Co fault zonal drainage basin based on Google Earth images (Landsat and GeoEye) and field work. We acquired basic geomorphic parameters of 153 sub-basin (such as grade, relief, average slope, area) and Hypsometric Index (HI) value and curve. Statistical results have indicated significant differences in scale(area and river network grade)in north and south sides of the fault. Southern drainage basins' relief, slope, HI value are higher than the northern basins, and the overall shape of hypsometric curve of northern basins are convex compared with southern concavity. Along the strike of the Gyaring Co Fault, average slope, and HI value are showing generally increasing trending and hypsometric curve become convex from west to east. By comparing and analyzing the lithology and rainfall conditions, we found that they have little influence on the basic parameters and HI value of drainage basins. Therefore, the changes of basin topographic differences between northern and southern side of fault and profile reveal the Gyaring Co Fault has experienced differential uplift since the late Cenozoic, southern side has greater uplift compared to the north side, and the uplift increased from NW to SE, thus indicate that normal faulting of the Gyaring Co Fault may enhanced by the Xainza-Dinggye rift. The early uplift of the Gangdise-Nyainqentanglha Mountain in late Cenozoic might provide northward inclined pre-existing geomorphic surfaces and the later further rapid uplift on the Gangdise-Nyaingentanglha Mountain and Xainza-Dinggye rift might contribute to the asymmetrical development of the Gyaring Co fault zonal drainage basin.     

喀喇昆仑断层与塔什库尔干地震形变带

喀喇昆仑断层位于我国新疆、西藏和阿富汗、克什米尔之间,是亚洲大陆中部一条巨型的右旋走滑断裂带,长约1000km,呈北西向展布,十分醒目。喀喇昆仑断层和阿尔金断层形成一个巨大的挤出构造,使青藏高原向东运动,对东亚的新构造和地震活动具有重要的控制作用。木吉-塔什库尔干盆地是公格尔山和慕士塔格山西侧一条串珠状断陷盆地带,东西两侧发育系列山前活动断裂,主要表现为正断层。这里曾发生多次强震活动,3条地震形变带(地震断层)已被发现。塔什库尔干断裂带呈北北西走向,是喀喇昆仑断层北部的一条分支     

青藏高原东北隅弧束断裂与南鄂尔多斯环形构造

卫星图像分析显示 ,青藏高原东北隅存在非常清晰的毛毛山 -南华山 -六盘山、香山 -天景山、烟筒山、牛首山 -罗山 4条弧形断裂带和南鄂尔多斯环形构造。分析了弧形构造的运动特征和南鄂尔多斯环形构造的形态 ,认为青藏高原东北隅弧束断裂的成因是印度板块向NNE俯冲导致青藏高原NEE向移动所产生的推挤力 ,受到南鄂尔多斯环形构造的阻挡 ,形成了 4条向固原、泾原收敛 ,向NWW、NW方向撒开的弧束断裂。造成撒开部分NWW—NNW向断裂左旋走滑、NW—SN向断裂右旋走滑、收敛部分逆冲挤压的特     

Seismic expression of active extensional faults in northern Umbria (Central Italy)

This paper deals with the geometry and kinematics of the active normal faults in northern Umbria, and their relationship with the seismicity observed in the area. In particular, we illustrate the contribution of seismic reflection data (a network of seismic profiles, NNW–SSE and WSW–ENE trending) in constraining at depth the geometry of the different active fault systems and their reciprocal spatial relationships. The main normal fault in the area is the Alto Tiberina fault, NNW trending and ENE dipping, producing a displacement of about 5 km, and generating a continental basin (Val Tiberina basin), infilled by up to 1500 m with Upper Pliocene–Quaternary deposits. The fault has a staircase trajectory, and can be traced on the seismic profiles to a depth of about 13 km. A set of WSW-dipping, antithetic faults can be recognised on the profiles, the most important of which is the Gubbio fault, bordering an extensional Quaternary basin and interpreted as an active fault based on geological, geomorphologic and seismological evidence. The epicentral distribution of the main historical earthquakes is strictly parallel to the general trend of the normal faults. The focal mechanisms of the major earthquakes show a strong similarity with the attitude of the extensional faults, mapped at the surface and recognised on the seismic profiles. These observations demonstrate the connection between seismicity in the area and the activity of the normal faults. Moreover, the distribution of the instrumental seismicity suggests the activity of the Alto Tiberina fault as the basal detachment for the extensional tectonics of the area. Finally, the action of the Alto Tiberina fault was simulated using two dimensional finite element modelling: a close correspondence between the concentration of shear stresses in the model and the distribution of the present earthquakes was obtained.     

Preliminary Study on Cenozoic Group and Fault Activity in the Sea Area Near the Yangtze River Mouth

By shallow seismic prospecting, the Cenozoic Group in the sea area near the Yangtze Rver Mouth can be divided into five seismic sequences. They correspond to the Quaternary,Pliocene, Upper Miocene, Lower Miocene and Eocene respectively. The Quaternary System covers all the detecting area. The Tertiary System overlaps and thins out from NE to SW. The sedimentary basement mainly consists of volcanic rock (J3) and acidic rock (r35). Paleogene or Late Cretaceous basins are not found there. The faults that have been detected are all normal faults. They can be divided into three groups (NE, NW, near EW) by their trend. The NE and NW-trending faults are predominant, and agree with aeromagnetic anomaly. Their length and displacement are larger than that of the EW-trending faults. The activity of the NEtrending faults is different in different segments. The SW segment is a Quaternary fault, the middle segment is a Neogene fault, The NE is Paleogene. But the segment of the NW-trending fault is not obvious. The average vertical displacement rate is about 0.015mm/a.     

深井盆地南缘断裂特征与活动性研究

深井盆地是山西断陷盆地带北段内部一个规模很小的次级盆地,为中更新世以来发育的三角型山间小型盆地。盆地附近断裂发育,构造复杂,深井盆地南缘断裂为主控边界断裂,控制着盆地的发展演化。本文通过对地形地貌、断裂剖面、地层测年及地震活动等方面的分析和研究,获得了断裂活动时代和活动速率等参数,综合阐述了断裂的空间展布及活动特征。研究表明:深井盆地南缘断裂晚第四纪期间仍在活动,最新活动时代为晚更新世晚期;断裂具有分段性,西段长约6km,多处可见断裂错断晚更新世地层剖面,属正断倾滑性质;东段表现为盆地与黄土斜坡直接接触,由西向东断裂地貌表现逐渐减弱,未见明显的断裂剖面,止于NW向构造,附近发生的4次4 3/4级地震与该段断裂关系密切。     

西藏中部的发震构造

西藏中部的发震构造是晚第四纪以来强烈活动的北东、北西和近南北向的活动断层及受其控制的地堑半地堑型盆地和拉分盆地，东西向缝合线和断层晚第四纪以来的运动性不明显，对地震活动没有明显的控制作用，活动断层的规模和晚第四纪以来的运动性质对地震的震级和数量有明显的的控制作用。８级地震的发生与拉分盆地内部张剪切断层与盆地一侧新活动幅度大的次级走滑断层的相互作用密切相关。     

2016年阿克陶MS 6.7地震地表破裂特征和帕米尔现代构造应力场初步分析

帕米尔高原位于地中海－喜马拉雅地震带上,晚新生代以来随着印度板块向欧亚板块持续不断地挤压汇聚,其构造运动是欧亚大陆最强烈的地区。高原腹地发育一系列近SN向正断层,包括近SN向的塔什库尔干正断层所处的帕米尔中部现代区域的构造应力场以EW向水平拉张为主。2016年11月25日发生的阿克陶M_S 6.7级地震的发震构造为塔什库尔干断层分支的NWW向木吉盆地北缘断层,其具有右旋走滑兼正断性质。地震在震中附近产生同震地表形变带,全长约1km,呈近SN－NNE向水平拉伸,发育近EW—NWW向的张裂缝,为地震破裂的产物,张裂缝的最大水平拉伸位移量和最大垂直位移量分别为46cm和16cm。地表破裂带中的NE和NW向张剪裂缝只是连接贯通这些雁列的张裂缝,其水平相对位移量取决于张裂缝的水平拉伸量和张裂缝之间的几何关系。地表形变带表现的拉张性质与帕米尔高原腹地区域现代应力场最大主压应力为垂直向基本一致,可能与深部热物质上涌造成的上地壳拉伸有关。而地表形变带呈近SN向水平拉张,与区域近EW向拉张应力场之间存在显著差异,这可能是木吉盆地北缘右旋走滑正断层阶区局部应力场调整的结果。     

Strymon and Strymonikos Gulf basins (Northern Greece): Implications on their formation and evolution from faulting

In Central and Eastern Macedonia of Northern Greece large NW–SE trending basins filled up mainly with terrestrial sediments developed during the Neogene over the Alpine basement rocks. Among them, the Strymon basin was established along the NNW–SSE trending Strouma/Strymon Lineament which formed over the tectonic boundary of the Serbomacedonian and Rhodope massifs, both representing the hinterland of the Hellenic orogen. The present study suggests that the Strymon basin was not formed as a syn-detachment basin over the Strymon Valley Detachment Fault, considered to have caused exhumation of the Rhodope massif metamorphic complex. Instead, transpressional s.l. tectonics dominated the region in the Late Oligocene-Early Miocene and it progressively changed into a wrench tectonics under which the Strymon basin has been initiated in the Middle Miocene. The basin continued to develop further under a short-lived NW–SE extension in the Middle-Late Miocene. The whole deformation is attributed to the late-stage collisional processes between the Apulia and Eurasia plates. The prevalent NE–SW extension has been constrained later on in the Late Miocene and Pliocene times activating both low-angle and high-angle NW–SE trending faults and causing the regional tilting towards the SW of the mountain fault blocks (i.e., mountain chains). From Quaternary onwards, the Strymon basin has been separated from the Strymonikos Gulf basin due to an N–S extension that mainly activates E–W striking normal faults.     

Normal fault growth and linkage in the Gediz (Alaşehir) Graben,Western Turkey,revealed by transient river long‐profiles and slope‐break knickpoints

The Gediz (Ala?ehir) Graben is located in the highly tectonically active and seismogenic region of Western Turkey. The rivers upstream of the normal fault‐bounded graben each contain a non‐lithologic knickpoint, including those that drain through inferred fault segment boundaries. Knickpoint heights measured vertically from the fault scale with footwall relief and documented fault throw (vertical displacement). Consequently, we deduce these knickpoints were initiated by an increase in slip rate on the basin‐bounding fault, driven by linkage of the three main fault segments of the high‐angle graben bounding fault array. Fault interaction theory and ratios of channel steepness suggest that the slip rate enhancement factor on linkage was a factor of 3. We combine this information with geomorphic and structural constraints to estimate that linkage took place between 0.6 Ma and 1 Ma. Calculated pre‐ and post‐linkage throw rates are 0.6 and 2 mm/yr respectively. Maximum knickpoint retreat rates upstream of the faults range from 4.5 to 28 mm/yr, faster than for similar catchments upstream of normal faults in the Central Apennines and the Hatay Graben of Turkey, and implying a fluvial landscape response time of 1.6 to 2.7 Myr. We explore the relative controls of drainage area and precipitation on these retreat rates, and conclude that while climate variation and fault throw rate partially explain the variations seen, lithology remains a potentially important but poorly characterised variable. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geomorphic assessment of active tectonics in the Acambay graben,Mexican Volcanic Belt

Spatial variations of Quaternary deformation and tectonic activity of faults along the Acambay graben are assessed using geomorphic and morphometric approaches. The Acambay graben is an east–west trending structure of apparent Quaternary age, located in the central part of the Mexican Volcanic Belt, which gives rise to pronounced scarps over a distance of about 80 km. Continuing tectonic activity in the Acambay graben is confirmed by recent well documented seismic episodes. The intensity of active tectonics has been interpreted through a detailed geomorphic study of the fault-generated mountain fronts and fluvial systems. The combined geomorphic and morphometric data provide evidence for relative variations in tectonic activity among the Acambay graben faults. Geomorphic indices suggest a relatively high degree of tectonic activity along the Venta de Bravo and the Acambay–Tixmadeje faults, followed, in order of decreasing activity, by the Pastores, Temascalcingo and Tepuxtepec faults. Spatial variations within faults have also been identified, suggesting a higher level of tectonic activity at the tips of the faults. This pattern of variation in the relative degree of tectonic activity is consistent with field evidence and seismic data for the Acambay graben. Geomorphic evaluation of the Acambay graben faults suggests that the Acambay–Tixmadeje and Venta de Bravo faults, and specifically the tips of these faults and a central segment near the town of Venta de Bravo, should be considered as areas of potentially high earthquake risk. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

利用密集台阵近震层析成像研究云南宾川上地壳速度结构

滇西北宾川盆地是发育于红河断裂和程海断裂交汇处的晚新生代张扭断陷盆地,该区活动断裂发育且历史地震比较活跃.对宾川盆地及邻区进行高精度浅层和上地壳精细结构研究,有助于深入认识该区主要发震构造的深浅部特征.基于2017年在宾川盆地及其附近开展的为期2个月的密集台阵观测数据,我们对该区96个小震共拾取了117221条初至P波和5475条初至S波震相,并利用simul2000开展了地震重定位和体波层析成像研究.结果表明：（1）小震活动主要集中在宾川盆地东缘断裂的弧形转折部位,并在洱海南侧呈现沿北东向断裂的条带状分布现象,反映了区域上近南北向至北东向断裂是主要控震构造,其次是北西向断裂带.（2）0 km的速度分布与区域地形有很好的对应关系.山地呈现高速异常,宾川盆地呈现低速异常.从3 km至9 km,高低速分界与断层有很好的对应,并且越往深部,近南北向至北北东向的宾川盆地东缘断裂在上地壳构造的控制作用越明显.（3）上地壳层析成像结果同时揭示了宾川盆地东缘断裂的三维形态变化在空间上呈现出南北部倾角大、中部倾角缓的变化特征,可能与区域地块的旋转变形过程有关.（4）综合高精度浅层速度结构和地震重定位结果可知,区域上的近南北向至北北东向断裂正逐步取代北西向构造,成为主要的区域分界断裂和控震构造.新的研究结果为深入理解该区的主要控震构造及其深部结构特征提供了重要依据.     

Eocene extensional tectonics in the Amakusa region,northern Ryukyu arc

Paleogene surface tectonics in Japan is not well understood because of the paucity of onshore Paleogene stratigraphic records except for those from accretionary complexes. Paralic Paleogene formations remaining in SW Japan are usually so thin that it is difficult to decipher the tectonics from them. However, the Eocene paralic sedimentary package with a thickness of kilometers indicates syn-depositional tectonic subsidence by a few kilometers in the Amakusa archipelago, west of Kyushu Island. Thus, we made a detailed geological map of the Eocene formations in an area of ~50 square kilometers in the northwestern part of the archipelago. We identified NE-SW and NW-SE trending normal faults, most of which were recognized by previous researchers, and also discovered low-angle faults. NW-SE trending ones are known to be of the Miocene. NE-SW trending and low-angle normal faults are the oldest map-scale structures in the Eocene ones. It is not obvious within the above-mentioned area whether those normal faults are accompanied by growth strata. However, the significant southeastward thickening of the Eocene formations across the Amakusa archipelago suggests that they filled a large half graben with the basin margin fault along the eastern side of the archipelago. This basin model is consistent with the N-S to NW-SE transport directions of the low-angle and NE-SW trending normal faults. Since many NE-SW to EW trending Eocene grabens were formed in the offshore regions west of Kyushu Island and in the East China Sea, the Amakusa region was probably a northeastern branch of the rift system. The geologic structures and depositional ages of the Eocene formations indicate that the Eocene extensional tectonics removed the overlying strata to some extent for the high-P/T Takahama Metamorphic Rocks which crops out to the south of our study area.     

Characteristics of the Shuanghu graben and Cenozoic extension in northern Tibet

The latest Qiangtang Terrane structure is characterized by the south-north-trending graben formed during the eastwestward extensional processes. The Shuanghu graben is composed of a series of nearly parallel NE to NNE-trending normal faults. Studies on fault geometry, kinematics and sedimentation in the fault-controlled basin suggest that the faults activated periodically and their early activities began in the Pliocene, which caused the unconformable contact between the Pliocene and the subjacent Shuanghu Formation, as well as between the Pliocene and the overlying Quaternary. The movement rates of the faults had been strikingly increased since Quaternary when the faults activated intensively. The graben resulted from the gravitational spreading after the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. It is indicated that the collapse has been on setting in plateau hinterland.     

香港地区断裂构造的新活动性

香港地区主要分布有北东东－近东西、北东和北西向三维断裂。北东向断裂分布全区，燕山期有过强烈活动，第四纪早－中期仍有过活动，以后的活动性不明显。其余两组构造虽然具有不同的发展历史，但在新构造运动中为一组共轭构造。在晚更新世（距今９－１１万年）仍有明显活动全新世以来活动性相对较弱，全新世滑动速度为０．６－０．９ｍｍ／ａ     

Imaging the Mariánské Lázně Fault (Czech Republic) by 3-D ground-penetrating radar and electric resistivity tomography

Geodynamic activity in the area of West Bohemia is typified by the occurrence of earthquake swarms, Quaternary volcanism and high flux of mantle-derived CO₂. The highest swarm activity occurs beneath the eastern edge of the Cheb basin, which is delineated by the NW-SE trending morphologically pronounced Mariánské Lázn?? Fault (MLF) controlling the formation of the basin. The previous trenching survey across the MLF zone has identified several fault strands with possible Quaternary activity. In this paper we present the results of the geophysical survey focused to trace the faults signatures in geophysical sections and to build an image of near surface tectonics. The method of electric resistivity tomography (ERT) along two profiles parallel to the trench identified a strong resistivity contrast between the bodies of sandy gravels in the middle and conductive clayey sands to the west and weathered crystalline basement to the east. The 2-D ground penetration radar (GPR) sections show direct correlation of reflections with lithological boundaries identified in the trench. As expected, the GPR signal amplitudes increase with the resistivities found in the ERT sections. Two of the four faults identified in the trench are indicated in the resistivity and GPR sections. A 3-D GPR measurement has identified a spot of high amplitudes elongated parallel to the MLF trend, which coincides with the high resistivity body. To improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the time slices we stacked the GPR time slices within vertically homogeneous blocks. This provided a contrast image of the sand-gravel body including its boundaries in three dimensions. The detailed analysis of the 3-D GPR cube revealed additional fault that limits the highly reflective sands and appears to be offset by another younger fault. Our results suggest a complex fault pattern in the studied area, which deserves a further study.     

拉分盆地形成机制三维数值模拟——以海原断裂带老龙湾盆地为例

拉分盆地是走滑断层系中受拉伸作用形成的断陷盆地.一般在两条平行断层控制下发育.盆地形似菱形,几何形态主要受两条主控走滑断层错距和叠接长度影响.本文以青藏高原东北缘海原断裂带老龙湾拉分盆地第四纪所处的构造环境为基础,参考盆地周围断层几何分布,建立了三维有限元数值模型,模拟该拉分盆地的演化过程;进一步分析了断层力学性质、地壳分层结构等各因素对盆地形成和演化的影响.模拟结果显示,盆地地表沉降伴随有下地壳物质的上涌,此上涌对盆地地表沉降存在阻碍作用.各因素的影响具体表现为:(1)断层力学性质(弹性模量和黏滞系数)越弱,其对构造应力较低的传递效率导致盆地两端差异性运动越明显,从而形成较大的盆地地表沉降和明显的上地壳减薄.(2)平行主控断层的叠接长度反映盆地形成的拉伸作用范围,叠接长度越大,相同的差异性运动在单位面积形成的拉伸应力越小,盆地地表沉降较小.(3)下地壳流变性影响其物质的上涌量,下地壳黏滞系数越小,其对上部拉伸作用的响应越明显,上涌量越大,此上涌对上地壳沉降形成的阻碍作用也越明显.根据老龙湾拉分盆地所处的构造格局,将平行断层的叠接长度取20km,当断层黏滞系数取值为周围基岩的1/10,参考该盆地第四纪构造演化历史,模拟得到的盆地第四纪下沉量与盆地内第四系沉积层厚度在规模上近似,下地壳黏滞系数取值在(2.5~5.0)×1021 Pa·s范围内时,盆地下沉量模拟结果与老龙湾拉分盆地第四系地层厚度吻合较好.     

Cenozoic structural deformation and expression of the “Tan-Lu Fault Zone” in the West Sag of Liaohe Depression, Bohaiwan basin province, China

Based on the interpretation of 3D seismic data and structural mapping we analyzed the geometry and kinematics of the fault system and validated the expression of the “Tan-Lu Fracture Zone” in the West Sag of Liaohe Depression, Bohaiwan basin province. The Cenozoic structural deformation within the West Sag of Liaohe Depression can be divided into extensional structure system and dextral structure system. The extensional system is constituted by numerous NNE-NE trending Paleogene normal faults, where the Taian-Dawa fault (F1) is the master boundary fault (MBF) dominating the deposition during Paleogene so that the sag shows a complex half-graben with “boundary fault in the east and overlap in the west”. The dextral system is constituted by 2–3 dextral basement faults in NNE-NE trending (F2, F3, F4) and associated structure, and the time of structural action started in Oligocene and continued to Quarternary so that some associated secondary faults of the dextral system cut off the Neogene and Quaternary. Under the influence of the position and attitude of NNE-NE trending basement strike-slip faults, the central north part and the south part of the West Sag show obviously different structural features. The former appears to be a complex “graben” structure limited by the reversed strike-slip fault in the west and bounded by the inverted normal fault in the east, the latter remains the complex half-graben structure with “boundary fault in the east and overlap in the west”, and the graben was mildly reconstructed by one or two normal strike-slip faults. The dextral system within the West Sag is the element of the west branch fault of the Tan-Lu Fracture Zone, which is a deep fracture zone extending along the east of the Liaodongwan Gulf. The deep fracture zone branches off into two separate faults within the Liaohe Depression. The east branch goes through from northern part of the Liaodongwan Gulf to the East Sag of Liaohe Depression and links with the Denghua-Mishan Fault near Shenyang, and the west branch passes from northern part of the Liaodongwan Gulf to the West Sag and Damintun Sag of Liaohe Depression and links with the Yilan-Yitong Fault. The principal displacement zone of the west branch of the Tan-Lu Fracture Zone cuts off the master extensional fault (F1) within the West Sag of Liaohe Depression and induces many cover faults in EW trending within the Neogene and Quaternary.     

InSAR-DEM analyses integrated with geologic field methods for the study of long-term seismogenic fault behavior: Applications in the axial zone of the central Apennines (Italy)

The integration of terrain computer modeling with field methods may provide a powerful mechanism for understanding active faults geometry, kinematics and long-term fault behavior. Radar interferometry was used on ERS tandem images to create a geocoded DEM (InSAR-DEM) with a nominal 20-m spatial-resolution of the central Apennines axial zone, a seismically active area characterized by historical destructive earthquakes with M 7. The potential was tested of InSAR-DEM application to the Fucino and Sulmona basin boundary faults, which have well-defined seismological, paleoseismological and/or geological evidence for their having seismogenic sources. In particular, slope maps extracted from the InSAR-DEM were used for fault scarps detection, whether on carbonate bedrock (fault scarp type 2) or affecting continental deposits within the basin (fault scarp type 1), and compared with the available geological and new field data. In order to assess the DEM accuracy and to evaluate morphometric parameters related to the long-term slip-rates of the faults, a set of topographic profiles was extracted from the InSAR-DEM and compared with analogous profiles derived from the available topographic map (i.e., 1/25,000, with 25 m contour interval). In particular, the use of InSAR-DEM analyses showed its better results, with respect to the standard topography, for urban/agricultural gently sloped areas where fault scarps affected unconsolidated and particularly soft sediments (e.g., Fucino basin fault systems), while in severely sloped carbonate ridge and forested areas low coherences and layover effects made InSAR-DEM application problematic. A maximum value of 1.1 ± 0.2 mm yr^–1 slip-rate was obtained for the Fucino boundary fault. Finally, the recognized en-échelon pattern of the Sulmona basin boundary fault, provided a segmentation model for this structure corroborated by geological-structural field data.