Late Quaternary Slip-rates and Slip Partitioning on the Southeastern Xianshuihe Fault System,Eastern Tibetan Plateau

Quantitative analysis of the kinematics of the active faults distributed around the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is critical to understand current tectonic processes of the plateau. Chronological analysis, based on the comparison among regional climate and geomorphology, digital photogrammetry, offset landforms, and the tectonics were adopted in this study on the Xianshuihe fault in the eastern Tibetan plateau. Two or more offset-age data were obtained for each segment of the Xianshuihe and the Yunongxi faults. The offset landforms, including river terrace, alluvial fan and glacial moraine, provide constraints for the late Quaternary slip rate of the Xianshuihe fault. The left-lateral strike slip rate of the Xianshuihe fault decreases from 17 mm/a on the northwest segment to 9.3 mm/a on the southeast segment. Regarding the Xianshuihe fault zone and its adjacent blocks as a regional tectonic system, vector analysis was used to quantitatively analyze the longitudinal kinematical transformation and transversal slip partitioning on the fault zone in terms of the kinematical parameters of the main faults within the zone. The results show that there is a distributed vertical uplift at a rate of 6.1 mm/yr caused by shortening across the Gongga Mountains region. Based on these results, we established a model of the slip partitioning for the southeastern segment of the Xianshuihe fault zone.     

Late Quaternary Slip Behavior of the Jinqianghe Fault in the Middle Qilian–Haiyuan Fault Zone, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau

The Qilian–Haiyuan fault zone in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau has been the source of strong earthquakes in the region. In its middle segment, the Jinqianghe fault is an important active fault within the Tianzhu seismic gap; however, little is known about its slip behavior. To present a new horizontal displacement distribution along this fault, we used WorldView-2 stereo pairs and unmanned aerial vehicle-based photogrammetry to construct digital elevation models to obtain a detailed tectono-geomorphic interpretation and geomorphic offsets. The offset marker measurements yielded 135 geomorphic displacements and 8 offset clusters. Radiocarbon dating was used to establish the regional age sequence of the geomorphic units in offset fluvial terraces at four study sites. The displacements and ages linked the offset clusters with the geomorphic unit sequence; the Holocene strike-slip rate of the Jinqianghe fault was estimated to 4.8–5.6 mm/a at ~4–12 ka and 2.9–4.7 mm/a from ~4 ka. Three recent earthquakes (with a recurrence interval of ~1000 years) represent an active seismic period, revealing the potential seismic hazard along this fault because it has not ruptured in the last 1500 years.     

Late-Quaternary Slip Rate and Seismic Activity of the Xianshuihe Fault Zone in Southwest China

The Xianshuihe fault zone is a seismo-genetic fault zone of left-lateral slip in Southwest China. Since 1725, a total of 59 Ms ≥ 5.0 earthquakes have occurred along this fault zone, including 18 Ms 6.0–6.9 and eight Ms ≥ 7.0 earthquakes. The seismic risk of the Xianshuihe fault zone is a large and realistic threat to the western Sichuan economic corridor. Based on previous studies, we carried out field geological survey and remote sensing interpretation in the fault zone. In addition, geophysical surveys, trenching and age-dating were conducted in the key parts to better understand the geometry, spatial distribution and activity of the fault zone. We infer to divide the fault zone into two parts: the northwest part and the southeast part, with total eight segments. Their Late Quaternary slip rates vary in a range of 11.5 mm/a –(3±1) mm/a. The seismic activities of the Xianshuihe fault zone are frequent and strong, periodical, and reoccurred. Combining the spatial and temporal distribution of the historical earthquakes, the seismic hazard of the Xianshuihe fault zone has been predicted by using the relationship between magnitude and frequency of earthquakes caused by different fault segments. The prediction results show that the segment between Daofu and Qianning has a possibility of Ms ≥ 7.0 earthquakes, while the segment between Shimian and Luding is likely to have earthquakes of about Ms 7.0. It is suggested to establish a GPS or In SAR-based real-time monitoring network of surface displacement to cover the Xianshuihe fault zone, and an early warning system of earthquakes and post seismic geohazards to cover the major residential areas.     

Thrust Propagation in the Aqqikkol Lake Area, the East Kunlun Mountains, Northwestern China

The western segment of the East Kunlun Mountains is one of the poorly studied regions in northwestern China. Through a structural analysis of the typical sections, we have the following views: (1) There is a very well developed fault system in the western segment of the East Kunlun Mountains and thrust propagation, normal slip and decoupling are the chief deformation events in this area. (2) Although the thrusting started in the Late Carboniferous and Late Triassic-Early Jurassic, strong activity took place in the Miocene-Quaternary when the Kumkol basin was strongly downwarped. (3) The tectonic pattern of coexistence of N-directed thrust propagation and S-directed normal slip in this area is consistent with the general tectonic pattern of the northern Qinghai-Tibet plateau and also very similar to that of the Himalayan region on the southern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, but their directions between the thrust propagation are opposite and all the strong thrust propagations occurred from the Mioc     

Late Quaternary Tectonic Deformation of the Eastern End of the Altyn Tagh Fault

The Quaternary activity of the faults at the eastern end of the Altyn Tagh fault, including the Dengdengshan–Chijiaciwo, Kuantanshan and Heishan faults, was studied on the basis of interpretation of satellite images, trenching, geomorphologic offset measurements and dating. The Altyn Tagh fault has extended eastwards to Kuantanshan Mountain. The left–slip rates of the Altyn Tagh fault decreased through the Qilianshan fault and were transformed into thrust and folds deformation of many NW–trending faults within the Jiuxi basin. Meanwhile, under NE–directed compression of the Tibetan plateau, thrust dominated the Dengdengshan–Chijiaciwo fault northeast of the Kuantanshan uplift with a rate lower than that of every fault in the Jiuxi basin south of the uplift, implying that tectonic deformation is mainly confined to the plateau interior and the Hexi Corridor area. From continual northeastward enlargement of the Altyn Tagh fault, the Kuantanshan uplift became a triangular wedge intruding to the east, while the Kuantanshan area at the end of this wedge rose up strongly. In future, the Altyn Tagh fault will continue to spread eastward along the Heishan and Jintananshan faults. The results have implications for understanding the propagation of crustal deformation and the mechanism of the India–Eurasian collision.     

Fault-Growth Pattern of the South Margin Normal Fault of the Yuguang Basin in Northwest Beijing and its Influencing Factors

Based on high-resolution remote sensing image interpretation, digital elevation model 3-D analysis, field geologic field investigation, trenching engineering, and ground-penetrating radar, synthetic research on the evolution of the Yuguang Basin South Margin Fault (YBSMF) in northwest Beijing was carried out. We found that the propagation and growth of faults most often occurred often at two locations: the fault overlapping zone and the uneven or rough fault segment. Through detailed observation and analysis of all cropouts of faults along the YBSMF from zone a to zone i, we identified three major factors that dominate or affect fault propagation and growth. First, the irregularity of fault geometry determine the propagation and growth of the fault, and therefore, the faults always propagate and grow at such irregular fault segments. The fault finally cuts off and eliminates its irregularity, making the fault geometry and fault plane smoother than before, which contributes to the slipping movement of the half-graben block in the basin. Second, the scale of the irregularity of the fault geometry affects the result of fault propagation and growth, that is, the degree of the cutting off of fault irregularity. The degree of cutting off decreases as irregularity scale increases. Third, the maximum possible slip displacement of the fault segment influences the duration of fault propagation and growth. The duration at the central segments with a large slip displacement is longer than that at the end segments with a smaller slippage value.     

Late Quaternary Activity of the Huashan Piedmont Fault and Associated Hazards in the Southeastern Weihe Graben, Central China

The Weihe Graben is not only an important Cenozoic fault basin in China but also a significant active seismic zone. The Huashan piedmont fault is an important active fault on the southeast side of the Weihe Graben and has been highly active since the Cenozoic. The well–known Great Huaxian County Earthquake of 1556 occurred on the Huashan piedmont fault. This earthquake, which claimed the lives of approximately 830000 people, is one of the few large earthquakes known to have occurred on a high–angle normal fault. The Huashan piedmont fault is a typical active normal fault that can be used to study tectonic activity and the associated hazards. In this study, the types and characteristics of late Quaternary deformation along this fault are discussed from geological investigations, historical research and comprehensive analysis. On the basis of its characteristics and activity, the fault can be divided into three sections, namely eastern, central and western. The eastern and western sections display normal slip. Intense deformation has occurred along the two sections during the Quaternary; however, no deformation has occurred during the Holocene. The central section has experienced significant high–angle normal fault activity during the Quaternary, including the Holocene. Holocene alluvial fans and loess cut by the fault have been identified at the mouths of many stream valleys of the Huashan Mountains along the central section of the Huashan piedmont fault zone. Of the three sections of the Huashan piedmont fault, the central section is the most active and was very active during the late Quaternary. The rate of normal dip–slip was 1.67–2.71±0.11 mm/a in the Holocene and 0.61±0.15 mm/a during the Mid–Late Pleistocene. As is typical of normal faults, the late Quaternary activity of the Huashan piedmont fault has produced a set of disasters, which include frequent earthquakes, collapses, landslides, mudslides and ground fissures. Ground fissures mainly occur on the hanging–wall of the Huashan piedmont fault, with landslides, collapses and mudslides occurring on the footwall.     

Revisiting Late Quaternary Slip-rate along the Maqu Segment of the Eastern Kunlun Fault,Northeast Tibet

The Late Quaternary slip rate along the Maqu segment of the eastern Kunlun Fault was estimated using a combination of high-resolution remote sensing imagery interpretation, field observations and differential Global Positioning System(GPS) measurements of offset river terraces, and 14 C dating of snail shells collected from offset risers. The results show that the left-slip rate along the segment is 3–5 mm/a, and that the vertical slip rate is 0.3–0.5 mm/a. Both the horizontal and vertical slips on the segment remain consistent over a distance of ~100 km. It means that no slip gradient as previously suggested occurred along the Maqu segment, and which thus might behave as an independent seismogenic fault. Judging from multiple relationships among young terrace offsets, we infer that co-seismic surface rupture produced by a characteristic earthquake with a magnitude of Ms7.0–7.5 on the Maqu fault could generate a horizontal slip of 4.5–5 m and a vertical slip of 0.45–0.5 m, with a corresponding ratio(Dh/Dv) of about 9. Two surface rupture events must have occurred over the past 3300 years, the latest one possibly between 1485 cal BP and 1730 cal BP.     

The Altun Fault: Its Geometry, Nature and Mode of Growth

The Altun (or Altyn Tagh) fault displays a geometry of overlapping of linear and arcuate segments and shows strong inhomogeneity in time and space. It is a gigantic fault system with complex mechanical behaviours including thrusting, sinistral strike slip and normal slip. The strike slip and normal slip mainly occurred in the Cretaceous-Cenozoic and Plio-Quaternary respectively, whereas the thrusting was a deformation event that has played a dominant role since the late Palaeozoic (for a duration of about 305 Ma). The formation of the Altun fault was related to strong inhomogeneous deformation of the massifs on its two sides (in the hinterland of the Altun Mountains contractional deformation predominated and in the Qilian massif thrust propagation was dominant). The fault experienced a dynamic process of successive break-up and connection of its segments and gradual propagation, which was synchronous with the development of an overstep thrust sequence in the Qilian massif and the uplift of the Qinghai-T     

Surface Rupture of the 1515 Yongsheng Earthquake in Northwest Yunnan,and Its Seismogeological Implications

The 1515 M7? Yongsheng earthquake is the strongest earthquake historically in northwest Yunnan. However, its time, magnitude and the seismogenic fault have long been a topic of dispute. In order to accurately define those problems, a 1:50000 active tectonic mapping was carried out along the northern segment of the Chenghai–Binchuan fault zone. The result shows that there is an at least 25 km–long surface rupture and a series of seismic landslides distributed along the Jinguan fault and the Chenghai fault. Radiocarbon dating of the ~(14) C samples indicates that the surface rupture should be a part of the deformation zone caused by the Yongsheng earthquake in the year 1515. The distribution characteristics of this surface rupture indicate that the macroscopic epicenter of the 1515 Yongsheng earthquake may be located near Hongshiya, and the seismogenic fault of this earthquake is the Jinguan–Chenghai fault, the northern part of the Chenghai–Binchuan fault zone. Striations on the surface rupture show that the latest motion of the fault is normal faulting. The maximum co–seismic vertical displacement can be 3.8 m, according to the empirical formula for the fault displacement and moment magnitude relationship, the moment magnitude of the Yongsheng earthquake was Mw 7.3–7.4. Furthermore, combining published age data with the ~(14) C data in this paper reveals that at least four large earthquakes of similar size to the 1515 Yongsheng earthquake, have taken place across the northern segment of the Chenghai–Binchuan fault zone since 17190±50 yr. BP. The in–situ recurrence interval of Mw 7.3–7.4 characteristic earthquakes in Yongsheng along this fault zone is possibly on the order of 6 ka.     

郯庐断裂南段研究进展与断裂性质讨论

据1：5万区域地质调查和专题研究资料，就郯庐断裂带是否南延与消失的原因，其与大别—苏鲁造山带交截形成的假位错效应，以及与中新生代沉积盆地形成演化的关系等作了新的阐述。在此基础上，讨论了郯庐断裂带是否为巨大的左行平移断层或转换断层。认为郯庐断裂带可能是在“古郯庐带”的基础上于早侏罗世重新活动、白垩纪强烈活动的地堑型枢纽断裂带。     

龙门山地区关口断裂形成与演化分析

根据大量野外露头剖面资料与钻井数据,系统分析了关口断裂形成过程与演化特征。认为关口断裂在印支早、中期为张性大力构造背景下形成的同沉积正断层,在晚三叠世卡尼克期为生长性正断层;印支晚期构造事件中该断裂改变为逆冲断层。关口断裂活动性较强,其中在燕山晚期活动性最强。关口断裂在喜马拉雅期有多期次的、长时期的强烈活动;并且目前仍是一条活动性的断层。     

丽江-小金河断裂盐源段断裂带规模、断裂带结构及其历史活动性

2008年汶川地震促使人们思考青藏高原东南缘走向和规模与龙门山断裂带相近的丽江- 小金河断裂的活动历史,但受限于地质条件制约断裂尤其是其北段相关研究极其薄弱。基岩断裂带的物质组成与结构特征是断层长期活动的产物,蕴含丰富的历史活动信息。本文以丽江- 小金河断裂盐源段多个天然剖面为研究对象,通过详细的断裂带宏观结构调查、断层岩显微构造及XRD分析发现：① 断层破碎带以一套厚度>20 m的破裂面密集带为特征,优势破裂面走向为NE20°~30°,推测为丽江- 小金河断裂长期活动形成的张剪性破裂;② 断层带核部以断层角砾岩和断层泥为主,灰岩角砾岩黏土矿物含量~2%,以伊利石和伊蒙混层为主,粉砂岩断层泥黏土矿物含量~52%,以坡缕石和绿泥石为主,石英含量36%,缺失长石类矿物。断裂带宏观结构和断层岩微观结构特征均表现为角砾呈棱角状,砾径差异极大且呈零散状分布,符合快速滑动特征,指示断层滑移方式为黏滑。此外,核部断层岩带统计厚5~8 m,这一规模相对于龙门山映秀- 北川断裂带核部180~280 m和安县- 灌县断裂带核部40~50 m显著偏小,表明前者自形成以来的活动性远低于后者,两者的地震行为并不能简单类比。结合断裂在宏观结构特征、断层岩成分与种类以及所反映的滑动方式与隆升剥蚀量的差异,认为丽江- 小金河断裂更可能是鲜水河断裂切断锦屏山- 龙门山构造带之后形成的,晚新生代与龙门山断裂带具有不同的活动历史。     

同沉积断裂构造对沉积相展布的控制——以黄河口凹陷沙三中亚段沉积相研究为例

研究表明,黄河口凹陷沙河街组三段中亚段发育的沉积相类型有辫状河三角洲相、扇三角洲相、湖底扇相和湖泊相。同沉积断裂特征对沉积具有控制作用,陡坡带活动盆缘断裂控制扇三角洲的分布,缓坡带活动盆缘断裂控制辫状河三角洲分布;二级断裂对湖底扇和深水沉积区有明显的控制作用,东部断阶带中部发育的F20东西向同沉积断裂,控制了物源的主要注入通道——沟谷,对东部物源的注入具有长期影响。     

梨树断陷控陷断层的动态活动特征

桑树台断层是梨树断陷唯一一条控制断陷结构的一级断层,其动态活动特征、位移量以及对梨树断陷的控制作用等问题制约着层序地层格架和沉积体系的建立。根据该断层的生长模式,用位移—长度关系法分析其在火石岭、沙河子、营城、登娄库等地在坳陷期位移量的变化特征,定量计算不同时期断层最大位移量,分析了桑树台断层的复合式动态生长模式后认为,桑树台断层早期分南、中、北三段独立活动,控制了桑树台主洼、苏家屯次洼、金山次洼的沉积,到沙河子组后期拼合成一条断层。     

华熊地块马超营断裂走滑特征及演化

对华熊地块南部的马超营断裂带的几何样式、组成特征及其变形特点等研究结果表明,马超营断裂带经历了韧性变形和脆性变形期。韧性变形分布于该断裂带的南侧,并发生了绿片岩相的动力变质作用,其中的S-C组构特征所指示的运动方向在其南北两侧,分别为向南和向北逆冲,呈现正花状特点,反映了该断裂带具有走滑逆冲性质的断裂。韧性变形主要发生于前印支期。燕山期,全面陆-陆碰撞期间其主要表现为脆性变形特征。脆性变形主要发育于其北侧,北东向的康山-七里坪断裂、红庄-陶村断裂是其次一级的派生断裂。通过对北东向断裂运动方向和前人的成果分析,以及这些构造的平面分布样式对比认为该断裂为一条左行走滑特征的断裂带。在此基础上,结合区域动力学背景,进而讨论了它的演化特征。     

Relationship between the Pre-existing Active Kunlun Fault and Co-seismic Surface Ruptures Produced by the 2001 Mw 7．8 Central Kunlun Earthquake，China

Field investigations allow to constrain the co-seismic surface rupture zone of ～400km with a strike-slip up to 16．3 m associated with the 2001Mw 7．8 Central Kunlun earthquake that occurred along the western segment of the Kunlun fault,northern Tibet．The co-seismic rupture structures are almost duplicated on the pre-existing fault traces of the Kunlun fault．The deformational characteristics of the co-seismic surface ruptures reveal that the earthquake had a nearly pure strike-slip mechanism．Theg eologic and topographice vidence clearly shows that spatial distributions of the co-seismic surface ruptures are re-stricted by the pre-existing geological structures of the Kunlun fault．     

岷山隆起边界断裂构造活动初步研究

岷山隆起西以岷江断裂为界,东为虎牙断裂。该地区构造活动强烈,地震活动频繁,是重要活动区。岷山隆起是岷江断裂和虎牙断裂由西向东的推覆逆掩运动差异运动导致的。GPS及地质研究表明岷江断裂、虎牙断裂现今仍在活动。岷江断裂为左右旋走滑断裂,运动速度大于2mm／a;虎牙断裂整体速度2．55mm／a,断裂性质为右旋走滑断裂,而震源机制解为左旋走滑断裂。这一结果,可能与GPS观测时段、位置及断裂面结构、几何特征有关。