Quantification of both normal and right‐lateral late Quaternary activity along the Kongur Shan extensional system,Chinese Pamir

The Kongur Shan Extensional System (KES) is a ~250 km long normal fault system that bounds the Muji–Tashkorgan basin of the Chinese Pamir. It accommodates E–W extension due to the northward indentation of the Pamir salient, and its late Miocene activity has been the focus of tectonic studies. While the KES has a main normal component, ~WNW–ESE‐striking segments have an additional right‐lateral strike‐slip component. Here, we quantify late Quaternary horizontal and vertical slip rates at three locations along the KES, where active faults cut and offset abandoned geomorphic features. We find rates of >3–4 mm a^?1 (horizontal) along the western Muji fault in the north and of ~1.7 mm a^?1 (vertical) and ~1 mm a^?1 (horizontal) along the Kongur Shan fault in the south during the late Pleistocene. These rates are consistent with GPS and late Miocene rates, and imply that E–W extension in the Muji–Tashkorgan basin is faster in the north than in the south.     

Geological and archaeological evidence of active faulting on the Martana Fault (Umbria–Marche Apennines,Italy) and its geodynamic implications

This paper examines the morphotectonic and structural–geological characteristics of the Quaternary Martana Fault in the Umbria–Marche Apennines fold‐and‐thrust belt. This structure is more than 30 km long and comprises two segments: a N–NNW‐trending longer segment and a 100°N‐trending segment. After developing as a normal fault in Early Pleistocene times, the N–NNW Martana Fault segment experienced a phase of dextral faulting extending from the Early to Middle Pleistocene boundary until around 0.39 Ma, the absolute age of volcanics erupted in correspondence to releasing bends. The establishment of a stress field with a NE–ENE‐trending σ₃ axis and NW–NNW σ₁ axis in Late Pleistocene to Holocene times resulted in a strong component of sinistral faulting along N–NNW‐trending fault segments and almost pure normal faulting on newly formed NW–SE faults. Fresh fault scarps, the interaction of faulting with drainage systems and displacement of alluvial fan apexes provide evidence of the ongoing activity of this fault. The active left‐lateral kinematic along N–NNW‐trending fault segments is also revealed by the 1.8 m horizontal offset of the E–W‐trending Decumanus road, at the Roman town of Carsulae. We interpret the present‐day kinematics of the Martana Fault as consistent with a model connecting surface structures to the inferred north‐northwest trending lithospheric shear zone marking the western boundary of the Adria Plate. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Parameters of Coseismic Reverse‐ and Oblique‐Slip Surface Ruptures of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake,Eastern Tibetan Plateau

Abstract: On May 12th, 2008, the Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake ruptured the Beichuan, Pengguan and Xiaoyudong faults simultaneously along the middle segment of the Longmenshan thrust belt at the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau. Field investigations constrain the surface rupture pattern, length and offsets related to the Wenchuan earthquake. The Beichuan fault has a NE-trending right-lateral reverse rupture with a total length of 240 km. Reassessment yields a maximum vertical offset of 6.5±0.5 m and a maximum right-lateral offset of 4.9±0.5 m for its northern segment, which are the largest offsets found; the maximum vertical offset is 6.2±0.5 m for its southern segment. The Pengguan fault has a NE-trending pure reverse rupture about 72 km long with a maximum vertical offset of about 3.5 m. The Xiaoyudong fault has a NW-striking left-lateral reverse rupture about 7 km long between the Beichuan and Pengguan faults, with a maximum vertical offset of 3.4 m and left-lateral offset of 3.5 m. This pattern of multiple co-seismic surface ruptures is among the most complicated of recent great earthquakes and presents a much larger danger than if they ruptured individually. The rupture length is the longest for reverse faulting events ever reported.     

A strike‐slip core complex from the Najd fault system,Arabian shield

Metamorphic core complexes are usually thought to be associated with regional crustal extension and crustal thinning, where deep crustal material is exhumed along gently dipping normal shear zones oblique to the regional extension direction. We present a new mechanism whereby metamorphic core complexes can be exhumed along crustal‐scale strike‐slip fault systems that accommodated crustal shortening. The Qazaz metamorphic dome in Saudi Arabia was exhumed along a gently dipping jog in a crustal‐scale vertical strike‐slip fault zone that caused more than 25 km of exhumation of lower crustal rocks by 30 km of lateral motion. Subsequently, the complex was transected by a branch of the strike‐slip fault zone, and the segments were separated by another 30 km of lateral motion. Strike‐slip core complexes like the Qazaz Dome may be common and may have an important local effect on crustal strength.     

阿尔泰山活动断裂

文中介绍了位于亚洲腹地阿尔泰山地区的活动断裂。中国阿尔泰山 (阿尔泰山西南麓 )和蒙古阿尔泰山 (阿尔泰山的东麓 )以NNW向大型走滑断裂为主 ,科布多断裂是阿尔泰山东麓的一条主要NNW向走滑断裂 ,长度近 70 0km。第四纪中晚期右旋走滑速率可达 6 10mm/a ,其上发现有长逾2 0 0km的古地震形变带。富蕴断裂则是阿尔泰山西南麓的一条主要NNW向断裂 ,中晚第四纪的走滑运动速率为 (4± 2 )mm/a ,在中国阿尔泰山的西端还发育规模相对较小的NNW向右旋走滑断裂 ,中晚第四纪走滑速率为 (2± 1)mm/a。中国阿尔泰山 (阿尔泰山的西南麓 )还发育NWW向右旋走滑逆断裂 ,其规模相对较小 ,至中国阿尔泰山西端NWW向的额尔齐斯断裂具有明显的右旋走滑性质。蒙古阿尔泰山的南端则发育近东西向的左旋走滑逆断裂。在与戈壁阿尔泰山交汇部位 ,左旋走滑运动具主导作用。戈壁阿尔泰山发育的戈壁阿尔泰断裂带断续延伸可达 10 0 0km以上 ,目前的研究认为 ,其滑动速率为 12mm/a。其中的博格德断裂上 195 7年发生了戈壁阿尔泰 8.3级地震 ,形变带长约 2 5 0km。阿尔泰山活动断裂的规模、运动强度和强地震活动表明这里不仅受到遥远的印度板块北向推挤作用的影响 ,而且受到较近的地球动力学过程的影响或控制。     

A geophysically constrained multi-scale litho-structural analysis of the Trans-Tanami Fault,Granites-Tanami Orogen,Western Australia

The Trans-Tanami Fault in the poorly exposed Paleoproterozoic Granites-Tanami Orogen of Western Australia is an ～100 km long curvilinear structure with ～6 km right lateral displacement. Multi-scale integration and analysis of aeromagnetic, gravimetric, reflection seismic and remote sensing data have constrained the relative timing and architectural relationship of this structure. Interpretation of regional scale long-wavelength potential field (gravity and magnetic) anomalies, which are commonly used to define first-order structures, show that the fault is not a terrane boundary. Structural interpretation of short-wavelength potential field data illustrates that the structural domains on either side of the fault represent the products of a non-homogeneous stress regime developed between rigid granitic plutons. Additionally, 2D joint forward modelling of gravity and magnetic data and interpretation of reflection seismic data confirms the vertical displacement across this fault to be negligible indicating a predominant lateral displacement. The lateral displacement along a portion of this structure has exploited a pre-existing plane of a north-dipping thrust fault. Where this early thrust fault terminates, the Trans-Tanami Fault displaces previously unfaulted rock as a wrench fault step-over. These observations differ from previous findings in the area by constraining the absolute displacement of this structure and through the recognition of a wrench fault system that includes lateral step-overs between re-activated early thrust fault planes.     

Co‐seismic Faults and Geological Hazards and Incidence of Active Fault of Wenchuan Ms 8.0 Earthquake,Sichuan, China

Abstract: There are two co-seismic faults which developed when the Wenchuan earthquake happened. One occurred along the active fault zone in the central Longmen Mts. and the other in the front of Longmen Mts. The length of which is more than 270 km and about 80 km respectively. The co-seismic fault shows a reverse flexure belt with strike of N45°–60°E in the ground, which caused uplift at its northwest side and subsidence at the southeast. The fault face dips to the northwest with a dip angle ranging from 50° to 60°. The vertical offset of the co-seismic fault ranges 2.5–3.0 m along the Yingxiu-Beichuan co-seismic fault, and 1.5–1.1 m along the Doujiangyan-Hanwang fault. Movement of the co-seismic fault presents obvious segmented features along the active fault zone in central Longmen Mts. For instance, in the section from Yingxiu to Leigu town, thrust without evident slip occurred; while from Beichuan to Qingchuan, thrust and dextral strike-slip take place. Main movement along the front Longmen Mts. shows thrust without slip and segmented features. The area of earthquake intensity more than IX degree and the distribution of secondary geological hazards occurred along the hanging wall of co-seismic faults, and were consistent with the area of aftershock, and its width is less than 40km from co-seismic faults in the hanging wall. The secondary geological hazards, collapses, landslides, debris flows et al., concentrated in the hanging wall of co-seismic fault within 0–20 km from co-seismic fault.     

Seismotectonics of the 2008 and 2009 Qaidam Earthquakes and its Implication for Regional Tectonics

Three magnitude >6 earthquakes struck Qaidam, Qinghai province, China, in November 10th 2008, August 28th and 31st 2009 respectively. The Zongwulongshan fault has often been designated as the active seismogenic structure, although it is at odd with the data. Our continuous GPS station (CGPS), the Xiao Qaidam station, located in the north of the Qaidam basin, is less than 30 km to the southwest of the 2008 earthquake. This CGPS station recorded the near field co-seismic deformation. Here we analyzed the co-seismic dislocation based on the GPS time series and the rupture processes from focal mechanism for the three earthquakes. The aftershocks were relocated to constrain the spatial characteristics of the 2008 and 2009 Qaidam earthquakes. Field geological and geomorphological investigation and interpretation of satellite images show that the Xitieshan fault and Zongwulongshan fault were activated as left lateral thrust during the late Quaternary. Evidence of folding can also be identified. Integrated analyses based on our data and the regional tectonic environment show that the Xitieshan fault is the fault responsible for the 2008 Qaidam earthquake, which is a low dip angle thrust with left lateral strike slip. The Zongwulongshan fault is the seismogenic fault of the 2009 earthquakes, which is a south dipping back thrust of the northern marginal thrust system of the Qaidam basin. Folding takes a significant part of the deformation in the northern marginal thrust system of the Qaidam basin, dominating the contemporary structure style of the northern margin of the Qaidam basin and Qilianshan tectonic system. In this region, this fault and fold system dominates the earthquake activities with frequent small magnitude earthquakes.     

Ground Surface Ruptures and Near‐Fault,Large‐Scale Displacements Caused by the Wenchuan Ms8.0 Earthquake Derived from Pixel Offset Tracking on Synthetic Aperture Radar Images

The 12 May 2008 Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake produced surface displacements along the causative fault, the Yingxiu–Beichuan Fault, which are up to several meters near the fault. Because of the large gradient, satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometric data are strongly incoherent; the usual SAR interferometry method does not allow such displacements to be measured. In the present study, we employed another approach, the technique based on pixel offset tracking, to solve this problem. The used image data of six tracks are from the Advanced Land Observing Satellite, Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS/ PALSAR) dataset of Japan. The results show that the entire surface rupture belt is 238 km long, extending almost linearly in a direction of 42° north–east. It is offset left laterally by a north–west-striking fault at Xiaoyudong, and turns at Gaochuan, where the rupture belt shifts toward the south by 5 km, largely keeping the original trend. In terms of the features of the rupture traces, the rupture belt can be divided into five sections and three types. Among them, the Beichuan–Chaping and Hongkou–Yingxiu sections are relatively complex, with large widths and variable traces along the trend. The Pingtong–Nanba and Qingping–Jingtang sections appear uniform, characterized by straight traces and small widths. West of Yingxiu, the rupture traces are not clear. North of the rupture belt, surface displacements are 2.95 m on average, mostly 2–3.5 m, with 7–9 m the maximum near Beichuan. South of the rupture belt, the average displacement is 1.75 m, dominated by 1–2 m, with 3–4 m at a few sites. In the north, the displacements in the radar line of sight are of subsidence, and in the south, they are uplifted, in accordance with a right-slip motion that moves the northern wall of the fault to the east, and the southern wall to the west, respectively. Along the Guanxian–Jiangyou Fault, there is a uplift zone in the radar line of sight, which is 66 km long, 1.5–6 km wide, and has vertical displacements of approximately 2 m, but no observable rupture traces.     

辽东白云-小佟家堡子矿集区控矿构造及成矿有利区预测

白云-小佟家堡子矿集区是辽东青城子矿集区的重要组成部分之一,包括位于北部的白云（二道沟、三道沟）、荒甸子等大中型金矿床及位于南部的林家三道沟、小佟家堡子、杨树、桃源等大型或中小型金矿床,高家堡子、凤银大地、姜家沟等大中型银矿床.前人对该区成岩成矿时代及金-多金属成矿作用开展了大量的研究工作,但控矿构造研究相对薄弱.研究结果表明,北部白云-荒甸子矿区容（含）矿构造为近东-西走向,向南倾,倾角30°左右逆冲断裂带,沿走向延伸近8 km.该逆冲断裂带由主逆冲断层及与其近于平行的若干条逆冲断层组成,宽度可达200 m.主断层面下部地层产状陡,上部缓,明显切层;而上部逆冲断层则以顺层为主.断层面一般呈舒缓波状,缓倾部位为矿体富集区域.南部林家三道沟-小佟家堡子矿区容矿构造为总体向北倾的缓倾逆冲断层,延伸稳定,在盖县组碎屑岩与大石桥组上部大理岩硅-钙面上部碎屑岩中形成金矿体,而硅-钙面下部大理岩中则形成铅锌银矿体,不同矿区赋矿层位近于一致.NW走向的尖山子断裂是本区规模最大的陡倾断裂,长度超过13 km,并具有多期活动特征.该断裂早期以右行走滑为主,晚期为正断层,在成矿后还有明显活动,可能将白云-荒甸子矿区近东-西向容矿逆冲断裂带向南错移至扈家堡子-马隈子北-毛甸子一带,最大错断距离达6 km.根据对白云-小佟家堡子矿集区控矿构造及赋矿层位的综合分析,结合成矿后断裂活动的改造,提出了白云-荒甸子矿区以南和小佟家堡子金矿-风银大地银矿2个深部成矿有利区及扈家堡子-马隈子北-毛甸子和桃源村以南2个外围成矿有利区.      

NORMAL-SLIP ALONG THE NORTHERN ALTYN TAGH FAULT, NORTH TIBET

NORMAL-SLIP ALONG THE NORTHERN ALTYN TAGH FAULT, NORTH TIBET     

汶川8级大地震同震破裂的特殊性及构造意义——多条平行断裂同时活动的反序型逆冲地震事件

汶川地震是有仪器记录以来发生的世界上最大的板内逆冲型地震之一。野外调查表明,沿北东走向的龙门山断裂带上,至少有两条逆冲断裂同时参与汶川地震的同震破裂过程,即北川断裂和安县灌县断裂（彭灌断裂）。倾向北西的高角度北川逆冲断裂上的地表破裂长度大于200 km,可能达225 km。运动方式在南部表现为以北西盘抬升的逆冲为主,往北东转为逆冲右旋走滑,走滑分量与垂向陡坎高度相当,陡坎高度最大值约为11 m。在彭灌断裂上,地表破裂表现为北西盘抬升的近纯逆冲性质的破裂,破裂长度达70 km,陡坎最高达3~3.5 m。汶川地震是世界上第一次明确记录到多条平行断裂参与同震破裂的逆冲型地震,而且因发震断层是龙门山断裂带内部的高角度逆冲断裂,而非断裂带前锋的低角度逆冲断裂,所以汶川地震属于反序型逆冲断裂活动。这与1999年我国台湾7.5级集集地震和2005年克什米尔7.6级地震类似,说明反序型逆冲地震具有普遍性。汶川地震这一震级大、破裂长的逆冲地震事件是对目前流行的青藏高原下地壳流动的变形假说提出的严峻挑战,同时也表明加强青藏高原东缘南北地震带上其他滑动速率较低但同样具有发生大地震可能性的活动断裂的滑动速率和古地震定量研究的紧迫性,因为这一地区人口密度与东部相当,但发生强震的频率更高。     

北川地区擂鼓断裂在汶川地震中的地表破裂及其意义

2008年5月12日汶川MS8.0级特大地震发生后,在北川县擂鼓地区出露了一条擂鼓同震地表破裂带,该破裂带呈近南北向展布,位于映秀－北川断裂的中北段,其北东起于擂鼓镇柳林村北部,南西止于石岩村南部,以脆性破裂为特征,分别由3条呈北北东、北西西、北北东走向的地表破裂组成,延伸长度约4～5km,并切割了多种地貌单元,其平均垂直断距为1.5m,平均水平断距为1.4m,垂直与水平断距之比为1.07∶1。通过对该地表破裂带野外测量数据、几何展布结构及其成因机制的初步分析表明： 擂鼓断裂是出露于擂鼓地区的捩断层,具有捩断层的基本特性;其主要特征包括：1)擂鼓断裂的形成是由于在汶川地震中其东西两侧逆冲块体之间的差异性运动而引起; 2)断裂呈近南北向展布,与映秀－北川主干断裂近垂直相交;3)断面倾角较陡,为高角度断面的逆断层,具有逆冲兼走滑特征。     

The 1988 Tennant Creek,northern territory,earthquakes: A synthesis

Three large earthquakes with surface‐wave magnitudes 6.3–6.7 on 22 January 1988 were associated with 32 km of surface faulting on two main scarps 30 km southwest of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. These events provide an excellent opportunity to study the mechanics of midplate earthquakes because of the abundance of geological and geophysical data in the area, the proximity of the Warramunga seismic array and the ease of access to the fault zone. The 1988 earthquakes were located in the North Australian Craton in an area that had no history of moderate or large earthquakes before 1986. Additionally, no smaller earthquakes from the fault zone were identified at the Warramunga array, which is situated only 30 km from the nearest scarp, between the 1965 installation of the array and 1986. The main shocks were preceded by a swarm of moderatesized (magnitude 4–5) earthquakes in January 1987 and many smaller aftershocks throughout 1987. Careful relocation of all teleseismically recorded earthquakes from the fault zone shows that the 1987 activity was concentrated in an area only 6 km across in the gap between the two main fault scarps. The main shocks also nucleated in the centre of the fault zone near the 1987 activity. Field observations of scarp morphology indicate that the scarp is divided into three segments, each showing primarily reverse faulting. However, whereas the western and eastern segments show movement of the southern block over the northern, the central scarp segment shows the opposite, with the northern block thrust over the southern block.

Analysis of the first arrival times at Warramunga suggests that the three main shocks were associated with the western, central and eastern scarp segments, respectively. The locations of aftershocks determined using data from temporary seismograph arrays in the epicentral area define three inclined zones of activity that are interpreted as fault planes. In the western and eastern portions of the aftershock zone, these concentrations of activity dip to the south at 45° and 35°, respectively, but in the central section the aftershock zone dips to the north at 55°. Focal mechanisms derived from modelling broadband teleseismic data show thrust and oblique thrust faulting for the three main shocks. The first event ruptured unilaterally up and to the northwest on the westernmost fault segment, while the third main shock ruptured horizontally to the southeast. Modelling of repeat levelling data from the epicentral area requires at least three distinct fault planes, with the eastern and western planes dipping to the south and the central plane dipping to the north. The combination of scarp morphology, aftershock distribution and elevation data makes a strong case for rupture of fault planes in conjugate orientation during the 22 January 1988 Tennant Creek earthquakes. More than 20000 aftershocks have been recorded at Warramunga and activity continues to the present‐day with occasional shocks felt in the town of Tennant Creek and some recent off‐fault aftershocks located directly under the Warramunga seismic array. Stratigraphic relationships exposed in trenches excavated across the scarps suggest that during the Quaternary, a large earthquake ruptured the surface along one segment of the 1988 scarps.     

Coalescence of fault‐bend and fault‐propagation folding in curved thrust systems: an insight from the Central Apennines,Italy

The coalescence and spatial variability of different thrust‐related folding mechanisms involving the same mechanical multilayer along a curved thrust system are documented in this study. The field‐based analysis of thrust‐related folds spectacularly exposed in the Gran Sasso thrust system, Central Apennines of Italy, allowed us to reconstruct the interference fold pattern between fault‐bend and fault‐propagation folding. These two thrust‐related folding mechanisms exhibit spatial variability along the differently oriented ramps of the curved Gran Sasso thrust system, passing from one style to the other. Their selective development is controlled by contrasting styles of compressional normal‐fault reactivation related to positive tectonic inversion. Fault‐bend and fault‐propagation folding interact with a characteristic interference fold pattern in the salient apex zone of the curved thrust system due to their synchronous/in‐sequence growth. This interference fold pattern might be helpful and predictive when reconstructing lateral variations in different thrust‐related folds in similar subaerial or submarine thrust belts.     

南天山库车秋里塔格褶皱带三维构造分析

笔者利用库车秋里塔格地区3000km的二维地震反射资料，结合地表构造测量成果，分段叙述秋里塔格褶皱带的构造几何学和运动学性质，说明构造交汇部位断层和褶皱的叠加过渡关系，并通过二维构造剖面的组合，建立秋里塔格褶皱带的三维构造几何模型。研究发现秋里塔格褶皱带为浅部断层传播褶皱与深部断层转折褶皱叠加形成的复合型背斜带，深部台阶状逆断层的叠加作用、叠加断层位移量的转换、断层断坡高度的变化造成地表背斜沿走向发生变化，笔者通过测量断层叠加方式、断层位移量转换、断层断坡高度，说明秋里塔格褶皱带背斜叠加、扭曲、分叉现象的构造机理，并且给出了秋里塔格褶皱带断层的滑移量。     

Folding of the Gediz Graben Fill,SW Turkey: Extensional and/or Contractional Origin?

Folds constitute a significant part within the dominantly extension-related deformation pattern of the Gediz Graben and their origin either extensional or contractional has been the subject of debate. Field and subsurface data presented in this paper suggest that folds of contractional and extensional origin coexist in the graben-fill sediments. Contractional folds are predominantly observed within the Alasehir formation. A north vergent, plunging, asymmetrical to overturned geometry characterizes these folds and they are commonly observed in association with south dipping both thrust and reverse faults; the presence of thrust/reverse faults in the Gediz Graben is documented for the first time here. Fault data suggest an approximately N–S direction of compression that has governed the contractional deformation. Yet the limited distribution of these structures prevents to relate them with confidence to a regional deformation phase.

Extensional folds occur in association with normal faults either as structures longitudinal or transverse with respect to the general graben trend. Transverse folds are a very common within the buried graben block, owing to the lateral displacement gradients (lateral difference in offset) on the individual fault segments along the southern margin of the graben. Synclines and anticlines have formed at displacement maxima and minima, respectively. Thickness of strata increases at synclines and decreases at anticlines, thus indicating the syn-depositional origin of the folding.     

Co‐seismic deformation and post‐glacial slip rate along the Magallanes‐Fagnano fault,Tierra Del Fuego,Argentina

Across the extreme south of Patagonia, the Magallanes‐Fagnano Fault (MFF) accommodates the left‐lateral relative motion between South America and Scotia plates. In this paper, we present an updated view of the geometry of the eastern portion of the MFF outcropping in Tierra del Fuego. We subdivide the MFF in eight segments on the basis of their deformation styles, using field mapping and interpretation of high‐resolution imagery. We quantify coseismic ruptures of the strongest recorded 1949, M_w7.5 earthquake, and determine its eastern termination. We recognize several co‐seismic offsets in man‐made features showing a sinistral shift up to 6.5 m, greater than previously estimated. Using ¹⁰Be cosmogenic nuclides depth profiles, we date a cumulated offset in post‐glacial morphologies and estimate the long‐term slip rate of the eastern MFF. We quantify a 6.4 ± 0.9 mm/a left‐lateral fault slip rate, which overlaps geodetic velocity and suggests stable fault behaviour since Pleistocene.     

Source model for the Mw 6.1, 31 March 2006, Chalan‐Chulan Earthquake (Iran) from InSAR

We use InSAR to measure deformation and kinematics of the Mw = 4.9 Borujerd (2005/05/03) and Mw = 6.1 Chalan‐Chulan (2006/03/31) earthquakes that occurred in the Zagros fold‐and‐thrust belt. The focal mechanism of the 2006 event is consistent with right lateral strike‐slip motion and the event ruptured the Dorud‐Borujerd segment of the Main Recent Fault. An Envisat interferogram spanning the 2006 event shows peak ground deformation of 9 cm in the satellite line‐of‐sight along a 10 km long fault portion. The interferogram spanning the 2005 earthquake is rather related to atmospheric artefact than to ground deformation. Dislocation models of the 2006 Chalan‐Chulan event indicate dextral slip amounting to a maximum of 90 cm at a depth of 4 km. The predicted vertical displacements are in good agreement with differential levelling data. The 2006 event filled only a small part of the seismic gap located between large M = 7 events that occurred in 1909 and 1957.     

Segmentation and kinematics of the North America‐Caribbean plate boundary offshore Hispaniola

We explored the submarine portions of the Enriquillo–Plantain Garden Fault zone (EPGFZ) and the Septentrional–Oriente Fault zone (SOFZ) along the Northern Caribbean plate boundary using high‐resolution multibeam echo‐sounding and shallow seismic reflection. The bathymetric data shed light on poorly documented or previously unknown submarine fault zones running over 200 km between Haiti and Jamaica (EPGFZ) and 300 km between the Dominican Republic and Cuba (SOFZ). The primary plate‐boundary structures are a series of strike‐slip fault segments associated with pressure ridges, restraining bends, step overs and dogleg offsets indicating very active tectonics. Several distinct segments 50–100 km long cut across pre‐existing structures inherited from former tectonic regimes or bypass recent morphologies formed under the current strike‐slip regime. Along the most recent trace of the SOFZ, we measured a strike‐slip offset of 16.5 km, which indicates steady activity for the past ~1.8 Ma if its current GPS‐derived motion of 9.8 ± 2 mm a^?1 has remained stable during the entire Quaternary.