Sounding of electrical structure of the crust and upper mantle along the eastern border of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its tectonic significance

Sounding and study on electrical structure of the crust and upper mantle within the eastern border region of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau by using the magnetotelluric sounding (simply MT) method permitted us to understand the characteristics of specific electrical structure in the region. The sounding result clearly revealed that: (1) The Xianshuihe fault zone represents a large-scale lithospheric fault and is an important boundary fault of the rhombic Sichuan-Yunnan block. (2) The sounded region is a strong earthquake-prone zone. The different crustal media of blocks on both sides of the fault became an important deep background for the strong seismo-active zone. (3) A large-scale low-resistivity layer is found to exist at a depth more than ten kilometers beneath the northern part of the rhombic Sichuan-Yunnan block. Its electrical resistivity is only several to tens Ω · m. The layer northeastward extends down at an angle of 45°. It is related to an obstacle to the lateral squeeze of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and eastward flow of mass by the rigid block. It is inferred from the characteristics of electrical property of deep media that the northern part of the recent rhombic Sichuan-Yunnan block is in a thermal state and is one of the recently fairly active blocks. (4) The lithosphere in the sounded region is gradually thickened from the western segment (northern Sichuan-Yunnan block) to east (Yangtze block).     

Recent tectonic stress field zoning in Sichuan-Yunnan region and its dynamic interest

In this paper, we have carefully determined the stress zones in the Sichuan-Yunnan region with reference to the in-situ stress data of hydraulic fracturing and the inverted fault slip data by using the step-by-step convergence method for stress zoning based on focal mechanism solutions. The results indicate that the tectonic stress field in the Sichuan-Yunnan region is divided into 3 stress zones by 2 approximately parallel NNW-trending stress transition belts. The area between the 2 belts is the Sichuan-Yunnan stress zone where the maximum principal stress σ1 is just in the NNW direction. The eastern boundary of Sichuan-Yunnan stress zone （the eastern stress transition belt） is basically consistent with the eastern boundary of Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block. The western boundary of Sichuan-Yunnan stress zone （the western stress transition belt） is not totally consistent with the western boundary of Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block. The northern segment of the western stress transition belt extends basically along the Jinshajiang fault and accords with the western boundary of Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block, while its southern segment does not extend along the southwestern boundary of the rhombic block, i.e., Honghe fault and converge with the eastern stress transition belt, but stretches continuously in the NNW direction and accords with the Yingpanshan fault. We therefore consider that under the combined influence from the northward motion of India Plate, the southeastward shift of east Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the strong obstruction of South China block, the tectonic stress field in the Sichuan-Yunnan region might not be totally controlled by the previous tectonic frame and new stress transition belt may have possibly formed.     

深地震反射剖面揭示的海原断裂带深部几何形态与地壳形变

由于活动的青藏高原不断的隆升和推挤作用,在西南向东北的推挤作用和周缘块体的阻挡以及东北缘内部块体挤压形变的作用下,形成了多个走向不同的青藏高原东北缘构造体系.新生代构造变形和地震活动强烈,区内分布多条大型深断裂带.海原断裂是青藏高原东北缘发育的弧形活动断裂带中规模最大、活动最为强烈的一条左旋走滑型断裂带,是重要的大地构造区边界,也是控制现今强震活动的活断层.本文利用2009年完成的高分辨率深地震反射剖面的北段资料,对其进行初步构造解释,揭示出海原断裂带的深部几何形态和其两侧地壳上地幔细结构.结果显示海原断裂并不是简单的陡立或者较缓,其几何形态随着深度变化.在海原断裂之下的Moho并未错断的反射特征显示海原断裂并不是直接错断莫霍面的超壳断裂.海原断裂带及两侧岩石圈结构和构造样式的研究为探讨青藏高原东北缘岩石圈变形机制提供地震学依据.     

Recent movement changes of main fault zones in the Sichuan-Yunnan region and their relevance to seismic activity

The Wenchuan earthquake occurred near the "triple junction" linking the Bayan Har block, the South China block, and the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block, and its influences on the surrounding blocks and the main fault zones in the Sichuan-Yunnan region, i.e., the block boundary zone, cannot be ignored. In this paper, changes of movement and stress of the fault zones before and after a strong earthquake were simulated based on the GPS repetition survey results recently obtained during 1999–2007, 2009–2011, and 2011–2013 with a two-dimensional finite-element contact model and the "block- loading" method. The results show that, before the Wenchuan earthquake, the movement of the Longmenshan fault zone was very slow and its compressive stress accumulated rapidly; after the Wenchuan earthquake, movements toward the E-SSE direction of the Bayan Har, southwestern Yunnan, and rhombic blocks were enhanced, and the dextral and horizontal compressive speeds and annual accumulative compressive stress of the Longmenshan fault zone increased markedly by factors of 4.5, 2.1, and 2.5, respectively. The southern Xianshuihe, Anninghe, Zemuhe, Daliangshan, and Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault zones accumulated compressive stress rapidly, forming enhanced compressive stress zones along a NE strike crossing the central part of the Sichuan-Yunnan region. The tensional movement of the Xianshuihe fault zone was enhanced and the slip movement in the central part of the zone was reversed in a short time. The changes are tightly related to the medium-intensity earthquakes that occurred during the same period in this region, revealing that the spatial migration of seismic activity is related to changes of movement of the blocks.     

龙门山构造带壳幔电性结构特征及其与汶川、芦山强震关系

青藏高原东缘龙门山构造带是研究青藏高原地壳物质向东侧向挤出的焦点地区.为探索龙门山构造带活动构造特征及其与发震构造的关系,本文通过布置垂直龙门山构造带南段芦山地震震源区的大地电磁测深剖面,运用多种数据处理手段,得到研究区可靠的电性结构,并通过与已有龙门山中段和北段剖面进行对比分析.研究表明：（1）青藏高原东缘岩石圈存在明显的低阻异常带--松潘岩石圈低阻带,该低阻异常带沿龙日坝断裂-岷山断裂-龙门山后山断裂分布,形成松潘-甘孜地块向扬子地块俯冲的深部动力学模式,通过统计研究区的历史强震,发现震源主要沿低阻异常带东侧分布,同时,低阻异常带也是低速度、低密度异常带,松潘岩石圈低阻带可能是扬子地块的西缘边界;（2）青藏高原物质东移过程中,受到克拉通型四川盆地的强烈阻挡,龙门山构造带表层岩块和物质发生仰冲推覆,表现为逆冲推覆特征的薄皮构造,中下地壳和上地幔顶部物质向龙门山构造带岩石圈深部俯冲,印支运动晚期,扬子古板块持续向华北板块俯冲,在上述构造运动作用下,呈现出刚性的上扬子地块西缘高阻楔形体向西插入柔性青藏块体的楔状构造;（3）根据电性结构推断,芦山地震受到深部上里隐伏壳幔韧性剪切带向上扩展的影响,构成芦山地震的深部主要动力来源;汶川地震的发生,在龙门山南段形成应力加载区,是触发或加快芦山地震孕育发生的另一个动力来源.     

南北地震带地震震源机制解和现今应力特征

基于CAP方法,使用地震波形资料,计算得到了2009年1月～2017年8月期间南北地震带及周边区域466个3.5级以上地震震源机制解。在补充收集1976年1月～2017年8月GCMT公布的259个4.5级以上地震震源机制解的基础上,分析了南北地震带地震震源机制解和应力特征。震源机制空间分布显示,不同断裂带、块体间表现出不同的震源机制空间分布特征,该特征与南北地震带不同段落活动构造性质基本吻合。作为青藏高原东边界的南北地震带,由于动力环境复杂,其内部P轴方向具有明显的差异性。这种差异主要表现为:南北地震带北段P轴呈NE向分布;龙门山断裂带及周边除NE段P轴取向为NW—NNW向外,其他地段P轴近EW向;川滇菱形块体内部P轴呈NNW向,而其西边界以西呈NNE向,东边界以东呈NW向,应力方向转换带的与川滇菱形块体边界基本一致。整体而言,南北地震带及近邻P轴方向由北到南发生了顺时针转动。     

九寨沟地震发震断层属性及青藏高原东南缘现今应变状态讨论

九寨沟地震(M_s7.0或M_w6.5)震中位于青藏高原巴颜喀拉块体东缘东昆仑断裂带东端塔藏断裂、岷江断裂和虎牙断裂交汇部位,中国地震局相关科研机构的研究人员曾将该震中区判定为玛沁—玛曲高震级地震危险区.地震应急科学考察期间没有发现地震地表破裂带,但地震烈度等震线长轴方位、极震区基岩崩塌和滑坡集中带、重新定位余震空间展布和震源机制解等显示出发震断层为NNW向虎牙断裂北段,左旋走滑性质,属东昆仑断裂带东端分支断层之一.此外,汶川地震后,在青藏高原东缘和东南缘次级活动断层上发生了包括2017年九寨沟地震(Mw6.5)、2014年鲁甸(M_w6.2)、景谷(M_w6.2)、康定(M_w6.0)等多次中强地震,显示出青藏高原东缘至东南缘各块体主干边界活动断层现今处于中等偏高的应变积累状态,即在巴颜喀拉、川滇等块体主干边界活动断层上具备了发生高震级(M_w≥7.0)地震的构造应力-应变条件,未来发生高震级地震的危险性不容忽视.     

青藏高原东缘岩石圈物性结构特征及深部构造涵义

青藏高原东缘是研究青藏高原地壳物质向东侧向挤出的焦点地区.为探索青藏高原东向挤出其东部壳幔结构响应及深部地质构造依据,本文利用卫星测高重力数据、数字地震台网("喜马拉雅"项目一期)634个台站的观测数据、以及跨越龙门山构造带、攀西构造带的两条长周期大地电磁测深资料,获得了青藏高原东缘视密度物性结构、P波速度异常结构、以及电性成像结构.物性成像结果表明:(1)松潘地块、川滇地块中-下地壳、上地幔具有低密度、低速、高导的韧性物性结构,部分地区这种韧性物性结构甚至可到达150 km处;(2)四川盆地下方扬子克拉通岩石圈具有稳定的高密度、高速、高阻的刚硬物性结构,其结构向下可延伸至150 km深处;(3)青藏高原东缘横向和垂向的物性结构差异,为揭示龙门山构造带、川滇地块隆升机制提供了物质基础和动力学依据;(4)岩石圈物性结构中,沿岷山一龙门山一锦屏山一玉龙雪山构造带一线存在明显的密度、速度梯级带,其东西两侧呈明显物性二元结构,该物性梯级带可能反映了中上扬子地块西边界位置.     

Relation between electricity structure of the crust and deformation of crustal blocks on the northeastern margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was formed by coales-cence of microcontinents of different geologic histo-ries, i.e. it consists of a series of blocks, such as Hi-malayas, Lhasa, Qiangtang, Kunlun, Qaidam and Qi- lian blocks from south to north. The blocks moved firstly in the NNE direction, then in the NE direction and at last in the ENE or E-W direction from south to north by a combined action of Indian Plate moving northward and obstruction of Tarim and other blocksnorth of the plateau. T…     

青藏高原东缘龙门山逆冲构造深部电性结构特征

通过对汶川地震前观测的碌曲—若尔盖—北川—中江大地电磁剖面的数据处理和反演解释,揭示了沿剖面的松潘—甘孜地块、川西前陆盆地、龙门山构造带及秦岭构造带50 km深度的电性结构特征及相互关系,表明青藏高原东缘向东挤压,迫使向东流动的地壳物质沿高原东缘堆积,并向扬子陆块逆冲推覆.龙门山恰好位于松潘—甘孜地块与扬子陆块对挤部位,主要受松潘—甘孜地块壳内高导层滑脱和四川盆地基底高阻体阻挡的约束,地壳深部存在着西倾且连续展布的壳内低阻层,表明龙门山深部确实存在着逆冲推覆构造,其逆冲断裂系中的三条断裂不仅以不同的倾角向西北倾斜,并且向深部逐渐汇集,但茂县—汶川断裂可能在深部与北川—映秀断裂是分离的.龙门山两翼的四川盆地和松潘甘孜褶皱带的电性结构既具有明显差异性,又具有一定的相关性.四川盆地显示巨厚的低阻沉积盖层和连续稳定的高阻基底的二元电性结构,而松潘—甘孜地块则表现为反向二元结构,即上部大套高阻褶皱带,下部整体为低阻的变化带,龙门山逆冲构造带本身又表现为松潘地块逆冲上覆在四川盆地之上,构成上部高阻褶皱带、中部低阻逆冲断裂带和底部盆地高阻基底的三层电性结构.对比龙门山逆冲构造断裂带的西倾延伸上下盘两侧的两个反对称的二元电性结构,松潘区块深部推断的结晶基底与龙门山断裂带下盘推断的下伏盆地结晶基底又存在某种内在对应关系,推断可能存在一个西延至若尔盖地块的泛扬子陆块.因此,龙门山构造带地壳电性结构研究对于揭示青藏高原东缘陆内造山动力过程,探索汶川大地震的深部生成机理都具有重要意义.     

红柳峡跨断层水准规律性变化分析

红柳峡跨断层水准多次出现由张性背景转为大幅压缩的规律性变化,基于青藏高原地区5级以上地震高频时空分布特征,与祁连山断裂带异常跨断层场地同步性进行对比,结果显示:①红柳峡跨断层水准与祁连山断裂带上其他跨断层异常场地变化时间一致性较好;②在红柳峡水准出现压性变化的1年内,青藏高原5级以上地震高频活动多发,且红柳峡水准出现压缩变化时段内,在青藏高原内部多形成NE向5级以上地震条带,表明应力多沿NE向集中。研究结果表明,印度洋板块在北向推挤增强过程中,引发青藏高原内部及周边块体一系列地震,而作为祁连山断裂带西端特殊的跨断层场地,红柳峡跨断层存在块体调整过程中出现较为规律异常变化的可能。     

滇西三江地区深部电性结构特征及其意义

沿盈江一姚安布置了一条长约350 km的长周期大地电磁剖面,共观测宽频大地电磁测深点53个,长周期大地电磁测深点26个;利用多种数据处理方法对观测资料进行了预处理、定性分析和二维反演,得到沿剖面的地壳和上地幔电性结构模型.对主要地块和断裂带的电性结构进行了分析,电性结构模型揭示滇西三江地区广泛存在壳内低阻层,但沿剖面方向即东西向埋深和厚度不一,在保山地块和滇中地块地下存在较大规模的壳幔低阻带;腾冲地块地下埋深13~20 km,厚约10~17 km的壳内低阻层可能是岩浆囊的反映;初步将保山壳幔韧性剪切带作为印支地块挤出的深部东边界.     

青藏高原东南缘基于程函方程的面波方位各向异性研究

青藏高原东南缘作为高原物质侧向挤出的前沿地带,是研究岩石圈变形机制、高原物质侧向逃逸和深部动力学等科学问题的关键地区之一.本文利用研究区内540个宽频带流动地震台站记录的远震面波资料,基于程函方程面波层析成像方法获得了青藏高原东南缘周期14~80 s瑞利面波相速度和方位各向异性分布图像.结果显示：14~20 s周期内,面波方位各向异性分布与断裂带的走向和最大主压应力的方向密切相关,可能受到了断裂带和区域构造应力场的共同作用.川滇菱形块体的北部次级块体及丽江—小金河断裂带附近随着面波周期的增加,各向异性快波方向从NS向逐步转变为NE-SW方向,并与断裂带大致平行,而其以南的攀枝花附近表现为高相速度和弱各向异性的特征.我们推测,在川滇菱形块体北部存在明显的下地壳流,流动方向与块体向南的挤出方向基本一致,该地壳流受到攀枝花附近的高速、高强度坚硬块体阻挡,其前缘向西南方向流动.川滇菱形块体中部地区由于坚硬块体的存在,下地壳没有明显的通道流.在红河断裂以西地区,30~60 s周期范围的面波各向异性快波方向和红河断裂大致平行,推测可能与渐新世至中新世早期印支地块向南东方向的挤出密切相关.研究区东北部,四川盆地南缘地壳各向异性以NE-SW和NEE-SWW向为主与SKS快波方向明显不同,推测主要与该地区地壳的早期构造变形有关同时也说明SKS各向异性主要来自上地幔介质;在研究区南部104°E以西的中长周期面波各向异性方向与SKS分裂研究获得的近EW快波方向基本一致,但在104°E以东地区面波各向异性较弱且快波方向与SKS的观测结果存在明显差异,我们推测东部SKS各向异性来源深度至少在150 km以下.     

Pattern of latest tectonic motion and its dynamics for active blocks in Sichuan-Yunnan region, China

Based on the concept of "active blocks" and spatial distribution of historical earthquakes with surface ruptures as well as major and subordinate active faults. The Sichuan-Yunnan region can be divided into four first-order blocks. They are the Markam block (I), the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block (II), Baoshan-Pu'er block (III), and Mizhina-Ximeng block (IV). Cut by sub-ordinate NE-trending active faults, the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block (II) can be further divided into two sub-blocks: the northwestern Sichuan sub-block (II1) and the middle Yunnan sub-block (II2), while the Baoshan- Pu'er block (III) can be further divided into three sub-blocks: Baoshan sub-block (III1), Jinggu sub-block (III2), and Mengla sub-block (III3). A quantitative study of offset landforms is carried out and the basic types of active faults and their long-term slip rates along the major boundaries of active blocks of different orders in the Sichuan-Yunnan region are determined, through slip vector analysis, the motion states of the active blocks are clarified and the deformation coordination on the block margins is discussed. It is suggested that the tectonic motion of the blocks in this region is a complex or superimposition of three basic types of motions: southeastward sliding, rotating on vertical axis, and uplifting. The Markam block (I), the northwestern Sichuan sub-block (II1), and middle Yunnan sub-block (II2) have a southeastward horizontal sliding rate of 1-5 mm/a, clockwise rotating angular rate of 1.4-4(/Ma, and uplifting rate of about 1 mm/a. The Baoshan-Pu'er (III) and Mizhina-Ximeng (IV) blocks have also been extensively clockwise rotated. This pattern of motion is a strain response to the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates and the localized deformation and differential slip on the block margins associated with the northward motion of the Indian Plate. Because a set of transverse thrusts between the blocks absorbs and transforms some components of eastward or southeastward sliding motion, the eastward escape or extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau is limited as "imbricated thrusting transformation-limited extrusion model".     

川滇地区Lg波Q值层析成像

利用云南和四川数字地震观测台网记录的数字化地震资料,开展了川滇地区不同频率的Q_Lg层析成像研究,反演结果的空间分辨率小于100 km.反演结果表明,川滇地区介质的横向不均匀性强烈,Q_Lg高低值差异显著.川滇地区显著的高衰减区有川滇菱形块体的东南边界（即沿鲜水河至安宁河以及思茅—澜沧—普洱区）,滇西北地区、龙门山断裂以西松潘—茂文地区、巴塘及理塘强震区等,Lg波高衰减区的分布与构造活动强烈、强震活动或大震破裂造成介质破碎区、低速区等相关,表明构造活动强烈或大震破裂造成的介质破碎、热物质沿活动断裂上涌等可能是川滇地区低Q_Lg的主要成因.显著的低衰减区有川东盆地、滇东南地区以及金沙江、怒江断裂的中段区域,滇中块体内部也呈现出相对的低衰减特征.Lg波低衰减区与地震活动性弱、速度正异常等相关,表明川滇地区Lg波的低衰减区与地壳变形、地震活动性及水热活动弱、块体稳定等有关.     

鲁甸6.5级地震发震断层判定及其构造属性讨论

鲁甸6.5级地震是川滇菱形块体南南东向运动在青藏高原东缘与华南地块相互作用边界变形带上发生的一次中等强度地震.尽管野外应急科学考察没有发现明显的地震地表破裂带,但云南昭通防震减灾局局域地震台网记录到的余震条带状分布、震后科学考察获得的地震烈度长轴方位和极震区地震裂缝等显示出发震断层为NW向包谷垴-小河断裂,左旋走滑性质,属大凉山断裂南端部组成部分;库仑应力计算表明,鲁甸地震可对周边活动断层系历史地震空段产生应力加载作用,其地震危险性不容忽视.     

青藏高原东北缘祁连山造山带至阿拉善地块壳幔电性结构研究

在青藏高原东北缘祁连山造山带至阿拉善地块之间完成了一条372km的大地电磁剖面,通过二维反演计算,获得了沿剖面180km深的壳幔电性结构模型,结合研究区地质和地球物理资料开展综合分析,研究结果表明:(1)剖面自南向北所经过的祁连山造山带、走廊过渡带和阿拉善地块对应3种壳幔电性结构模型:东祁连壳幔高-低-高阻似层状电性结构、河西走廊壳幔低阻带状电性结构和阿拉善南缘壳幔高-低-高阻层状电性结构.(2)剖面所经过的主要断裂带在电性结构上表现为低阻异常带或电性梯度带,并且止于中上地壳或消失于下地壳低阻层中.除这些分布于中上地壳的断裂系统以外,在下地壳至上地幔顶部还存在两条切割莫霍面的壳幔韧性剪切带:西华山北缘壳幔韧性剪切带和阿拉善南缘壳幔韧性剪切带.其中,西华山北缘壳幔韧性剪切带可能是1920年海原8.6级地震发生的深部背景之一;而阿拉善南缘壳幔剪切带可能是卫宁北山燕山晚期和喜山期幔源岩浆上升到地壳浅部或喷出到地表的通道,为在该区域寻找晚中生代至新生代含矿隐伏岩体提供了深部电性结构依据.(3)由若干形状不规则、彼此不相连的"碎块状"极高阻块体组成的中上地壳与"似层状"的中下地壳低阻层共同构成的地壳电性结构,是引起青藏高原东北缘强烈破坏性地震最佳的地壳电性结构组合之一.印度板块向欧亚板块俯冲碰撞楔入引起青藏高原块体向北东方向运移与阿拉善地块向南的俯冲碰撞楔入,是青藏高原东北缘强震活动带产生的动力学背景.     

川滇块体东边界主要断裂带现今运动特征分析

基于2009年以来的GPS观测数据,利用块体模型和GPS剖面方法分别计算川滇块体东边界主要断裂带的滑动速度,并结合跨断裂带的区域应变时间序列分析断裂带现今的运动特征。结果表明:从速度场变化来看,2013—2015期的速度场在川滇块体东北部有东向增加的微弱变化;从滑动速率结果来看,鲜水河北段的左旋走滑运动有所增强,拉张运动有所增加;小江断裂带的左旋走滑运动普遍有微弱的增强;从去掉线性的区域应变时间序列结果来看,小江断裂带南段主张应变在2014年底出现了趋势性转折,值得进一步关注。     

青藏高原东南缘深部地壳流与地磁日变化短时畸变源电流的联系

在青藏高原东南缘,前人使用大地电磁探测和地震学方法得出的结果都揭示了可能存在部分熔融状态的地壳流,而这种地下熔融体与周围物质的作用可能引起了地下强电流异常,进一步导致地表地磁响应.基于连续的地磁观测,发现2018年7月31日在川滇块体周边出现大范围的地磁Z分量日变化短时畸变,畸变发生后100天内发生了4次5级以上地震.为了定量研究这一现象,本文基于Biot-Savart定理和采用SVD （Singular Value Decomposition,奇异值分解）的阻尼最小二乘法对地磁日变化短时畸变数据开展反演.结果显示：（1）以大地电磁测深给出的电性模型作为初始条件,反演得到的电流强度为3700~5000 A,有效深度为25~60 km;（2）地下畸变电流的空间分布位置和深度和地下电性高导体分布一致,与前人给出的地壳流位置吻合;（3）地壳流偶然微小运动可能引起了大范围的强电流,这种短时存在的高强度电流沿高导带分布,可能是地磁日变化短时畸变的源电流;（4）推测深部地壳流的运动具有传递应力作用,参与诱发了100天内发生多次5级以上地震.对源电流进行反演的定量化工作,以地下电流的方式佐证了可能存在地壳流.     

Discovery of the Longriba fault zone in eastern Bayan Har block,China and its tectonic implication

Re-measured GPS data have recently revealed that a broad NE trending dextral shear zone exists in the eastern Bayan Har block about 200 km northwest of the Longmenshan thrust on the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The strain rate along this shear zone may reach up to 4-6 mm/a. Our interpretation of satellite images and field observations indicate that this dextral shear zone corresponds to a newly generated NE trending Longriba fault zone that has been ignored before. The northeast segment of the Longriba fault zone consists of two subparallel N54°±5°E trending branch faults about 30 km apart, and late Quaternary offset landforms are well developed along the strands of these two branch faults. The northern branch fault, the Longriqu fault, has relatively large reverse component, while the southern branch fault, the Maoergai fault, is a pure right-lateral strike slip fault. According to vector synthesizing principle, the average right-lateral strike slip rate along the Longriba fault zone in the late Quaternary is calculated to be 5.4±2.0 mm/a, the vertical slip rate to be 0.7 mm/a, and the rate of crustal shortening to be 0.55 mm/a. The discovery of the Longriba fault zone may provide a new insight into the tectonics and dynamics of the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Taken the Longriba fault zone as a boundary, the Bayan Har block is divided into two sub-blocks: the Ahba sub-block in the west and the Longmenshan sub-block in the east. The shortening and uplifting of the Longmenshan sub-block as a whole reflects that both the Longmenshan thrust and Longriba fault zone are subordinated to a back propagated nappe tectonic system that was formed during the southeastward motion of the Bayan Har block owing to intense resistance of the South China block. This nappe tectonic system has become a boundary tectonic type of an active block supporting crustal deformation along the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from late Cenozoic till now. The Longriba fault zone is just an active fault zone newly-generated in late Quaternary along this tectonic system.