Geomorphic response to growing fault-related folds: example from the foothills of central Taiwan

Abstract

In this paper we concentrate particularly on the geomorphological indicators left by active tectonics. In the central foothills of Taiwan, we used topography, drainage pattern and structural data to perform quantitative morphometric analysis and to determine relative age of fault-related anticlines. The Tiehchen, Tatu and Pakua ridge belt is a fault-related anticline system located in the hanging wall of the Changhua fault along the western thrust front of the foothills. Geomorphic systems are analysed with intent to detect the various responses of landforms and drainage pattern to late Quaternary deformation. Topography and drainage basin register uplift and are valuable tools to discriminate lateral propagation of an active frontal fold. Geomorphic field evidence and quantitative morphometric parameters are used to define the evolution of the rising anticline ridges and to infer tectonism style along an active front. Geometry of alluvial fans, formed along the frontal side of the anticlines, and weathered terrace deposits provide relevant information on neotectonics. Knowledge concerning these younger anticline ridges, makes this area a good example of an actively forming mountain front. We discuss in detail the origin of N045°, N095 and N120° trending oblique fault scarps which delimite numerous fault blocks. The fault scarps morphology is characterized by imbricate talus facets. Steeper topography accompanied by breaks in the slope along some transverse profiles, seems to correspond to the traces of successive uplifts. © 2001 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS     

Tectonic geomorphology in parts of Koyna region,Maharashtra

Geomorphic signatures in parts of Koyna region were analysed using satellite images and morphometric indices (stream length gradient index and valley width to height ratio) with limited field checks in key areas for understanding the role of tectonics in this seismically active zone. The Koyna River zone, particularly downstream of Koyna dam wall up to Kajali Nadi, is characterised by incised narrow valleys, steep escarpments and structurally controlled drainage. Presence of knick points at consistent elevations between 825 m to 675 m, steep gradients in an otherwise gradual longitudinal profile and valley width to height ratio less than 1.0 suggest readjustment of the streams along NW-SE and N-S directions. The escarpment slopes in general have en echelon arcuate ridge pattern ～ N45°-N 225° in the western part, and then becomes ～N 10°- N 190° near Donachiwadi, almost orthogonal to the E-W Koyna River. The Donachiwadi fault runs parallel to the escarpment slopes observed near Kodoli. The fluvial system in Koyna thus indicates rejuvenation controlled by basement propagated structures.     

Seismic profile analysis of the Kangra and Dehradun re-entrant of NW Himalayan Foreland thrust belt,India: A new approach to delineate subsurface geometry

In the NW Sub-Himalayan frontal thrust belt in India, seismic interpretation of subsurface geometry of the Kangra and Dehradun re-entrant mismatch with the previously proposed models. These procedures lack direct quantitative measurement on the seismic profile required for subsurface structural architecture. Here we use a predictive angular function for establishing quantitative geometric relationships between fault and fold shapes with ‘Distance–displacement method’ (D–d method). It is a prognostic straightforward mechanism to probe the possible structural network from a seismic profile. Two seismic profiles Kangra-2 and Kangra-4 of Kangra re-entrant, Himachal Pradesh (India), are investigated for the fault-related folds associated with the Balh and Paror anticlines. For Paror anticline, the final cut-off angle \(\beta =35{^{\circ }}\) was obtained by transforming the seismic time profile into depth profile to corroborate the interpreted structures. Also, the estimated shortening along the Jawalamukhi Thrust and Jhor Fault, lying between the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) and the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) in the frontal fold-thrust belt, were found to be 6.06 and 0.25 km, respectively. Lastly, the geometric method of fold-fault relationship has been exercised to document the existence of a fault-bend fold above the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT). Measurement of shortening along the fault plane is employed as an ancillary tool to prove the multi-bending geometry of the blind thrust of the Dehradun re-entrant.     

乌鲁木齐山前坳陷逆断裂-褶皱带及其形成机制

乌鲁木齐山前坳陷位于天山新生代再生造山带北侧,南以准噶尔南缘断裂与天山相隔,内部发育了几排逆断裂 背斜带,每一排构造带又由多个逆断裂 背斜组成。最南的齐古逆断裂 背斜带形成于中生代末,其北的玛纳斯逆断裂背斜带包含霍尔果斯、玛纳斯和吐谷鲁逆断裂背斜,形成于上新世末、早更新世初,受上、下２ 个滑脱面和断坡的控制,形成上、下２ 个背斜。再向北的独山子逆断裂背斜带由独山子、哈拉安德和安集海逆断裂背斜组成,形成于早、中更新世之间,主逆断裂向下在８ ～９ ｋｍ 深处的侏罗系中变为近水平滑脱面。此外,在独山子和吐谷鲁背斜的西北和东北还分别发育有正在形成之中的西湖和呼图壁隆起。研究了这些逆断裂 背斜带的地表和深部的构造特征、二维和三维几何学及运动学后指出,它们是在天山向准噶尔盆地扩展过程中发育于近水平滑脱面和不同断坡上的断展褶皱,独山子和安集海逆断裂 背斜的水平缩短量分别为２ ９００ ,１ ３５０ ｍ ,缩短速率分别为３９７ ,１８７ ｍ ｍ／ ａ。霍尔果斯、玛纳斯、吐谷鲁逆断裂 背斜的水平缩短量分别为５ ９００ ,６ ５００ ,６ ０００ ｍ ,相应的缩短速率分别为２０２,２２３ ,２０６ ｍ ｍ／ａ,准噶尔南缘断裂和乌鲁木齐山前坳陷第四纪?     

Active tectonics of Himalayan Frontal Fault system

In the Sub-Himalayan zone, the frontal Siwalik range abuts against the alluvial plain with an abrupt physiographic break along the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT), defining the present-day tectonic boundary between the Indian plate and the Himalayan orogenic prism. The frontal Siwalik range is characterized by large active anticline structures, which were developed as fault propagation and fault-bend folds in the hanging wall of the HFT. Fault scarps showing surface ruptures and offsets observed in excavated trenches indicate that the HFT is active. South of the HFT, the piedmont zone shows incipient growth of structures, drainage modification, and 2–3 geomorphic depositional surfaces. In the hinterland between the HFT and the MBT, reactivation and out-of-sequence faulting displace Late Quaternary–Holocene sediments. Geodetic measurements across the Himalaya indicate a ~100-km-wide zone, underlain by the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT), between the HFT and the main microseismicity belt to north is locked. The bulk of shortening, 15–20 mm/year, is consumed aseismically at mid-crustal depth through ductile by creep. Assuming the wedge model, reactivation of the hinterland faults may represent deformation prior to wedge attaining critical taper. The earthquake surface ruptures, ≥240 km in length, interpreted on the Himalayan mountain front through paleoseismology imply reactivation of the HFT and may suggest foreland propagation of the thrust belt.     

Morphologic expression of Quaternary deformation in the northwestern foothills of the Ysyk-Köl basin,Tien Shan

The Tien Shan is one of the most active intracontinental mountain belts exhibiting numerous examples of Quaternary fault-related folding. To provide insight into the deformation of the Quaternary intermontane basins, the territory of the northwestern Ysyk-Köl region, where the growing Ak-Teke Anticline divided the piedmont apron of alluvial fans, is studied. It is shown that the Ak-Teke Hills are a sharply asymmetric anticline, which formed as a result of tectonic uplift and erosion related to motions along the South Ak-Teke Thrust Fault. The tectonic uplift gave rise to the local deviation of the drainage network in front of the northern limb of the fold. Optical (luminescent) dating suggests that the tectonic uplifting of the young anticline and the antecedent downcutting started 157 ka ago. The last upthrow of the high floodplain of the Toru-Aygyr River took place 1300 years ago. The structure of the South Ak-Teke Fault is examined by means of seismologic trenching and shallow seismic profiling across the fault. A laser tachymeter is applied to determine the vertical deformation of alluvial terraces in the Toru-Aygyr River valley at its intersection with the South Ak-Teke Fault. The rates of vertical deformation and an inferred number of strong earthquakes, which resulted in the upthrow of Quaternary river terraces of different ages, are calculated. The study territory is an example of changes in fluvial systems on growing folds in piedmont regions. As a result of shortening of the Earth’s crust in the mountainous belt owing to thrusting, new territories of previous sedimentation are involved in emergence. The tectonic activity migrates with time from the framing ridges toward the axial parts of intramontane basins.     

Geomorphologic assessment of relative tectonic activity in the Maharlou Lake Basin,Zagros Mountains of Iran

Spatial differences of Quaternary deformation and intensity of tectonic activity are assessed through a detailed quantitative geomorphic study of the fault‐generated mountain fronts and alluvial/fluvial systems around the Maharlou Lake Basin in the Zagros Fold–Thrust Belt of Iran. The Maharlou Lake Basin is defined as an approximately northwest–southeast trending, linear, topographic depression located in the central Zagros Mountains of Iran. The lake is located in a tectonically active area delineated by the Ghareh and Maharlou faults. Combined geomorphic and morphometric data reveal differences between the Ghareh and Maharlou mountain front faults indicating different levels of tectonic activity along each mountain front. Geomorphic indices show a relatively high degree of tectonic activity along the Ghareh Mountain Front in the southwest, in contrast with less tectonic activity along the Ahmadi Mountain Front northeast of the lake which is consistent with field evidence and seismotectonic data for the study area. A ramp valley tectonic setting is proposed to explain the tectonosedimentary evolution of the lake. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Quaternary deformation features along the Anninghe Fault on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau

On the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, the Anninghe, Zemuhe and Xiaojiang faults comprise a N–S-trending active left-lateral fault system extending more than 700 km. The northernmost Anninghe Fault extends for ∼200 km, consisting of two sub-parallel N–S trending strands. Along the western strand, the fault traces occur almost strictly along the broad and flat Anninghe valley, displacing high terraces, alluvial fans and tributary channels of the Anninghe River. The eastern strand, on the other hand, cuts through the steep mountain slopes, with prominent rectilinear upslope-facing scarps and shutter ridges against pounded fluvial sediments from the east. The displacements along the eastern strand are much larger than that along the western strand, indicating the eastern strand is the major fault absorbing the E–W shortening. This study demonstrates that the Anninghe Fault is now acting as a relief-building boundary fault and absorbing the E–W compression under the eastwards motion of the Tibetan Plateau. Accordingly, the Anninghe region is a topographic transition area from steep relief to low gradient topography. The variation in topographic gradient is consistent with the differing tectonic regime between southern and northern parts of the Tibetan Plateau.     

北天山北缘构造剖面测量及多期构造变形

天山北缘为典型的大陆内部活动构造特征,发育准噶尔盆地南缘逆冲带,主要表现为新生代时期形成的多排平行山体的背斜和逆冲断层。为了详细研究该区主要构造变形特征和变形形成时间,2005年我们对天山北缘进行了详细的地表地质剖面测量,之后进行了多年地表地质区域调查,落实了关键砾岩地层时代,充分结合卫星遥感影像资料、二维三维地震剖面和钻井测井资料,应用断层相关褶皱理论,完成了一条近SN向的长度50 km的金钩河-安集海河构造地质大剖面。野外观察和地质测量以及生长地层和生长地层不整合分析表明,安集海深层背斜初始形成时间为中新世早期,在第四纪西域组（Q1x）、乌苏群(Q2)和第四纪中晚期(Q4)最终定型的浅表背斜,深层为断层转折褶皱和中浅层反冲的楔形构造叠加组合而成;霍尔果斯深层背斜初始形成时间为中新世晚期,在第四纪中晚期Q4最终定型,构造样式为深层断层转折褶皱、中深层楔形构造和浅层断层扩展背斜叠加组合而成。区域地质调查发现一条近东西走向285°,发育在中生界地层的准南走滑断层,该断层位于准南边界逆冲断裂以北,形成时间最晚（Q4）。根据准南安集海背斜、霍尔果斯背斜和准南边界逆冲断裂初始形成时间,可以认为准南构造初始逆冲次序为后展式,然后整个逆冲带从第四纪早期西域组晚期开始一直活动到现今。     

Tectonic morphometric studies as a tool for terrain characterization in the Himalayan foothill region — A case study

The Himalayan foothill region is traversed by the Main Boundary Thrust, the Himalayan Frontal Thrust and the Piedmont Fault which make the entire densely populated foothill region vulnerable to seismic damages. Tectonic morphometric studies of selected active tectonic indices in conjunction with analysis of multispectral satellite imagery of the foothill terrain from North of Chandigarh to West of Dehradun have revealed the presence of two major active faults. The Jainti Devi Fault, in the vicinity of Chandigarh, has offset nearly all the drainage channels by about 780 m while the Trilokpur Fault, in the vicinity of Nahan, has offset the streams and rivulets by about 1500 m. The values of ratio of valley floor width to valley height, the stream length gradient index, stream sinuosity index and mountain front sinuosity index have been computed and these reaffirm the active tectonic setup of the foothill terrain. The digital terrain model and field investigations reveal the presence of offset streams, sag ponds, linear valleys, shutter ridges and pressure ridges along the fault trace. Trenching carried out in the region has revealed the presence of numerous seismites.     

Salt tectonics,a controlling factor on the development of the Marseilles and Grand-Rhone sedimentary ridges,Gulf of Lions,western Mediterranean Sea

The Marseilles (also called Marseilles/Planier) and Grand Rhone sedimentary ridges, offshore the Gulf of Lions, western Mediterranean Sea, are generated by sediment spillover funnelled by the Marseilles and Grand-Rhone canyons, respectively. We show that the Marseilles and Grand-Rhone canyon directions are tectonically conditioned by Plio-Quaternary salt-induced sea-floor relief. Overburden extension in the area created an assemblage of listric faults running parallel to the strike of the continental margin. This salt-induced topography resulted in accentuated fault scarps impacting the sea-floor morphology and forcing submarine valleys to deflect to the east. Gravity-induced extension equally influenced the morphological pattern of the valley overbanking deposits. Sediment spillover occurred on both flanks of the canyons, but because active faulting generated space accommodation for overflow deposits, it inhibited the development of typical levee morphology along the canyons' left flanks. To cite this article: A.T. dos Reis, C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

蒙古戈壁天山断裂带晚新生代构造变形与构造地貌研究

跨越中蒙边境线的戈壁天山断裂带是一条大型左旋走滑断裂带,东西展布约700 km。通过解译分析Landsat ETM卫星遥感影像和SRTM数字高程模型(DEM)数据,对戈壁天山断裂带晚新生代构造活动及其地貌特征进行了研究。结果表明,沿戈壁天山断裂带发育了一系列断层陡坎、系统的水系错位、挤压脊等典型的走滑构造地貌类型。遥感影像解译结果还显示3处系统水系错位,均受戈壁天山断裂左旋走滑运动的影响,表现出系统的左旋水平位错。结合历史地震数据、先存的基底构造和断层系统,本区地震活动性呈现出不可预测性和复杂性。此外,发育在断裂带上的3个大型挤压脊构造中:Karlik Tagh和Gurvan Sayhan就位于走滑断裂的终端,其走滑分量减弱并逐渐转为以逆冲分量为主的构造特征。Nemegt Uul位于2条不连续的走滑断裂的汇合和叠置部位。走滑断层均穿过了挤压脊构造,同时伴随有逆冲作用分量,造成了挤压脊沿走向和垂直走向上的构造地貌生长,显示了是陆内造山带演化的重要过程。     

Morphometric analysis of Usri River basin,Chhotanagpur Plateau,India, using remote sensing and GIS

A geomorphic unit Usri drainage basin (latitude: 24° 04′00″ N to 24° 34′00″ N and longitude 86°05′00″E to 86°25′00″E) lies in north-eastern parts of Chhotanagpur Plateau, India, has been selected for morphometric analysis. Digital elevation model (DEM) has been generated by Cartosat stereo pair data at 10-m resolution. The morphometric parameters considered for the analysis includes the linear, areal, and relief aspects of the basin. Morphometric analysis of the river network and the basin revealed that the Usri Basin has sixth-order river network with a dendritic drainage pattern. The dendritic drainage pattern indicates that the basin has homogeneous lithology, gentle regional slope, and lack of structural control. The bifurcation ratio between different successive orders varies but the mean ratio is low that suggests the higher permeability and lesser structural control. The low drainage density, poor stream frequency, and moderately coarse drainage texture values of the basin indicate that the terrain has gentle slope, is made up of loose material, and hence has good permeability of sub-surface material and significant recharge of ground water. The shape parameters indicate that the basin is elongated in shape with low relief, high infiltration capacity, and less water flow for shorter duration in basin. The 50 % of the basin has altitude below 300 m and gently sloping towards the southeast direction. All the morphometric parameters and existing erosional landforms indicated mature to early old stage topography.     

Faulting and fracturing in the Jurassic carbonate ramp folds of southern Rif ridges (Northern Morocco)

In the South Rifian ridges (SRR), the dominated structures correspond to the faulted anticline characteristic of a foreland orogeny context, front of the Rif Alpine belt. These anticlines correspond to thrust propagation folds. Geometric model of these structures shows that the normal faults have controlled the Mesozoic sedimentation during extensive episodes and participated in determining areas of thrusting during Miocene compressional phases. However, the normal fault strike which is relative to the direction of the shortening determined the geometry of diverse folds whether into the frontal ramps, lateral, or oblique. In the meantime, the systematic fracturing study in the Jurassic limestone beds, in different parts of the folds with axes oriented E-W, NW-SE, and NE-SW, permits to propose a relative fracturing chronology and tries investigating the relationship between folding and fracturing. The three main fracture families, oblique, transversal, and axial, appear simultaneously during the amplification of the fold. The simple shear in the limb contributes the latest to the folding reactivation and the density of the intensification of these microfractures. Likewise, given the important downslope fold limb dip of the ramp propagation folds, theoretically the shear intensity is more important, and micro-fractures are more important in the downslope fold limb, thus the uphill one.     

海拉尔盆地乌尔逊凹陷构造变形对沉降中心迁移的控制

海拉尔盆地是叠置于内蒙-大兴安岭古生代碰撞造山带之上的中、新生代盆地,乌尔逊凹陷是海拉尔盆地中部的1个二级构造单元,自早白垩世开始,经历了3次伸展作用、2次挤压作用,盆地中地层厚度和沉降中心的迁移主要受同生断层和与之伴生的断层相关褶皱所控制。在伸展作用时期：当发育1个犁式正断层,在其上盘形成1个箕状断陷,沉降中心位于断层上盘、靠近断层的区域,在伸展量较大的部位形成1个或多个沉降中心;当发育多个控陷正断层,在其上盘形成多个相互独立的箕状断陷,但每一个断陷都有各自的沉降中心,不同方向断层的交汇部位往往就是断陷的沉降中心。随着伸展量的增大,断陷的沉降中心不断向控陷正断层滑动的相反方向迁移,盆地的规模也随之增大。在第一次挤压作用中,早期NS向控陷断层F₁发生反转作用,其上盘靠近断层的部位发生隆升,远离断层的部位作为大型断层传播褶皱背斜前翼也发生旋转式隆升,乌尔逊凹陷成为NS向大型断层传播褶皱背斜的前翼向斜,地层的沉积厚度在靠近断层的部位和远离断层的部位都很薄;向大型断层传播褶皱背斜前翼向斜部位,地层的沉积厚度逐渐增大,盆地的沉降中心向向斜的低洼区域迁移。在第二次挤压作用中,早期NS向控陷断层F₂发生反转作用,在乌尔逊凹陷中部形成1个规模较大的NS向断层传播褶皱背斜或突发构造,背斜或突发构造的顶部被剥蚀,盆地的沉降中心位于中部背斜带前、后翼向斜的低洼区域。     

Basement control on oblique thrust sheet evolution: seismic imaging of the active deformation front of the Central Andes in Bolivia

In the area of the Bolivian Orocline, we examine the deformation pattern associated with the active development of a new thrust sheet. A dense grid of reprocessed 2-D seismic lines from hydrocarbon exploration industry is interpreted and a 3-D simplified structural and kinematic model is deduced. In the Boomerang Hills, onlapping Paleozoic and foredeep sediments are detached from the underlying S-dipping basement. They are thrust northeastwards by less than 2 km. Two zones can be differentiated along the Andean deformation front: (1) a W–E to NW–SE striking frontal segment of predominantly orthogonal shortening, comprising a thrust and anticline system; (2) a WSW–ENE striking lateral zone of oblique shortening within a complex system of thin-skinned strike–slip faults and minor folds. The deformation front always follows a pronounced edge in the topography of the top basement surface close to the boundary of the Paleozoic basin. The observed deformation pattern indicates intensified strain partitioning caused by the interaction of contraction direction and basement topography, which provides a near oblique ramp for the onlapping wedge of sediments. The SW–NE thrusting direction is divided into orthogonal and tangential components. These are accommodated by convergent and strike–slip structures, respectively, which sole into a common detachment horizon. The structural evolution of the new thrust sheet in the Bolivian Orocline is primarily controlled by the paleorelief of the Brazilian Shield because: (1) the shape of the basement affects the taper of the thrust wedge and localizes the deformation front and (2) small asperities in/close to the top of the basement promote fault localization. The coincidence of a relatively high basement position and a structural high of the Eastern Cordillera leads to the conclusion that the shape of the Brazilian Shield also controls the structural evolution of the pronounced eastern border of the Bolivian Orocline.     

Structural geometry and deformation mechanism of the Longquan anticline in the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt,eastern Tibet

The 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake is a consequence of ongoing India-Tibet collision and reflects the growth of the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt. In this paper, we present new constraints on the deformation mechanism of the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt, by comparing the physical models to the example of the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt. The result indicates that the deformation mechanism of the belt is mainly dominated by the pre-Sinian layer, whereas locally is controlled by the Lower Triassic layer, such as the Longquan anticline. In addition, we discuss the deformation style of the Longquan anticline various along strike, based on the seismic reflection data, interpretations of structural cross-sections and field observations, as well as physical modeling. The sandbox modeling suggests that the deformation of the central segment of Longquan anticline is likely controlled by higher displacement rate, higher erosion and lower sedimentation, which is in contrast with the southern and northern segment. Moreover, the structural geometry of the central segment of Longquan anticline is more complex than the end-member models of fault-related folds, which is mainly controlled by pure-shear wedge fault-bend fold and bounded by west-verging thrust fault.Combining the studies of the structural geometry, deformation mechanism, and previous studies, we infer that the Longquan anticline is active and potentially seismogenic. Therefore, a quantitative re-evaluation of seismic hazard in Longquan anticline and adjacent area directly beneath the densely populated Sichuan basin is urgently needed.     

四川汶川Ms 8.0级地震同震变形特征和分段性

汶川地震发育2条地表破裂带,一条沿中龙门山活动断裂带分布,另一条沿前龙门山活动断裂带分布,前者长超过200km,后者长约80km。同震变形在地表表现为逆冲膝折带,走向N45～60°E,形成公路路面隆起和农田陡坎。逆冲膝折带西北侧抬高,东南侧下降。在剖面上冲断带倾向北西,倾角50～60°。膝折带两侧相对高差沿映秀－北川断裂一般为2.5～3.0m,沿都江堰－汉旺断裂为1.5～1.1m。沿中龙门山活动断裂带,同震变形运动方式具有明显的分段性,映秀－擂鼓镇段,表现为逆冲,走滑现象不明显;北川－青川段既有逆冲又有右旋走滑分量。沿前龙门山活动断裂带,同震变形运动方式主要表现为逆冲,走滑位移和分段性不明显。     

Appraisal of relative tectonic activity along the Kazerun Fault Zone,Zagros Mountains,Iran: insight from spatial analysis of geomorphic indices

This paper investigates the impact of active tectonics on the geomorphic processes and landscape evolution along the Kazerun Fault Zone (KFZ) in the Zagros Mountains of Iran using spatial analysis of geomorphic indices. We document how topography and morphology are influenced by active tectonic deformation. The Zagros fold–thrust belt is an area of active crustal shortening where northwest–southeast oriented fault‐related folds become younger from north to south and from southeast to northwest. This temporal and spatial evolution of the belt was tested using geomorphic indices of active tectonics that include mountain front sinuosity index (Smf), the valley width/height ratio (Vf), drainage basin asymmetry factor, hypsometric integral, drainage basin shape ratio and mean axial slope of the channel. Change in the geomorphic indices is the result of active fold growth and change in the uplift rate. Decreasing Smf and Vf values from north (Smf = 2.01; Vf = 0.5) to south (Smf = 1.12; Vf = 0.2) and from southeast (Smf = 1.84; Vf = 0.8) to northwest (Smf = 1.54; Vf = 0.1) points to a migration of the active crustal shortening towards W–SW. The combined geomorphic (field evidences) and morphometric data (quantitative analysis of geomorphic indices) provide evidence of relative variation in the tectonic activity along the Kazerun Fault Zone and related landforms. The utilization of geomorphic parameters with comparison to the field observations exhibits change in relative tectonic activities mostly corresponding to the change in mechanism of the prominent fault zones in the study area. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

晚更新世以来南天山阿克苏地区地壳缩短率

作者研究南天山中段阿克苏—库车山前带活动断层,发现断层切过托木尔峰山麓第四纪冰碛物和阶地,形成2条断层崖。通过测量阶地和冰碛物的变形量,推断阶地和冰碛物的沉积年代,估算南天山中段阿克苏地区晚更新世以来的地壳缩短率可能为1.85mm/a。这个缩短率与库尔勒地区(2mm/a)和柯坪地区(1.8mm/a)的地壳缩短率一致,但是小于南天山西段喀什地区(10±2mm/a)和天山东段玛纳斯地区(6±3mm/a)的地壳缩短率,表明天山不同地段的地壳缩短率存在明显差异。