The 1909 Benavente (Portugal) earthquake: search for the source

The Lower Tagus River Valley has been affected by severe earthquakes comprising distant events, as in 1755, and local earthquakes, as in 1344, 1531, and 1909. The 1909 earthquake was located NE of Lisbon, near Benavente, causing serious damage and many losses. Mw 6.0 has been assessed for this earthquake and a reverse faulting focal mechanism solution has been calculated. Poor epicenter location, possible directivity and site effects, low fault slip rates, and the thick Cenozoic sedimentary cover make difficult correlation with regional structures. The focal mechanism indicates an ENE reverse fault as source, though it does not match any outcropping active structure suggesting that the event could have been produced by a blind thrust beneath the Cenozoic sedimentary fill. Hidden sources, inferred from seismic reflection data, are a possible NE structure linking the Vila Franca de Xira and the Azambuja faults, or the southern extension of the later. Evidence of surface rupturing is inhibited by the thick Holocene alluvial cover and the high fluvial sedimentation rate, though a slightly depressed area was identified in the Tagus alluvial plain W of Benavente which was investigated as possible geomorphic evidence of co-seismic surface deformation. A high-resolution seismic reflection profile was acquired across a 0.5 m high scarp at this site, and two trenches were opened across the scarp for paleoseismic research. Some deformation of dubious tectonic origin was found, requiring further studies.     

Earthquake slip estimation from the scarp geometry of Himalayan Frontal Thrust, western Himalaya: implications for seismic hazard assessment

Geometric and kinematic analyses of minor thrusts and folds, which record earthquakes between 1200 AD and 1700 AD, were performed for two trench sites (Rampur Ghanda and Ramnagar) located across the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) in the western Indian Himalaya. The present study aims to re-evaluate the slip estimate of these two trench sites by establishing a link between scarp geometry, displacements observed very close to the surface and slip at deeper levels. As geometry of the active thrust beneath the scarp is unknown, we develop a parametric study to understand the origin of the scarp surface and to estimate the influence of ramp dip. The shortening estimates of Rampur Ghanda trench by line length budget and distance–displacement (D–d) method show values of 23 and 10–15 %, respectively. The estimate inferred from the later method is less than the line length budget suggesting a small internal deformation. Ramnagar trench shows 12 % shortening by line length budget and 10–25 % by the D–d method suggesting a large internal deformation. A parametric study at the trenched fault zone of Rampur Ghanda shows a slip of 16 m beneath the trailing edge of the scarp, and it is sufficient to raise a 8-m-high scarp. This implies that the Rampur Ghanda scarp is balanced with a single event with 7.8-m-coseismic slip in the trenched fault zone at the toe of the scarp, 8–15 % mean deformation within the scarp and 16-m slip at depth along a 30° ramp for a pre-1400 earthquake event. A 16-m slip is the most robust estimate of the maximum slip for a single event reported previously by trench studies along the HFT in the western Indian Himalaya that occurred between 1200 AD and 1700 AD. However, the Ramnagar trenched fault zone shows a slip of 23 m, which is larger than both line length and D–d methods. It implies that a 13-m-high scarp and 23-m slip beneath the rigid block may be ascribed to multiple events. It is for the first time we report that in the south-eastern extent of the western Indian Himalaya, Ramnagar scarp consists of minimum two events (i) pre-1400 AD and (ii) unknown old events of different lateral extents with overlapping ruptures. If the more optimistic two seismic events scenario is followed, the rupture length would be at least 260 km and would lead to an earthquake greater than Mw 8.5.     

A Preliminary Study on the Soft–Sediment Deformation Structures in the Late Quaternary Lacustrine Sediments at Tashkorgan, Northeastern Pamir, China

This study identified soft–sediment deformation structures(SSDS) of seismic origin from lacustrine sediments in the late Quaternary paleo–dammed lake at Tashkorgan, northeastern Pamir. The observed deformation structures include sand dykes, liquefied diapir and convolute structures, gravity induced SSDS, and thixotropic pillar and tabular structures. We conducted a preliminary study on the morphology, formation and trigger mechanisms of pillar and tabular structures formed by liquefaction of underlying coarse sand and thixotropy of the upper silty clay. The regional tectonic setting and distribution of lacustrine strata indicate that the most probable trigger for the SSDS in lacustrine sediments was seismic activity, with an approximate earthquake magnitude of M6.0; the potential seismogenic fault is the southern part of the Kongur normal fault extensional system. AMS 14 C dating results indicate that the SSDS were formed by seismic events occurring between 26050±100 yr BP and 22710±80 yr BP, implying intense fault activity in this region during the late Pleistocene. This study provides new evidence for understanding tectonic activity and regional geodynamics in western China.     

Touhuanping Fault, an active wrench fault within fold-and-thrust belt in northwestern Taiwan, documented by spatial analysis of fluvial terraces

This study aims at the recent activity and development of an active wrench fault, the Touhuanping Fault in northwestern Taiwan. Northwestern Taiwan has been proposed in a current situation between the mature to waning collision in terms of tectonic evolution. The main drainage in this area, the Chungkang River, flows close to the trace of the fault mentioned above. We examined various types of deformation of fluvial terraces along the Chungkang River as a key to understanding the nature and rate of the late Quaternary tectonics. The E–W trending Touhuanping Fault has long been mapped as a geological boundary fault, but its recent activity was suspected. Field survey revealed that its late Quaternary activity is recorded in the offset fluvial terraces. Our result shows dextral slip and vertical offset with upthrown side on the south, and activated at least twice since the emergence of terrace 4 (older terrace 3 with OSL date of ca. 80 ka). Total amount of offset recorded in the Touhuanping terrace sequence is 15 m for dextral and 10 m for vertical offset. Estimated recurrence time of earthquake rupture may be a few tens of thousand years. Uplift on the upthrown side of the Touhuanping Fault also resulted in the formation of drowned valleys which were graded to terrace 4. Other deformation features, such as back-tilting, westward warping, and a range-facing straight scarp, were also identified. A second-order anticline roughly parallel to the Touhuanping Fault is suggested to be the origin of the northward tilting on terrace 3; it could have resulted from a flower structure on the Touhuanping Fault at shallow depth. This may demonstrate that the buried segment of the Touhuanping Fault has also been active since 80 ka. In the northern study area, the westward warping at terrace 2 probably represents late Quaternary activity of another NE–SW trending Hsincheng Fault.     

断块构造|活动断块构造与地震活动

张文佑院士是我国最杰出的构造地质学家和大地构造学家,他提出和倡导的地质构造力学分析和历史分析相结合及断块构造理论符合当代构造地质和构造运动研究的新方向。断块构造是地球构造运动最基本的型式,板块构造是全球范围内的岩石圈构造,是最高一级的岩石圈断块构造。活动断块是现今构造运动最基本的型式,它既控制主要活动构造带和地震活动带的分布,也控制不同地区地震活动特征的差异。断块边界构造带是在构造变形和运动场中的不连续变形带,应力在此释放,应变在此局部化,位移在此发生,其差异活动最为强烈,因此,断块边界构造带是强震发生带,其活动性质会控制震源断层的特性。大地震孕育和发生在边界活动构造带的某些特殊部位,对其成核的构造和物理过程尚需深入进行研究。要特别注意断块整体性活动对地震活动的控制作用,断块的这种整体性活动与一定时期内地震活动主体地区分布有密切关系,所以,在活动构造研究中,要把断块的整体性活动与活动构造带的个体活动结合起来。     

山东诸城早白垩世莱阳期古地震事件与恐龙迁移

在诸城断陷皇华镇大山村黄龙沟存在丰富的、多样的恐龙足迹化石,在紧邻化石埋藏层下伏及上覆地层中发现了下白垩统莱阳群杨庄组多套古地震记录,主要包含波状褶皱、底劈构造、液化砂岩脉、液化角砾岩、粒序断层、卷曲变形和震积不整合等塑性、脆性软沉积物变形构造。分析表明初始沉积物、沉积相及构造作用确定了地震活动作用时形成的软沉积物变形构造类型。在早白垩世莱阳群沉积中期,地震活动具有阶段性及频发性,以单向挤压的丘-槽构造及双向挤压的波状变形为主,且后期有构造活动强度加大的特征。根据已识别的古地震记录发育及古地震活动强度分析,推测此时期发震断裂可能是断陷的南缘断裂——五莲断裂。区域构造作用使得该时期沉积环境发生变化,由湖相逐渐过渡到河流相,在突发古地震事件发生之后,在滨浅湖区域留下了丰富的恐龙迁徙足迹。古地震记录的研究,可建立古地震事件与沉积、构造演化的联系,约束构造作用的属性、频次及时限,为确定盆地及周缘构造-沉积演化历史提供证据。     

The Manyas fault zone (southern Marmara region,NW Turkey): active tectonics and paleoseismology

The Manyas fault zone (MFZ) is a splay fault of the Yenice Gönen Fault, which is located on the southern branch of the North Anatolian Fault System. The MFZ is a 38 km long, WNW–ESE-trending and normal fault zone comprised of three en-echelon segments. On 6 October 1964, an earthquake (Ms = 6.9) occurred on the Salur segment. In this study, paleoseismic trench studies were performed along the Salur segment. Based on these paleoseismic trench studies, at least three earthquakes resulting in a surface rupture within the last 4000 years, including the 1964 earthquake have been identified and dated. The penultimate event can be correlated with the AD 1323 earthquake. There is no archaeological and/or historical record that can be associated with the oldest earthquake dated between BP 3800 ± 600 and BP 2300 ± 200 years. Additionally, the trench study performed to the north of the Salur segment demonstrates paleoliquefaction structures crossing each other. The surface deformation that occurred during the 1964 earthquake is determined primarily to be the consequence of liquefaction. According to the fault plane slip data, the MFZ is a purely normal fault demonstrating a listric geometry with a dip of 64°–74° to the NNE.     

青藏高原东北缘固关-虢镇断裂中段第四纪以来活动特征

固关-虢镇断裂是青藏高原东北缘、鄂尔多斯地块西南缘陇县-宝鸡断裂带中的一条主要断裂,该断裂的运动特征和活动性包含了青藏高原向东北方向扩展机制的重要信息。固关-虢镇断裂中段在卫星影像和DEM图上都显示出清晰的线性影像特征,地貌上表现为清楚的地貌陡坎,陡坎高80～100 m。通过卫星影像判读、野外调查、探槽开挖和年龄测试等方法的综合研究,结果认为固关-虢镇断裂中段第四纪早期有明显活动,并以左旋走滑运动为主,左旋走滑运动利用了早白垩世形成的正断层面;晚更新世以后固关-虢镇断裂停止了活动。造成断裂运动方式和活动性转变的原因是,第四纪以来印度-欧亚大陆碰撞的远程效应到达青藏高原东北缘之后,陇县-宝鸡断裂带周围的块体因为相互作用进行调整,形成了该断裂带局部构造应力以剪应力为主所致。     

西藏安多最新史前大地震的地质证据及其年龄

在西藏安多地区进行活动断裂研究过程中,进行地表调查和探槽开挖,证实错那－安多地堑北缘主边界断裂上的最新地表断层陡坎实际是该区史前大地震的地表遗迹。根据地表观察和实地测量结果可知,该区最新古地震断坎的延伸范围可达 26～36km,平均垂直位移量达 1.0～1.4m。相关地层－地貌体的年代学测试结果和古地震破裂参数表明,最新的古地震发生在距今约 10.0～8.1ka期间,估计当时的古地震震级介于 6.9～7.3级之间,当时的极震区烈度可能≥Ⅸ度。此古地震破裂的发现表明,青藏高原中部正断层型大地震之后的沉寂时间可以长达近万年,明显长于藏南裂谷带上的正断层型古地震活动间隔。由于安多地区最新大地震之后的离逝时间已足以积累类似强度的大地震,因此,该区未来的大地震危险性较高。     

The Lassee segment of the Vienna Basin fault system as a potential source of the earthquake of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carnuntum</Emphasis> in the fourth century <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">a.d.</Emphasis>

The Vienna Basin fault system is a slow moving (1–2 mm/y) active sinistral fault extending from the Alps through the Vienna Basin into the Carpathians. It comprises an array of NE-striking sinistral strike-slip segments, which differ both by their kinematic and seismologic properties. Among these, the Lassee segment 30 km east of Vienna is of particular interest for seismic hazard assessment as it shows a significant seismic slip deficit. The segment is located about 8 km from the Roman city of Carnuntum, for which archaeological data indicate a destructive earthquake in the fourth century a.d. (local intensity about 9 EMS-98). Mapping of the Lassee segment using 2D seismic, GPR, tectonic geomorphology and Pleistocene basin analysis shows a negative flower structure at a releasing bend of the Vienna Basin fault. The hanging wall of the flower structure includes a Quaternary basin filled with up to 100-m thick Pleistocene growth strata. Faults root in the basal detachment of the Alpine-Carpathian floor thrust at about 8 km depth. The active faults east of the flower structure offset a Middle Pleistocene terrace of the Danube River forming an up to 20-m high composite fault scarp. High-resolution GPR (40, 500 MHz) mapped at least four distinct surface-breaking faults along this scarp including three faults, which are covered by about 2 m of post-tectonic strata. The youngest fault offsets these strata and coincides with a 0.5-m high scarp. This scarp may be interpreted as the product of a single surface-breaking earthquake, provided that the mapped fault offset formed during coseismic surface rupture. Data indicate that the Lassee segment may well be regarded the source of the fourth century earthquake. The interpretation is in line with local attenuation relations indicating a source close to the damaged site, observed fault dimensions and the fault offsets recorded by GPR and morphology.     

2008年汶川Ms8.0地震北川以北段地表破裂变形的主要样式

2008年5月12日发生的汶川地震是由青藏高原东部龙门山断裂的活动所导致。震后的调查表明,北川县城以北的断裂段破裂了约90km。在北川县城以北,不同地点沿地震地表破裂所展现的地表变形差异很大,可能反映了断裂附近地表特性的变化。文章主要从5个典型地点来阐述5种代表性的地表变形模式。前两个地点,在北川县城以北几公里,反映了近地表基岩中的一种变形和从基岩向松散堆积物过渡区的一种变形模式。与此两种断裂陡坎变形不同,中间的两个点则阐述了褶皱陡坎,它们反映了2008年地震中断裂断错在地表以下终止的不同情形。最后一个点位于汶川地震地表破裂的北端,可能代表了当地表破裂结束时地表变形的模式。在北川以北段地表破裂上典型地点的详细测量的基础上,通过归纳野外获得的地表变形资料,构建出汶川地震地表破裂北川以北段的基本变形模型。     

汶川M_w 7.9级地震同震断层陡坎类型与级联破裂模型

2008年5月12日,汶川Mw7.9级地震在青藏高原东缘沿龙门山逆冲断裂带中段形成了两条NE向和一条NW向逆冲走滑型地表破裂。依据同震地表陡坎形态特征,将其分为8种类型:逆断层陡坎、上盘垮塌陡坎、挤压推覆陡坎、右旋挤压推覆陡坎、断层相关褶皱陡坎、后冲挤压陡坎、上冲叠覆陡坎和局部正断层陡坎。汶川地震所形成的同震地表破裂主要由以逆冲为主的映秀破裂段和兼具逆冲、右旋走滑的北川破裂段两部分组成,这两个破裂段分别对应于Mw7.8与Mw7.6级地震事件;它们还可进一步细分为分别对应于Mw7.5、Mw7.7、Mw7.0和Mw7.5等4个次级事件的4个次级破裂段。这些次级破裂段的级联破裂可以用来解释为什么汶川地震的持续时间长达110 s。余震震源机制分析结果表明,发震断层的倾角随深度的增加而变缓,且从西南向北东逐渐变陡可以用来解释走滑分量增加的成因。此次大地震还表明,沿青藏高原东缘地形抬高的主要驱动力可能是地壳挤压缩短,而不一定是下地壳物质流动和膨胀引起上地壳的隆升。     

蠕滑断裂带岩石组成和构造特征分析:以龙门山灌县-安县断裂带为例

断裂蠕滑可以连续释放部分构造应力,但仍可能造成重大的地质灾害,甚至具有发生大地震的可能性。断层岩是断裂作用中的直接产物,其物质组成和内部构造可为揭示断裂带滑移机制提供关键信息。2008年M_w 7.9汶川地震中破裂的龙门山灌县-安县断裂带具有蠕滑性质,是探究大陆内部蠕滑断裂滑移机制的最佳案例。本文以龙门山灌县-安县断裂带地表探槽和深部钻孔的断层岩为研究对象,通过碎屑统计、X射线粉末衍射矿物分析、光学显微镜和扫描电镜观测,结果显示该断裂带断层泥碎屑含量和颗粒大小均小于断层角砾岩,其粘土矿物含量高达50%以上,且断层岩中普遍发育粘土-碎屑组构以及拖尾构造、似S-C组构等多种压溶构造。综合分析发现压溶作用、低摩擦系数物质以及颗粒滑移对灌县-安县断裂带的蠕滑变形都发挥着重要作用,并且三者相辅相成,因此认为灌县-安县断裂带的蠕滑过程主要是压溶作用和摩擦-颗粒滑移机制共同作用,该认识可更好地了解地震周期并为区域防震减灾提供科学依据。     

塔里木盆地满加尔坳陷及周缘晚奥陶世古地震记录及其地质意义

通过对钻井岩芯的详细观察和描述,发现在塔里木盆地满加尔坳陷晚奥陶世开阔陆棚相—盆地相沉积地层中,存在各种各样的、复杂的软沉积物变形构造,主要有液化流动构造,包括液化砂岩脉、液化角砾岩、底劈构造及水塑性卷曲变形与震积不整合等。特别是在满加尔坳陷与卡塔克隆起结合部塔中Ⅰ号断层的下降盘,发现存在米级软沉积物变形构造,以软沉积物布丁变形构造为主,变形构造的上、下均发育不等厚的未变形沉积层。这些变形构造的形成与震积作用有关,发育在晚奥陶世不同时期。在晚奥陶世早期,古地震记录表现出拉张应力作用的结果,且由早至晚古地震应力有逐渐增强的趋势。发现的多幕次的古地震记录表明,中加里东运动在满加尔坳陷及周缘表现明显,塔中Ⅰ号断裂是该时期古地震的主控断裂,其活动具有周期性和多旋回的特点,表现为多期次的由弱到强再结束的特征,且在不同部位有差异。晚奥陶世塔中Ⅰ号断裂带的地震活动影响着该区古构造和古沉积的发育。     

基于低空遥感地貌观测的逆断层陡坎研究:以张流沟滩断层陡坎为例

活动断层相关地貌特征的定量研究是揭示古地震和断裂属性的重要依据,其中陡坎地貌是断裂活动的重要地貌响应,是有效识别活动断裂的重要地貌标志。近年来,无人机低空遥感观测技术的不断进步,使得高分辨率地貌数据的快速获取成为现实。本研究利用无人机低空遥感地貌观测技术,对张流沟滩处的断层陡坎附近进行高分辨率数字地形数据的采集。断层陡坎位于张流沟滩河流Ⅱ级阶地上,影像采集范围为800 m×400 m的矩形区域。经过一系列的影像处理,最终获取了目标区地面分辨率为0.1 m的DEM(数字高程模型)数据。基于该DEM数据可以提取到正交于断层陡坎的高程、坡度剖面。利用高程剖面所展示的地形地貌信息,可以提取到陡坎高度为(2.81±0.05) m;利用坡度剖面所展示的坡度曲线特征,可以推断该陡坎至少经历过两次断错活动事件,并且陡坎存在向上“凸起样式”。通过探槽解译,确定该陡坎下伏断裂至少发生过两次活动事件,其中较早的地震事件接近(3.68±0.14) ka B.P.,最晚期的地震活动应为1927年古浪8级地震,两次断裂活动累计垂直位移为(2.80±0.2) m。将以上两种研究方法相比较可以发现,探槽结构分析与低空遥感获取的定量化地貌信息分析结果基本一致,均能够有效揭示古地震期次及累计的同震位移量。最终本研究将探槽揭示的地层单元的沉积、构造信息与陡坎坡度数据特征相结合,提出了基于断层传播褶皱模型的“陡坎凸起”地貌响应样式来解释陡坎存在的向上“凸起样式”。实践证明,利用无人机低空遥感地貌观测技术能够定量、半定量化揭示下伏断裂的活动信息,结合传统断裂研究手段,可以更全面解释活动断层的沉积、构造特征及地形、地貌现象。总的来说,无人机低空遥感地貌观测技术的应用可作为传统古地震研究的辅助手段,并有其独特的方法优势。     

曲江断裂南东段全新世滑动速率

高精度SPOT卫星影像和野外地质调查表明,曲江断裂南东段断错山前冲沟及河流Ⅰ级和Ⅱ级阶地,在探槽中见到断裂断错全新世地层,是一条右旋走滑的全新世活动断裂,兼有逆冲性质,断裂的最新活动是1970年通海7.8级地震。对曲江断裂典型走滑断错地貌进行研究,曲江断裂南东段在五街一带水平滑动速率为(3.36±0.1)mm/a,白林山一带水平滑动速率为(3.21±0.3)mm/a。     

汶川Ms8.0地震后龙门山断裂带地壳应力场及其构造意义

2008年5月12日在青藏高原东缘龙门山断裂带中段发生汶川8.0级特大地震。大震发生时释放应力并对震源区及外围构造应力场产生影响,受汶川地震断层破裂方式和强度空间差异性的影响,震后龙门山断裂带地壳应力场也应表现差异特征,至今鲜有针对该科学问题深入的分析和讨论。经过系统收集、梳理汶川地震后沿龙门山断裂带水压致裂地应力测量数据与2008年汶川地震中强余震序列震源机制解资料,对汶川地震后龙门山断裂带中上地壳构造应力场进行厘定,通过与震前构造应力场对比,深入探讨了汶川8.0级地震对龙门山断裂带地壳应力场的影响,进而对汶川震后应力调整过程及青藏高原东缘龙门山地区深部构造变形模式进行研究,研究结果表明:受汶川8.0级地震的影响,震后龙门山断裂带地壳构造应力场空间分布具有差异性,近地表至上地壳15 km深度范围,映秀—青川段最大主应力方向为北西西向、地应力状态为逆走滑型,青川东北部最大主应力方向偏转至北东东向、应力状态转变为走滑型;15~25km深度范围,龙门山断裂带最大主应力方向仍为北西—北西西向、应力状态以逆冲型为主。汶川8.0级地震后,龙门山断裂带中地壳北西西向逆冲挤压的构造应力特征进一步支持了青藏高原东缘龙门山地区东西两侧刚性块体碰撞挤压、逆冲推覆的动力学模式。     

Tectonic Taphrogenesis and Paleoseismic Records from the Yishu Fault Zone in the Initial Stage of the Caledonian Movement

The Yishu fault zone (mid-segment of the Tanlu fault zone) was formed in the Presinian. Periodic tectonic activities and strong seismic events have occurred along the fault zone. During the initial stage of the Caledonian Movement, with the proceeding of the marine transgression from the Yishu paleo-channel to the western Shandong, uneven thick sediments, composed mainly of sand, mud and carbonates of littoral, lagoon, and neritic facies, were deposited in the Yishu fault zone and western Shandong, and constructed the bottom part of the Lower Cambrian consisting of the Liguan and Zhushadong formations. Through field observations and the lab-examinations, various paleoseismic records have been discovered in the Liguan Formation and the Zhushadong Formations of the Yishu fault zone and its vicinity, including some layers with syn-sedimentary deformation structures that were triggered by strong earthquakes (i.e. seismite, seismo-olistostrome, and seismo-turbidite). Paleoseismic records developed in the Zhushadong Formation are mainly seismites with soft-sediment deformation structures, such as liquefied diapir, small liquefied-carbonate lime-mud volcano, liquefied vein, liquefied breccia, convolute deformation (seismic fold), graded fault, soft siliceous vein, and deformation stromatolite, as well as seismites with brittle deformation structures of semiconsolidated sediments. Paleoseismic records preserved in the Liguan Formation are not only seismo-olistostrome with a slump fold, load structure, and ball-and-pillows, but also seismo-turbidite with convolution bedding, graded bedding and wavy-bedding. However, in the western Shandong area, the closer to the Yishu fault zone, the greater the thickness of the Liguan Formation and the Zhushadong Formation, the greater the number and type of layers with paleoseismic records, and the higher the earthquake intensity reflected by associations of seismic records. This evidence indicates that tectonic taphrogenesis accompanied by strong earthquake events occurred in the Yishu fault zone during the initial stage of the Caledonian Movement, which embodied the break-up of the Sino-Korean Plate along the Paleo-Tanlu fault zone at that time.     

Unknown large ancient earthquakes along the Kurai fault zone (Gorny Altai): new results of palaeoseismological and archaeoseismological studies

Palaeoseismological and archaeoseismological studies in the Kurai fault zone, along which the Kurai Range is thrust onto Cenozoic deposits of the Chuya intramontane basin, led to the identification of a long reverse fault scarp 8.0 m high. The scarp segments are primary seismic deformations of large ancient earthquakes. The scarp’s morphology, results of trenching investigations, and deformations of Neogene deposits indicate a thrusting of the piedmont plain onto the Kurai Range, which is unique for the Gorny Altai. Similarly for Northern Tien Shan, we explain this by the formation of both a thrust transporting the mountain range onto the depression and a branching thrust dislocation that forms the detected fault scarp. In a trench made in one of the scarp segments, we identified the parameters of the seismogenic fault – a thrust with a 30° dipping plane. The reconstructed displacement along the fault plane is 4.8 m and the vertical displacement is 2.4 m, which indicates a 7.2–7.6 magnitude of the ancient earthquake. The ¹⁴C age of the humus-rich loamy sand from the lower part of the colluvial wedge constrains the age of the earthquake at 3403–3059 years BP. Younger than 2500 years seismogenic displacements along the fault scarp are indicated by deformations of cairn structures of the Turalu–Dzhyurt-III burial mound, which was previously dated as iron age between the second half of I BC and I AD.     

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.