Present-day Block Movement and Fault Activity on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

The geology and tectonics in the eastern margin of Tibetan Plateau are complex. The main tectonic framework is composed of blocks and faults. Using discontinuous global positioning system survey data for 2008–2014, the velocity field for the Eurasia reference framework was obtained. Based on the velocity field, the present-day velocities of the blocks and boundary faults were estimated. The results reveal that the movement rates of the Chuan-Qing, South China, Chuan-Dian and Indo-China blocks are（17.02±0.60） mm/a,（8.77±1.51） mm/a,（13.85±1.31） mm/a and（6.84 ± 0.74） mm/a, respectively, and their movement directions are 99.5°, 120.3°, 142.9° and 153.3°, respectively. All blocks exhibit clockwise rotation. The displacement rates of the Xianshuihe, Longmenshan, Anninghe, Zemuhe, Xiaojiang and Red River faults are（7.30±1.25–8.30±1.26） mm/a,（10.07±0.97–11.79±0.89） mm/a,（0.96±0.74–2.98±1.73） mm/a,（2.03±0.49–3.20±0.73） mm/a,（3.45±0.40–6.02±0.50） mm/a and（6.23±0.56） mm/a, respectively. The Xianshuihe, Anninghe, Zemuhe and Xiaojiang faults show leftlateral strike-slip movement, while the Longmenshan and Red River faults show right-lateral strikeslip. These characteristics of the blocks and faults are related to the particular tectonic location and dynamic mechanism.

Lateral migration of fault activity in Weihe basin

Lateral migration of fault activity in Weihe basin is a popular phenomenon and its characteristics are also typical. Taking the activity migrations of Wangshun Mountain piedmont fault toward Lishan piedmont fault and Weinan platform front fault, Dabaopi-Niujiaojian fault toward Shenyusi-Xiaojiazhai fault, among a serial of NE-trending faults from Baoji city to Jingyang County as examples, their migration time and process are analyzed and discussed in the present paper. It is useful for further understanding the structure development and physiognomy evolution history of Weihe basin.

Discussion of the Horizontal Intensity of Late Quaternary Fault Activity Along the Tianjingshan Fault Zone in Different Time Intervals and Fault Segments

By computing and classifying the data of gully offset obtained from field surveys along the Tianjingshan fault zone and estimating the ages of three types of gullies,the strike-slip rates along the fault zone are discussed in different time intervals and fault segments.The results suggest that the intensity of activity along the fault zone is not strong,but the differences between different time intervals and fault segments since the late Pleistocene have been obvious.The average rates range from 0.23 mm/a to 1.62 mm/a.The largest average rate is 1.40 mm/a,which occurred in the early and middle of late Pleistocene along the western segment of the fault zone.Since the late stage of the late Pleistocene,the center of faulting activity of the fault zone has shifted to the middle segment,and the average slip rates range have changed from 1.30 mm/a to 1.63 mm/a.

Fission Track Method to Date Fault Activity—As Exemplified by the Three Gorges Dam Area of the Yangtze River Valley, China

The Xiannushan and Jiuwanxi are the two major fracture belts adjacent to the Three Gorges Dam Site. Apatites are selected from fracture clay and fracture\|cliff rock in the fracture belts and examined with the fission track dating method. Our study shows that the Xiannushan and Jiuwanxi fracture belts were tectonically active at 0.60±0.04Ma and 0.29±0.04Ma ago, respectively. Their ages are close to those obtained by the U\|series method.

A Discussion on Fault Activity Based on Cross-fault Observations in the Capital Circle Region of China and Its Relationship with Earthquakes

In this paper, we made a systematic study on more than 40 years of observational data of ten temporary fault-crossing measurement sites in the capital circle region of China. We calculated horizontal and vertical components of fault slip, and horizontal extension or compression components. Considering the tectonic characteristics of the capital circle region and regional seismicity, we analyzed the present fault activity of the capital circle region and the relationship with earthquakes. The results show the complexity of fault activity in the region： the level of activity of all faults is low, most faults are left-lateral strike-slip faults; there is less vertical activity than horizontal activity and crustal movement is controlled by horizontal movement; fault activity and earthquake activity have a certain relationship, regional fault activity increases before an earthquake, and fault activity has certain abnormal features before strong earthquakes.

Characteristics of Fault Activity in the Taiyangshan Uplift Area in Hunan,China

Lying on the west edge of Dongting Lake,the Taiyangshan area in Hunan Province is part of a hilly region which has uplifted since the Late Cenozoic.According to field investigation of the six existing faults in the Taiyangshan area,we found that four of them are not active in the Quaternary,and that the Gangshi-Hefu fault is likely to have been active in the early Mid-Pleistocene.The geological evidence derived suggests that the Xiaowupu fault was active from the late Mid-Pleistocene to the early late-Pleistocene.It cut the stratum with a TL age of 123±10ka BP and has the property of thrusting.The research results are of great significance for understanding the seismogenic structure of the Changde earthquake with M6 3/4 in 1631.

Numerical modeling of tectonic stress field and fault activity in North China

On the basis of a 3-dimension visco-elastic finite element model of lithosphere in North China, we numerically simulate the recent mutative figures of tectonic stress field. Annual change characteristics of stress field are： 1 ） Maximum principal tensile stress is about 3 -9 kPaa-1 and its azimuth lie in NNW-SSE. 2） Maximum principal compressive stress is about 1 - 6 kPaa-1 and its azimuth lie in NEE-SWW. 3 ） Maximum principal tensile stress is higher both in the west region and Liaoning Province. 4） Variation of tectonic stress field benefits fault movement in the west part and northeast part of North China. 5 ）Annual accumulative rates of Coulomb fracture stress in Tanlu fault belt have segmentation patterns： Jiashan-Guangji segment is the high- est （6 kPaa - 1 ） , Anshan-Liaodongwan segment is the second （5 kPaa - l ） , and others are relatively lower （ 3 - 4 kPaa-1 ）.

Remarks on Urban Active Fault Exploration and Assessment of Fault Activity

to the practice of urban active fault exploration and associated fault activity assessment conducted in recent years, this paper summarizes the problems encountered in geological, geomorphological, geochemical and geophysical surveys, and proposes the following means and suggestions to solve these problems. To determine the most recent faults or fault zones, emphasis should be placed on identifying the youngest active faults and offset geomorphology. To understand the history of faulting and to discover the latest offset event, it is suggested that geophysical prospecting, drilling and trenching be conducted on one pro/de. Because of significant uncertainties in late Quaternary dating, we advise systematic sampling and the use of multiple dating methods. Shallow seismic reflection has been proven to be the most useful method in urban active fault exploration. However, there is a pressing need to increase the quality of data acquisition and processing to obtain high resolution images so as to enhance our ability to identify active faults. The combination of seismic P-wave reflection and S-wave reflection methods is proved to be a powerful means to investigate the tectonic environments of the deep crust.

Formation mechanism of fault accommodation zones under combined stress in graben basin:Implications from geomechanical modeling

A fault accommodation zone is a type of structure that is defined as regulating displacement and strain between faults structure.Increasing numbers of fault accommodation zones are being identified in graben basins,indicating the potential exploration target and petroleum accumulation areas.This study aims to analyze the formation mechanism and development of fault accommodation zones under combined stress by a numerical simulation method considering geomechanical modeling.Using three-dimensional(3-D)seismic interpretation and fractal dimension method,exampled with the Dongxin fault zone,the fault activity and fault combination pattern were conducted to quantitatively characterize the activity difference in fault accommodation zones.Combined with mechanical experiment test,a geomehcanical model was established for fault accommodation zones in a graben basin.Integrating the paleostress numerical simulations and structural physical simulation experiment,the developmental characteristics and genetic mechanism of fault accommodation zones were summarized.Influenced by multi movements and combined stresses,three significant tectonic evolution stages of the Dongxing Fault Zone(DXFZ)were distinguished:During the E_(s)^(3)sedimentary period,the large difference in the stress,strain,and rupture distribution in various faults were significant,and this stage was the key generation period for the prototype of the DXFZ,including the FAZ between large-scale faults.During the E_(s)^(2)sedimentary period,the EW-trending symmetric with opposite dipping normal faults and the NE-SW trending faults with large scale were furtherly developed.The junction area of two secondary normal faults were prone to be ruptured,performing significant period for inheriting and developing characteristics of fault accommodation zones.During the Es1 sedimentary period,the high-order faults in the DXFZ exhibited the obvious fault depressions and strike-slip activity,and the fault accommodation zones were furtherly inherited and developed.This stage was the molded and formative period of the FAZ,the low-order faults,and the depression in the DXFZ.

Dynamic response of mountain tunnel,bridge,and embankment along the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor to active fault based on model tests

The Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor is prone to numerous active faults and frequent strong earthquakes.While extensive studies have individually explored the effect of active faults and strong earthquakes on different engineering structures,their combined effect remains unclear.This research employed multiple physical model tests to investigate the dynamic response of various engineering structures,including tunnels,bridges,and embankments,under the simultaneous influence of cumulative earthquakes and stick-slip misalignment of an active fault.The prototype selected for this study was the Kanding No.2 tunnel,which crosses the Yunongxi fault zone within the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor.The results demonstrated that the tunnel,bridge,and embankment exhibited amplification in response to the input seismic wave,with the amplification effect gradually decreasing as the input peak ground acceleration(PGA)increased.The PGAs of different engineering structures were weakened by the fault rupture zone.Nevertheless,the misalignment of the active fault may decrease the overall stiffness of the engineering structure,leading to more severe damage,with a small contribution from seismic vibration.Additionally,the seismic vibration effect might be enlarged with the height of the engineering structure,and the tunnel is supposed to have a smaller PGA and lower dynamic earth pressure compared to bridges and embankments in strong earthquake zones crossing active faults.The findings contribute valuable insights for evaluating the dynamic response of various engineering structures crossing an active fault and provide an experimental reference for secure engineering design in the challenging conditions of the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor.

Responses of Stream Geomorphic Indices to Piedmont Fault Activity in the Daqingshan Area of China

A recent correlation of stream geomorphic indices to fault activity has revealed that stream geomorphologies in bedrock mountain areas are good records of local fault movements. The Daqingshan piedmont fault is one of the main active faults in the fault system on the northern margin of the Hetao Basin and has produced frequent large-scale earthquakes since the Late Pleistocene. In the present study, following the segmentation regime of previous studies, we divide the fault zone into five segments, namely, the Baotou, Tuyouqi West, Tuzuoqi West, Bikeqi, and Hohhot segments, and we discuss the relationship between the drainage basin geomorphology and the piedmont fault activity in the Daqingshan area using 30 m spatial resolution Shuttle Radar Topography Mission(SRTM) digital elevation model(DEM) data. We use a range of geomorphic indices to examine the drainage basins in the Daqingshan area, including the channel steepness index(ksn), slope, hypsometric integral(HI), relief degree of land surface(RDLS), and stream lengthgradient index(SL), extracted with ArcGIS and MATLAB, and we also consider local lithologic and climate aspects. Furthermore, we compare the geomorphic indices with the slip rates of individual segments of the Daqingshan piedmont fault and paleoseismic data. The results show that the geomorphic indices of drainage basins in the Daqingshan area are primarily affected by the piedmont fault activity in the Daqingshan area. The geomorphic indices also demonstrate that piedmont fault activity has been the most intense in the middle segment of this fault system since the Late Quaternary and decreases towards the two sides.

The historic evolution of Zhouyuan and the newest activity of the great Wei River fault

The rate of vertical differential movement of the great Weihe fault (west segment) in different periods is analyzed by using the data of the historic evolution of the Zhouyuan plateau surface. Results show that the rate reached a maximum in the Ming Dynasty, about 6. 4 mm/a, which corresponded well to the period of strongearthquake on the Wei River fault in the 15-16th centuries. Based on such a correspondence, the time separation between active periods of Ms=8. 0 strong earthquakes in the Wei River fault depression is investigated.

Study on the Activity of the Toupo Fault in Southern Anhui Province

The Toupo Fault, located in southern Anhui Province, strikes N60°～70°E in a linear route that is clear on satellitic image. It plays an important role in controlling the tectonics, geomorphology and distribution of Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins and strata. Detailed field investigation was carried out along the Toupo Fault to study its activity. Profiles, as well as a trench excavated reveal that the Quaternary super stratum above the fault had not been offset. The stratum was sampled and dated with TL methods to be the Mid-Pleistocene time, implying that the fault had been no longer active since then. Three stages can be divided since the fault was formed. The first stage is in the late Yanshan Movement, when the fault movement was of reversal strike-slipping and the tracks formed then are still clear today. The second stage is in the early Himalayan Movement—the late Cretaceous-early Tertiary, when the fault movement turned to be normal faulting and the southern wall became a tensile basin and received clastic sediment. The third stage is since the late Tertiary, when the tectonic movement was very weak. No late Tertiary sediments were formed and the Quaternary sediment was only as thick as ten meters. The geomorphology also suggested an aging form. Neither vertical nor horizontal displacement was evident along the Toupo Fault during this stage, though fault gouge dating suggested that the Toupo Fault might have been active during the Mid-Pleistocene.

A Study on the Quaternary Activity of the Tianjin Fault

The Tianjin fault includes South Tianjin fault and North Tianjin fault. Based on the results of artificial seismic exploration,four borehole profiles were laid out respectively west of Jinghai county town,Chaomidian village of Xiqing district,Xiaonanhe village of Xiqing district and Zhutoudian village of Ninghe county,to implement the exploration of these faults. Through identification of microfossils,the locations of marine beds in boreholes were obtained in this work,and through stratigraphic dating,the ages of the first,second and third marine beds were determined. Through strata correlation with the marine beds as key marker beds and integrating with the test results of paleo geomagnetism of boreholes BZ2 and TN3,the activity in the North and South Tianjin faults was analyzed and studied. The results indicate that there is no evidence of movement of the South Tianjin fault since the Late Pleistocene,but may have had weak activity before the Middle Pleistocene. No evidence of activity in the North Tianjin fault was found since the Late Pleistocene either,but might have been active in the early stage of the Early Pleistocene. These show that the activity of the South Tianjin fault is stronger than that of the North Tianjin fault. At the same time,we find that the second,third and fourth marine beds are lacking to some extent in different areas. So,before they are used in strata correlation, the age of marine beds must be determined,otherwise the results of strata correlation may lead to errors. For the second marine bed,where there has been dispute about its age,we consider the age to be about 70ka.

Research on Present Activity Characteristics of Heizi Fault and Discussion of Its Relative Problems

Based on other previous researches, we recalculate the micro-displacement along the Heizi fault with recent deformation data of the Heizi reservoir. The result shows that activity characteristics of Heizi fault has changed greatly since 1973 and have experienced four phases. The third phase is characteristics of normal fault, and others characteristic of reverse faults. Constructing the reservoir dam and reservoir sluice has important effect on present activity of the fault, even changed the activity characteristics of faults in some phases. Seismicity has some effect on deformation data and fault activity.

New Evidence of Late Quaternary Activity on the Xinyi-Wuhe Segment of the Tancheng-Lujiang Fault Zone

The Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone has great influence in eastern China. Studies have shown obvious signs of neotectonic activities on the Xinyi-Wuhe segment of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone. In this study,on the basis of the previous work,many seismological surveys are made along the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone and trenches are excavated in key sites.Combined with the analysis of the seismic activities along the fault,the fault movement features and future seismic risk are discussed. Much first-hand information obtained in the paper can provide an important reference value for the study of large earthquake recurrence rules and the mid and long-term earthquake prediction on the Xinyi-Wuhe segment of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone.

Main active faults and seismic activity along the Yangtze River Economic Belt:Based on remote sensing geological survey

The Yangtze River Economic Belt(YREB)spans three terrain steps in China and features diverse topography that is characterized by significant differences in geological structure and presentday crustal deformation.Active faults and seismic activity are important geological factors for the planning and development of the YREB.In this paper,the spatial distribution and activity of 165 active faults that exist along the YREB have been compiled from previous findings,using both remote-sensing data and geological survey results.The crustal stability of seven particularly noteworthy typical active fault zones and their potential effects on the crustal stability of the urban agglomerations are analyzed.The main active fault zones in the western YREB,together with the neighboring regional active faults,make up an arc fault block region comprising primarily of Sichuan-Yunnan and a“Sichuan-Yunnan arc rotational-shear active tectonic system”strong deformation region that features rotation,shear and extensional deformation.The active faults in the central-eastern YREB,with seven NE-NNE and seven NW-NWW active faults(the“7-longitudinal,7-horizontal”pattern),macroscopically make up a“chessboard tectonic system”medium-weak deformation region in the geomechanical tectonic system.They are also the main geological constraints for the crustal stability of the YREB.

The neotectonic deformation and earthquake activity in Zhuanglang river active fault zone of Lanzhou

Lanzhou Institute of Seismology, China Seismological Bureau, Lanzhou 730000, China 2) Institute of Geology, China Seismological Bureau, Beijing 100029, China

A Preliminary Study on the New Activity Features of the Lajishan Mountain Fault Zone in Qinghai Province

The Lajishan Mountain fault zone consists of two NE_protruding arcuate faults, i.e. the northern and southern margin fault of Lajishan Mountain with the fault length of 230km and 220km respectively. The fault zone is located in the large_scale compressional structure zone and tectonic gradient zone in_between the NNW_trending right_lateral strike_slip Reshui_Riyueshan fault zone and the NWW_trending left_lateral strike_slip northern margin of west Qinling Ranges fault zone is also an important boundary fault zone, separating the Xining_Minhe basin and the Xunhua_Hualong basin at the southern and northern sides of the Lajishan Mountain respectively. Geologic geomorphic evidences of new activity revealed by field investigations indicate that the latest movement of the Lajishan fault zone was in late Epipleistocene (only a few segments were active in early Holocene) and is mainly of compressive thrusting with slightly left_lateral strike_slip component. The above movement has possibly resulted in the occurrence of about 20 moderate earthquakes of magnitude around 5.0. The Lajishan region can therefore be regarded as a seismotectonic window to reflect tectonic movement and earthquake activity.

New Discovery of Holocene Activity along the Weixi-Qiaohou Fault in Southeastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau and its Neotectonic Significance

Objective The lateral extrusion eastward of the Tibetan Plateau leads to the formation of the Sichuan–Yunnan block, which is the most representative active block in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, characterized by strong and frequent seismicity(Li Ping et al., 1975; Zhang Peizhen et al., 2003; Li Yong et al., 2017). Its eastern boundary is composed of sinistral faults including the Xianshuihe, Xiaojiang faults, etc., and the western