Paleo-earthquake studies on the eastern section of the Kunlun fault

Roughly along the Animaqing Maji peak, the Kunlun fault section between the Tuosuo Lake and Kendingna (east Maqin) can be subdivided into two geometric segments: the Huashixia and the Maqin segments. These two segments behave differently in their Holocene slip rates and paleo-earthquake activities, with obviously higher paleo-seismic activity on the Huashixia segment than on Maqin segment. As many as four strong Holocene earthquakes are identified on the Huashixia segment from trenching and geomorphic studies. The recurrent interval for the latest three earthquakes are at about 500 a and 640 a, respectively. On the Maqin segment, at least three paleo-earthquake events can be defined from trenching, with a recurrent interval for the latest two events at about 1000 a. M = 7.5 earthquakes on Huashixia segment recur at every 411 a to 608 a with a characteristic slip at 5.75±0.57 m. Although the Maqin segment is less active, its accumulated strain energy during the long time period since last earthquake occurred (about 1070 a BP) deserves enough notice on its future earthquake probabilities.

Druse Calcite Crystals Formed by Mesoproterozoic Paleo-Earthquake Activity in the Northern Margin of the North China Craton

The Meso-neoproterozoic Bayan Obo rift is located along the northern margin of the North China Craton,and was associated with the break-up of the Columbia supercontinent.During rift evolution,syn-sedimentary deformation occurred due to tectonic activity and earthquakes.Seismic events are recorded in the Jianshan Formation of the Bayan Obo Group,Inner Mongolia,as soft sediment deformation structures in the central Bayan Obo rift.Druse calcite crystals and collapse breccias in the Jianshan Formation may provide information on the rift evolution.The druse calcite crystals are idiomorphic-columnar in shape and associated with graphite,pyrite,and quartz.δ^(13)C values of the graphite are−20‰,indicative of biogenic deoxygenation and formation in water.The druse calcite crystals are inorganic in origin and formed in water at a temperature of 55℃,based on calciteδ^(13)C andδ^(18)O data.The calcite grew in paleo-caves containing fault breccias,with heat derived from faulting.As such,the druse calcite crystals are important evidence for seismic events.The collapse breccias(i.e.,fault breccias)and other indicators of slip show that displacement occurred from NE to SW,which is different from the paleocurrent direction in the Jianshan Formation.The thickness of the collapse breccia is∼200 m,which represents the height of the fault scarp.The strike of the fault scarp was NE-SW,based on the distribution of the collapse breccia.The Bayan Obo and Yanliao rifts experienced rapid NW-SE extension,and developed similar deformation structures at ca.1.6 Ga related to break-up of the Columbia supercontinent.

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.

Eastern Kunlun Active Fault Zone and Its Seismic Activity

In addition to a brief description of the tectonic background and evolutionary history of the Eastern Kunlun active fault zone,this paper emphatically describes the spatial distribution,geometry,Quaternary movement,and strong earthquake activities of this fault zone.The fault zone is characterized by a long evolutionary history,deep seated tectonic background,and intense Quaternary,even Holocene,activities.It played an important role in the tectonic evolution of China,especially in the uplifting and formation of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.It is also a major pleistoseismic belt in western China.Based on modern strong earthquake records as well as the newly discovered evidence of multiple Holocene paleoearthquakes and their surface rupture zones along the entire fault zone,the spatial and temporal distribution pattern of strong earthquakes along the fauit zone is analyzed.Finally,the macroscopic epicenter location of the 1937 Huashixia earthquake with M=7.5 and the distribution and scope of its surface

Earthquake-induced soft-sediment deformation structures in the Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation,North China,and their geologic implications

Soft-sediment structures are key to defining seismites. Two soft-sediment deformation horizons, bounded by undeformed carbonate strata, have been found in the Wumishan Formation in the Jumahe region, 175 km southwest of Beijing. One is in the lowest part of Wumishan Formation; and the other is in the uppermost part of Litho-member I. The soft-sediment structures in these two horizons fall into three categories: mould-and-sag structures, hydraulic shatterings and liquefaction dikes. The mould-and-sag structures are divided into two types: one developed in tidal-flat sediments, accompa-nied by many liquefaction-related structures and characterized by autochthonous post-earthquake sediments in sags, and the other type developed in deep-water environments, is not associated with liquefaction structures, and is overlain immediately by seismogenic tsunamites. The hydraulic shat-terings are composed of pockets of fluidization conglomerate, sand intrusions, and syndepositional faults. The liquefaction dikes fall into two categories: hydraulic-fracturing dikes and lateral-spreading dikes. The former are steep, planar, and pinch out upwards. The latter are snake-like and characterized by no diapir-related drag structures in surrounding rocks. Examination of the attitudes and strati-graphic positions of these structures suggests that these soft-sediment structures are seismogenic, and consequently, are seismites. Most seismites in the Wumishan Formation are developed near the former western, margin fault of Yanliao rift. This occurrence suggests that they could be related to movements on this fault. Other geological implications are discussed.