The Deformation of Active Tectonic Blocks on the Chinese Mainland and Its Relationship with Seismic Activity

Based on the hypothesis of the active tectonic blocks on the Chinese continent and its adjacent regions (both the method of the DDA on a spherical surface and the GPS survey results observed from 1991 to 2001 are used), the movements and deformations of each active tectonic block are calculated. The calculation results show that although the movements and deformations of active tectonic blocks in the eastern region and in the western region of China are different, active tectonic blocks in the same active tectonic block region are coherent. Then, the relative velocities of the active tectonic blocks’ boundary zones are calculated, and the relationship between current crustal motion and strong seismic activities is discussed. Earthquakes ( M S≥7 0) on the Chinese continent since 1988 all occurred on boundary zones of active tectonic blocks with high slipping speed.

Characteristics of Tectonic Deformation and Mechanisms for the Active Maxianshan-Xinglongshan Fault System in the Lanzhou Area

A detailed investigation permitted us to obtain quantitative data concerning fine geometric structures of 4 faults of the active Maxianshan-Xinglongshan fault system and the latest movement along them. Of them the northern Maxianshan border fault is a large-scale, strongly active Holocene reverse sinistral strike-slip fault, the other 3 faults, the southern Maxianshan border fault and the southern Xinglongshan border and the northern Xinglongshan border faults are the accompanying active late-Pleistocene thrust faults, which are incorporated into the main strike-slip fault, the northern Maxianshan border fault at depth. It is the most important earthquake-controlling fault in the Lanzhou area, the fault influences and constrains the seismic activity in the area.

Late Quaternary Activity and Paleoearthquakes along the Nanyukou Segment of the Northern Piedmont Fault of Wutai Mountain

The northern piedmont fault of Wutai Mountain is located at the north of the Shanxi Graben system, which is the dominating fault of the south boundary of the Fanshi-Daixian depression. This paper discusses the fault activity and paleoearthquakes around the Nanyukou segment of the northern piedmont fault of Wutai Mountain during the late Quaternary through field investigation along the fault, measuring geomorphic deformation and excavating trenches at some important sites. From Nanyukou to the southwest of Shanhui, we find obviously dislocated alluvial fans, with strong neotectonic movement at these sites. Since nearly 20ka, the vertical average slip rate is 1.55mm/a to 2.0mm/a. However,since nearly 6ka,it has reached as high as 2.3mm/a, which is twice that on other segments. 2 trenches were excavated around Nanyukou with 6 events discovered. The referenced ages of the events are before 7600a, 6700a - 7600a, 5321a - 5575a, 4400a - 5400a,420Oa-4400a and after 1600a B.P. with approximate recurrence interval 1400a. The latest event is likely to be the earthquake occurring at 512 A. D. ,so it is necessary to do further work to verify this in the future.

Active tectonic deformation and its seismic-geological signifi cance of boundary faults of the Daxing Uplift and Langgu-Dachang Depression,Beijing Plain,China

Boundary faults of the Daxing Uplift and Langgu-Dachang Depression are located in the southeastern region of the Beijing Plain and directly control the sedimentation,tectonic evolution,and strong seismic activity of the plain.The Sanhe-Pinggu earthquake of Ms 8.0 occurred in 1679,but the active tectonic deformation characteristics of the boundary have been rarely discussed.In this study,the active tectonic deformation characteristics of the Daxing Uplift and Langgu-Dachang Depression boundary rupture were investigated by collecting and analyzing the results of previous works,supplementing three shallow-seismicexploration control lines at locations where the data are lacking,and carrying out borehole combined profi le exploration and optically stimulated luminescence dating at local breakpoints.Results show that the Daxing Uplift and Langgu-Dachang Depression boundary faults constitute an active tectonic deformation zone with~50 km distance between Mafang and Niubaotun towns and then extends to both ends to form a deep and large fault that cuts through the earth’s crust.The activity of the Daxing Uplift eastern boundary fault may be divided into two sections near Anding town,with the early-to-middle Late Pleistocene gradually weakening in the northwest and the Holocene gradually weakening in the southwest.Moreover,the activity of the Xiadian fault may be divided into two sections near the Chaobai River:the Holocene gradually weakening in the northwest and the early-to-middle Late Pleistocene gradually weakening in the southwest.The boundary fault of the Daxing Uplift and Langgu-Dachang Depression has an~43 km seismic gap around Niubaotun town,which has a high risk of Ms 6.0-7.0 earthquakes.This investigation into the active tectonic deformation characteristics of the boundary fault of the Daxing Uplift and Langgu-Dachang Depression is crucial for analyzing the strong earthquake rupture behavior and the future risk of strong earthquakes in this area.It also contributes greatly to the study of the tectonic pattern evolution of the North China Plain and Beijing Plain.