Uniform Strike-Slip Rate along the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang Fault System and Its Implications for Active Tectonics in Southeastern Tibet

Recent studies on the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system suggest that the Late Quaternary strike-slip rate is approximately uniform along the entire length of the fault zone, about 15±2 mm/a. This approximately uniform strike slip rate strongly supports the clockwise rotation model of the southeastern Tibetan crust. By approximating the geometry of the arc-shaped Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system as a portion of a small circle on a spherical Earth, the 15±2 mm/a strike slip rate corresponds to clockwise rotation of the Southeastern Tibetan Block at the （5.2±0.7）×10^-7 deg/a angular velocity around the pole （21°N, 88°E） relative to the Northeast Tibetan Block. The approximately uniform strike slip rate along the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system also implies that the Longmeushan thrust zone is not active, or at least its activity has been very weak since the Late Quaternary. Moreover, the total offset along the Xiaushuihe-Xiaojiang fault system suggests that the lateral extrusion of the Southeastern Tibetan Block relative to Northeastern Tibetan Block is about 160 km and 200-240 km relative to the Tarim-North China block. This amount of lateral extrusion of the Tibetan crust should have accommodated about 13-24% convergence between India and Eurasia based on mass balance calculations. Assuming that the slip rate of 15±2 mm/a is constant throughout the entire history of the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system, 11±1.5 Ma is needed for the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system to attain the 160 km of total offset. This implies that left-slip faulting on the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system might start at 11±1.5 Ma.

Geomorphic signatures and active tectonics in western Saurashtra,Gujarat,India

Active tectonics in an area includes ongoing or recent geologic events.This paper investigates the tectonic influence on the subsidence,uplift and tilt of western Saurashtra through morphotectonic analysis of ten watersheds along with characteristics of relief and drainage orientation.Watersheds 7-9 to the north(N)are tectonically active,which can be linked with the North Kathiawar Fault System(NKFS)and followed by watersheds 6,10,1,4 and 5.Stream-length gradient index and sinuosity index indicate the effect of tectonic events along the master streams in watersheds 6-9.Higher R^(2)values of the linear curve fit for watershed 7 indicate its master stream is much more tectonically active than the others.The R^(2)curve fitting model and earthquake magnitude/depth analysis confirm the region to be active.The reactivation of the NKFS most likely led to the vertical movement of western Saurashtra.

Relative active tectonics evaluation using geomorphic and drainage indices, in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, western India

The present study area,Dadra and Nagar Haveli,contains several lineaments and traces of active faults.The various aspect of the geomo rphic analysis,i.e.,stream length(SL) gradient,hypsometric integral(HI),basin shape(BS),valley floor(VF),have been applied to evaluate the relative index of active tectonics(RIAT) of the Damanganga watershed.The high and low zones of tectonic activity have been identified based on the geomorphic analysis of the watershed.After evaluation of all indices,three classes,class IIhigh(1.3 ≤RIAT <1.5),class Ⅲ-moderate(1.5 ≤RIAT <1.8),and class Ⅳ-low(1.8 ≤RIAT),have been obtained to outline the degree/gradation of comparative tectonic activities in the study area.The appraised outcome of the RIAT dispersal is also well reinforced by the geomorphic evidence in the field.The collective outcomes of geomorphic evidence,such as stream deflection and analysis of lineament,deflection of streams,and geomorphic indices,conceal that the Damanganga watershed is affected by tectonic activity.

Implication of Surface Fractal Analysis to Evaluate the Relative Sensitivity of Topography to Active Tectonics,Zagros Mountains, Iran

Fractal geometry is increasingly becoming a useful tool for modeling and quantifying the complex patterns of natural phenomena. The Earth's topography is one of these phenomena that have fractal characteristics. This paper investigates the relative sensitivity of topography to active tectonics using ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model. The covering divider method was used for direct extraction of surface fractal dimension(D surf) to estimate the roughness-surface of topography with aid of geographic information system(GIS)techniques. This evaluation let us highlight the role of the geomorphic and tectonic processes on the spatial variability of fractal properties of natural landforms.Geomorphic zones can be delineated using fractal dimension mapping in which variability of surface fractal dimension reflects the roughness of the landform surface and is a measure of topography texture. Obtained results showed this method can be a quick and easy way to assess the distribution of land surface deformation in different tectonic settings. The loose alluvial deposits and irregularities derived by tectonic activity have high fractal dimensions whereas the competent formations and higher wavelength folded surfaces have lower fractal dimensions.According to the obtained results, the Kazerun Fault Zone has a crucial role in the separation of the Zagros Mountain Ranges into the different lithological,geomorphological and structural zones.

Appraisal of active tectonics in Hindu Kush:Insights from DEM derived geomorphic indices and drainage analysis

Landscapes in tectonically active Hindu Kush （NW Pakistan and NE Alghanistanl result from a complex integration of the effects of vertical and horizontal crustal block motions as well as erosion and deposition processes. Active tectonics in this region have greatly influenced the drainage system and geomorphic expressions. The study area is a junction of three important mt^unlain ranges （Hindu Kush-Karakorunl-Himalayas） and is thus an ideal natural laboratory to investigate the relative tectonic activity resulting from the India-Eurasia collision. We evaluate active tectonics using DEM derived drainage network and geomorphic indices hypsometric integral （Hl）. stream-length gradient （SL）, fractal dimension （FD）, basin asymmetry factor （AF）, basin shape index （B,）, valley floor width to wllley height ratio （Vf） and motmtain front sinuosity （Star）. The results obtained from these indices were combined to yield an index of relative active tectonics （IRAT） using GIS. The average of the seven measured geomorphic indices was used to ewfluate the distri- bution of relative tectonic activity in the study area. We defined tour classes to define the degree of rela- tive tectonic activity： class 1 very high （1.0 ≤ IRAT 〈 1.3）; class 2 high （1.3 ≥ IRAT 〈 1.5）： class 3--moderate （1.5 〉 IRAT 〈 1.8）; and class 4--low （1.8 〉 IRAT）. In view of the results, we conclude that this combined approach allows the identification of the highly deformed areas related to active tectonics. Landsat imagery and field observations also evidence the presence of active tectonics based on the deflected streams, deformed landforms, active mountain fronts and triangular facets. The indicative values of IRAT are consistent with the areas of known relative uplift rates, landforms and geology.

Geomorphic signatures of active tectonics in Subansiri River Basin, eastern Himalayas

The Subansiri,a major tributary of the Brahmaputra with its catchment area(35763 km^2)spreading almost entirely in the Eastern Himalayas across almost all the major and local tectonic features in the area witnesses large numbers of seismic events.Active tectonic indices like relief and slope,drainage pattern,longitudinal profile,valley profile,hypsometry,valley asymmetry factors and transverse topographic symmetry index,stream length gradient,valley floor-height ratio extracted from SRTM 3 arcsecond data prove that the evolving basin morphology has substantial contribution from the Himalayan tectonics.Seismic data are incorporated in the study to establish the potentially active tectonic elements in the catchment area.The study shows that the western part of the Subansiri River Basin is profoundly tilted towards north in the upper catchment and towards east in the lower and middle part of the catchment.The predominant tectonic movements in the western part of the basin caused the tilting of the basin towards north in the upstream and towards east in the middle and lower parts.

A Review on Researches of Active Tectonics—History,Progress and Suggestions

This paper reviews the history and progress of research on active tectonics in China and overseas.By giving a brief introduction on the history of active tectonic research in China and other countries,the paper sums up the process and development of quantitative investigation of active tectonics since the 1980s.The focus is on the main efforts and progress made in China on certain aspects of research,such as basic surveys and applied investigation of active tectonics,the study of theories related to regional active tectonics and their kinematics and geodynamics,surveys on coupling relations between deep and shallow structures,active fault surveys and prospecting and seismic hazard assessment in urban areas,as well as the efforts made using Quaternary geochronology.Furthermore,the paper looks back on Chinese quantitative investigation of active tectonics in China and sums up cognitions derived from studies on the determination of several basic and measurable parameters of active tectonics.These parameters include the length of fault and fault segmentation,coseismic slip and cumulative slip,fault slip rate,the sequence of paleoearthquake events and the time elapsed since the most recent event.At the same time,efforts and progress made in China on assessing the long-term seismic potential for active faults and evaluating the risk from potential active fault movement have been reviewed by summarizing research on developing theories,models,methods and the application of time-dependent seismic potential to probabilistic assessment,magnitude estimation for potential earthquakes on active faults,and the forecast of potential risk caused by active fault movement.Finally,in consideration of the realities and problems in the research of active tectonics in China,the authors put forward several suggestions for issues worthy of more attention for further investigation in the future.

Active tectonics of the eastern java based on a decade of recent continuous geodetic observation

The eastern part of Java Island is transversed by major faults such as Cepu,Blumbang,Surabaya,and Waru Segment,part of the Kendeng Fault,Wonsorejo Fault,Pasuruan Fault,and Probolinggo Fault.Due to the major fault,we used decomposition of identified fault from the Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)observation data to identify the potential of local deformation.We analyzed surface deformation due to the effect of major fault using scaling law and elastic half-space method.We investigated the possibility of unidentified fault using strain rates based on velocity vector data before and after correcting the effect of a major fault.We found that strain calculation for principal strain value in the eastern part of Java Island is less than one microstrain/year and the dominant one with a compression pattern due to the Sunda subduction zone.The maximum shear strain rate value goes from 0.002 to 0.094 microstrain/year,and the dilatation rate value ranges from-0.141 to 0.038 microstrain/year,which correlates with the reverse of the Kendeng Fault.A higher compression pattern outside the major fault in a differential maximum shear strain rate might indicate a local fault.

Geomorphological responses of rivers to active tectonics along the Siwalik Hills,Midwestern Nepalese Himalaya

The Nepalese Himalaya is well known for ongoing collisional tectonics,witnessed by major historical and recent earthquakes.The Siwalik Hills in Midwestern Nepalese Himalaya are bounded by eastwest trending Main Frontal Thrust(MFT)to the south and the Main Boundary Thrust(MBT)to the north.The area is dissected by numerous southwest to south-flowing bedrock rivers.This study investigates geomorphic metrics of these rivers to unravel landscape evolution and active tectonics of the Siwalik Hills.Digital Elevation Model(DEM)analysis was conducted to extract structural lineaments and longitudinal river profile and their metrics(knickpoints,Normalized Steepness Index(ksn),concavity index,and chi integral)using steam powerlaw approaches.Most of the lineaments trend eastwest like MFT.River profiles exhibit convex to double-concave shapes with upstream-propagating tectonic knickpoints that separate upstream and downstream reaches,indicating different phases of river incision.The spatial distribution of ksn shows high values along with low concavity values at the eastern part of the study area,reflecting disequilibrium conditions that are likely responding to a high uplift rate.Chi integral distribution shows a variation in drainage divide migration between the eastern and western parts of the study area.This study suggests that the rivers in the Siwalik Hills are undergoing active incision likely related to the ongoing uplift and active deformation associated with the Himalayan tectonics.The above findings can bring fresh perspectives to comprehend the neotectonic deformation and lateral variability along the Siwalik Hills landscapes within the Himalaya.

An Introduction to the Latest-generation Spatial Database of Active Tectonics of China

Based on ArcGIS and MapInfo software, we digitized the active tectonics map (1:4,000,000) of China, which was compiled and revised by academician Deng Qidong, and built the spatial database of active tectonics of China. The database integrates rich active tectonic data, such as a catalogue of earthquakes with magnitude above 6.0, active faults, Quaternary basins, active folds and their associated attribute parameters, and implements scientific and effective management to this data. At the same time, the spatial database joins the spatial map data and the associated attribute data together, which implements the data query between spatial properties and attribute parameters and also makes it possible to perform spatial analysis with different data layers. These provide much convenience for earthquake study and allows engineering construction institutions to use this data in practical applications.

Satellite Data-based Structural Mapping Reveals Active Panjal Traps Fault(PTF)in Kashmir,NW Himalaya

Exploring the evidence for unidentified earthquake-causing faults in the orogenic zones,and primarily the interior parts(Shah,2013),has been an ongoing quest for centuries(Willis,1923;Baker et al.,1988;Yeats et al.,1992;Wesnousky et al.,1999;Malik et al.,2010;Coudurier-Curveur et al.,2020;Shah et al.,2020).These faults are potentially dangerous due to their unknown risk and deformation budget,two of the most important aspects of mapping and understanding the vulnerability and hazards associated with active faults.

Active Faulting Pattern,Present-day Tectonic Stress Field and Block Kinematics in the East Tibetan Plateau

This paper examines major active faults and the present-day tectonic stress field in the East Tibetan Plateau by integrating available data from published literature and proposes a block kinematics model of the region. It shows that the East Tibetan Plateau is dominated by strike-slip and reverse faulting stress regimes and that the maximum horizontal stress is roughly consistent with the contemporary velocity field, except for the west Qinling range where it parallels the striking of the major strike-slip faults. Active tectonics in the East Tibetan Plateau is characterized by three faulting systems. The left-slip Kunlun-Qinling faulting system combines the east Kunlun fault zone, sinistral oblique reverse faults along the Minshan range and two major NEE-striking faults cutting the west Qinling range, which accommodates eastward motion, at 10--14 mm/a, of the Chuan-Qing block. The left-slip Xianshuihe faulting system accommodated clockwise rotation of the Chuan-Dian block. The Longmenshan thrust faulting system forms the eastern margin of the East Tibetan Plateau and has been propagated to the SW of the Sichuan basin. Crustal shortening across the Longmenshan range seems low （2-4 mm/a） and absorbed only a small part of the eastward motion of the Chuan-Qing block. Most of this eastward motion has been transmitted to South China, which is moving SEE-ward at 7-9 mm/a. It is suggested from geophysical data interpretation that the crust and lithosphere of the East Tibetan Plateau is considerably thickened and theologically layered. The upper crust seems to be decoupled from the lower crust through a decollement zone at a depth of 15-20 kin, which involved the Longmenshan fault belt and propagated eastward to the SW of the Sichuan basin. The Wenchuan earthquake was just formed at the bifurcated point of this decollement system. A rheological boundary should exist beneath the Longmenshan fault belt where the lower crust of the East Tibetan Plateau and the lithospheric mantle of the Yangze block are juxtaposed.

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 Effect of Active Tectonic to Morphology of Alluvial Fan of Shahdad in Kerman-lran

The alluvial fan of the Shahdad in Derakt-Tangan River is one of the biggest alleviation in total dry area in the north eastern Kerman. This alluvial fan is formed effected by different materials erosion in drainage basin of Derakt-Tangan River and laying these materials in the final part of this drainage basin called Lut. Tectonics activate with efficacy in the place of the settlement of the alluvial fan. The region, which is being studied, is one of the active tectonic regions. The severe tectonic activities in the studying region have been proved by several observations. One of the most important evidences in the region is the various faults in the area and implies to fan alluvium （from head to end）, study line profile in past and present. The most important fault of the region is the great fault of ＂Nay band＂, the southern fault of Shahdad and the series of faults having the direction of north-western to south-eastern and northern and southern. The drainage basin of alluvial fan of the Derakt-Tangan River leads from east to Kavir-lut, from west to the Baghe-Bala Mountains and Kalisaky from The aim of this article is the morphology of Derakt-Tangan north to the altitutes of Dahran and from south to the mountains of Jeffan river fan indicative on neotectonics in the region.

Regional Hypsometric Analysis of the Jordan Rift Drainage Basins (Jordan) Using Geographic Information System

This research is intended to assess the regional pattern of hypsometric curves (HCs) and hypsometric integrals (HIs) for the watersheds draining into the Jordan Rift (River Jordan, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Araba watersheds). Hypsometric analysis was performed on 22 drainage basins using ASTER DEM (30 m resolution) and GIS. The area-elevation ratio method was utilized to extract the hypsometric integral values within a GIS environment. A prominent variation exists in the HC shapes and HI values. The highest hypsometric values are found for the Dead Sea ( = 0.87) and River Jordan ( = 0.77) watersheds. Whereas the lowest values ( = 0.51) characterized Wadi Araba catchments, except Wadi Nukhaileh (lower Wadi Araba) which yields an HI value of 0.26. Seventeen HCs pertained to the River Jordan and the Dead Sea watersheds evince remarkably upward convex shapes indicating that such drainage basins are less eroded, and at the youth-stage of the geomorphic cycle of erosion. Catchments draining to Wadi Araba are of intermediate HI values (0.41 - 0.58) which are associated with a balance, or dynamic equilibrium between erosion and tectonic processes. Accordingly, they correspond to a late mature stage of geomorphic development. Additionally, Wadi Nukhaileh yields the lowest HI value (0.26) and is associated with highly eroded terrain of late mature geomorphic evolution, approaching an old stage therefore, with distorted concave upward curves. High HI values indicate that these watersheds have been subjected to tectonic uplift, down faulting of the Rift and intense rejuvenation. Differences in HI values can be attributed to disparity in tectonic uplift rate, base level heights, and mean heights of the River Jordan watersheds, the Dead Sea and Wadi Araba watersheds, and variation in lithology, which caused noticeable differences in rejuvenation processes, and channel incision. Regression analysis reveals that R2 values which represent the degree of control of driving parameters on HI, are positive and generally low (ranging from 0.026 to 0.224) except for the height of base level (m) parameter which contributes 0.42 (significant at 0.1% level). Such results mean that the height of base level has a significant at 0.1% level. It is obvious that the most crucial driving morphometric factor influencing HI values of the Jordan Rift drainage basins, is the height of base level (m).

Research on the Characteristics of Large Earthquake Activity on the Active Tectonic Boundaries on the Chinese Mainland

Based on the research and the division of the active tectonic blocks and their boundaries on the Chinese mainland, the feature of the large earthquake activities on the 24 boundaries between the 6 active tectonic block regions (grade Ⅰ) and the 22 active tectonic blocks (grade Ⅱ) are studied. The seismicity levels on the active tectonic block boundaries are discussed considering the large earthquake frequency and the released strain energy in unit distance and time. The theoretic maximal magnitude and the recurrence period of each boundary are then calculated from the G-R relation. By comparing this with the actual earthquake records, it is found that the intensities of the earthquake deduced from the seismic activity parameter (a/b) on the main active boundaries on the Chinese mainland are consistent with that of the natural earthquakes. Meanwhile, an inverse relation is found between the recurrence periods of large earthquakes and the tectonic motion rate on the boundaries. These results show that the a, b values of each boundary obtained in this paper are valuable. In addition, the present seismic activities and hazards of these boundaries are also probed into with the historical data and their elapsed time on each boundary based on the hypothesis that the large earthquakes satisfy Poisson distribution.

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.

Relative active tectonic in the metamorphic rocks of the Yaounde group: insights from geomorphic indices and topographic analysis

The Yaounde Group(YG),representing the southern edge of the North Equatorial PanAfrican Belt,consists of quartzites,schists,micaschists,amphibolites,gneisses and migmatites.Tectonism has formed a landscape characterized by the development of linear and folded valleys and ridges,fault scarps,V-shaped valleys,incised rivers and knickpoints.These landforms constitute important markers of the regional tectonic activity,which have been computed from spatial sources such as SRTM,DEM,hydrographical networks and geomorphic indices such as AF,T,Smf,Vf,Bs,Hi,U,SI and Li.The results highlighted a mature relief consisting of asymmetric basins generated by tilting and uplift phenomena.The relative index of active tectonics(RIAT)has been estimated from an average of eight geomorphic indices evaluated on 24 subbasins,in the study area.Four classes have been defined:class 1(1.38),very high active(1.0≤RIAT<1.5);class 2(1.50-1.88),high active(1.5≤RIAT<2.0);and class 3(2.00-2.13)moderate active(2.0≤RIAT<2.5).These three classes,respectively covering 10.20%(458 km2),80.10%(3595 km2)and 9.69%(435 km2)of the study area,have shown a highly active tectonic zone,and imply the existence of a neotectonic event in the YG.This tectonic unit(YG)was also affected by the dextral NW-SE strike-slip faulting,which cross-cut the Sanaga Shear Zone(SSZ)at Ebebda and the foliation oriented NW-SE.The tilting and uplift of rocks related to Moho ascending are responsible for crustal thinning in the Cameroon basement,more important to the Adamawa Plateau from the Cretaceous age and the reactivation of existing tectonic accidents.The presence of hills,fault scarps,reverse faults,knickpoints,V and U shaped valleys and rounded mountains testify to the interaction between tectonic uplift,lithology,climate,weathering and erosion.

Gravitational Tectonics versus Plate Tectonics in the Himalayan Intermontane Basins: NW Himalaya

The intermontane basins are some of the critical regions to investigate the formation,growth,and development of basins during the collisional orogenesis,and in the NW Himalaya several such basins are observed to have formed during the latest phase of the ongoing collision between India and Eurasia(Burbank and Johnson,1982).

A Paleogeographic and Depositional Model for the Neogene Fluvial Succession, Pishin Belt, Northwest Pakistan: Effect of Post Collisional Tectonics on Sedimentation in a Peripheral Foreland Setting

Detailed facies analysis of the Neogene successions of the Pishin Belt （Katawaz Basin） has enabled documentation of successive depositional systems and paleogeographic settings of the basin formed by the collision of the northwestern continental margin of the Indian Plate and the Afghan Block. During the Early Miocene, subaerial sedimentation started after the final closure of the Katawaz Remnant Ocean. Based on detailed field data, twelve facies were recognized in Neogene successions exposed in the Pishin Belt. These facies were further organized into four facies associations i.e. channels, crevasse splay, natural levee and floodplain facies associations. Facies associations and variations provided ample evidence to recognize a number of fluvial architectural components in the succession e.g., low-sinuosity sandy braided river, mixed-load meandering, high-sinuosity meandering channels, single-story sandstone and/or conglomerate channels, lateral accretion surfaces （point bars） and alluvial fans. Neogene sedimentation in the Pishin Belt was mainly controlled by active tectonism and thrusting in response to the oblique collision of the Indian Plate with the Afghan Block of the Eurasian Plate along the Chaman-Nushki Fault. Post Miocene deformation of these formations successively caused them to contribute as an additional source terrain for the younger formations.