Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

GPS-constrained inversion of present-day slip rates along major faults of the Sichuan-Yunnan region, China

  • Published:
Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A linked-fault-element model is employed to invert for contemporary slip rates along major active faults in the Sichuan-Yunnan region (96°–108°E, 21°–35°N) using the least squares method. The model is based on known fault geometry, and constrained by a GPS-derived horizontal velocity field. Our results support a model attributing the eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau driven mainly by the north-northeastward indentation of the Indian plate into Tibet and the gravitational collapse of the plateau. Resisted by a relatively stable south China block, materials of the Sichuan-Yunnan region rotate clockwise around the eastern Himalayan tectonic syntaxis. During the process the Garzê-Yushu, Xianshuihe, Anninghe, Zemuhe, Daliangshan, and Xiaojiang faults, the southwest extension of the Xiaojiang fault, and the Daluo-Jinghong and Mae Chan faults constitute the northeast and east boundaries of the eastward extrusion, with their left slip rates being 0.3–14.7, 8.9–17.1, 5.1 ± 2.5, 2.8 ± 2.3, 7.1 ± 2.1, 9.4 ± 1.2, 10.1 ± 2.0, 7.3 ± 2.6, and 4.9 ± 3.0 mm/a respectively. The southwestern boundary consists of a widely distributed dextral transpressional zone other than a single fault. Right slip rates of 4.2 ± 1.3, 4.3 ± 1.1, and 8.5 ± 1.7 mm/a are detected across the Nanhua-Chuxiong-Jianshui, Wuliangshan, and Longling-Lancang faults. Crustal deformation across the Longmenshan fault is weak, with shortening rates of 1.4 ± 1.0 and 1.6 ± 1.3 mm/a across the Baoxing-Beichuan and Beichuan-Qingchuan segments. Northwest of the Longmenshan fault lies an active deformation zone (the Longriba fault) with 5.1±1.2 mm/a right slip across. Relatively large slip rates are detected across a few faults within the Sichuan-Yunnan block: 4.4±1.3 mm/a left slip and 2.7±1.1 mm/a shortening across the Litang fault, and 2.7±2.3 mm/a right-lateral shearing and 6.7±2.3 mm/a shortening across the Yunongxi fault and its surrounding regions. In conclusion, we find that the Sichuan-Yunnan region is divided into more than a dozen active micro-blocks by a large number of faults with relatively slow slip rates. The eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau is absorbed and adjusted in the region mainly by these faults, other than a small number of large strike-slip faults with fast slip rates.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhang P Z, Deng Q D, Zhang G M, et al. Active tectonic blocks and strong earthquakes in the continent of China. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2003, 46(Suppl): 13–24

    Google Scholar 

  2. Allen C R, Luo Z L, Qian H, et al. Field study of a highly active fault zone: The Xianshuihe fault of southwestern China. Geol Soc of Am Bull, 1991, 103: 1178–1199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Zhao G G, Liu D Q, Wei W, et a1. The late Quaternary slip rate and segmentation of the Xianshuihe active fault zone. In: Proceedings of the PRC-USA Bilateral Symposium on the Xianshuihe Fault Zone, October 1990, Chengdu. Beijing: Seismological Press, 1992. 41–57

    Google Scholar 

  4. Sun J Z, Shi S Y. Inversion of the present kinematic characteristics of Xianshuihe fault zone from seismic moment tensor. Crustal Deformation Earthq (in Chinese), 1994, 14(4): 9–15

    Google Scholar 

  5. King R W, Shen F, Burchfiel B C, et al. Geodetic measurement of crustal motion in southwest China. Geology, 1997, 25(2): 179–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Song F M, Wang Y P, Yu W X, et al. Xiaojiang Active Fault Zone (in Chinese). Beijing: Seismological Press, 1998. 237

    Google Scholar 

  7. Xiang H F, Guo S M, Xu X W, et al. Active block division and present-day motion features of the south region of Sichuan-Yunnan province. Seismol Geol (in Chinese), 2000, 22(3): 253–264

    Google Scholar 

  8. Shen C Y, Wang Q. GPS inversion of kinematic model of the main boundaries of the rhombus block in Sichuan and Yunnan. Chin J Geophys (in Chinese), 2002, 45(3): 352–361

    Google Scholar 

  9. Zhou R J, He Y L, Huang Z Z, et al. The slip rate and strong earthquake recurrence interval on the Qianning-Kangding segment of the Xianshuihe fault zone. Acta Seismol Sin (in Chinese), 2001, 23(3):250–261

    Google Scholar 

  10. Zhou R J, He Y L, Yang T, et al. Slip rate and strong earthquake rupture on the Moxi-Mianning segment along the Xianshuihe-Anninghe fault zone. Earthq Res Chin (in Chinese), 2001, 17(3): 253–262

    Google Scholar 

  11. Shen J, Wang Y P, Ren J W. Quaternary right-lateral slip along the Dêqên-Zhongdian-Daju fault zone in Yunnan, China. In: Ma Z J, et al., eds. Contemporary Lithospherical Variation and Dynamic of Tibetan Plateau (3) (in Chinese). Beijing: Seismological Press, 2001. 123–135

    Google Scholar 

  12. He H L, Yasutaka I, Song F M, et al. Late quaternary slip rate of the Xiaojiang fault and its implication. Seismol Geol, 2002, 24(1):14–26

    Google Scholar 

  13. Wen X Z, Xu X W, Zheng R Z, et al. Average slip-rate and recent large earthquake ruptures along the Garzê-Yushu fault. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2003, 46(Suppl): 276–288

    Google Scholar 

  14. Xu X W, Wen X Z, Zheng R Z, et al. Pattern of latest tectonic motion and its dynamics for active blocks in Sichuan-Yunnan region in China. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2003, 46(Suppl): 210–226

    Google Scholar 

  15. Wang Y P, Shen J, Wang Q, et al. On the lateral extrusion of Sichuan-Yunnan block. Earth Sci Front (in Chinese), 2003, 10(Suppl):188–192

    Google Scholar 

  16. Qiao X J, Wang Q, Du R L. Characteristics of current crustal deformation of active blocks in the Sichuan-Yunnan region. Chin J Geophys (in Chinese), 2004, 47(5): 805–811

    Google Scholar 

  17. Tang W Q, Chen Z L. Present-day tectonics activity in the intersection area of the Xianshuihe fault and Longmenshan fault on the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Geol Bull Chin (in Chinese), 2005, 24(12): 1169–1172

    Google Scholar 

  18. Xu X W, Zhang P Z, Wen X Z, et al. Features of active tectonics and recurrence behaviors of strong earthquakes in the western Sichuan province and its adjacent regions. Seismol Geol (in Chinese), 2005, 27(3): 446–461

    Google Scholar 

  19. Tapponnier P, Molnar P. Slip-line field theory and large-scale continental tectonics. Nature, 1976, 264: 319–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Tapponnier P, Peltzer G, Le Dain A Y, et al. Propagating extrusion tectonics in Asia: New insights from simple experiments with plasticine. Geology, 1982, 10: 611–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Peltzer G, Tapponnier P. Formation and evolution of strike-slip faults, rifts and basins during the India-Asia collision: An experimental approach. J Geophys Res, 1988, 93: 15085–15117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Avouac J P, Tapponnier P. Kinematic model of active deformation in central Asia. Geophys Res Lett, 1993, 20(10): 895–898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Peltzer G, Saucier F. Present day kinematics of Asia derived from geologic fault rates. J Geophys Res, 1996, 101: 27943–27956

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Tapponnier P, Xu Z Q, Roger F, et al. Oblique stepwise rise and growth of the Tibet Plateau. Science, 2001, 294: 1671–1677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Replumaz A, Tapponnier P. Reconstruction of the deformed collision zone between India and Asia by backward motion of lithospheric blocks. J Geophys Res, 2003, 108(B6): 2285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. England P, McKenzie D. A thin viscous sheet model for continental deformation. Geophys J R Astron Soc, 1983, 70: 295–321

    Google Scholar 

  27. Vilotte J P, Madariaga R, Daignières M, et al. Numerical study of continental collision: Influence of buoyancy forces and initial stiff inclusion. Geophys J R Astron Soc, 1986, 84: 279–310

    Google Scholar 

  28. Houseman G, England P. Crustal thickening versus lateral explosion in the Indian-Asian continental collision. J Geophys Res, 1993, 98:12233–12249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. England P, Molnar P. The field of crustal velocity in Asia calculated from Quaternary rates of slip on faults. Geophys J Int, 1997, 130:551–582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Flesch L M, Haines A J, Holt W E. Dynamics of the India-Eurasia collision zone. J Geophys Res, 2001, 106: 16435–16460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Thatcher W. Microplate model for the present-day deformation of Tibet. J Geophys Res, 2007, 112,B01401, doi: 10.1029/2005JB004244

  32. Chen Z, Burchfiel B C, Liu Y, et al. Global Positioning System measurements from eastern Tibet and their implications for India/Eurasia intercontinental deformation. J Geophys Res, 2000, 105:16215–16227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Chen Z L, Shen F, Liu Y P, et al. The survey of GPS of crustal movement in the eastern Tibet Plateau regions. Chin Geol (in Chinese), 1998, 5: 32–35

    Google Scholar 

  34. Chen Z L, Zhang X Y, Shen F, et al. The monitoring of crustal movement in the southwest of China by GPS. Chin Sci Bull, 1999, 44(8): 851–854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Lu J N, Shen Z K, Wang M. Contemporary crustal deformation and active tectonic block model of the Sichuan-Yunnan region, China. Seismol Geol (in Chinese), 2003, 25(4): 543–554

    Google Scholar 

  36. Shen Z K, Lü J N, Wang M, et al. Contemporary crustal deformation around the southeast borderland of the Tibetan Plateau. J Geophys Res, 2005, 110, B11409, doi:10.1029/2004JB003421

  37. Gan W J, Zhang P Z, Shen Z K, et al. Present-day crustal motion within the Tibetan Plateau inferred from GPS measurements. J Geophys Res, 2007, 112, B08416, doi:10.1029/2005JB004120

  38. Wang M, Zhang Z S, Xu M Y, et al. Data processing and accuracy analysis of national 2000’ GPS geodetic control network. Chin J Geophys (in Chinese), 2005, 48(4): 817–823

    Google Scholar 

  39. Wan Y G, Wang M, Shen Z K, et al. Co-seismic slip distribution of the 2001 west of Kunlun Mountain pass earthquake inverted by GPS and leveling data. Seismol Geol (in Chinese), 2004, 26(3): 393–404

    Google Scholar 

  40. Shen Z K, Zhao C, Yin A, et al. Contemporary crustal deformation in east Asia constrained by Global Positioning System measurements. J Geophys Res, 2000, 105: 5721–5734

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Niu Z J, Wang M, Sun H R, et al. The latest resutls of GPS velocity field in China. Chin Sci Bull, 2005, 50(9): 934–941

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Okada Y. Surface deformation due to shear and tensile faults in a half-space. Bull Seismol Soc Am, 1985, 75: 1135–1154

    Google Scholar 

  43. Okada Y. Internal deformation due to shear and tensile faults in a half-space. Bull Seismol Soc Am, 1992, 82: 1018–1040

    Google Scholar 

  44. Zeng Y H, Shen Z K. Kinematic fault model of crustal deformation in California constrained by GPS observations. AGU Fall Meeting abstract, 2006

  45. Jackson D D, Matsu’ura M. A bayesian approach to nonlinear inversion. J Geophys Res, 1985, 90: 581–591

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Shen Z K, Ge B X, Jackson D D, et al. Northridge earthquake rupture models based on the global positioning system measurements. Bull Seismol Soc Am, 1996, 86: 37–48

    Google Scholar 

  47. Deng Q D, Zhang P Z, Ran Y K, et al. Basic characteristics of active tectonics of China. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2003, 46(4): 356–372

    Google Scholar 

  48. Wang E, Burchfiel B C. Late Cenozoic to Holocene deformation in southwestern Sichuan and adjacent Yunnan, China, and its role in formation of the southeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau. Geol Soc Am Bull, 2000, 112: 413–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Meade B J, Hager B H. Block models of crustal motion in southern California constrained by GPS measurements. J Geophys Res, 2005, 110, B03403, doi:10.1029/2004JB003209

  50. McCaffrey R. Block kinematics of the Pacific-North America plate boundary in the southwestern United States from inversion of GPS, seismological, and geologic data. J Geophys Res, 2005, 110, B07401, doi:10.1029/2004JB003307

  51. Zhu A L, Xu X W, Zhou Y S, et al. Relocation of small earthquakes in western Sichuan, China and its implications for active tectonics. Chin J Geophys (in Chinese), 2005, 48(3): 629–636

    Google Scholar 

  52. Shen Z K, Wang M, Gan W J, et al. Contemporary tectonic strain rate field of Chinese continent and its geodynamic implications. Earth Sci Front (in Chinese), 2003, 10(Suppl): 93–100

    Google Scholar 

  53. Han W B, Jiang G F. Study on seismicity of daliangshan and Anninghe-Zemuhe fault zones. J Seismol Res (in Chinese), 2005, 28(3):207–212

    Google Scholar 

  54. Western Yunnan Earthquake Prediction Test Site, Yunnan Seismological Bureau. The 1996 Lijiang Earthquake (in Chinese). Beijing: Seismological Press, 1998. 188

    Google Scholar 

  55. Institute of Geology State Seismological Bureau, Yunnan Seismological Bureau. Active Faults in Northwestern Yunnan Region (in Chinese). Beijing: Seismological Press, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  56. Sun J, Xu C F, Jiang Z, et al. Relationship between the electrical structure of crust and lower lithosphere and crustal tectonics in west Yunnan region. Seismol Geol (in Chinese), 1989, 11(1): 35–45

    Google Scholar 

  57. Zhou R J, Chen G X, Li Y, et al. Research on active faults in Litang-Batang region, western Sichuan province, and the seismogenic structures of the 1989 Batang M6.7 earthquake swarm. Seismol Geol (in Chinese), 2005, 27(1): 31–43

    Google Scholar 

  58. Burchfiel B C. New technology: New geological challenges. GSA Today, 2004, 14(2): 4–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Xiang H F, Xu X W, Guo S M, et al. Sinistral thrusting along the Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault since Quaternary and its geologic-tectonic significance—Shielding effect of transverse structure of intracontinental active block. Seismol Geol (in Chinese), 2002, 22(2):188–198

    Google Scholar 

  60. Huang W, Zhou R J, He Y L, et al. Holocene activity on Yunongxi fault and Liuba M6.2 earthquake in Kangding, Sichuan. Earthquake Res Chin (in Chinese), 2000, 16(1): 53–59

    Google Scholar 

  61. Chen G H. Structural transformation and strain partitioning along the northeast boundary belt of the Sichuan-Yunnan block. Dissertation for Doctoral Degree (in Chinese). Beijing: Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration, 2006

    Google Scholar 

  62. Zhang S M, Nie G Z, Liu X D, et al. Kinematical and structural patterns of Yingjing-Mabian-Yanjin thrust fault zone, southeast of Tibetan Plateau, and its segmentation from earthquakes. Seismol Geol (in Chinese), 2005, 27(2): 221–233

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Earthquake Dynamics, Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, 100029, China

    YanZhao Wang, ZhengKang Shen, WeiJun Gan, TieMing Li, Wei Tao & Jia Cheng

  2. School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China

    EnNing Wang

  3. Institute of Earthquake Science, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, 100036, China

    Min Wang, GuoJie Meng & Peng Li

  4. Institute of Seismology, China Earthquake Administration, Wuhan, 430071, China

    XueJun Qiao

  5. Survey Engineering Institute of Earthquake Administration of Sichuan Province, Ya’an, 625000, China

    YongLin Yang

Authors
  1. YanZhao Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. EnNing Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. ZhengKang Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Min Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. WeiJun Gan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. XueJun Qiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. GuoJie Meng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. TieMing Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Wei Tao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. YongLin Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Jia Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Peng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to ZhengKang Shen.

Additional information

Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2004CB418403), the Key Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40334042), and the China Earthquake Administration Research Fund (Grant No. 200708002)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wang, Y., Wang, E., Shen, Z. et al. GPS-constrained inversion of present-day slip rates along major faults of the Sichuan-Yunnan region, China. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 51, 1267–1283 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-008-0106-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-008-0106-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation