The Seismic Surface Rupture Zone in the Western Segment of the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin and Its Causal Interpretation, Eastern Tianshan
The Eastern Tianshan region, influenced by the far-field effect of northward compression and expansion of the Qinghai-Xizang block, features highly developed Late Quaternary active faults that exhibit significant neotectonic activity. Historically, the Barkol-Yiwu Basin, located to the north of the...
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2024-11-01
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| author | Hao Sun Daoyang Yuan Ruihuan Su Shuwu Li Youlin Wang Yameng Wen Yanwen Chen |
| author_facet | Hao Sun Daoyang Yuan Ruihuan Su Shuwu Li Youlin Wang Yameng Wen Yanwen Chen |
| author_sort | Hao Sun |
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| description | The Eastern Tianshan region, influenced by the far-field effect of northward compression and expansion of the Qinghai-Xizang block, features highly developed Late Quaternary active faults that exhibit significant neotectonic activity. Historically, the Barkol-Yiwu Basin, located to the north of the Eastern Tianshan, experienced two major earthquakes in 1842 and 1914, each with a magnitude of M7<sup>1</sup>/<sub>2</sub>. In contrast, the Hami Basin on the southern margin of the Eastern Tianshan has no historical records of any major earthquakes, and its seismic potential, mechanisms, and future earthquake hazards remain unclear. Based on satellite image interpretation and field surveys, this study identified a relatively recent and well-preserved seismic surface rupture zone with good continuity in the Liushugou area of the western segment of the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin (HMNF), which is the seismogenic structure responsible for the rupture. The surface rupture zone originates at Kekejin in the east, extends intermittently westward through Daipuseke Bulake and Liushugou, and terminates at Wuzun Bulake, with a total length of approximately 21 km. The rupture zone traverses the youngest geomorphic surface units, such as river beds or floodplains and first-order terraces (platforms), and is characterized by a series of single or multiple reverse fault scarps. The morphology of fault scarps is clear, presenting a light soil color with heights ranging from 0.15 m to 2.13 m and an average displacement of 0.56 m, suggesting that this surface rupture zone likely represents the most recent seismic event. Comparison with historical earthquake records in the Eastern Tianshan region suggests that the rupture zone may have been formed simultaneously with the Xiongkuer rupture zone by the 1842 M7<sup>1</sup>/<sub>2</sub> earthquake along the boundary faults on both sides of the Barkol Mountains, exhibiting a flower-like structural pattern. Alternatively, it might represent a separate, unrecorded seismic event occurring shortly after the 1842 earthquake. The estimated magnitude of the associated earthquake is about 6.6~6.9. Given that surface-rupturing earthquakes have already occurred in the western segment, the study indicates that the Erdaogou–Nanshankou section of the HMNF has surpassed the average recurrence interval for major earthquakes, indicating a potential future earthquake hazard. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-8cf604385f8940569feb545569f461a12025-08-20T01:54:04ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922024-11-011622420010.3390/rs16224200The Seismic Surface Rupture Zone in the Western Segment of the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin and Its Causal Interpretation, Eastern TianshanHao Sun0Daoyang Yuan1Ruihuan Su2Shuwu Li3Youlin Wang4Yameng Wen5Yanwen Chen6School of Earth Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaNorthwest Engineering Corporation Limited, Xi’an 710065, ChinaNorthwest Engineering Corporation Limited, Xi’an 710065, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaThe Eastern Tianshan region, influenced by the far-field effect of northward compression and expansion of the Qinghai-Xizang block, features highly developed Late Quaternary active faults that exhibit significant neotectonic activity. Historically, the Barkol-Yiwu Basin, located to the north of the Eastern Tianshan, experienced two major earthquakes in 1842 and 1914, each with a magnitude of M7<sup>1</sup>/<sub>2</sub>. In contrast, the Hami Basin on the southern margin of the Eastern Tianshan has no historical records of any major earthquakes, and its seismic potential, mechanisms, and future earthquake hazards remain unclear. Based on satellite image interpretation and field surveys, this study identified a relatively recent and well-preserved seismic surface rupture zone with good continuity in the Liushugou area of the western segment of the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin (HMNF), which is the seismogenic structure responsible for the rupture. The surface rupture zone originates at Kekejin in the east, extends intermittently westward through Daipuseke Bulake and Liushugou, and terminates at Wuzun Bulake, with a total length of approximately 21 km. The rupture zone traverses the youngest geomorphic surface units, such as river beds or floodplains and first-order terraces (platforms), and is characterized by a series of single or multiple reverse fault scarps. The morphology of fault scarps is clear, presenting a light soil color with heights ranging from 0.15 m to 2.13 m and an average displacement of 0.56 m, suggesting that this surface rupture zone likely represents the most recent seismic event. Comparison with historical earthquake records in the Eastern Tianshan region suggests that the rupture zone may have been formed simultaneously with the Xiongkuer rupture zone by the 1842 M7<sup>1</sup>/<sub>2</sub> earthquake along the boundary faults on both sides of the Barkol Mountains, exhibiting a flower-like structural pattern. Alternatively, it might represent a separate, unrecorded seismic event occurring shortly after the 1842 earthquake. The estimated magnitude of the associated earthquake is about 6.6~6.9. Given that surface-rupturing earthquakes have already occurred in the western segment, the study indicates that the Erdaogou–Nanshankou section of the HMNF has surpassed the average recurrence interval for major earthquakes, indicating a potential future earthquake hazard.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/22/4200Eastern Tianshanthe Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basinhistorical earthquakesseismic surface rupture zoneflower-like structural pattern |
| spellingShingle | Hao Sun Daoyang Yuan Ruihuan Su Shuwu Li Youlin Wang Yameng Wen Yanwen Chen The Seismic Surface Rupture Zone in the Western Segment of the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin and Its Causal Interpretation, Eastern Tianshan Remote Sensing Eastern Tianshan the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin historical earthquakes seismic surface rupture zone flower-like structural pattern |
| title | The Seismic Surface Rupture Zone in the Western Segment of the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin and Its Causal Interpretation, Eastern Tianshan |
| title_full | The Seismic Surface Rupture Zone in the Western Segment of the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin and Its Causal Interpretation, Eastern Tianshan |
| title_fullStr | The Seismic Surface Rupture Zone in the Western Segment of the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin and Its Causal Interpretation, Eastern Tianshan |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Seismic Surface Rupture Zone in the Western Segment of the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin and Its Causal Interpretation, Eastern Tianshan |
| title_short | The Seismic Surface Rupture Zone in the Western Segment of the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin and Its Causal Interpretation, Eastern Tianshan |
| title_sort | seismic surface rupture zone in the western segment of the northern margin fault of the hami basin and its causal interpretation eastern tianshan |
| topic | Eastern Tianshan the Northern Margin Fault of the Hami Basin historical earthquakes seismic surface rupture zone flower-like structural pattern |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/22/4200 |
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