A Complete Map of Fine‐Scale Slip Rate Distribution and Earthquake Potential Along the Haiyuan Fault System

Abstract

providing key observations for estimating slip-rate distribution that help characterise fault coupling and slip deficits (Avouac, 2015). When combining these information with seismological and geological observations of earthquake ruptures, we are able to put quantitative and realistic constraints on the size and timing of future earthquakes. In this study, we focus on the ∼1,000-km-long Haiyuan fault system (HFS), a major left-lateral strike-slip structure at the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau which has hosted several devastating earthquakes including the 1709

An Updated Fault Coupling Model Along Major Block‐Bounding Faults on the Eastern and Northeastern Tibetan Plateau From a Stress‐Constrained Inversion of GPS and InSAR Data

“…For the Haiyuan fault, Huang & Zhou (2022) constrain the coupling model using GPS and InSAR (2014–2021) data, and Li et al. (2021a) use the GPS data only.…”

“…We compare our preferred fault coupling model with previous models (Huang & Zhou, 2022;Li et al, 2021aLi et al, , 2021bZhu et al, 2020) for the Haiyuan fault (Figure 17 and Figure S22 in Supporting Information S1), the Kunlun fault (Figure 18) and the Ganzi-Xianshuihe-Anninghe-Zemuhe-Daliangshan-Xiaojiang fault system (Figure S23 in Supporting Information S1). All previous studies focused on single fault systems and used the block models without considering the stress constraints in the inversions.…”

“…For the Haiyuan fault, Huang & Zhou (2022) constrain the coupling model using GPS and InSAR (2014) data, and Li et al (2021a use the GPS data only. The comparison between the three models suggests that the firstorder pattern is overall consistent, including the partial coupling along the Tianzhu gap, the 1920 rupture, and the transition zone between the Halahu fault and the Tuolaishan fault (Figure 17).…”

“…We present such differences using the depth-dependent normalized coupling ratio along the segment between 100°E and 106°E. In Huang & Zhou (2022); Li et al (2021a), their results are characterized by a Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 10.1029/2023JB028483 monotonically decreasing locking ratio along the dip (Figure S22 in Supporting Information S1), which is likely caused by the additional smoothing reported in the subduction zone studies (Wallace et al, 2009). For continental strike-slip faults, this smoothing constraint leads to fault coupling inconsistent with the depth-dependent seismicity distributions in this region (Figure S22 in Supporting Information S1).…”

“…Geodetic observations of surface velocities from InSAR and GPS are suitable for direct quantification of the distribution and degree of kinematic coupling on fault segments over the period of geodetic measurements (e.g., Bürgmann et al., 2005; McCaffrey et al., 2002; Pollitz et al., 2008). Previous studies have investigated the locking depth or coupling distribution along specific or several faults constrained by GPS and/or InSAR measurements in Tibet (e.g., Chen et al., 2004; He & Chéry, 2008; Huang & Zhou, 2022; Jian et al., 2020; Jiang et al., 2015; Loveless & Meade, 2011a; Y. C. Li et al., 2023; Y. H. Li et al., 2023; Li & Bürgmann, 2021; Ou et al., 2022; Shen et al., 2005; Thatcher, 2007; Zhao et al., 2020, 2022a; Zhu et al., 2021). The previous studies collectively demonstrated the heterogeneous pattern of fault coupling distribution on multiple fault segments, in which isolated locked regions of varied sizes are surrounded or bordered by creeping/partially locked zones.…”