Characteristics of the Late Quaternary right-lateral strike-slip movement of Bolokenu-Aqikekuduk fault in northern Tianshan Mountains, NW China

Abstract

The characteristics of the Bolokenu-Aqikekuduk (Bo-A) fault, a right-lateral strike-slip fault that runs for more than 700 km long and obliquely cuts North Tianshan Mountains, are evaluated here based on remote sensing data, and through an analysis of the results from field investigations as well as climate-geomorphic events. The fault is composed of a western segment with a NW strike and an eastern segment with a NWW strike. The western segment is nearly 250 km long, extending northwestward into Kazakhstan with a right-lateral strike-slip rate of 5 mm/a. This domain consists of 4–5 rupture sections, with 3–4 deformation belts, caused by ancient or historical earthquakes, and suggesting the potential for the occurrence of further strong earthquakes (with M ≈ 7.5) in future. The eastern segment of the fault shows a right-lateral strike-slip rate of 1–1.4 mm/a, with the development of 3–4 deformation belts caused by ancient or historical earthquakes, and with a potential for future strong earthquake with M ≈ 7.0. A typical strain partitioning style in the compression area has developed between the intermontane Bo-A fault and the piedmont thrust structures of Northern Tianshan Mountains, under the effect of oblique compression, as indicated by the piedmont thrust structure and the strike-slip fault in the mountains.