Present‐day Block Movement and Fault Activity on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

AbstractThe geology and tectonics in the eastern margin of Tibetan Plateau are complex. The main tectonic framework is composed of blocks and faults. Using discontinuous global positioning system survey data for 2008–2014, the velocity field for the Eurasia reference framework was obtained. Based on the velocity field, the present‐day velocities of the blocks and boundary faults were estimated. The results reveal that the movement rates of the Chuan‐Qing, South China, Chuan‐Dian and Indo‐China blocks are (17.02±0.60) mm/a, (8.77±.51) mm/a, (13.85±.31) mm/a and (6.84 ± 0.74) mm/a, respectively, and their movement directions are 99.5°, 120.3°, 142.9° and 153.3°, respectively. All blocks exhibit clockwise rotation. The displacement rates of the Xianshuihe, Longmenshan, Anninghe, Zemuhe, Xiaojiang and Red River faults are (7.30±1.25–8.30±1.26) mm/a, (10.07±0.97–11.79±0.89) mm/a, (0.96±0.74–2.98±1.73) mm/a, (2.03±0.49–3.20±0.73) mm/a, (3.45±0.40–6.02±0.50) mm/a and (6.23±0.56) mm/a, respectively. The Xianshuihe, Anninghe, Zemuhe and Xiaojiang faults show left‐lateral strike‐slip movement, while the Longmenshan and Red River faults show right‐lateral strike‐slip. These characteristics of the blocks and faults are related to the particular tectonic location and dynamic mechanism.