Surface Rupture and Slip Distribution along the Zheduotang Fault in the Kangding Section of the Xianshuihe Fault Zone

Abstract

Abstract The Zheduotang fault (ZDTF) is located in the Kangding section of the Xianshuihe fault zone (XSHF). While the ZDTF plays an essential role in understanding the structural deformation pattern of the Kangding section. Little information is known about the paleoearthquake offsets and slip behavior of the ZDTF. It is therefore essential to analyze the seismic hazards in this area. Using UAV-based photogrammetry, high-resolution satellite images, and field observations, we mapped the surface trace of the fault in detail and measured the horizontal and vertical offsets geomorphological landforms along the fault. The binned cumulative offset probability density (COPD) distribution was calculated to analyze single-event and multievent cumulative offsets. We found that the ZDTF has scarps along its entire ~46 km length, and the offset distributions of its northwestern (NW) and southeastern (SE) sections feature different characteristics. The SE section follows a uniform slip model based on the relationship between cumulative and coseismic offsets. We estimated the maximum potential earthquake magnitudes of the NW section and SE section to be M6.6 and M7.0, respectively, from the measured offsets and empirical formulas. Finally, we discussed the seismic hazard of the ZDTF based on our findings and paleoearthquake data. The NW section is at risk of large earthquakes recurring in the future, whereas the SE section has a low risk of a >M7.0 earthquake recurring in the next 100 years. If these two sections rupture at the same event in the future, the maximum potential magnitude of the ZDTF is M7.2.