Earthquake Ruptures in China: Testing Seismic Fault Behavior Models

Using submetric-resolution QuickBird or GeoEye satellite images, and with calibration in the field, we propose to increase the relevant database by exploiting the unmatched “museum class” archive of superbly preserved seismic strike-slip ruptures in the desert, nomadic lands of central Asia.

With this technique, we have successfully started to measure offsets due to great earthquakes on the Kunlun fault in Tibet, and the Fuyun fault in Xinjiang, both of which last ruptured during M ≈ 8 earthquakes in 2001 and 1931, respectively. Along the latter rupture, over 500 measurements define a 1931 co-seismic slip distribution with an average displacement of ≈ 5 - 6 m, and suggest 5 homothetic
slip-functions for more ancient earthquakes, supporting a characteristic-slip model.

The main goal is to pursue and refine this ongoing work by measuring more offsets and dating them in the field, and extend the approach to other ruptures along the Kunlun and Altyn Tagh faults.