HOLOCENE ACTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NORTHERN SEGMENT OF THE MINJIANG FAULT IN THE EASTERN MARGIN OF THE TIBETAN PLATEAU

As a part of the north-south seismic zone in China, a lot of M6.0-7.2 earthquakes have occurred in the margin faults of the Minshan block in history. This work attempted to characterize the geometry and activity of the north section of the Minjiang fault in this region based on high-resolution satellite images, geologic and geomorphic investigations, micro-geomorphic surveys, and trench excavation. The results show left-lateral-slip and Holocene activity of this structure. Along it, the offset landform has a continuous linearity on Ⅱ terraces near the Chuanpan village. The vertical height of the fault scarp measures 3.1 meters, which is almost the same as the accumulative horizontal displacement of the gully. The accumulative horizontal shortening due to faulting is 3.0 meters. Calculation using the model of displacement-dependent characteristic earthquakes shows both the vertical and horizontal co-seismic displacements and the horizontal shortening amount are about 1.0 meter. While strata dating suggests that the vertical and horizontal slip rates are all about 0.7-0.9mm/a, and the horizontal shortening rate is approximately 1.0-1.1mm/a. The excavated trench, perpendicular to the fault trace, reveals low-angle thrust dipping in 260åt 29°. From the relationship of the fault, colluvial wedge and stratigraphy ages, three palaeoseismic events are identified from youngest to oldest at 0-295a BP, 1 405-1 565a BP, and 2 750-2 875a BP, respectively, with recurrence intervals 1 110-1 565 years and elapsed time about 0-295 years。According to the relationship between magnitude and active parameters, it is considered that the northern segment of the Minjiang fault is capable of generating M7 or greater earthquakes. Now it is in the process of stress accumulation, having a certain seismic risk.