loading page

Contemporary Deformation of the Fenwei faulted zone From Global Positioning System Data
  • +1
  • Zhi Yu Gao,
  • Wei Li,
  • Hong Bin Cheng,
  • Hao Zhang
Zhi Yu Gao
Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Wei Li
Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration
Author Profile
Hong Bin Cheng
Second Monitoring and Application Center, China Earthquake Administration
Author Profile
Hao Zhang
Earthquake Administration of Jiangsu Province
Author Profile

Abstract

The Fenwei faulted zone is a region with high level of seismic hazard. Different models are proposed for the formation of the Fenwei faulted zone, but none has given its specific kinematic mechanism. Using updated GPS data covering the eastern China, we discover that although the Ordos block, the North China Plain and the South China block are moving in the southeast direction, the relative motion between them is obviously different: there is basically no shear slips inside the Weihe graben, and the extension rate across it is significant; in addition, the Shanxi graben system has roughly equal extensional and right-lateral strike-slip components. We suggest that rapid southeastward motion of the rigid South China block and the North China Plain, with respect to the Ordos block, has imposed intensive tectonic extension on the Fenwei faulted zone forming the contemporary deformation.