Late Quaternary Tectonic Activity and Slip Rates of Active Faults in the Western Hexi Corridor, NW China

Abstract

The Yinwashan and Xinminpu faults are located in the Jiuxi Basin in the western end of the Hexi Corridor. The determination of their activity and slip rates is of great significance for understanding the eastward extension of the Altyn Tagh fault. Based on geological and geomorphologic field survey, trench excavation, optically stimulated luminescence dating, we define the fault geometry and kinematic properties of the two faults. Based on fault scarps measurement using differential GPS and ¹⁰Be surface exposure dating, we determined vertical slip rate of 0.09±0.01 mm/yr for the Yinwashan fault and 0.1±0.02 mm/yr for the Xinminpu fault. Using the dips observed in trenches and natural sections, we estimated horizontal shortening rates of 0.05±0.03 and 0.23±0.06 mm/yr, respectively. No significant strike slip motion is observed on these two faults, and we infer that this region was dominated by horizontal shortening in the Late Quaternary. Although the shortening rate is quite low on each individual fault, together with other faults in this area, these two faults have an essential role in transferring slip from the eastern end of the Altyn Tagh fault and in accommodating the northeastward growth of Tibetan Plateau.

Keywords

Hexi Corridor / Qilian Shan / slip rate / crustal shortening / active fault

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