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Re-evaluation of Surface Ruptures Produced by the 1609 M 7.3 Hongyazi Earthquake in the Northern Qilian Shan, China

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Abstract

The Fodongmiao–Hongyazi (FH) fault, which is located on the northern margin of the Qilian Shan, is considered the seismogenic fault of the AD 1609 Hongyazi earthquake. However, the length of the surface rupture remains controversial. As the surface rupture length is an important parameter for understanding earthquake rupture processes and estimating prehistoric earthquake magnitudes, re-evaluating the surface ruptures produced by the 1609 earthquake is necessary. In this study, combining field investigation, satellite imagery interpretation, topographic photogrammetry and 14C dating, we conclude that the rupture extends from Hongyazi village in the east to the Hongshuiba River in the west, with a total length of ~ 90 km. The maximum vertical displacement is 2–3 m, with an average value of 1.3–2 m. The best estimated magnitude is inferred to range between Mw 6.9 and Mw 7.3 based on the empirical relationships between moment magnitude and rupture length, maximum and average displacement. Combining paleoearthquake and slip rate results, we believe that the potential for large earthquakes on the FH fault is low.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Austin Elliott and Barry Parsons for providing constructive suggestions in the field investigation. This work was jointly supported by the by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (2019QZKK0901) and National Science Foundation of China (42072246).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lanzhou National Observatory of Geophysics, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Xing-wang Liu & Bo Zhang

  2. Lanzhou Institute of Geotechnique and Earthquake, China Earthquake Administration, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Xing-wang Liu & Bo Zhang

  3. School of Earth Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Dao-yang Yuan

  4. Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Yanxiu Shao

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  1. Xing-wang Liu
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Correspondence to Xing-wang Liu.

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Liu, Xw., Yuan, Dy., Shao, Y. et al. Re-evaluation of Surface Ruptures Produced by the 1609 M 7.3 Hongyazi Earthquake in the Northern Qilian Shan, China. Arab J Geosci 15, 542 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08633-8

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