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Paleoseismic ruptures and evolution of a small triangular pull-apart basin on the Zemuhe fault

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Abstract

Trenching is a primary technique on paleoseismology to reveal evidence of surface deformation produced by large earthquakes. A good trenching site requires completeness of geologic recording on paleoseismic events and corresponding reliable dating from radiocarbon samples. Based on three-dimension trenching, we show a structure of a small triangular pull-apart basin at the Daqingliangzi section on the Zemuhe fault, then explore interrelation between paleoseismic surface rupturing and evolution of the pull-apart basin, and give a corresponding identification model. Sedimentary boundary of the pull-apart basin is tightly bounded by two branch faults, which produced multiple paleoseismic events with deformation of some large fissures in sequence. Strata are thinner at north of the pull-apart basin, however thicker at south. These above characteristics show that evolution of the pull-apart basin is a continuous sedimentation process accompanying extensional deformation produced by multiple paleoseismic events. Small pull-apart basins are favorable sites for trenching and paleoseismic study on active strike-slip faults.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Center of Active Fault Studies, Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, 100029, China

    Hu Wang, YongKang Ran, YanBao Li & LiChun Chen

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  1. Hu Wang
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  2. YongKang Ran
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  3. YanBao Li
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  4. LiChun Chen
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Correspondence to YongKang Ran.

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Wang, H., Ran, Y., Li, Y. et al. Paleoseismic ruptures and evolution of a small triangular pull-apart basin on the Zemuhe fault. Sci. China Earth Sci. 56, 504–512 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-012-4543-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-012-4543-8

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