The spatial variation in slip rates of large-scale strike-slip faults provides crucial support for the conceptual models of continental collision. However, the reasons for the decrease in slip rate of the East Kunlun Fault at the eastern margin of the Qaidam Basin on the Tibetan Plateau are still unclear. At the eastern margin of the Qaidam Basin, we identified four active strike-slip faults-two NW-SE-orientated dextral (the Xiariha Fault and Yingdeerkang Fault) and two E-W-orientated sinistral (the Reshui-Taosituohe Fault and Taosituohenan Fault)-and determined their slip rates using uncrewed aerial vehicle-based topography and optically stimulated luminescence dating. For the Xiariha Fault, from north to south slip rates are 1.39 +0.51/-0.34 mm/ yr, 1.19 +0.15/-0.14 mm/yr, and 0.9 +0.19/-0.16 mm/yr. The Yingdeerkang Fault slips at 0.66 +0.08/-0.07 mm/yr. The Reshui-Taosituohe Fault, from west to east, slips at 0.95 +0.22/-0.19 mm/yr and 1.20 +0.11/ -0.09 mm/yr. The Taosituohenan Fault, west to east, slips at 0.62 +0.12/-0.12 mm/yr to 1.01 +0.21/-0.19 mm/yr and 1.21 +0.43/ -0.25 mm/yr. We believe that the gradual decrease in slip rate of the East Kunlun Fault at the Tuosuo Lake segment toward the east is influenced by the activity of the four active strike-slip faults with a slip rate of similar to 1 mm/ yr along the eastern margin of the Qaidam Basin and the Elashan Fault. The decrease in fault slip rate is not solely attributed to the diverse structural styles of the fault itself but also to the strain absorption by the development of differently oriented faults around its periphery.

The Xicheng ore field in West Qinling contains numerous Pb‒Zn deposits of varying sizes and is one of the largest areas of Pb‒Zn mineral resources in China. The Xiejiagou Pb‒Zn deposit is in the central part of the southern belt of the Xicheng ore field. No research has been completed on the trace elements and origin of this deposit. To supplement the geochemical information for each deposit in the Xicheng ore field and provide a scientific basis for the exploration of critical metals in the region, the sulfide in the Xiejiagou deposit is selected as the subject of investigation in this study, and its trace element composition is examined using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP‒MS), accompanied by fluid inclusion thermometry and sulfur isotope analysis, to elucidate the geochemical characteristics of the deposit and propose its genesis. The results showed that the compositions of the trace elements in different sulfides differ greatly, with sphalerite mainly enriched in Cd and relatively enriched in Ge, Mn and In; galena mainly enriched in Ag and relatively enriched in Se, Ge and Tl; chalcopyrite relatively enriched in Sn and Ge; and pyrite relatively enriched in Ni, Co, Ge and Tl. The critical metals are mainly in sphalerite. Zn and Cd mapping diagrams of sphalerite suggest a possible Zn2+ ↔ Cd2+ substitution mechanism; Fe and Mn are positively correlated, while Fe and Zn are negatively correlated, suggesting a possible Fe2+ + Mn2+ ↔ 2Zn2+-coupled substitution mechanism; and the positive correlation between Cu and Ge is strong, while the difference in the content is large, suggesting a substitution mechanism involving (n + 1)Zn2+ ↔ Ge2+ + nCu2+. The sulfur isotopes show obvious heavy sulfur characteristics; the sulfur source is likely Middle Devonian seawater sulfate or marine sulfate from the strata, and the production of reduced sulfur is closely related to thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). The trace element compositions of sulfides in the Xiejiagou Pb‒Zn deposit exhibit characteristics that are essentially consistent with those of Mississippi valley-type (MVT) deposits, which clearly distinguish them from sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) deposits. Additionally, the homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions in this deposit are lower than those of the SEDEX deposits; they range between 120 and 160°C, with a mean value of 172°C. Overall, the results indicate that the deposit is classified as an MVT Pb‒Zn deposit, and in this article, a mineralization model diagram has been drawn for the Xiejiagou Pb–Zn deposit.

Quantitatively characterizing the geometry, kinematics, and deformation rate of fold-thrust belts in intermontane basins is the key to understanding strain partitioning within the Tian Shan range. This work focuses on the Bayin anticline in the Youludusi Basin, a typical intermontane basin located within the eastern Tian Shan. The Kaidu River cuts through the Bayin anticline and has developed three levels of terraces (T-1-T-3) across the structure. By using cosmogenic nuclide and optically stimulated luminescence dating methods, the formation ages of terraces T-1 and T-3 are constrained to 11.54 +/- 0.55 ka and 42 + 7.0/-7.1 ka, respectively. When applying a listric thrust fault model to the Bayin anticline and using terraces as references, the vertical displacements are estimated to be 16.45 + 6.46/-3.19 m (T-1), 32.08 + 12.85/-6.19 m (T-2), and 95.93 + 38.94/-18.6 m (T-3), and the shortening amounts are 10.56 + 8.33/-5.04 m (T-1), 20.46 + 16.68/-9.64 m (T-2), and 61.24 + 50.22/-28.93 m (T-3). Based on this listric thrust fault model and terrace T-1-T-3 ages, the rate of fault slip controlling the growth of the Bayin anticline is determined to be 1.6 +/- 1.0 mm/yr, and the crustal shortening rate of the anticline is 1.0 + 0.7/-0.6 mm/yr. The estimated crustal shortening deformation of the Bayin anticline accounts for similar to 12 % of the total deformation in the Youludusi Basin. In terms of the entire orogenic belt, the crustal shortening absorbed in the southern, central, and northern parts accounts for 24 %-56 %, 46 %-71 %, and 19 %-74 %, respectively, of the total strain across the eastern Tian Shan. Therefore, we believe that the Eastern Tianshan undergoes uniform deformation.

The tectonic deformation of the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau underwent significant changes before and after the Miocene, which led to the change of the deformation characteristics of the Sichuan-Yunnan block, and some local areas in the block also showed structural patterns inconsistent with the macroscopic clockwise rotation deformation. Moreover, the Chenghai fault (CF) in the Sichuan-Yunnan block was the seismogenic fault of the M 73/4 Yongsheng earthquake in 1515. However, the dense vegetation impeded the acquisition of surface deformation characteristics and small-scale horizontal offsets along the fault, resulting in its misty kinematic properties, roughly determined geometric distribution, and the highly controversial rupture parameters of the Yongsheng earthquake. Therefore, we used airborne light detection and ranging, which can penetrate vegetation to obtain high-resolution surface topography, to map the CF within 120 km. Combined with satellite images and field investigations, we determined that the CF consists of a series of secondary faults with simple geometric structures. Continuous offset linear landforms were preserved along the fault. 102 offsets below 30 m were statistically analyzed and the result revealed that the CF has a characteristic displacement of similar to 6 m and it may rupture as a united rupture segment in each large earthquake or its two rupture segments cascade rupture to generate large earthquakes. The magnitude of the Yongsheng earthquake in 1515 was estimated at 7.7. Finally, based on this study, the kinematic characteristics of the Dali terrane and Sichuan-Yunnan block, where the CF is located are discussed. We obtained the fine geometry of the Chenghai fault (CF) and determined its kinematic property We reestimated the magnitude of the Yongsheng earthquake in 1515 We discussed the seismogenic pattern of the CF and kinematic characteristics of the Dali terrane and Sichuan-Yunnan block

The tectonic deformation on the eastern margin of the Qaidam Basin, which has preserved complete sedimentary records, significantly influences the evolutionary model of the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. However, the deformation history in this area during the Holocene remains unclear. This study is based on the high-precision digital elevation model obtained through drone mapping technology, which identifies three active faults on the eastern margin of the Qaidam Basin: the Xiariha Fault (XRHF) and Yingdeerkang Fault Yingdeerkang Fault (YKF) are NW-SE-orientated dextral faults, whereas the Reshui-Taosituohe Fault (RTF) is a nearly east-west-orientated sinistral fault. Based on the optically stimulated luminescence dating of the landform surfaces, the rates of strike-slip offset are as follows: those of the XRHF range from 1.12 +/- 0.07 to 1.68 +/- 0.12 mm/yr and those of the YKF are from 0.99 +/- 0.06 to 2.29 +/- 0.13 mm/yr. Recent paleoseismic events occurred along the RTF at approximately 714-1,792 years BP and at 700 +/- 18 years BP, implying a recurring millennial pattern. Together, these faults possibly form a complex cross-fault system along the southeastern edge of the basin, heightening seismic risk. Deformation in the western part of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau is driven by slip on the Altyn Tagh Fault and compression in the Qaidam Basin. The central part experiences slip on the East Kunlun Fault, along with secondary faults, shortening, and block rotation. The eastern part primarily experiences slip along the Haiyuan Fault. The Xiariha, Yingdeerkang, and Reshui-Taosituohe faults (RTF) on the eastern margin of the Qaidam Basin have been active during the HoloceneThe paleoseismic recurrence interval of the RTF is estimated to be approximately 1,000 yearsThe eastern margin of the Qaidam Basin is expected to include a complex system of cross-faults, increasing the seismic hazard

China’s first optical stereo mapping satellite with a sub-meter resolution, GaoFen-7 (GF-7), launched in November 2019, shows significant potential for providing high-resolution topographic and geomorphic data for quantitative research on active tectonics. However, no studies have evaluated the capability of the GF-7-generated digital elevation model (DEM) for quantitatively studying active tectonics. This study aimed to validate the accuracy of the DEMs extracted from GF-7 stereo imagery, with or without ground control points (GCPs), and evaluated the potential of applying GF-7 DEMs to active tectonics. First, GF-7 stereo images were processed to obtain DEMs with a spatial resolution of 2 m, utilizing three different methods, including block adjustment without GCPs, block adjustment with the aid of Google Earth images and SRTM DEM, and block adjustment with GCPs derived from the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) data. These three generated DEMs were called GF-7 DEMMethod1, GF-7 DEMMethod2, and GF-7 DEMMethod3, respectively, and were verified by the airborne LiDAR data in the Hasishan section of the Haiyuan fault. Second, the capability of the GF-7 DEMs for identifying active faults, fault scarps, and horizontal offsets was evaluated. Finally, 8 vertical and 13 horizontal offsets were measured based on three different GF-7 DEMs, and airborne LiDAR data were used to verify the measurements’ accuracies. The results indicated that the accuracy of GF-7 DEMMethod1 was the worst and that of GF-7 DEMMethod3 was superior to that of GF-7 DEMMethod2. The GF-7 DEMs could effectively identify the apparent fault scarps and horizontal offsets. The RMSE values of the vertical offsets measured based on GF-7 DEMMethod1, GF-7 DEMMethod2, and GF-7 DEMMethod3 were 0.55 m, 0.55 m, and 0.41 m, respectively. The horizontal offsets yielded RMSE values of 3.98 m, 2.52 m, and 1.37 m, respectively. These findings demonstrated that vertical and horizontal offsets could be accurately measured using the DEMs generated from GF-7 stereo images. Meanwhile, our study indicated that the GCPs derived from ICESat-2 data could be utilized to improve the accuracies of the GF-7 DEM, and the measurements of vertical and horizontal offsets.

Subsurface fault geometry and deformation rates can be estimated by combining the pattern of terrace deformation with kinematic model and geomorphic age. Quantifying the geometry, kinematics and deformation rate of the thrust-and-fold belt is the key to exploring tectonic deformation and strain distribution of the Tianshan intermontane basin. This is demonstrated by the Bayan anticline in Youlududsi basin in the eastern Chinese Tianshan. The Kaidu River, flowing through the central part of the Bayan anticline, has formed three terrace levels at tilted fold backlimbs. Based on the field geological investigation, warped and tilted terraces in the Bayan anticline are characterized by broad, continuous backlimbs and abrupt forelimbs and suggest folding through progressive limb rotation of listric thrust model. Combining with the kinematic model and geomorphic age, the slip rate and crustal shortening rate of the underlying fault in Bayan anticline is （0.35-0.06）-（0.35+0.16） mm/a and （0.23-0.04）-（0.23+0.10） mm/a, respectively. This shortening represents over 15%-20% of the total deformation in Youludusi basin and ～2% of the 8.5±0.5 mm/a total shortening rate measured from GPS velocity across the entire range in East Tianshan.Therefore,a significant fraction of the total Quaternary deformation is accommodated within the central part of the East Tianshan.

Dengjiashan is a large‐scale Pb–Zn deposit discovered in the western part of the Xicheng ore field within the West Qinling metallogenic belt. Information regarding the distribution and occurrence of trace elements in ore minerals and mineralization, as well as the genesis of this deposit, remains scarce. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) analysis and elemental mapping were used to determine the distribution and occurrence of trace elements in the sulfide minerals of the Dengjiashan deposit, as well as delineate the process of its genesis. Our results showed that the trace elements enriched in the different sulfides were significantly different. Sphalerite is the main carrier mineral of the scattered elements Cd, Ge and Ga. Based on the trace element content and ratio, principal component analysis and colour of the sphalerite and pyrite, the deposit likely formed in a medium‐temperature environment. The comparative analysis of trace elements from multiple deposits of different origins, combined with the geological characteristics and distribution of sulfide trace elements, suggests that Dengjiashan is a sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX)‐type deposit. As the metallogenic process had a closer relationship to medium‐low temperature hot brine and later tectonic metamorphic hydrothermal fluid, than with magmatic hydrothermal fluid, the deposit is likely of non‐magmatic SEDEX–hot brine superimposed transition origin. This study provides additional insight on the distribution of trace elements in the sulfide minerals of the Dengjiashan deposit, as well as the processes that led to its formation, and may further facilitate ongoing and future key metal prospecting and exploration efforts.

On May 22, 2021, a Mw 7.3 earthquake occurred in Maduo County, Qinghai Province with the epicenter of 34.59°N, 98.34°E. The distribution of aftershocks and surface ruptures suggested that the seismogenic structure might be the Jiangcuo fault (JF), <70 km south of East Kunlun fault (EKLF). Due to the high altitude and sparse human habitats, there are very few researches on the Jiangcuo fault, which makes us know little about the deformation features and even the geometry of Jiangcuo fault. In this study, we used the high-resolution pre-earthquake satellite images to interpret the spatial distribution and geometry of the Jiangcuo fault. Our results show that the Jiangcuo fault strikes nearly east, extending 180-km-long from Eling Lake to east of Changmahe Town. Based on the geometric features, the Jiangcuo fault could be divided into three segments characterized as the linear structures, fault valleys, scarps and systematic offset of channels. The boundary between Bayan Har Block and Qaidam Block is presented as a wide deformation zone named of Kunlun belt that is composed of East Kunlun fault and several branch faults around Anemaqen Mountain. Geometric analysis and deep lithosphere structure around Maduo County suggest that the Jiangcuo fault should be one of branch of East Kunlun fault at south, where the Kunlun fault developed as a giant flower structure. In addition, the seismic hazards potential of Jiangcuo fault should be given enough attention in the future, because west of the Jiangcuo fault, there is a rupture gap between the co-seismic surface ruptures of the 2001 Kunlun, 2021 Maduo and 1937 Huashixia Earthquakes.

The Transantarctic Mountains across the central Antarctic continent are the Ross orogenic belt formed by westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific underneath the East Gondwana active continent margin in the early Paleozoic. The sedimentary, deformation and metamorphism, and granitic magmatic intrusion in this stage represent the process of the Ross Orogeny. Due to the significant difference in age among the three elements mentioned above, there is no precise time defined on the Ross Orogeny. In this paper, detrital zircon U-Pb dating of gravel and sand samples from moraines and coastal sediments in the Inexpressible Island of Northern Victoria Land was carried out. The ages of four samples with different gravel diameters range from 2443 to 323 Ma and are mainly concentrated between 530~450 Ma, with a peak age of~485 Ma. Most of the zircons show oscillatory zoning in CL images and have Th/U ratios great than 0.1 (mainly>0.4), with REE characteristics indicating a magmatic origin. Therefore, these ages reflect the timing of magmatic activity in the provenance of the loose sediment samples. The age composition of detrital zircons is consistent with the age of magmatic intrusion, intracontinental deformation and depositional stratigraphy in the surrounding areas, suggesting that the magmatic activity in the Northern Victoria Land and its surrounding areas might have lasted up to 450 Ma in the intracontinental deformation stage, which may represent the end time of the Ross Orogeny. These results provide a new constraint for the tectonic evolution of the Ross Orogeny on the Gondwana continental margin.

横穿南极大陆中部的横贯南极山脉是早古生代时期古太平洋向东冈瓦纳活动大陆边缘俯冲形成的罗斯造山带,该阶段的地层沉积、 变形变质以及花岗质岩浆侵入代表了罗斯运动的演化过程.由于岩浆活动与沉积地层和变形变质在时代上存在明显差异,罗斯运动的时代仍缺乏精确的限定.通过采集北维多利亚地难言岛地区冰碛物和海岸沉积物中的松散砂砾石样品,并进行碎屑锆石U-Pb测年得出:4件不同粒径的冰碛物和海岸沉积样品中的碎屑锆石年龄峰谱具有单一峰谱的特征,年龄区间为2443～323 Ma,主要集中于530～450 Ma之间,峰值年龄约为485 Ma;锆石Th/U比值均大于0.1,而且以>0.4为主,其CL图像也具有明显的振荡环带,稀土元素特征主体具有岩浆锆石的特征,反映了样品物源区岩浆活动的时代特征.碎屑锆石年龄组成与周缘地区岩浆活动和陆内变形以及沉积地层时代基本一致,表明北维多利亚地及其周缘地区在罗斯运动晚期陆内变形阶段的岩浆活动应持续至450 Ma,这可能代表了罗斯运动结束的时代,该结果为冈瓦纳大陆边缘罗斯运动的构造演化过程提供了新的约束.

The Qingtongxia Grand Canyon (QGC) of the Yellow River is a region of intense tectonic deformation that is located in the southern Yinchuan Basin, at the junction of the western margin of the Ordos Plateau and the northeast arcuate structural belt of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. The Yellow River makes a 90° turn as it traverses the Qingtongxia area, incising the hard Ordovician sandstones of Niushou Mountain, while leaving the relatively soft Quaternary sediments on the northern side of the channel undisturbed. Despite this apparent inconsistency with the expected pattern of river erosion, there has been no significant research to date on the formation of the QGC. Here, we utilize remote sensing, surficial geomorphology, and shallow coring to confirm the evolution of the Yellow River channel and formation of the QGC. Using Landsat Thermic Mapper and ASTER imagery, we identified a N–S‐oriented zone of high water‐content in the northern part of the QGC that is characterized at the surface by marsh and wetlands. Shallow cores reveal the zone is underlain by Yellow River gravel, while seismic profiling confirms anomalous seismic structures relative to the surrounding strata. Together, these data document a paleo‐Yellow River channel in the northern Qingtongxia area. We selected four representative profiles of the Yellow River terraces in the Qingtongxia and adjacent areas to acquire measurements on above water level and age. The uppermost terraces preserved at the entrance, central section, and exit of the QGC are labelled T6, T9, and T3, respectively. Our data indicate that the flow direction during the construction of T9 was different to that of the modern Yellow River and that canyon incision occurred during the development of T3, which we constrain to 65–85 ka. Ultimately, we (a) document a paleo‐Yellow River channel north of the QGC, which may have been affected by tectonic activity since the late Pleistocene and (b) show that the Yellow River has since been diverted towards the Yinchuan Basin via the QGC.

The southeastern margin of the Ordos Block (SEMOB) is located at the juncture of the North China Block, the Ordos Block, and the Qinling Orogen. A series of faulted basins has developed in this area since the Cenozoic. The latest focal mechanism solution and stress field analyses indicate that the SEMOB is located at the adjacent regions of present different stress field, although the structural activity and internal mechanisms of this changing remain unclear. In this paper we describe the results of a study into the fault systems and Quaternary deformation between the Linfen and Weihe basins on the SEMOB. Based on the deformation sequences, kinematic analyses and activity timing, we found that the strain field in SEMOB underwent three evolutionary stages during the Quaternary: NW-SE extension in the early Pleistocene, NE-SW extension in the middle Pleistocene, and ca. N-S oblique extension from the late Pleistocene to the Holocene. This evolution of the strain field affected both the geomorphic patterns and the activity of paleo-earthquake events along the SEMOB during the Quaternary. Quaternary extensional deformation in the upper crust along the SEMOB possibly resulted from crust-mantle decoupling, which may be related to eastward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau and subduction of the Pacific and Philippine Sea plates.

The development and formation times of the Yellow River, the second largest drainage system in China, remain controversial. The Ganhegou Formation, a set of Upper Miocene–Pliocene fluvial facies sediments, developed around Niushou Mountain in the outermost edge of the arcuate structural belt in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and has a sediment composition very similar to that of the Yellow River. In this article, the relationship between the deposition of the Ganhegou Formation and the Yellow River is confirmed through the analysis and comparison of sediment composition, detrital zircons, and heavy mineral characteristics of the Ganhegou Formation, a Yellow River terrace, and the modern Yellow River. The sediments of the Ganhegou Formation contain abundant well‐ground and sorted fluvial pebbles that are largely consistent with Yellow River sediments. The analysis of the composition of zircons and heavy minerals shows that the age peaks of all detrital zircons are primarily among 200–300 Ma, 400–500 Ma, and 1,700–2,000 Ma and that all the heavy minerals are generally characterized by the combination of ‘haematite + garnet + zircon + epidote + quartz and altered minerals’. Therefore, the Ganhegou Formation in the Niushou Mountain area of Ningxia is a likely sediment of the ancient Yellow River, which has existed at Qingtongxia since at least the Late Miocene.

银川盆地位于南北地震带的北段,是一个典型的新生代断陷盆地,自西向东发育贺兰山东麓山前断裂、芦花台断裂、银川隐伏断裂和黄河断裂等四条主要活动断裂.该盆地中记载的历史最大地震是1739年平罗8级地震,其发震断裂一直存在争议,最近研究认为可能是黄河断裂,但是缺乏直接的古地震证据.本文通过对黄河断裂的地貌特征、几何分布、构造变形序列和地震活动等方面的研究,发现黄河断裂可以划分为红崖子段、陶乐段、滨河段和灵武段.断裂总体经历了早期由东向西逆冲变形向晚期西倾正断层的转换,构造应力场由NW–SE向挤压转变为EW向伸展,转换时间为晚更新世末.通过断裂不同位置活动性分析发现,黄河断裂在晚更新世末—全新世期间至少经历了5次古地震事件,其地震活动间隔约为3000 a.其中滨河段的最新活动是在4000 a以前,而陶乐段的最新活动可能在(330±30)a BP之后,对研究1739年平罗8级地震的发震断裂具有重要的意义.