Structural controls of the northern Red River Fault Zone on the intensity of hydrothermal activity and distribution of hot springs in the Yunnan-Tibet geothermal belt

•Hot springs occur most commonly at fault intersections.•Highest temperature hot springs have low flow rates, and highest flow rate hot springs have low temperatures.•The circulation depth and elevated temperature of hot springs are positively correlated.•For hot springs in the “out of fault trace” area, their temperature and elevated terrain relief are positively correlated.