Geological and geomorphological evidence of holocene activity along the maisu fault in the northern Sichuan-Yunnan block, Tibetan Plateau

The Sichuan-Yunnan block is located in the eastern of Tibetan Plateau and exhibits strong tectonic and earthquake activity. The Maisu fault is an E-W-trending fault within this block. Via interpretations of remote-sensing imagery and field surveys, we identified a earthquake surface rupture zone that has developed along the Maisu fault; we then estimated its Holocene activity. The surface rupture extends westward from the town of Puma, Sichuan Province, to the village of Worilong, Xizang Province, and has a length of approximately 45 km. According to a fault outcrop and carbon-14 dating of a profile near the village of Yongqu, Xizang Province, the most recent earthquake along this rupture may have occurred after 1850 +/- 30 BP. The Maisu fault extends eastward and may intersect the Garze-Yushu fault. Accordingly, as a secondary fault, the Maisu fault likely accommodates the partitioned horizontal slip deformation of the Garze-Yushu fault.

Automated summary

The Sichuan-Yunnan block, located in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, experiences frequent tectonic and earthquake activity. The Maisu fault, an east-west trending fault within the block, has been identified as a surface rupture zone through remote sensing imagery and field surveys. The most recent earthquake along this rupture may have occurred after 1850 +/- 30 BP, according to fault outcrop and carbon-14 dating.