Contemporary Deformation of the Fenwei faulted zone From Global
Positioning System Data
Abstract
The Fenwei faulted zone is a region with high level of seismic hazard.
Different models are proposed for the formation of the Fenwei faulted
zone, but none has given its specific kinematic mechanism. Using updated
GPS data covering the eastern China, we discover that although the Ordos
block, the North China Plain and the South China block are moving in the
southeast direction, the relative motion between them is obviously
different: there is basically no shear slips inside the Weihe graben,
and the extension rate across it is significant; in addition, the Shanxi
graben system has roughly equal extensional and right-lateral
strike-slip components. We suggest that rapid southeastward motion of
the rigid South China block and the North China Plain, with respect to
the Ordos block, has imposed intensive tectonic extension on the Fenwei
faulted zone forming the contemporary deformation.