Geomorphic evidence of late Quaternary fault activity of the Xainza Rift and the eastern segment of the Gyaring Co Fault, central Tibet
Journal
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences
Journal Volume
308
Start Page
107126
ISSN
1367-9120
Date Issued
2026-08
Author(s)
Abstract
Conjugate strike-slip fault and normal fault systems in central Tibet play a critical role in accommodating the plateau’s internal deformation. However, their late Quaternary tectonics and kinematic evolution remain poorly constrained. This study characterizes the late Quaternary activity and structural interaction between the NS-trending Xainza Rift (XZR) and the dextral Gyaring Co Fault (GCF) using a suite of near-global-cover digital topographical models and optical satellite imagery. We identified active fault traces and quantified their geomorphic offsets in both the Xainza Rift and the eastern Gyaring Co Fault. By correlating these offsets with published geochronological records of similar features in this region, we estimate the late-Quaternary vertical throw rate of 0.41 ± 0.31 to 0.85 ± 0.22 mm/yr and an average late-Quaternary extension rate of ∼ 0.4 mm/yr for the Xainza Rift’s master normal fault. The estimated dextral rate of the eastern Gyaring Co Fault is approximately 0.6 mm/yr, representing a significant rate reduction compared to the rate in central and western Gyaring Co Fault. This decrease confirms a kinematic transfer of slip from the Gyaring Co Fault into the Xainza Rift, and suggests an eastward propagation of faulting of the Gyaring Co Fault system beyond the rift graben. Our results also support a downward revision of the major active fault slip rate in central Tibet and highlight the importance of distributed deformation in Central Tibet’s active rift systems and seismic hazards.
Subjects
Central Tibet
Fault slip rate
Geomorphic features and profiles
SRTM DEM
The Gyaring Co Fault
The Xainza Rift
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article