Present‐Day Activity of the Anninghe Fault and Zemuhe Fault, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau, Derived From Soil Gas CO2 Emissions and Locking Degree

Abstract

Abstract The Anninghe fault (ANHF) and the Zemuhe fault (ZMHF), located in the southeast of the Tibetan Plateau, have a high level of seismic hazard and are among the most active faults in China. This study performed the first measurements of soil gas CO2 at three sites across the ANHF and the ZMHF. The fault locking (FL) depth and extent of different segments of the ANHF and the ZMHF were inverted using the negative dislocation model based on global positioning system velocity data acquired during 2009–2015. Results showed that the degassing intensity of CO2 in the ZMHF is substantially higher than in the ANHF, which is spatially consistent with the degree of inverted FL. The inversion results revealed that the level of coupling, including the locking depth and extent, along the southern segment of the ANHF is markedly greater than in the northern segment of the ZMHF. Soil gas CO2 geochemistry yielded different spatially anomalous features, indicating that the faults have different properties and permeability. The intensive locking of the ANHF and ZMHF segments has reduced permeability through self‐sealing processes, which has restricted the escape of gas from the deep crust. Correspondingly, a creeping fault with a low level of coupling could maintain high permeability, which would be favorable for CO2 migration.

Keywords

• active fault zone
• fault locking
• soil gas CO2
• southeastern Tibetan Plateau