Active tectonics and strong earthquakes: A preface for the special issue

Abstract

Active tectonics is not only the manifestation of the latest crustal activity but also the leading cause of strong earthquakes. With its complex active tectonic system, China has become an area with particularly severe seismic activity and related hazards worldwide. Therefore, a deep understanding of active tectonic characteristics and the occurrence patterns of strong earthquakes in China can help scientifically prevent or mitigate the risk of seismic disasters in urban planning and major engineering construction projects. In order to timely exchange the latest achievements in the field of active tectonics and strong earthquakes, this special issue on Active Tectonics and Strong Earthquakes selected 12 representative papers, mainly covering six different fields, including the earthquake-controlling process of active tectonics, paleoearthquakes, surveying and detection of active faults, seismic geological hazards, application of remote sensing technology and reservoir-induced earthquakes. Based on the new achievements of this issue and the research trends in related fields at home and abroad, it is suggested that future research on active tectonics and strong earthquakes should focus on four aspects: (1) comprehensive understanding of regional seismic hazards from the perspective of active tectonic evolution and active fault systems; (2) quantitative and refined field investigations of active tectonics; (3) application of high-precision remote sensing and various dating techniques continuously expanding the scope and timing of paleoearthquake research; (4) human-induced earthquakes.

Keywords

• active fault detection
• paleoearthquake
• induced earthquake
• coseismic rupture and hazard
• active tectonic system