Effect of Kunlun Ms 8.1 earthquake on crustal deformation in northeastern edge region of Qinghal-Tibet plateau

Abstract

Seismic fault parameters can be inversed with Okada model based on deformation data before and after earthquakes in focal region and its adjacent area. Co-seismic displacements can be simulated by using these parameters, and then regional velocity field obtained by deducting the co-seismic displacements from the observed displacements by GPS method. We processed and analyzed the data in the northeastern edge region of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau observed during 2001 – 2003 in two steps: firstly, the displacements generated by Kunlun Ms8.1 earthquake of 2001 in this region was simulated, and secondly, deducted the co-seismic displacements from it and obtained the horizontal crustal velocity field. The results reveal: 1) the effect of Kunlun Ms8.1 earthquake on crustal deformation in this region is significant; 2) the velocity field obtained with this method is better than the original GPS velocity field in reflecting the status of regional crustal movement and strain.

Keywords

• northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet block
• co-seismic displacement
• GPS velocity field
• Kunlun Ms8.1 earthquake
• crustal movement