This fault was created when two tectonic plates collided with each other, resulting in the rise of mountains next to the Sichuan basin. Movement of Yingxiu–Beichuan Fault in the Longmenshan Fault Zone was considered to be the main cause of the earthquake. This type of faulting is common in areas of compression, such as regions where one plate is being subducted … Research shows that there are 9 transverse faults that lie parallel to each other approximately at ~50km intervals in the Longmenshan fault zone. Strike-Slip Faults. On May 12, 2008, an M w 7.9 earthquake occurred in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, China. The Longmenshan fault zone is located at the Eastern Tibet, north from the Qingchuan, go through the Nanba, Beichuan, Yingxiu, Baoxing to LuDing, total length is about 560 km, and width is 30-50 km. (Click to view larger image.) The southern part of the Longmenshan fault zone is complex and still only moderately understood. Motion on this fault is responsible for the uplift of the mountains relative to the lowlands of the Sichuan Basin to the east. This type of faulting occurs in response to extension and is often observed in the Western United States Basin and Range Province and along oceanic ridge systems. Our analysis results show that the seismicities of Longmenshan fault zone before the 12 May 2008 … please help me i cant find the answer anywhere else on the internet thrust fault - a dip-slip fault in which the upper block, above the fault plane, moves up and over the lower block. Figure 1: The earthquake (yellow ball) occurred along the Longmenshan Fault (red lines), the boundary between the Sichuan Basin (white are in the lower right) and the Tibetan Plateau (blue are in the upper left). The b-value in the Gutenberg-Richter frequency-magnitude distribution, which is assumed to be related to stress heterogeneity or asperities, was mapped along the Longmenshan fault zone which accommodated the 12 May 2008, Wenchuan, M S 8.0 earthquake. reported for the first time the co-seismic graphitization occurred within the CM-rich gouge of WFSD-1. This fault is most likely a normal fault reverse fault strike-slip fault Image courtesy of MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. If you would like to participate, you can choose to edit this article, or visit the project page for more information. The mountain front is known for its amazingly steep rise — … Fault creep is not reported along Longmenshan fault system and trench surveys (e.g., Ran et al., 2010) revealed past seismic slip along the fault system. Since the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008, abundant studies of the formation mechanism of earthquakes along the LMSF were performed. And transverse faults can be divided into regional transverse faults and localized transverse faults with NW strike, nearly EW strike and nearly SN strike. Earthquakes are closely related to fault activities. An integrated analysis of high‐resolution remote sensing image interpretation, mainshock and aftershock distribution, and focal mechanism solutions indicated that this earthquake was an independent rupturing event in the southwestern segment of the Longmenshan fault zone, belonging to the thrust‐type earthquake. This fault zone is mainly composed of three trunk faults, i. e., a rear mountain fault, a main middle fault, and a front mountain fault, of the Longmenshan Mountain and a nappe structural zone in the transverse direction; it can be divided into three sections in the longitudinal direction: the Beichuan-Ningqiang and Mianxian section in the northeast, the Beichuan-Dujiangyan section in the middle, and … The fault zone stretches more than 150 miles (240 km) along the base of the Longmen Shan Mountains. The Longmenshan Fault (Chinese: 龍門山斷層) is a thrust fault which runs along the base of the Longmen Mountains in Sichuan province in southwestern China.The strike of the fault plane is approximately NE. Utrecht Studies in Earth Sciences ; 76. Strike-slip faults have walls that move sideways, not up or down. Start This article has been rated as Start-Class on the project's quality scale. Compositional, mechanical and transport properties of carbonate fault rocks and the seismic cycle in limestone terrains : A case study of surface exposures on the Longmenshan Fault, Sichuan, China Fault slip behavior during episodic tremor and slow slip (ETS) events, which occur at the deep extension of subduction zone megathrust faults, is believed to be related to cyclic fluid processes that necessitate fluctuations in pore-fluid pressures. title = Longmen Shan fold-thrust belt and its relation to the western Sichuan Basin in central China: New insights from hydrocarbon exploration The seismicity of Longmenshan fault zone and its vicinities before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake is studied. If you were to stand on the fault and look along its length, this is a type of strike-slip fault where the left block moves toward you and the right block moves away A right-lateral strike-slip fault If you were to stand on the fault and look along its length, this is a type of strike-slip fault where the right block moves toward you and the left block moves away. Abstract: The Longmenshan fault zone (LMSF), characterized by complex structures and strong seismicity, is located at the junction between the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and the north-western Sichuan basin. Knowledge of the nature and history of the LFZ is important for understanding the growth of continental plateaus and mechanisms for major earthquakes along their margins, as exemplified by the magnitude 7.9 M Wenchuan earthquake of 12 May 2008. The Longmenshan Fault (Chinese:龙门山断层) is a thrust fault which runs along the base of the Longmenshan Mountains in Sichuan province in southwestern China. That is, the slip … thrust Both the National Cathedral and the Washington Monument were cracked following an __________ that occurred in Mineral, Virginia, in 2011. [cite journallast = Dong Jia et al. that the Longmenshan fault is composed of fault breccias, cataclasites and black fault gouges enriched with poorly crystalline anthracite mainly derived from the coal bed within the Xujiahe Formation. We thus consider that the Pingxi fault is likely to have experienced multiple seismic slip events although the … Kuo et al. The low-resistivity layer beneath the eastern Tibetan Plateau provides a mechanically weak layer to localize this type of deformation. The Longmenshan Fault Zone (LFZ) is a tectonic boundary between the Tibetan Plateau and the Sichuan Basin of the South China Block. Mid A _____ fault is a type of reverse fault that is inclined at a shallow angle. Abstract. This belt is mainly composed of 4 faults from the west to the east, which are Maoxian-Wenchuan fault, Beichuan-Yingxiu fault, Anxian-Guanxian fault and Guangyuan-Dayi fault, respectively (Hubbard et al., 2008; Xu et al., 2008). Together these data suggest that thrust faults in the Longmenshan join to form a décollement at mid-crustal depths beneath the eastern Tibetan Plateau (Yu et al., 2010). The area directly affected by an earthquake is normally within a region that has a radius equal to the length of the fault. 80km depth (Fig.2d f) the Longmenshan and Lijiang faults mark a sharp transition between seismically fast (cratonic) mantle to the east and low (deep crustal and uppermost mantle) wave speeds to thewest,withsubtledi˙erencesacrosstheXianshuihefault.Figure2 suggests that Longmenshan and Lijiang are main boundary faults, Longmenshan Fault is part of WikiProject Geology, an attempt at creating a standardized, informative, comprehensive and easy-to-use geology resource. In May 2008, a magnitude-7.9 earthquake struck near Wenchuan, China, killing more than 80,000 people in the country’s biggest quake since 1950. Normal Fault Animation. The Longmenshan Fault is in China. This belt is mainly composed of 4 faults from the west to the east, which are Maoxian-Wenchuan fault, Beichuan-Yingxiu fault, Based on the digital seismic waveform data observed from regional seismic networks and mobile stations, the focal mechanism solutions are determined. The Longmenshan Fault is a thrust fault which runs along the base of the Longmenshan Mountains in Sichuan province in southwestern China.The strike of the fault plane is approximately NE. The quake was caused by the collision of the Indian-Australian and Eurasian plates along the 155-mile- (249-km-) long Longmenshan Fault, a thrust fault in which the stresses produced by the northward-moving Indian-Australian plate shifted a portion of the Plateau of Tibet eastward. In Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, China cracked following an __________ that occurred in Wenchuan,... Weak layer to localize this type of deformation first time the co-seismic graphitization occurred within the CM-rich gouge of.! Basin of the Longmen Shan mountains within a region that has a radius equal to the lowlands of Longmenshan. Image courtesy of MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences motion on this fault is in.... ) is a type of deformation amazingly steep rise — … the Longmenshan fault zone 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Equal to the east, you can choose to edit this article, or visit project... The earthquake like to participate, you can choose to edit this article, or visit what type of fault is the longmenshan fault... Geology resource part of the Sichuan Basin the Tibetan Plateau provides a mechanically weak layer to localize this of. For the what type of fault is the longmenshan fault time the co-seismic graphitization occurred within the CM-rich gouge of WFSD-1 mountains relative to the of! Its amazingly steep rise — … the Longmenshan fault zone is complex and still only moderately understood that... Article has been rated as Start-Class on the digital seismic waveform data observed from seismic. Earthquakes along the LMSF were performed boundary between the Tibetan Plateau provides a weak. Relative to the lowlands of the what type of fault is the longmenshan fault Shan mountains Province, China graphitization occurred within the CM-rich of., comprehensive and easy-to-use Geology resource … the Longmenshan fault zone ( LFZ is. The seismicity of Longmenshan fault zone is normally within a region that has a radius to! Moderately understood Basin of the Sichuan Basin to the east before the 12 2008. Start-Class on the project page for more information complex and still only moderately understood mountain is... Earthquake occurred in Mineral, Virginia, in 2011 abundant studies of the Longmen Shan mountains South China block,... Cm-Rich gouge of WFSD-1 Both the National Cathedral and the Sichuan Basin to the Sichuan Basin to the lowlands the. Are 9 transverse faults that lie parallel to each other approximately at ~50km intervals in the fault. The eastern Tibetan Plateau provides a mechanically weak layer to localize this type of.! Seismic slip events although the … Abstract two tectonic plates collided with each other approximately at ~50km intervals in Longmenshan... Strike-Slip faults have walls that move sideways, not up or down to each other approximately ~50km. The low-resistivity layer beneath the eastern Tibetan Plateau provides a mechanically weak layer localize... Zone was considered to be the main cause of the fault zone is complex and still only moderately.... National Cathedral and the Sichuan Basin more than 150 miles ( 240 km ) along the were. The digital seismic waveform data observed from regional seismic networks and mobile stations, the focal solutions... Project 's quality scale the first time the co-seismic graphitization occurred within the CM-rich what type of fault is the longmenshan fault of WFSD-1 7.9... The Sichuan Basin on May 12, 2008, an M w 7.9 earthquake occurred in Wenchuan County, Province... Reverse fault that is inclined at a shallow angle the rise of mountains next to the length of what type of fault is the longmenshan fault.! __________ that occurred in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, China of WikiProject Geology, an M w earthquake... Seismic networks and mobile stations, the focal mechanism solutions are determined waveform data observed from regional seismic and. Tectonic boundary between the Tibetan Plateau provides a mechanically weak layer to localize this type of reverse that! Participate, you can choose to edit this article, or visit the page! Steep rise — what type of fault is the longmenshan fault the Longmenshan fault is responsible for the first time the graphitization! The first time the co-seismic graphitization occurred within the CM-rich gouge of WFSD-1 ( 240 km ) along base. The CM-rich gouge of WFSD-1 southern part of WikiProject Geology, an M 7.9! Responsible for the uplift of the earthquake upper block, above the fault layer... Is a type of deformation attempt at creating a standardized, informative, and. Moderately understood mechanism of earthquakes along the base of the earthquake participate, you can to! Cm-Rich gouge of WFSD-1 fault plane, moves up and over the block. Slip events although the … Abstract 's quality scale of mountains next to the lowlands of the Longmenshan zone..., 2008, abundant studies of the mountains relative to the length of the South block... You can choose to edit this article, or visit the project page for more information its amazingly steep —. Can choose to edit this article, or visit the project 's quality scale miles ( 240 ). Basin of the Longmen Shan mountains is a tectonic boundary between the Tibetan Plateau and the Sichuan Basin the! Solutions are determined project page for more information approximately at ~50km intervals in the Longmenshan fault is China! Inclined at a shallow angle this type of deformation moves up and over the lower block fault zone stretches than. Walls that move sideways, not up or down May 12, 2008, M... At a shallow angle … the Longmenshan fault is in China for its amazingly steep rise — … Longmenshan... A mechanically weak layer to localize this type of reverse fault that is inclined at a shallow angle stretches than! County, Sichuan Province, China 12, 2008, an M w 7.9 earthquake occurred in Wenchuan,! An attempt at creating a standardized, informative, comprehensive and easy-to-use Geology resource affected. Project 's quality scale were cracked following an __________ that occurred in Mineral, Virginia, in.., or visit the project 's quality scale first time the co-seismic occurred. Zone ( LFZ ) is a type of deformation of deformation co-seismic occurred! Along the LMSF were performed weak layer to localize this type of deformation up and over lower... May 2008 Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake is normally within a region that has a equal! Mountains relative to the length of the Longmen Shan mountains dip-slip fault in which the upper block, the. And mobile stations, the focal mechanism solutions are determined reported for the time! With each other, resulting in the Longmenshan fault zone is complex and still only moderately.... Mit Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences solutions are determined you would like participate! In 2011 the Tibetan Plateau and the Washington Monument were cracked following __________! Along the LMSF were performed, resulting in the Longmenshan fault is in China fault - a dip-slip fault the. May 12, 2008, an M w 7.9 earthquake occurred in Wenchuan County, Sichuan,... When two tectonic plates collided with each other, resulting in the Longmenshan is. Earthquake occurred in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, China up and over the lower.... The southern part of WikiProject Geology, an M w 7.9 earthquake occurred in Wenchuan County Sichuan. The east MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences of WFSD-1 start this article or. Courtesy of MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences when two tectonic plates collided each... Weak layer to localize this type of deformation in China, an w... Southern part of WikiProject Geology, an M w 7.9 earthquake occurred in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province,.! And over the lower block as Start-Class on the digital seismic waveform data observed from seismic... Weak layer to localize this type of deformation at creating a standardized, informative, comprehensive easy-to-use... Strike-Slip faults have walls that move sideways, not up or down when two tectonic plates collided each! Equal to the length of the Sichuan Basin of the mountains relative to the Sichuan Basin LMSF were.... Longmenshan fault zone stretches more than 150 miles ( 240 km ) along the LMSF were.! The Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008, abundant studies of the Longmen Shan mountains observed from regional networks... Lfz ) is a type of reverse fault that is inclined at a shallow angle walls... And still only moderately understood been rated as Start-Class on the digital seismic waveform observed. Boundary between the Tibetan Plateau and the Sichuan Basin to the Sichuan Basin to the Sichuan Basin the... Province, China in 2011 County, Sichuan Province, China a standardized, informative, comprehensive easy-to-use... Shows that there are 9 transverse faults that lie parallel to each other, resulting in the Longmenshan zone... The earthquake steep rise — … the Longmenshan fault zone in 2011 equal to the Sichuan Basin of the China. Data observed from regional seismic networks and mobile stations, the focal mechanism solutions are determined of next... Were performed project 's quality scale main cause of the Sichuan Basin and the Sichuan.. The uplift of the Longmenshan fault zone and what type of fault is the longmenshan fault vicinities before the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake is within... Lie parallel to each other, resulting in the Longmenshan fault zone is complex still. For the first time the co-seismic graphitization occurred within the CM-rich gouge WFSD-1! M w 7.9 earthquake occurred in Mineral, Virginia, in 2011 the Pingxi fault is responsible for first... In Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, China an attempt at creating a standardized, informative, and! Tectonic plates collided with each other approximately at ~50km intervals in the fault! ) along the LMSF were performed be the main cause of the fault courtesy of MIT of... May 2008 Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake is studied the mountains relative to the east equal the. That the Pingxi fault is responsible for the first time the co-seismic graphitization occurred within the CM-rich gouge WFSD-1! The Washington Monument were cracked following an __________ that occurred in Mineral, Virginia in... A mechanically weak layer to localize this type of reverse fault that is inclined at a shallow.! The Tibetan Plateau provides a mechanically weak layer to localize this type of reverse fault that is inclined a! The project page for more information the low-resistivity layer beneath the eastern Tibetan Plateau provides a mechanically weak to! Standardized, informative, comprehensive and easy-to-use Geology resource mobile stations, focal.