Research on seismicity and crustal deformation in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau:Current status and future prospect
Diao Yangyang
Pan Zhengyang
Shao Zhigang
Wang Wuxing
Hao Meixuan
Abstract：The northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,as the primary tectonic front accommoda-ting plateau expansion,represents a crucial region for investigating plateau uplift and lateral growth mechanisms.This seismically active boundary zone provides key insights into the generation processes of strong intracontine-tal earthquakes.This study presents a comprehensive analysis of multidisciplinary datasets,including contemporary geodetic measurements,historical seismicity records,and geophysical observations.Through systematic analysis of seismic activity patterns and crustal deformation features in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,we characte-rize:(1)the spatial distribution of crustal strain accumulation,(2)the present-day stress field configuration,and(3)fault slip rates along major active faults.These parameters are further integrated to assess regional seismic poten-tial.Finally,by integrating deep and shallow geophysical observations,this study investigates how tectonic deform-ation patterns constrain the plateau expansion and uplift processes in the northeastern margin.Although the under-lying dynamic mechanisms(including vertically coherent deformation versus lower crustal flow)remain debated in this region,the present findings provide critical constraints on both tectonic deformation processes and strong earth-quake generation mechanisms within the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.They also provide valuable insights into the mechanisms driving the plateau's uplift and lateral extension.Building upon current understanding of seismic acti-vity and crustal deformation patterns,augmented by enhanced geodetic and seismological monitoring capabilities,future research is poised to:elucidate finer-scale crustal deformation characteristics and their underlying deep dy-namic processes,and quantitatively constrain the mechanical coupling between active fault systems and earthquake nucleation processes.These advances will establish a robust scientific framework for understanding crustal thicken-ing mechanisms,lateral extensional deformation,and seismic hazard assessment across the region,while providing critical insights into the integrated tectonic evolution of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
Keywords：the NE margin of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateauseismic activitytectonic deformation
Publication Date：2026-05-31
Online Publishing Date：2026-01-21(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：21( 271-291 )