Uniform slip‐rate along the Kunlun Fault: Implications for seismic behaviour and large‐scale tectonics

Abstract

A long‐term slip‐rate is derived from concordant 10 Be, 26 Al and 14 C dating of cumulative offsets along much of the length of the Kunlun Fault. Values at 6 sites indicate uniform slip (11.5±2.0 mm/yr) since ∼40 kyr BP. This relatively high slip rate corresponds to a first‐order discontinuity in the Asian crustal velocity field. M∼8 and M∼7.5 earthquakes on 2 segments of the fault recur with characteristic slip (∼10±2 m and 4.4±0.4 m) every ∼850 and ∼420 yrs, respectively.