Insight Into Major Active Faults in Central Myanmar and the Related Geodynamic Sources

Abstract

Abstract Myanmar, one of the most active tectonic regions in the world, endures the risk of destructive earthquakes. Based on seismic data recorded at the recently deployed dense array of the China‐Myanmar Geophysical Survey in the Myanmar Orogen (CMGSMO), we detect 854 and locate 599 shallow earthquakes with high precision and determine the focal mechanisms of 40 earthquakes. We identify two NW‐SE trending fault zones accommodating dextral strike‐slip earthquakes beneath the Central Basin, indicating potential seismic risk in the region. We also recognize a nearly N‐S trending seismic zone in the overlying Indo‐Burma Ranges (IBR) crust near the Kabaw Fault (KBF). The earthquakes within this seismic zone mostly show thrusting focal mechanisms. Our results suggest that strike‐slip deformation dominates to the east of the KBF, while shortening is mainly confined to the west of the KBF in Central Myanmar.