Geological background of the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan catastrophic earthquake (Longmen Shan, Western China)

In: Moscow University Bulletin. Series 4. Geology, Heft 6, S. 37-45

Abstract

Longmen Shan fault zone is located in the special joint between the Triassic Songpan-Ganzi orogen of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and the stable Sichuan basin of the Yangtze platform. In this region there are four major active faults and three tectonic nappes. According to the analysis of neotectonics and historical earthquakes the Longmen Shan fault zone is a dangerous earthquake belt. The rupture system of the Wenchuan earthquake is characterized by thrust and dextral strike-slip movement.