HR: 14:55h
AN: T22C-06    [PDF]
TI: InSAR observations of conjugate strike-slip faulting in West Central Tibet
AU: * Taylor, M
EM: mtaylor@ess.ucla.edu
AF: Earth and Space Sciences, UCLA 3806 Geology Bldg., Los Angeles, CA 90095-1567 United States
AU: Peltzer, G
EM: peltzer@ess.ucla.edu
AF: Earth and Space Sciences, UCLA 3806 Geology Bldg., Los Angeles, CA 90095-1567 United States
AU: Peltzer, G
EM: peltzer@ess.ucla.edu
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91109 United States
AU: Yin, A
EM: yin@ess.ucla.edu
AF: Earth and Space Sciences, UCLA 3806 Geology Bldg., Los Angeles, CA 90095-1567 United States
AB: A combination of Landsat7 image interpretation and repeat-pass synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) characterizes the fault geometry and kinematics of the Bue Co conjugate strike-slip fault system in west central Tibet ($33\deg$N, $82\deg$E). The conjugate strike-slip fault system is centered along the E-trending Bangong-Nujiang suture zone, and is comprised of the NE-striking left-slip Bue Co fault to the north and NW-striking right-slip Lamu Co fault to the south. Preliminary interferograms were constructed using radar image pairs spanning 6 to 7 years from descending passes of the ERS European Space Agency satellites. Maps of the surface displacement field along the radar line of sight show a concentration of strain along the Lamu Co fault, consistent with right-lateral slip. These results agree with slip constraints from geologic observations. Within the detection limit of InSAR, we do not observe a significant strain gradient along the opposing Bue Co fault, which is consistent with basic fracture mechanics. This result of a single active fault that comprises a conjugate strike-slip fault system is similar to InSAR observations along the Dong Co conjugate fault system ~300 km to the east ($32\deg$N, $86\deg$E). We suggest that conjugate strike-slip structures are characteristic of central Tibet, and that they are consistent with a constrictional strain field of regional extent.
DE: 8020 Mechanics
DE: 8040 Remote sensing
DE: 8102 Continental contractional orogenic belts
DE: 8110 Continental tectonics--general (0905)
SC: Tectonophysics [T]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting