ANALYSIS OF TECTONIC DEFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DAQINGSHAN FRONTAL FAULT ZONE USING HIGH-RESOLUTION REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY

doi:10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.20240172

Abstract

Abstract:

The Daqingshan Frontal Fault is a large-scale, highly active, basin-controlling normal fault located along the northern margin of the Hetao Basin. Since the Cenozoic, its tectonic activity has played a crucial role in the uplift of the Daqingshan Mountains and in the evolution of the Hohhot-Baotou Basin. This study aims to systematically characterise the fault zone’s geometric configuration, segmentation, and tectonic deformation characteristics using high-resolution remote sensing data, and to explore its deformation mechanisms and the background of tectonic evolution. Based on stereo imagery from the Gaofen-7 satellite, combined with existing geological maps, DEM data, and field investigation, we conducted a systematic tectono-geomorphic interpretation of the Daqingshan frontal fault zone. Through image enhancement, digital terrain analysis, and 3D geomorphic modeling, typical landform units such as river terraces, alluvial platforms, and planation surfaces were identified and extracted. On this basis, multiple profiles were constructed nearly perpendicular and sub-parallel to the fault strike to derive quantitative tectonic parameters, such as vertical uplift and tilt angles of different fault blocks, thereby enabling analysis of the spatial distribution and segmentation of fault activity. The results show that tectonic deformation along the Daqingshan Frontal fault zone exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity, with clear vertical differential uplift and prominent segmental activity along strike.

The main findings are as follows: 1)According to the spatial distribution and deformation characteristics of planation and terrace surfaces, the tectonic landforms can be classified into two main types: terrace-dominated and planation-dominated zones. The central segment shows the greatest uplift and the most pronounced tilting(2°), indicating the strongest tectonic activity, whereas the western and eastern segments exhibit relatively weaker deformation. 2)Profiles nearly perpendicular to the fault strike reveal an overall stepped uplift pattern across the fault zone. Fault blocks are primarily displaced by normal faults, typically forming two levels of structural blocks. Uplift magnitudes generally decrease stepwise from the mountain crest toward the piedmont. In the western and central segments, planation surfaces on upper blocks are mostly southward-tilted, while in the eastern segment, they show a northward dip. 3)Longitudinal profiles along the fault zone demonstrate well-defined stratified geomorphic structures, allowing subdivision into multiple segments, including DQS-A, DQS-B, DQS-CD, and DQS-E. Compared with previous segmentation schemes, the spatial positions and geometric morphologies exhibit high consistency, thereby verifying the effectiveness and reliability of remote sensing methods in fault segmentation research. However, in areas with complex lithology or intense late-stage geomorphic modification, further processing is needed to improve the accuracy of interpretation. 4)Measured relative heights and absolute elevations of third-order terraces indicate that the central segment of the fault zone has experienced the strongest tectonic activity and highest cumulative deformation since the Late Pleistocene. This is highly consistent with the distributions of tilting angles and maximum uplift heights of major planation surfaces, further confirming the reliability of the remote-sensing interpretation. These results demonstrate that piedmont landforms controlled by fault activity can intuitively reflect the spatial distribution of displacement along the fault zone.

Through integrated analysis of high-resolution remote sensing data and multi-source geomorphic information, this study systematically reveals the strong spatial heterogeneity and distinct structural segmentation characteristics of the Daqingshan frontal fault zone. The central segment is the most tectonically active, reflecting both stress concentration and significant surface uplift. The opposite tilting directions of planation surfaces in the eastern and western segments suggest multiphase deformation and overprinting, highlighting the complex spatiotemporal evolution of the fault zone.

Key words: Daqingshan frontal fault zone, remote sensing-based interpretation, tectonic deformation, fault segmentation

摘要：

大青山山前断裂是河套盆地北缘一条规模宏大且活动性强的控盆正断层, 其新生代构造活动对大青山隆升及呼包盆地演化具有重要的控制作用。文中基于GF-7高分辨率立体遥感影像数据, 结合多源地质与地貌资料, 开展了对大青山山前断裂带的详细构造地貌解译。根据层状地貌面保留程度, 采用多种方法对大青山山前断裂带的遥感影像进行处理, 通过提取其河流阶地、冲洪积台地、夷平面等地貌面, 构建三维地貌模型, 并进一步求取不同构造地貌的抬升高度、掀斜角度等构造变形量参数进行地貌面定量分析。结果表明, 大青山山前断裂带的构造变形呈现出明显的非均质性, 断裂构造显现强烈的垂直差异升降与分段活动特性, 垂直于构造带走向的各断块整体抬升高度向着山前方向逐级递减, 块体之间被正断层断错, 以2级断块为主; 平行于构造带走向的地貌面呈现出显著的分层特征, 分段结果与前人的分段方案高度一致。基于解译和提取出的地貌面结果进一步估算垂直抬升量, 结果表明, 中段是断裂带构造活动最为显著的区域, 累积变形强度最大, 而西段和东段的构造活动相对较弱。

关键词: 大青山山前断裂带, 遥感解译, 构造变形, 断裂分段

QU Hao-xin, GAO Li-xin, BAO Ren-kai, LI Dong, ZHANG Hao. ANALYSIS OF TECTONIC DEFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DAQINGSHAN FRONTAL FAULT ZONE USING HIGH-RESOLUTION REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY[J]. SEISMOLOGY AND GEOLOGY, 2026, 48(3): 853-869.

曲浩鑫, 高立新, 包任锴, 李东, 张浩. 基于高分遥感影像的大青山山前断裂带构造变形特征[J]. 地震地质, 2026, 48(3): 853-869.

Figures/Tables 12

Fig. 1 Location and segmentation diagram of the Daqingshan frontal fault zone.

Table1 Kinematic parameters and platform elevation of the Daqingshan frontal fault zone

时代	断裂垂直位移量	断裂活动速率	台地高程	台地形成时代
晚更新世	总垂直位移量为501m	4.6mm/a	1100~1120m	晚更新世晚期
晚更新世	总垂直位移量为501m	4.6mm/a	1070~1080m	晚更新世末
早全新世	最大断距达10m以上	2.8mm/a	1045~1065m	全新世早期
晚全新世	活动幅度>8m

Fig. 2 Interpretation of the results of the geomorphic surfaces in the Daqingshan frontal fault zone.

Fig. 3 Interpretation of the results of the terrace surface area of secondary terraces.

Fig. 4 Distribution of tectonic deformation results of the main planation surface in the Daqingshan frontal fault zone.

Fig. 5 Distribution map of tectonic deformation profiles in the western and central sections of Daqingshan Mountain(zone 24—30).

Fig. 6 Results of tectonic deformation profiles in the western and central sections of Daqingshan Mountain(zone 24—30).

Fig. 7 Distribution map of tectonic deformation profiles in the eastern sections of Daqingshan Mountain(zone 31—36).

Fig. 8 Results of tectonic deformation profiles in the eastern sections of Daqingshan Mountain(zone 31—36).

Fig. 9 Comparison of segmentation modes of the fault zone in front of Daqingshan Mountain.

Fig. 10 Field-measured relative height and absolute altitude of the tertiary terrace.

Fig. 11 Estimation of the vertical uplift amount of geomorphic surfaces along the fault zone in front of Daqingshan Mountain.

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