Co‐seismic ruptures found up to 60 km south of the Kunlun fault after 14 November 2001, Ms 8.1, Kokoxili earthquake using Landsat‐7 ETM+ imagery

Abstract

A systematic visual interpretation of pre‐ and post‐earthquake Landsat‐7 ETM+ imagery of the 14 November, Ms 8.1 Kokoxili earthquake has revealed significant post‐earthquake lineaments in the region south of the Kunlun fault, which we interpret as co‐seismic surface ruptures related to the event. This previously unreported surface rupturing is located in two broad swathes ∼20 and ∼60 km south of the main Kunlun fault. Pre‐existing lineaments and subtle tectonic geomorphologic features associated with these ruptures suggest that earthquake‐triggered displacement occurred along pre‐existing faults.

Acknowledgements

This research is part of DiscoveryNet project (GR/R67750/01) supported by an EPSRC e‐science pilot project grant. The ER Mapper image processing software was used for data visualization and analysis.