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We studied the 2019 Mw6.4 and Mw7.1 Ridgecrest, California, earthquake sequence, using Sentinel‐1 and ALOS‐2 coseismic interferograms and subpixel offsets to retrieve the three‐dimensional (3‐D) surface displacements. By inverting the 3‐D displacements, optimal dip angles of the earthquake faults and the slip model were obtained. The interferometric synthetic aperture radar‐based slip model supplemented with the analysis of GPS data shows that the Mw6.4 event ruptured two orthogonal faults and its major geodetic moment was released by sinistral motion on a NE‐SW trending fault that dips 78° NW. Right‐lateral slip on NW‐SE trending subvertical faults was responsible for the Mw7.1 earthquake. Postseismic analysis with U.S. Geological Survey earthquake catalog and GPS time series at site P595 shows that the postseismic surface deformation following the Mw7.1 event has similar temporal patterns with the postseismic moment release, but requires more energy. This implies that the early aftershocks were likely controlled by rapid afterslip following the mainshock. Key Points: The 3‐D surface displacements of the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes are derived from Sentinel‐1 and ALOS‐2 InSAROrthogonal fault ruptures of the Mw6.4 event are revealed by using GPS horizontal measurementsThe rapid decay of aftershocks is explained by the afterslip following the mainshocks [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical imagery has been proven to be an effective tool for measuring earthquake deformation in continental regions since its first application in the 1999 Izmit earthquake. In this article, we compile and analyze all the earthquakes that have been investigated with optical image matching by 2019, based on which we comment on various issues regarding measuring earthquake deformation with optical imagery. New generations of very high-resolution (VHR) data are effective for earthquake studies, but orthorectification of the VHR images is the major source of error, which is often ignored. We found that the displacements derived from the WorldView images strongly correlate with the errors in the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) that was used in orthorectification. Based on the observed correlation between displacements and topography, we propose a new DEM-based method using the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) World 3-D DEM to reduce the orthorectification errors. Combining the published optical data of earthquake deformation, we re-analyze the coseismic slip distribution and shallow slip deficit (SSD). The SSD model states that the coseismic slip in many strike-slip earthquakes decreases in magnitude toward the surface, but this model remains arguable because the interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR)-derived slip is usually not well-constrained at shallow depths due to decorrelation. Because optical matching directly measures the surface slip, we re-examine the slip distribution of 11 strike-slip earthquakes and find that the SSD model may primarily be artifacts in the InSAR measurements. It is therefore of great importance to include the optical data in earthquake studies to constrain coseismic slip inversions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the epicenter of the Lushan M7.0 earthquake there are several imbricate active reverse faults lying from northwest to southeast, namely the Gengda-Longdong, Yanjing-Wulong, Shuangshi-Dachuan and Dayi faults. Emergency field investigations have indicated that no apparent earthquake surface rupture zones were located along these active faults or their adjacent areas. Only brittle compressive ruptures in the cement-covered pavements can be seen in Shuangshi, Taiping, Longxing and Longmen Townships, and these ruptures show that a local crustal shortening occurred in the region during the earthquake. Combining spatial distribution of the relocated aftershocks and focal mechanism solutions, it is inferred that the Lushan earthquake is classified as a typical blind reverse-fault earthquake, and it is advised that the relevant departments should pay great attention to other historically un-ruptured segments along the Longmenshan thrust belt and throughout its adjacent areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Available data from the Qilian Shan in north-east Tibet suggested that decadal-scale erosion rates were closely correlated with local topographic gradient, but not with climatic factors. However, a climatic change to more arid condition was proposed to explain the discrepancy between short-term and long-term erosion rates. In order to re-evaluate the topographic, tectonic and climatic influences on erosion, we adopted five parameters (slope, mean local relief, historical cumulative seismic moment, runoff coefficient of variation and fault density) to study 11 drainage basins in north-east Tibet. Our results showed that terrain gradient, rock fracture density and rainstorm intensity had strong influence on erosion rates while 60-year cumulative seismic moments of historical earthquakes showed weaker correlations. There was a spatial variation in the erosional mechanisms across the basin, with detachment-limited dominance around the ridges (slope > 20°) and deposition dominant in the flat areas. The variation may lead to the discrepancy between short-term and long-term erosion rates. In general, our study supports the 'bath-tub' model for low relief intermountain basins, hence providing new insights into the landscape evolution of the Qilian Shan in northeastern Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]