InSAR coseismic deformation field and seismogenic structure of the 2020 Mw6.0 Jiashi earthquake and the implication for the moderate-magnitude seismicity in the southwestern Tian Shan, western China

A 2020 Mw6.0 earthquake in the Jiashi region of China's southwestern Tian Shan revealed right-lateral transpressive motion with no surface ruptures, despite significant subsurface deformation. Using Sentinel-1A satellite data, researchers reconstructed the coseismic deformation field, overcoming orbital phase limitations through a novel method combining ascending and descending track data with terrain features. The study identified a north-dipping fault plane at 4.2 km depth, with a strike of 276° and dip angle of 11.6°, aligning partially with USGS focal mechanism solutions but differing from others. This event's limited rupture to the surface is attributed to irregularities in fault geometry and lower rock strength above the detachment. The findings advance understanding of seismic behavior in fold-and-thrust belts, particularly for moderate-magnitude seismicity in the region.

Wu, D., Chen, Z., & Zimin, M. (2024). InSAR coseismic deformation field and seismogenic structure of the 2020 Mw6.0 Jiashi earthquake and the implication for the moderate-magnitude seismicity in the southwestern Tian Shan, western China. Frontiers in Earth Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.1305519