Rupture Kinematics and Coseismic Slip Model of the 2021 Mw 7.3 Maduo (China) Earthquake: Implications for the Seismic Hazard of the Kunlun Fault

The 21 May 2021 Maduo earthquake was the largest event to occur on a secondary fault in interior of active Bayanhar block north-central Tibetan plateau last twenty years. A detailed kinematic study helps us better understand seismogenic environments faults within block, and its relationship with block-bounding faults. In this study, firstly, SAR images are used obtain coseismic deformation fields. Secondly, we use strain model-based method steepest descent (SDM) resolve three-dimensional displacement components invert slip distribution constrained by fields, respectively. fields reveal dominant left-lateral strike-slip motion, local horizontal variations widely distributed near-fault subsidence/uplift deformation. We prefer five-segment model, well geometry featuring different dip angles striking, InSAR observations. peak is estimated be ~5 m near longitude 98.9°E at depth ~4–7 km. Overall, highly correlated measured surface offsets along entire rupture. observe moderate shallow deficit limited afterslip following earthquake, it may indicate effects off-fault during stable interseismic creep fault. occurrence subsidiary updates importance traditional estimate seismic hazards for Kunlun