Coseismic surface rupture and seismogenic background of the 1951 <i>M</i> 8.0 Beng Co earthquake in the central Tibetan Plateau

LIU Fucai; PAN Jiawei; LI Haibing; CHEVALIER Marie-Luce; SUN Zhiming; JIANG Chenyi; ZHANG Siqi

doi:10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026016

Volume 32 Issue 3

Jun. 2026

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > Journal of Geomechanics > 2026 > 32(3): 528-544

LIU F C，PAN J W，LI H B，et al.，2026. Coseismic surface rupture and seismogenic background of the 1951 M 8.0 Beng Co earthquake in the central Tibetan Plateau[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，32（3）：528−544 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026016

Citation:

PDF( 41413 KB)

Coseismic surface rupture and seismogenic background of the 1951 M 8.0 Beng Co earthquake in the central Tibetan Plateau

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026016

LIU Fucai^{1, 2, 3
,},
PAN Jiawei^{1, 2, 3, 4
,
,},
LI Haibing^{1, 2, 3, 4
,},
CHEVALIER Marie-Luce^{1, 2, 3, 4
,},
SUN Zhiming^5
,,
JIANG Chenyi^{1, 2
,},
ZHANG Siqi^{1, 2
,}

1.
Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
2.
Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics of Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, China
3.
National Field Observation and Research Station (Jiangsu Donghai) for Continental Deep Hole Crustal Activity, Lianyungang 222300, Jiangsu,China
4.
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Beijing 100094, China
5.
Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

Funds: This research was financially supported by the Geological Survey Project of the China Geological Survey (Grant No. DD20240100703), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42372274 and 42325207), the National Key Research & Development Program (Grant No. 2023YFC3012003), and the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP) of the Science and Technology of China (Grant No. 2019QZKK0901).

More Information

Received: 2026-01-29
Revised: 2026-05-20
Accepted: 2026-05-22

Available Online: 2026-05-22

Published: 2026-06-28

Abstract

Abstract

Objective The coseismic surface rupture formed by an earthquake is the most obvious geomorphological evidence of fault activity. Its spatial distribution and deformation characteristics record essential information about seismic ruptures and fault motion. This information not only aids in understanding the earthquake rupture process and seismogenic mechanism but also contributes significantly to a deeper comprehension of fault evolution and crustal deformation. Therefore, it is of great importance to promptly investigate coseismic surface rupture zones and acquire high-precision geomorphological data. Methods The November 18, 1951 M 8.0 Beng Co earthquake in central Tibet ruptured the Beng Co fault and produced a well-preserved surface rupture zone. We obtained high-precision images by integrating field investigations with high-resolution orthomosaic images and digital elevation models (DEMs) derived from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery based on the Structure from Motion (SfM) method. We measured both coseismic and cumulative displacements along the rupture zone to examine the kinematic characteristics of the Beng Co fault and the seismogenic background of the Beng Co earthquake. [Results and Conclusions] The earthquake ruptured the eastern segment of the Beng Co fault, forming an approximately 90-km-long coseismic surface rupture zone with an overall strike of 120°. A series of right-lateral offset gullies/terraces, push-ups, and pull-aparts along the rupture zone reveals that the Beng Co fault is an active right-lateral strike-slip fault. Cumulative offset probability distribution (COPD) analysis suggests that large earthquakes have occurred repeatedly along this fault and have been fairly regular in terms of slip accumulation, with a typical lateral slip of ~4.0 m. The Beng Co earthquake occurred as a direct response to the fault's accommodation of regional extrusion deformation caused by the rapid eastward movement of the eastern Qiangtang block. [Significance] This work not only facilitates the timely preservation of high-resolution 3D data of the coseismic surface rupture associated with the Beng Co earthquake but also provides a basis for studying tectonic deformation and assessing seismic hazards in central Tibet.
- M 8.0 Beng Co earthquake,
- coseismic surface rupture,
- cumulative offset probability distribution,
- central Tibetan Plateau,
- seismogenic background

Full-text Translaiton by iFLYTEK

The full translation of the current issue may be delayed. If you encounter a 404 page, please try again later.

FullText(HTML)

References(78)

References

[1]	ARMIJO R, TAPPONNIER P, MERCIER J L, et al., 1986. Quaternary extension in southern Tibet: field observations and tectonic implications[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 91(B14): 13803-13872. doi: 10.1029/JB091iB14p13803
[2]	ARMIJO R, TAPPONNIER P, HAN T L, 1989. Late Cenozoic right‐lateral strike‐slip faulting in southern Tibet[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 94(B3): 2787-2838. doi: 10.1029/JB094iB03p02787
[3]	BI H Y, ZHENG W J, LEI Q Y, et al., 2020. Surface slip distribution along the west Helanshan Fault, northern China, and its implications for fault behavior[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 125(7): e2020JB019983. doi: 10.1029/2020JB019983
[4]	BIASI G P, WELDON II R J, 2006. Estimating surface rupture length and magnitude of paleoearthquakes from point measurements of rupture displacement[J]. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 96(5): 1612-1623. doi: 10.1785/0120040172
[5]	CHEVALIER M L, TAPPONNIER P, VAN DER WOERD J, et al., 2020. Late quaternary extension rates across the northern half of the Yadong-Gulu Rift: implication for east-west extension in southern Tibet[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 125(7): e2019JB019106. doi: 10.1029/2019JB019106
[6]	DE PASCALE G P, QUIGLEY M C, DAVIES T R H, 2014. Lidar reveals uniform Alpine fault offsets and bimodal plate boundary rupture behavior, New Zealand[J]. Geology, 42(5): 411-414. doi: 10.1130/G35100.1
[7]	DENG Q D, YU G H, YE W H. 1992. Relationship between earthquake magnitude and parameters of surface ruptures associated with historical earthquakes[M]//Research of Active Fault. Beijing: Seismological Press: 247-264. (in Chinese)
[8]	ELLIOTT J R, WALTERS R J, ENGLAND P C, et al., 2010. Extension on the Tibetan plateau: recent normal faulting measured by InSAR and body wave seismology[J]. Geophysical Journal International, 183(2): 503-535. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04754.x
[9]	GARTHWAITE M C, WANG H, WRIGHT T J, 2013. Broadscale interseismic deformation and fault slip rates in the central Tibetan Plateau observed using InSAR[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 118(9): 5071-5083. doi: 10.1002/jgrb.50348
[10]	GU G X. 1983. Catalogue of earthquakes in China[M]. Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)
[11]	HAN S, LI H B, PAN J W, et al., 2019. Co-seismic surface ruptures in Qiangtang Terrane: insight into Late Cenozoic deformation of central Tibet[J]. Tectonophysics, 750: 359-378. doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2018.11.001
[12]	HAN T L, 1983. Preliminary investigation of deformation belts caused by earthquakes in 1951—1952 in the Dangxiong-Bengcuo area of Tibet[J]. Seismology and Geology, 5(4): 1-11. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[13]	HARRISON T M, COPELAND P, KIDD W S F, et al., 1992. Raising Tibet[J]. Science, 255(5052): 1663-1670. doi: 10.1126/science.255.5052.1663
[14]	Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration, 1992. Active faults in the central Tibet[M]. Beijing: Seismological Press: 154. (in Chinese)
[15]	JIANG C Y, PAN J W, ZHANG L J, et al., 2024. Application of UAV SfM technology in active tectonic research: a case study of the Longmu Co Fault, Northwestern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau[J]. Journal of Geomechanics, 30(2): 332-347. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[16]	JOHNSON K, NISSEN E, SARIPALLI S, et al., 2014. Rapid mapping of ultrafine fault zone topography with structure from motion[J]. Geosphere, 10(5): 969-986. doi: 10.1130/GES01017.1
[17]	KANEDA H, NAKATA T, TSUTSUMI H, et al., 2008. Surface rupture of the 2005 Kashmir, Pakistan, earthquake and its active tectonic implications[J]. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 98(2): 521-557. doi: 10.1785/0120070073
[18]	KAPP P, TAYLOR M, STOCKLI D, et al., 2008. Development of active low-angle normal fault systems during orogenic collapse: insight from Tibet[J]. Geology, 36(1): 7-10. doi: 10.1130/G24054A.1
[19]	KLINGER Y, XU X W, TAPPONNIER P, et al., 2005. High-resolution satellite imagery mapping of the surface rupture and slip distribution of the M_W 7.8, 14 November 2001 Kokoxili earthquake, Kunlun Fault, northern Tibet, China[J]. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 95(5): 1970-1987. doi: 10.1785/0120040233
[20]	KLINGER Y, ETCHEBES M, TAPPONNIER P, et al., 2011. Characteristic slip for five great earthquakes along the Fuyun fault in China[J]. Nature Geoscience, 4(6): 389-392. doi: 10.1038/ngeo1158
[21]	LI H B, WANG Z X, FU X F, et al., 2008. The surface rupture zone distribution of the Wenchuan earthquake (M_S8.0) happened on May 12th, 2008[J]. Geology in China, 35(5): 803-813. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[22]	LI H B, VAN DER WOERD J, SUN Z M, et al., 2012. Co-seismic and cumulative offsets of the recent earthquakes along the Karakax left-lateral strike-slip fault in western Tibet[J]. Gondwana Research, 21(1): 64-87. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2011.07.025
[23]	LI H B, PAN J W, SUN Z M, et al., 2021. Continental tectonic deformation and seismic activity: a case study from the Tibetan Plateau[J]. Acta Geologica Sinica, 95(1): 194-213. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[24]	LI K, KIRBY E, XU X W, et al., 2019. Rates of Holocene normal faulting along the Dong Co fault in central Tibet, based on 14C dating of displaced fluvial terraces[J]. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 183: 103962. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2019.103962
[25]	LI K, TAPPONNIER P, XU X W, et al., 2022. Holocene slip rate along the Beng Co Fault and dextral strike-slip extrusion of central eastern Tibet[J]. Tectonics, 41(8): e2022TC007230. doi: 10.1029/2022TC007230
[26]	LI K, CHEVALIER M L, TAPPONNIER P, et al., 2024. Previously unrecognized, 1000 km-long Qixiang Co fault governs eastward escape of central Tibet[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 644: 118928. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118928
[27]	LI Y S, TIAN Y F, YU C, et al., 2020. Present-day interseismic deformation characteristics of the Beng Co-Dongqiao conjugate fault system in central Tibet: implications from InSAR observations[J]. Geophysical Journal International, 221(1): 492-503. doi: 10.1093/gji/ggaa014
[28]	LIU F C, PAN J W, LI H B, et al., 2025. Co-seismic surface rupture of the 2025 M_W7.1 Tingri earthquake and potential seismic risk in southern Tibetan Plateau[J]. Acta Geologica Sinica, 99(3): 685-703. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[29]	LIU-ZENG J, YAO W Q, LIU X L, et al., 2022. High-resolution structure-from-motion models covering 160 km-long surface ruptures of the 2021 M_W 7.4 Madoi earthquake in northern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau[J]. Earthquake Research Advances, 2(2): 100140. doi: 10.1016/j.eqrea.2022.100140
[30]	MANIGHETTI I, PERRIN C, DOMINGUEZ S, et al., 2015. Recovering paleoearthquake slip record in a highly dynamic alluvial and tectonic region (Hope Fault, New Zealand) from airborne lidar[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 120(6): 4484-4509. doi: 10.1002/2014JB011787
[31]	MCGILL S F, SIEH K, 1991. Surficial offsets on the Central and Eastern Garlock Fault associated with prehistoric earthquakes[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 96(B13): 21597-21621. doi: 10.1029/91JB02030
[32]	Microsoft, 2025. Bing Maps satellite imagery[EB/OL]. [2025-11-01]. https://www.bing.com/maps.
[33]	MOLNAR P, TAPPONNIER P, 1975. Cenozoic Tectonics of Asia: Effects of a Continental Collision: Features of recent continental tectonics in Asia can be interpreted as results of the India-Eurasia collision[J]. Science, 189(4201): 419-426. doi: 10.1126/science.189.4201.419
[34]	MOLNAR P, TAPPONNIER P, 1978. Active tectonics of Tibet[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 83(B11): 5361-5375. doi: 10.1029/JB083iB11p05361
[35]	NI J, YORK J E, 1978. Late Cenozoic tectonics of the Tibetan Plateau[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 83(B11): 5377-5384. doi: 10.1029/JB083iB11p05377
[36]	PAN J W, LI H B, SI J L, et al. , 2014. Rupture process of the Wenchuan earthquake (M_W 7.9) from surface ruptures and fault striations characteristics[J]. Tectonophysics, 619-620: 13-28.
[37]	PAN J W, BAI M K, LI C, et al., 2021. Coseismic surface rupture and seismogenic structure of the 2021-05-22 Maduo (Qinghai) M_S 7.4 earthquake[J]. Acta Geologica Sinica, 95(6): 1655-1670. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[38]	PAN J W, LI H B, CHEVALIER M L, et al., 2022. Coseismic surface rupture and seismogenic structure of the 2022 M_S 6.9 Menyuan earthquake, Qinghai Province, China[J]. Acta Geologica Sinica (100th Anniversary), 96(1): 215-231. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[39]	QUIGLEY M, VAN DISSEN R, LITCHFIELD N, et al., 2012. Surface rupture during the 2010 M_W 7.1 Darfield (Canterbury) earthquake: implications for fault rupture dynamics and seismic-hazard analysis[J]. Geology, 40(1): 55-58. doi: 10.1130/G32528.1
[40]	REN Z K, ZHANG Z Q, CHEN T, et al., 2016. Clustering of offsets on the Haiyuan fault and their relationship to paleoearthquakes[J]. GSA Bulletin, 128(1-2): 3-18. doi: 10.1130/b31155.1
[41]	REN Z K, ZHANG Z Q, 2019. Structural analysis of the 1997 M_W 7.5 Manyi earthquake and the kinematics of the Manyi fault, central Tibetan Plateau[J]. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 179: 149-164. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2019.05.003
[42]	ROYDEN L H, BURCHFIEL B C, VAN DER HILST R D, 2008. The geological evolution of the Tibetan Plateau[J]. Science, 321(5892): 1054-1058. doi: 10.1126/science.1155371
[43]	SALISBURY J B, ROCKWELL T K, MIDDLETON T J, et al., 2012. LiDAR and field observations of slip distribution for the most recent surface ruptures along the central San Jacinto Fault[J]. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 102(2): 598-619. doi: 10.1785/0120110068
[44]	SHAO Y X, WANG A S, LIU-ZENG J, et al., 2025. Preliminary investigation on surface rupture and coseismic displacement of the January 7, 2025 Dingri earthquake in Xizang[J]. Earth Science, 50(5): 1677-1695. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[45]	TAPPONNIER P, PELTZER G, LE DAIN A Y, et al., 1982. Propagating extrusion tectonics in Asia: new insights from simple experiments with plasticine[J]. Geology, 10(12): 611-616. doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1982)10<611:petian>2.0.co;2
[46]	TAPPONNIER P, ZHIQIN X, ROGER F, et al., 2001. Oblique stepwise rise and growth of the Tibet plateau[J]. Science, 294(5547): 1671-1677. doi: 10.1126/science.105978
[47]	TAYLOR M, YIN A, RYERSON F J, et al., 2003. Conjugate strike-slip faulting along the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone accommodates coeval east-west extension and north-south shortening in the interior of the Tibetan Plateau[J]. Tectonics, 22(4): 1044. doi: 10.1029/2002tc001361
[48]	TAYLOR M, PELTZER G, 2006. Current slip rates on conjugate strike-slip faults in central Tibet using synthetic aperture radar interferometry[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 111(B12): B12402. doi: 10.1029/2005jb004014
[49]	TAYLOR M, YIN A, 2009. Active structures of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen and their relationships to earthquake distribution, contemporary strain field, and Cenozoic volcanism[J]. Geosphere, 5(3): 199-214. doi: 10.1130/GES00217.1
[50]	TIAN Y F, LIU-ZENG J, FENG W P, et al., 2026. Deformation pattern and slip rate of the Karakorum-Jiali Fault Zone in Southeastern Tibet from Sentinel-1 InSAR[J]. Tectonophysics, 918: 230976. doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230976
[51]	U. S. Geological Survey, 1951[2026-2-1]. M 7.7 - 89 km WSW of Nagqu, China[EB/OL]. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/iscgem894960/executive.
[52]	U. S. Geological Survey, 2026[2026-2-1]. Earthquake hazards program[EB/OL]. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/.
[53]	WELLS D L, COPPERSMITH K J, 1994. New empirical relationships among magnitude, rupture length, rupture width, rupture area, and surface displacement[J]. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 84(4): 974-1002. doi: 10.1785/BSSA0840040974
[54]	WANG M, SHEN Z K, 2020. Present-day crustal deformation of continental China derived from GPS and its tectonic implications[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 125(2): e2019JB018774. doi: 10.1029/2019JB018774
[55]	WU Z H, WU Z H, HU D G, et al., 2006. Holocene seismogenic faults along the Tanggula-Lhasa section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, China[J]. Geological Bulletin of China, 25(12): 1387-1401. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[56]	WU Z M, DENG Q D, 1989. Deformation features and fracture mechanism of surface rupture of 1951 Bengco, Tibet M_S=8 earthquake[J]. Seismology and Geology, 11(1): 15-25. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[57]	YANG G, WU J C, HU Q, et al., 2019. Effects of static stress triggering of the strongest earthquakes along the Bengco—southeastern Piedmont of Nyainqentanglha mountain fault zone, Tibet[J]. Journal of Seismology, 23(4): 943-950. doi: 10.1007/s10950-019-09841-2
[58]	YIN A, TAYLOR M H, 2011. Mechanics of V-shaped conjugate strike-slip faults and the corresponding continuum mode of continental deformation[J]. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 123(9-10): 1798-1821. doi: 10.1130/B30159.1
[59]	ZHANG D C, 1988. Intensity distribution of the 1951 Dangxiong earthquake and its characteristics of seismical deformation[J]. Earthquake Research in China, 4(4): 62-67. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[60]	ZHANG P Z, WANG W T, GAN W J, et al., 2022. Present-day deformation and geodynamic processes of the Tibetan Plateau[J]. Acta Geologica Sinica, 96(10): 3297-3313. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[61]	ZIELKE O, ARROWSMITH J R, LUDWIG L G, et al., 2010. Slip in the 1857 and earlier large earthquakes along the Carrizo Plain, San Andreas Fault[J]. Science, 327(5969): 1119-1122. doi: 10.1126/science.1182781
[62]	ZIELKE O, ARROWSMITH J R, 2012. LaDiCaoz and LiDARimager—MATLAB GUIs for LiDAR data handling and lateral displacement measurement[J]. Geosphere, 8(1): 206-221.
[63]	ZIELKE O, KLINGER Y, ARROWSMITH J R, 2015. Fault slip and earthquake recurrence along strike-slip faults — Contributions of high-resolution geomorphic data[J]. Tectonophysics, 638: 43-62. doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2014.11.004
[64]	邓起东, 于贵华, 叶文华. 1992. 地震地表破裂参数与震级关系的研究[M]//活动断裂研究. 北京: 地震出版社: 247-264.
[65]	顾功叙. 1983. 中国地震目录[M]. 北京: 科学出版社.
[66]	国家地震局地质研究所, 1992. 西藏中部活动断层[M]. 北京: 地震出版社: 154.
[67]	韩同林, 1983. 西藏当雄—崩错一带1951—1952年地震形变带的初步考察[J]. 地震地质, 5(4): 1-11.
[68]	江晨轶, 潘家伟, 张丽军, 等, 2024. UAV SfM技术在活动构造研究中的应用: 以青藏高原西北部龙木错断裂为例[J]. 地质力学学报, 30(2): 332-347. doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2023192
[69]	李海兵, 王宗秀, 付小方, 等, 2008. 2008年5月12日汶川地震(M_S8.0)地表破裂带的分布特征[J]. 中国地质, 35(5): 803-813. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-3657.2008.05.002
[70]	李海兵, 潘家伟, 孙知明, 等, 2021. 大陆构造变形与地震活动: 以青藏高原为例[J]. 地质学报, 95(1): 194-213.
[71]	刘富财, 潘家伟, 李海兵, 等, 2025. 2025年M_W7.1西藏定日地震地表破裂与同震位移分布特征[J]. 地质学报, 99(3): 685-703. doi: 10.19762/j.cnki.dizhixuebao.2025069
[72]	潘家伟, 白明坤, 李超, 等, 2021. 2021年5月22日青海玛多M_S 7.4地震地表破裂带及发震构造[J]. 地质学报, 95(6): 1655-1670. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0001-5717.2021.06.001
[73]	潘家伟, 李海兵, CHEVALIER M L, 等, 2022. 2022年青海门源M_S 6.9地震地表破裂带及发震构造研究[J]. 地质学报(创刊100周年), 96(1): 215-231.
[74]	邵延秀, 王爱生, 刘静, 等, 2025. 2025年1月7日西藏定日地震地表破裂特征和野外同震位移测量初步结果[J]. 地球科学, 50(5): 1677-1695. doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2025.040
[75]	吴章明, 邓起东, 1989. 西藏崩错8级地震地表破裂的变形特征及其破裂机制[J]. 地震地质, 11(1): 15-25.
[76]	吴中海, 吴珍汉, 胡道功, 等, 2006. 青藏铁路唐古拉山—拉萨段全新世控震断裂研究[J]. 地质通报, 25(12): 1387-1401.
[77]	张德成, 1988. 西藏当雄1951年8.0级地震烈度分布及形变特征[J]. 中国地震, 4(4): 62-67.
[78]	张培震, 王伟涛, 甘卫军, 等, 2022. 青藏高原的现今构造变形与地球动力过程[J]. 地质学报, 96(10): 3297-3313. doi: 10.19762/j.cnki.dizhixuebao.2022295