Fluid Influx Promotes Local Strengthening of the Creeping Xianshuihe Fault, Eastern Tibet

Abstract

Fault gouge at Cunielongba exposure of long-term creeping Xianshuihe fault represents principal slip zone of repeated seismic events • Fluid-rock interactions caused by hydrothermal fluids at depth increase relative abundance of strong mineral phases in fault core • Fluid influx locally strengthens the creeping Xianshuihe fault and thus promotes fault stress accumulation