THE SEISMOGENIC TECTONICS OF THE M_S 6.8 BACHU-JIASHI,XINJIANG EARTHQUAKE IN FEB.24, 2003

The M_ S 6.8 Bachu-Jiashi earthquake of Feb.24, 2003 occurred in the western Tarim Basin and is possibly the continuation of the Jiashi strong earthquake swarms in 1997—1998. However, its focal mechanism and rupture process are different from that of the Jiashi strong earthquake swarms, according to our preliminary study on its seismic tectonics with geomorphologic information from satellite images, the deep structures from the petroleum seismic exploration, the macro damage and isoseismic features from field investigation, the relocation of the epicenters of the aftershocks, and the regional seismic tectonics from both deep and surface tectonics. The occurrence of the M_ S 6.8 Bachu-Jiashi earthquake is closely related with the revealed reverse fault on the Maigaiti slope belt between the Bachu uplift and Kashi depression in western Tarim Basin. The sites of the ground fissures found in the field fit with the revealed reverse fault. Isoseismal features are also corresponding to the rupture direction of the fault. These evidences indicate that the M_ S 6.8 Bachu-Jiashi earthquake is the result of the southward rupturing from deep to shallow along a north-dipping reverse fault in Tarim Basin. This reverse fault is possibly the result of the propagation of the thrust fault-fold system named Kalpintag thrust belt in the front of Tianshan.