近日，英国利兹大学T. J. Wright团队报道了高分辨率大地测速揭示青藏高原弱断裂在形变中的作用。相关论文于2026年1月29日发表在《科学》杂志上。

理解控制大陆构造变形的关键机制仍然是地球动力学领域的一项重大挑战。

研究组给出了青藏高原高分辨率的大地测量速度场数据，该数据表明，有几条主要的走滑断层系统将变形分布更均匀的区域分隔开来。研究组认为，主要断层系统的集中应变由相对低粘度的延展性剪切带引起，这些剪切带贯穿地震活跃断层面下方的岩石圈。简单的模型计算表明，昆仑断裂带的高滑动率使得东西向延伸广泛分布在相对薄弱的青藏高原南部和中部。中新世时期昆仑断层的活跃与南北地堑裂谷的开启同时发生，这表明两者之间存在因果关系。

附：英文原文

Title: High-resolution geodetic velocities reveal role of weak faults in deformation of Tibetan Plateau

Author: T. J. Wright, G. A. Houseman, J. Fang, Y. Maghsoudi, A. J. Hooper, J. R. Elliott, L. Evans, M. Lazecky, Q. Ou, B. E. Parsons, J. C. Rollins, L. Shen, H. Wang, D. Wang

Issue&Volume: 2026-01-29

Abstract: Understanding the key mechanisms that control the tectonic deformation of the continents remains a fundamental challenge in geodynamics. We present a high-resolution geodetic velocity field of the Tibetan Plateau, which shows that a few major strike-slip fault systems separate regions of more uniformly distributed deformation. We suggest that focused strain on major fault systems is enabled by relatively low-viscosity ductile shear zones extending through the lithosphere beneath the seismically active fault planes. Simple model calculations show that high slip rates on the Kunlun Fault enable east-west extension to be distributed broadly across the relatively weak southern and central Tibetan Plateau. Activation of the Kunlun fault in the Miocene at the same time as the onset of rifting in the north-south grabens suggests a causal relationship.

DOI: adi3552

Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi3552