Uniform slip rates of the Altyn Tagh and the Kunlun faults likely reflect lateral variation of frictional strength of the faults

The slip rate predicted from geodetic and geomorphological measurements is quite uniform on similar to 800-1,000 km length of the Altyn Tagh and the Kunlun faults. GPS velocity field documents that tectonic loading on the two active faults changes greatly along their strikes. To explore the mechanical relationship between far-field tectonic loading and fault slip-rate accumulation, we built a 3D viscoelastic finite-element model with fault motion governed by frictional strength of contact interfaces. Based on numerical experiments, it is found that the observed uniform slip rate could reflect lateral variation of frictional strength along fault strike. Variation of predicted frictional coefficient ranges from similar to 0.13 to similar to 0.02, verifying that the two active faults must be weak for their mechanical strength. In addition, the good fitness between the relatively weak segment of faults and the location of strong earthquakes suggests that seismic activity along the two faults could be related to their frictional strength.