A Complete Map of Fine‐Scale Slip Rate Distribution and Earthquake Potential Along the Haiyuan Fault System.

We use Sentinel‐1 Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar observations to derive the first complete map of slip‐rate distribution at km‐scale along the 1,000‐km‐long Haiyuan fault system, and further to analyze its earthquake potential. Rate distribution reveals four highly locked asperities (slip rate <1 mm/yr) and three creeping regions (slip rate ranges from 2 to 5 mm/yr) at depths of 0–20 km. Based on the rate distribution, we estimate seismic moment accumulation rate, and by combining historical earthquake records, we calculate the moment deficits on each fault segment. Results show that many fault segments have accumulated a seismic moment that equates to an Mw > 7.0 earthquake. The westernmost fault segment has been rarely mentioned in previous studies, but our calculations show evidently that it is capable of producing Mw > 7.0 earthquakes given the high seismic moment accumulation rate and a lack of small‐to‐moderate earthquakes. Plain Language Summary: Faults accumulate strains over long periods of seismic quiescence between great earthquakes, that is, interseismic strain accumulation, and release them either seismically by producing earthquakes or aseismically as creep. Studies of such strain accumulation and release processes are critical for understanding regional seismic hazard. We focus here on the 1,000‐km‐long Haiyuan fault system in northeastern Tibet. By using the most recent geodetic data sets, we quantify strain accumulation along the fault and evaluate its seismic potential. We derive fault slip rate distribution and calculate along‐strike seismic moment accumulation rate. Combining our knowledge of previous earthquake ruptures, including the time, extent and size, we compute the total seismic moment that has accumulated on each fault segment since the last major event. We find high seismic potentials along many fault segments, such as Lenglongling, Jinqianghe‐Maomaoshan and Gulang, which can generate an Mw > 7.0 earthquake anytime from now. Toward the western end, earthquake history remains poorly understood, but our analysis shows that the westernmost segment can produce Mw > 7.0 earthquakes, which deserves more attention. Key Points: Slip‐rate distribution at kilometer scale along the 1,000‐km‐long Haiyuan fault system is derived from high‐resolution Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar dataFine‐scale rate distribution reveals four highly locked asperities and three creeping regions at depths of 0–20 kmAlong‐strike seismic moment accumulation rate and deficits are computed based on rate distribution and earthquake rupture history [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]