Block Kinematics in North China From GPS Measurements.

The North China Craton (NCC) is an important tectonic element in China, which is characterized by intense seismic activity and complex tectonic setting. Thus quantifying its deformation is essential for studying the tectonic processes and deformation mechanisms in this region. Here we use a combination of dense GPS data sets to analyze the crustal movement and present updated estimates of fault motions based on elastic block models. We uncover spatial variations in deformation patterns, indicating that different mechanisms may dominate the tectonic processes for different parts of the NCC. In the western part, the rifts around the Ordos block manifest strike‐slip and extensional deformation, and the strike‐slip motion is more significant than the extensional component; whereas in the east, the Tanlu fault experiences right‐lateral and shortening slips, consistent with the features from historical seismic activity and regional tectonics. Our analysis indicates that the deformation in the eastern NCC is principally influenced by the Pacific subduction, whereas the deformation in the western NCC is mainly related to the India‐Eurasia collision. Moreover, our estimate of motion along the Tanlu fault supports a relatively long seismic interval of ∼10 ka, comparable to those inferred from recent paleoseismic research on this fault and other slow‐slip faults in the NCC. Our study indicates that the faults in the NCC even with very slow motions may still have the potential to produce strong earthquakes. Thus seismic risks across these slow‐slip faults cannot be ignored and should not be determined solely based on the rate of fault motions. Plain Language Summary: North China is situated at the eastern part of the Chinese continent, which is characterized by intense seismic activity and dense population. Numerous strong earthquakes have occurred in this region that caused huge casualties during the past decades. Thus quantifying the fault slip rates is essential for understanding the deformation regimes and seismic risk assessments in this region. Here we use dense space‐geodetic measurements to analyze the crustal movement and fault motion in the study area. We reveal that the fault motion derived in our study exhibits distinct features of deformation from west to east of the region, implying that different regimes may dominate the tectonic processes in different parts of North China. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the faults even with very slow motions in this region may still have the potential to produce strong earthquakes. Thus, seismic hazards across these slow‐slip faults cannot be ignored and should not be determined solely based on the rate of fault motions. Key Points: We use dense GPS measurements and elastic block models to quantify the faulting kinematics and slip partitioning in North ChinaWe find spatial variations of kinematics, implying that different regimes may dominate tectonic processes for different parts of North ChinaSeismic risks along slow‐slip faults cannot be ignored and should not be determined solely based on the rate of fault motions in North China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]