Hidden faults in the Gobi Desert (Inner Mongolia, China) revealed by microtremor analysis, ground-penetrating radar and SQUID-supported transient electromagnetics

Abstract: The endorheic Gaxun Nur Basin (GNB, also Ejina Basin, Hei river Basin, Ruoshui Basin) in the eastern Gobi desert is situated between the northern Tibetan Plateau and the Gobi Altai mountains. Recent fault activity is concentrated on the sinistral Altyn Tagh Fault, its eastern continuations and the Qilian Shan frontal thrust in the south, which are induced by the stress field of the India-Eurasia continental collision. In the north, the basin is bound by the Gobi Altai mountains with the major sinistral Gobi-Tien Shan Fault System. The ...