Paleoseismic dislocations in the Ottug-Taiga-Azas fault zone (eastern Tuva)

Airborne photographs and data of surface prospecting have revealed paleoseismic deformations of the Holocene within the Ottug-Taiga-Azas (O-A) fault. Analysis of the surface structure (faults in plan) testifies to the prevalence of subhorizontal compression of the north-northeastern trend. Seismic motions led to strike-slip reverse faults, reverse faults, and strike-slip faults. The magnitudes of paleoearthquakes were computed from the measured amounts and amplitudes of paleoseismic dislocations. The performed investigations made it possible to qualify the O-A fault as a seismic-hazard feature, which can generate earthquakes with M (sub max) nearly equal 7.4.