Strain partitioning dominated growth of strike-slip fault: Insight from the Tan-Lu fault in Eastern China

The dynamic variations of the strain field and associated tectonic deformation during fault evolution can provide useful insights into the fault growth mechanisms. As one of the longest strike-slip fault system in the world, the ∼3000-km length Tan–Lu fault zone (TLFZ) in eastern China, is ideal for studying the mechanisms of fault propagation and linkage. This study investigated the Cenozoic Liaodong Bay subbasin, which hosts main structures of four faults in the central TLFZ, using structural analysis and strain calculations based on abundant seismic data. Our new results reveal three stages of fault growth (D₁, D₂, and D₃) during the Cenozoic. Strain partitioning occurred during D₁, with non-coaxial deformation within the high-strain regions leading to the growth of individual fault segments. D₂ involved the redistribution of strain partitioning, with localized strain overlapping along fault tips to produce both left- and right-stepping fault sets. The locally increased simple-shear component favored the development of right-stepping fault arrays. Fault linkage appears to be achieved in two ways: 1) left-stepping, dextral faults were linked by folds dominated by pure shear along overlapping fault tips, and 2) fault segments were linked via fractures developed in simple-shear-dominated right-stepping overlap zones. D₃ was characterized by the continued accumulation of simple shear, which resulted in fault linkage through fractures and formed continuous faults with high strain. Therefore, we propose a tectonic model in which strain partitioning results in linkage of segmented faults along fault tips. This model takes into account the spatial and temporal variations in fault geometry and strain type during the growth of the strike-slip fault, provides theoretical support for the structural patterns observed in natural faults worldwide.