ETM remote sensing images, 1:2000 mapping, shallow depth seismic reflection, trenching and chronological dating were used to survey active faults along the Railway. This study identified 114 active faults (Fig.4), including 4 very strongly active faults, 28 active faults and many other minor active faults along the railway (Wu et al., 2003, 2004, 2005). The strongly active faults have slip-rates of several mm/a, while the minor active faults always have slip-rates less than 1mm/a. Except the very strongly active faults, most active faults especially those minor ones were neglected by previous studies.

Fig. 4 Map of active faults and earthquakes along the Golmud-Lhasa Railway