In this paper, data obtained by the 1995, 1996 and 1999 three GPS campaigns
in North China have been used to study intraplate tectonic block movements
in this area (N36 degrees -N42 degrees, and E112 degrees -E120 degrees). B
y a Bayesian inversion method, negative dislocation distributions on three
main fault zones and individual relative movements between four intraplate
tectonic blocks have been obtained based on these GPS data. The results sho
w, that the relative movements between four intraplate tectonic plates are
several millimeters per year. The obtained negative dislocation values on t
he Front Tai-Hong Mountain fault are -5 +/- 2 mm/a in tensile component. an
d 2 +/- 2 mm/a in both strike and dip component, which indicates that this
fault mainly suffers pull apart tectonic movements, On the Tangshan-Ninghe
fault., the obtained negative dislocation values are -3 +/- 3 mm/a in dip,
-2 +/- 2 mm/a in tensile and -1 +/- 3 mm/a in strike, which indicates that
the east part of this fault still undergoes upward movement. On the Zhangji
ako-Beipiao fault. the obtained negative dislocation values are -4 +/- 2 mm
/a in strike, 0 +/- 2 mm/a in dip. and 1 +/- 2 mm/a in tensile, which indic
ates that this fault has sinistral strike movement. According to the invers
ion results, the southern part of the Zhangjiako-Beipiao fault suffers pull
tectonic movements caused by recent upward movement of the eastern part. T
he pulling tectonic movements are almost totally blocked on the Front Tai-H
ong Mountain fault and this fault is more likely to be a potential earthqua
ke source. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.