SEISMOGEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF FAULT ZONES ALONG THE YELLOW RIVER

The Yellow River developed between Mt. Yinshan and Mt. Qinling tectonic zones with latitude direction. It was controlled by different str-uctural units and great faults, In some segments along this river, Yellow river fault zones formed. The bends of river and the distinctive ‘trumpet-shaped’ structure constructed at the junction of various structures. Even in the period of new tectogenesis, the tectonic activity did not stopped yet and the moderate strong earthquakes constantly took place in these zones. In this paper the author discussed the swing and the migration in the middle-lower reaches of Yellow river as well as the function of new tect-onic movement. It was pointed out that the old ‘King Yu’ course was controlled by geological structure. This old course was a rupture belt of crust and an active earthquake zone. The great bend, the trumpet-shaped structure, the old ‘King Yu’ course and the earthquake belt along major tributaries of this river composed the earthquake zone of Yellow river. This zone provided the space information for the occurence of strong earthquake. King Yu——the reputed founder of the Xia Dynasty (21st-16th century B. C.)