Correlation between seismicity and geomorphology in Dingxi Basin, Gansu Province, China

A M6.6 earthquake occurred on July 22,2013 at Dingxi Basin in Gansu Province within the tectonially expanding northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.We analyzed the geomorphological features of the Dingxi Basin by using remote sensing technology and compared them with local seismic activity.We found that most of the river basins are at the robust stage of development and that the major local rivers and the development of some basins boundaries are controlled by the seismic faults.Among four zones identified to have significant tectonic activities,the northwestly-oriented one located in the south has the highest seismic activity,and it is where the M6.6 earthquake occurrred.