The slip rate predicted from geodetic and geomorphological measurements is quite uniform on ~800–1,000 km length of the Altyn Tagh and the Kunlun faults. GPS velocity field documents that tectonic loading on the two active faults changes greatly along their strikes. To explore the mechanical relationship between far‐field tectonic loading and fault slip‐rate accumulation, we built a 3D viscoelastic finite‐element model with fault motion governed by frictional strength of contact interfaces. Based on numerical experiments, it is found that the observed uniform slip rate could reflect lateral variation of frictional strength along fault strike. Variation of predicted frictional coefficient ranges from ~0.13 to ~0.02, verifying that the two active faults must be weak for their mechanical strength. In addition, the good fitness between the relatively weak segment of faults and the location of strong earthquakes suggests that seismic activity along the two faults could be related to their frictional strength.

中文翻译：

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阿尔金塔格断裂和昆仑断裂的均匀滑移率可能反映了断裂摩擦力的横向变化

从大地测量和地貌学测量预测的滑移率在阿尔金塔格和昆仑断裂的约800–1,000 km长度上非常一致。GPS速度场记录了两个活动断层的构造载荷沿其走向变化很大。为了探讨远场构造载荷与断层滑动率累积之间的力学关系，我们建立了一个3D粘弹性有限元模型，其断层运动受接触界面的摩擦强度控制。根据数值实验，发现观测到的均匀滑移率可以反映沿断层走向的摩擦强度的横向变化。预测的摩擦系数在〜0.13至〜0.02的范围内变化，验证了两个活动断层的机械强度必定较弱。此外，