## 5 Conclusions  
The in situ stress state of five boreholes near Kunlun Pass was determined using the hydraulic fracturing method for in situ stress measurement. A comprehensive analysis and study were conducted on the level of in situ stress accumulation and seismic hazard in this area. The conclusions are as follows:  
1. The minimum and maximum horizontal principal stress measured at the Nanshankou using the hydraulic fracturing method are 1.86-10.79 MPa and 2.33-16.60 MPa, respectively, within a depth range of 34.20 to 430.90 m. In another assessment, the minimum and maximum horizontal principal stress recorded are 4.92-10.62 MPa and 9.37-17.20 MPa, respectively, across a depth range of 182.50 to 595.10 m. Additionally, at the Xidatan test point, the minimum and maximum horizontal principal stresses observed are 2.30-7.00 MPa and 2.32-11.07 MPa, respectively, in a depth range of 44.00 to 176.00 m. The maximum horizontal principal stress and minimum horizontal principal stress observed in the five boreholes exhibit a linear trend of increase with depth, demonstrating a strong linear relationship. In the depth range from the surface to 206 m, the principal stress configuration is characterized by \(\sigma_{\rm H}>\sigma_{\rm h}>\sigma_{\rm v}\), indicating a reverse fault in situ stress state. Below 206 m, however, the principal stress arrangement shifts to \(\sigma_{\rm H}>\sigma_{\rm v}>\sigma_{\rm h}\), which corresponds to a strike-slip fault in situ stress state;  
Figure 5: Measured stress value and fault activity analyses at the Kunlun Mountain pass.  
The results of in situ stress measurements indicate that the direction of the maximum principal stress is N20\({}^{\circ}\)E-NE54\({}^{\circ}\), with an average orientation of NE33\({}^{\circ}\). This finding aligns with the direction of the regional stress field observed in the area post earthquake, suggesting that the stress field is still undergoing recovery and has not yet returned to pre-earthquake levels. By applying the Coulomb fracture criterion, Byerlee's law, and the fault friction parameter \(\mu_{\text{m}}\), it has been determined that the level of ground stress accumulation in the study area is relatively low. Consequently, from an in situ stress perspective, the author posits that there is minimal likelihood of an earthquake occurring in this region.
* The process of earth stress recovery is the process of earthquake reproduction. In order to understand the relationship between geostress recovery process and earthquake recurrence and the Gusaihu fault and Xidatan fault in the East Kunlun fault zone, it is necessary to strengthen the research of geostress measurement and continuous geostress monitoring in this area.  
Conceptualization, J.Q. and L.T.; methodology, J.X.; formal analysis, L.L.; investigation, L.W.; data curation, L.W.; writing--original draft preparation, J.Q.; writing--review and editing, J.Q.; project administration, L.T.; funding acquisition, J.Q. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by the Spark Program of Earthquake Sciences, grant number XH23057 YC, and Science and Technology Innovation Director Fund, grant number FMC2024006.  
Not applicable.  
The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.  
The authors thank the Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, for assisting with this research.  
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.