# Seismic Identification and Characterization of Deep Strike-Slip Faults in the Tarim Craton Basin
## 5 Fault Identification through Attribute Fusion
### Comprehensive Characterization of Strike-Slip Faults  
(1)Interpretation map of the strike-slip faults  
Based on fusion attributes, the segmentation of strike-slip faults becomes evident in plane images. Typically, the strike-slip section exhibits a linear structure with a straight plane extension and lacks secondary faults. However, some segments display oblique distributions, forming tensioning structures that converge downward, leading to a unified  
Figure 9: Extraction of the amplitude gradient attribute fault confidence region. (**a**) The spatial range of the fault was divided based on the fault threshold. Because K-means can cluster similar data based on the distance between the data points, the data were classified into 2 clusters through K-means clustering: fault clusters and non-fault clusters. (**b**) The fault range of high probability was obtained by ellipsoid expansion. By setting the structural unit, the range of the extracted attribute points can be expanded according to geological theory to obtain the data body of the fault location. cross-section (Figure 10). Shallow parts of the fault are primarily formed by oblique structures, while deeper sections are predominantly influenced by compressional and torsional faults. Small grabens may arise due to the formation of oblique fault assemblages with left-lateral or right-lateral steps, resulting from local tension-torsional stress. The presence of fault clavicles with significant displacements can lead to the formation of grabens. In this study area, most derived faults manifest as small faults along the NW R shear plane, forming normal landform fault blocks with the main faults. At the divergent tail end of strike-slip faults, horsetail structures, which are characterized by a series of slanted faults arranged in a divergent pattern, commonly occur. Due to the varied types and styles of different segments, a complex sectional combination emerges, comprising vertical linear segments, oblique segments, overlying segments, graben barrier segments, and horsetail segments. (2) Section interpretation of the strike-slip faults  
In the analyzed section, the strike-slip fault exhibits a high and steep nature, extending down to the basement. Although some minor faults may display unclear sections, most exhibit flexes of wave groups. Additionally, the larger strike-slip fault zone displays positive and negative flower-like structures. Notably, this area shows the development of relay/cline faults and braided structures, horsetail structures at the southern end of the fault zone, and typical faults and short axis/dome anticlines (Figure 11f). These distinct strike-slip fault markers aid in the identification of strike-slip faults, with minimal vertical displacement and slight convexity, indicating a compression-torsion structure (Figure 11b). The main fault is nearly vertical, reaching depths of up to 6000 m (Figure 11d). Smaller secondary strike-slip faults are usually vertical, high, and steep, with a single section breaking down to the basement and typically ending at 6500 m, extending in a straight line (Figure 11e). Moreover, the main faults induce an evident structural amplitude at depths of 6000-7000 m, with many exhibiting a \"normal flower-like structure\" dominated by upper convexities. Branch faults are formed in the upper part of the carbonate rocks, spreading upward through back thrust, while fault barriers form on the top of the carbonate rocks. The section features high steepness, downward convergence, and merging, with distinct \"extrusion, reverse fault, and back shape\" structural characteristics (Figure 11c). In regions influenced by the combination of left-lateral and right-lateral faults, clear grabens and negative floral structure features of \"tensile, positive fault, and trending\" are evident (Figure 11a). At depths of 7000-8000 m, a \"negative flower-like structure\" is more prevalent, resulting from inherited fault activities due to tensional torsion.