Abstract: Tectonic earthquakes are closely related to active faults. A large active fault, generally speaking, usually produces a great earthquake. Our research results show that destructive earthquakes only occur on some special parts or segments along active faults. So the most important thing for mitigation of earthquake hazards is to recognize earthquake-triggering segments by using the theory and method of active fault segmentation. Active faults have typical inconsistent characteristics of rupture and displacement along the faults in temporal and spatial distribution and leave some traces on surface and inner structure such as geomorphologic expression, structural feature, distribution of small earthquakes and rupture sign etc. Based on the characteristics, we may make assessment of earthquake risk in different segment along an active fault and predict the location and intensity of potential destructive earthquakes in future.

Key words: active faults, earthquake, earthquake rupture segment

摘要： 地震发生在活动断层上，而断层活动不一定都发震，为进行地震危险性分析，确定未来可能发生地震的地段和强度。因此，把活动断层分成地震破裂段进行研究，分析断层活动在时间上、空间上的不均匀性，了解破裂段特征和分段标志，确定破坏性地震发震的构造条件是极为重要的。

关键词: 活动断层, 地震, 地震破裂段