Restraining step behaviour along the Nobi fault system, central Japan

The Nobi fault system consists of en-échelon left-lateral strike-slip faults. Two restraining steps, the Midori and Hakusan upwarps, have formed between the en-échelon faults, and have demonstrated different failure behaviour. The Midori upwarp has developed into a secondary reverse fault while the Hakusan one has not and is still a fold. Structurally, the Midori upwarp is more evolved than the Hakusan upwarp. Recent faulting has had a shorter recurrence interval since c. 14 ka B.P. This change may have been associated with the development of the secondary reverse fault through the Midori upwarp, as an effective linkage in the Nobi fault system.