Present-day kinematic features of the Kongur extensional system at the Northeastern Pamir constrained by GNSS and InSAR data

The Kongur Extensional System (KES) plays a crucial role in accommodating regional crustal deformation of the northeastern Pamir, where sparse geodetic observations limit detailed kinematic characterization. Herein, we constructed a high-resolution 3D velocity field by integrating Sentinel-1 Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data. Using a Bayesian inversion approach on ten profiles across the KES, we derived the segmented geometric and kinematic characteristics along the main fault. Our results reveal the ongoing uplift and inhomogeneous deformation on the northeastern Pamir. The E-W-trending Muji Fault (MF) exhibits a dextral strike-slip rate of about 7.6-10.8 mm/yr with a shallow locking depth (about 5 km), consistent with the unruptured zone of the 2016 Aketao earthquake. The present-day crustal deformations on the other segments of the KES are dominated by normal faulting, with relatively high extension rates (about 5.3-7.6 mm/yr) on the northern part of the fault and comparatively low (about 3 mm/yr) on the southern segments, exhibiting a progressive southward decay. Furthermore, the South Kungai Shan Fault represents a potential seismic gap, with an accumulated seismic moment equivalent to an earthquake of about M_W7.0, highlighting the regional seismic hazard. Our findings provide new geodetic evidence for the limited effect of gravitational collapse on the northeastern Pamir. Rather, the formation and evolution of the KES are more likely driven by large-scale asymmetric radial thrusting beneath the Pamir Plateau in the context of the long-lasting India-Eurasia collision.