Seismic hazard is closely related to Holocene active tectonics. A quantitative study of parameters

such as seismic slips

slip rate

and recurrence intervals of the active fault

is significant for scientific earthquake research. High-resolution Remote Sensing (RS) is effective for a large-scale quantitative study of active tectonics. However

many differences exist between active tectonics study and traditional geologic study with the use of RS. We should first establish a series of geomorphic markers to interpret many different active tectonics

which still lack effective guidance and a systematic conclusion.To direct the effective application of RS in quantitative research of active faults

we conducted several investigations based on RS images. First

the differences and correlations between active tectonic survey and traditional geologic survey

which mostly relies on the interpretation of macrogeomorphology or linear structural features

are discussed based on research developments through high-resolution RS. Second

the mechanisms of different fault models

including strike-slip

normal

and thrust faults

are introduced according to their stress-strain relations among maximum principal stress (Δσxx)

intermediate principal stress (Δσyy)

and minimum principal stress (Δσzz). The different relationships among the three vectors generate different structural environments and mechanical behavior. Three tectonic geomorphologic models are illustrated and delineated in the paper according to dynamic mechanics with field phenomena. A series of micro-tectonic geomorphogical features is generated by the three fault models.A series of interpretive markers of different tectonic geomorphologic indices related to the active tectonics is presented based on RS images. We divide the interpretive markers into three groups

namely

geomorphologic markers directly offset by a fault

tectonic geomorphologic markers derived from a fault

and indirect interpretive markers from an image. The first group can be identified directly from offset evidence conserved on the earth surface; it can also be used to determine the fault type and evaluate the offset amount of the fault. The second group can be used to determine the geometrical and kinetic features of the active fault

such as the pressure ridge

seismic bumps

pull-apart basin

and Redel ruptures. The third group is an indirect interpretive marker for the active fault. However

not all phenomena similar to the third group are related to the active fault. Image features of a non-active fault that may be related to human activity

natural erosion

or previous geological evolution are also analyzed in this study. These features may lead to the misinterpretation of active tectonics. Numerous examples of different markers

which are interpreted from important active faults of China

are presented in this study to guide the investigation of active faults. Different correlations among active faults

tectonic micro-geomorphology

interpretive markers

and image features are analyzed according to different cases.Each of the three fault models can generate many different interpretive markers. However

the three-fault model could also generate similar interpretive markers. In practice

no fault with one pure fault model exists in the field

and the fault usually behaves in superimposed mechanical mechanisms. In addition

the fault may also behave in different fault models in different segments along the fault zone. Therefore

studying an active fault by using interpretive markers is complicated. Field identification of active faults by verifying interpretive markers is necessary to supplement the evidence.The interpretive markers of different active faults are summarized by high-resolution RS images in this paper. The relational schemas supplied among different active faults

tectonic micro-geomorphology

interpretive markers

and image features are important for a qualitative and quantitative study of active faults. Our study provides beneficial guidelines for research of active faults on the basis of high-resolution RS images.