EW-trending uplifts along the southern side of the central segment of the Altyn Tagh Fault, NW China: Insight into the rising mechanism of the Altyn Mountain during the Cenozoic

Wu, Lei; Xiao, Anguo; Wang, Liqun; Mao, Liguang; Liang, Wang; Yang, Dinglong; Xu, Bo

doi:10.1007/s11430-012-4402-7

Cited by 50 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…15 Ma (Fang et al, 2007;Gao et al, 2009;Lu and Xiong, 2009;L. Wang et al, 2010;Wu et al, 2012a). We thus suggest that the apparent unconformity between the Shangyoushashan and Xiayoushashan Formations indicates middle Miocene (ca.…”

Section: New Piercing Pointsmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Within the Altyn Tagh Range, the ~1600-km-long ENE-trending Altyn Tagh fault starts in the western Kunlun Range in the southwest and terminates in the Qilian Shan Range in the northeast, linking the Kunlun and Qilian Shan thrust belts (Burchfiel et al, 1989;Wang, 1997;Yue and Liou, 1999;Yin and Harrison, 2000;Yin et al, 2002). The origin of the Altyn Tagh fault Chen et al, 2001;Meng et al, 2001;Wan et al, 2001;Yue et al, 2001;Yin et al, 2002;Ritts et al, 2004;Wu et al, 2012aWu et al, , 2012b and the total displacement along the Altyn Tagh fault remain heavily debated (CSBS, 1992;Ritts and Biffi, 2000;Yang et al, 2001;Cowgill et al, 2003;Gehrels et al, 2003aGehrels et al, , 2003b. Quaternary slip rates of ~10 mm/yr on the Altyn Tagh fault have been determined using field data, geodetic observations, and global positioning system (GPS) measurements (Bendick et al, 2000;Shen et al, 2001;Yin et al, 2002;Zhang et al, 2004Zhang et al, , 2007Cowgill et al, 2009;Yin, 2010).…”

Section: Regional Geology Altyn Tagh Rangementioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 and 10; Meng and Fang, 2008;L. Wang et al, 2010;Wu et al, 2012a). Within the western Qaidam Basin, this unconformity is characterized by growth strata that started to develop after the initial deposition of Miocene strata.…”

Section: New Piercing Pointsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Understanding the Cenozoic kinematic patterns of the Altyn Tagh fault holds important implications for unraveling the evolution of northern Tibet, deciphering the growth history of the entire Tibetan Plateau, and contributing to oil and gas exploration in the surrounding region (Yue and Liou, 1999;Yin and Harri-son, 2000;Tapponnier et al, 2001;Yin et al, 2002;Wang et al, 2014). Recent studies have revealed much about the basic geology of the Altyn Tagh Range and the surrounding region (Wang, 1997;Cowgill et al, 2000Cowgill et al, , 2003Yue et al, 2001Yue et al, , 2004aYin et al, 2002;Chen et al, 2003;Dupont-Nivet et al, 2003Ritts et al, 2004;Wu et al, 2012aWu et al, , 2012bCheng et al, 2014;Lu et al, 2014;Zhang et al, 2014); however, the immense size and extent of the Altyn Tagh Range make it difficult to locate ideal piercing points with which to estimate the initial timing of left-slip movement and total displacement along the Altyn Tagh fault. As a result, both the timing and amount of slip along the fault are vigorously debated (e.g., Yin et al, 2002;Cowgill et al, 2003;Gehrels et al, 2003aGehrels et al, , 2003bRitts et al, 2004;Wu et al, 2012aWu et al, , 2012b.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Various approaches have been used to constrain the initial timing of left-slip movement along the Altyn Tagh fault, and the estimates vary greatly. Initial movement along the Altyn Tagh fault is estimated to have occurred broadly between the Eocene and Miocene Epochs (Chen et al, 2001;Meng et al, 2001;Wan et al, 2001;Yue et al, 2001;Yin et al, 2002;Robinson et al, 2003;Wu et al, 2012aWu et al, , 2012b, and estimates of the total displacement along the Altyn Tagh fault vary anywhere from ~1200 km to less than 90 km (Tapponnier et al, 1986;CSBS, 1992;Wang, 1997;Yin and Harrison, 2000;Yang et al, 2001;Yin et al, 2002;Cowgill et al, 2003;Gehrels et al, 2003aGehrels et al, , 2003bRitts et al, 2004). The wide variety of estimates regarding the initial timing and offset of the Altyn Tagh fault highlight the incomplete understanding of this remote region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Initial rupture and displacement on the Altyn Tagh fault, northern Tibetan Plateau: Constraints based on residual Mesozoic to Cenozoic strata in the western Qaidam Basin

et al. 2015

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The Altyn Tagh fault, located in the northern Tibetan Plateau, is a large left-lateral strike-slip fault heavily responsible for the growth and formation of the plateau during Cenozoic time. Despite its significance, the initial timing and kinematic patterns of movement along the Altyn Tagh fault remain highly debated. Here, we present a detailed analysis of the stratigraphy and geochronology of three key lithologic sections (Tula, Anxi, and Caishiling) along the Altyn Tagh fault to better understand this kinematic history. By correlating stratigraphic contacts and lithology with the U-Pb age spectra of Mesozoic samples within the western Qaidam Basin, we find the Altyn Tagh fault has experienced a total of ~360 km of displacement during the Cenozoic. By combining seismic profile data with geologic observations, we divide the activity along this fault into two distinct stages of motion:(1) an initial stage, which occurred between early Eocene (ca. 49 Ma) and mid-Miocene time (ca. 15 Ma) and resulted in ~170 km of offset, and (2) an early stage, which began in the late Miocene Epoch and continues into the present, resulting in ~190 km of offset along the fault. We identify the Tula and Anxi sections as piercing points along the western segment of the Altyn Tagh fault and define these regions as residual parts of the original Qaidam Basin. These estimates suggest that motion along the Altyn Tagh fault has accelerated from an average left-lateral strike-slip rate of ~5.0 mm/yr during initial stage faulting to a rate of ~12.6 mm/yr between the late Miocene Epoch and present day.

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Section: New Piercing Pointsmentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Regional Geology Altyn Tagh Rangementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: New Piercing Pointsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Initial rupture and displacement on the Altyn Tagh fault, northern Tibetan Plateau: Constraints based on residual Mesozoic to Cenozoic strata in the western Qaidam Basin

et al. 2015

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Paleocene‐Early Eocene uplift of the Altyn Tagh Mountain: Evidence from detrital zircon fission track analysis and seismic sections in the northwestern Qaidam basin

Wang

Zheng

et al. 2015

JGR Solid Earth

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Most existing tectonic models suggest that the deformation and uplift of the northern Tibetan Plateau is the latest crustal response to the collision of the India Plate and Eurasian Plate. The tectonic evolution of Altyn Tagh Mountain (hereafter called simply the “Altyn Tagh”), on the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, has attracted considerable scientific attention. In this study, we use fission track age dates of detrital zircons from the northwestern Qaidam basin together with sedimentary observations to understand more fully the Cenozoic tectonic uplift of the Altyn Tagh. Detrital zircons from five borehole samples distributed in different folds in the northwestern Qaidam basin yielded ages mainly ranging from 88.5 to 49.2 Ma, older than their sedimentary deposition ages (43.8–22 Ma). The binomial distribution in grain age fitted peaks was generally dominated by one young peak, P1, which varied from 73.6 to 47.2 Ma. A thinning of the Cenozoic Lulehe Formation (53.5–43.8 Ma) stretched from the inner Qaidam basin to the slopes of the Altyn Tagh in the seismic sections of the northwestern Qaidam basin. Based on magnetostratigraphic dating, there was a hiatus in sedimentation in the Qaidam basin between 65 Ma and 54 Ma; this was confirmed by seismic profiles and borehole data, which show an unconformity between the Mesozoic Quanyagou Formation and the Lulehe Formation. Combined with an analysis of provenance, the detrital zircon young peak age and the sedimentary record revealed that the most significant regional uplift of the Altyn Tagh occurred during the Paleogene‐Early Eocene, almost coinciding with the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates between 65 Ma and 44 Ma.

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New paleomagnetic constraints on middle Miocene strike‐slip faulting along the middle Altyn Tagh Fault

Yan

Zhang

et al. 2017

JGR Solid Earth

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Knowledge of the evolution of the Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) has significant implications for our understanding of the tectonic deformation of the Tibetan Plateau. Controversy exists regarding the formation of the orocline‐like arcuate structures or curved thrust faults south of the ATF. In this paper, we conducted a paleomagnetic rotation study of the Akatengnengshan (AK) and Youshashan (YSS) anticlines to determine whether the changes in the anticlines' axes were caused by frictional drag associated with sinistral strike‐slip faulting along the ATF. No significant paleomagnetic rotations during the last 20 Ma were observed at the Xichagou and Laomangai localities, which are situated along the YSS anticline, whereas significant counterclockwise (CCW) rotations of ~50° that occurred between ~16.2 and 11.1 Ma were noted at the Yitunbulake locality, which lies along the western edge of the AK anticline. This amount of CCW rotation is consistent with the difference in axes between the AK and YSS anticlines. Combined with other geological evidence, we believe that the middle ATF was active between ~16 and 11 Ma. Frictional drag associated with sinistral strike‐slip motion likely resulted in the ~50° CCW rotation of the AK anticline, which was originally straight or parallel to the YSS anticline. There was concentrated or insignificant strike‐slip faulting along the middle ATF before ~16 Ma, but rapid and distributed (< 40 km) strike‐slip faulting occurred between ~16 and 11 Ma at a rate of ≥10 mm/yr, and the minimum displacement was ~50 km.

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EW-trending uplifts along the southern side of the central segment of the Altyn Tagh Fault, NW China: Insight into the rising mechanism of the Altyn Mountain during the Cenozoic

Cited by 50 publications

References 44 publications

Initial rupture and displacement on the Altyn Tagh fault, northern Tibetan Plateau: Constraints based on residual Mesozoic to Cenozoic strata in the western Qaidam Basin

Initial rupture and displacement on the Altyn Tagh fault, northern Tibetan Plateau: Constraints based on residual Mesozoic to Cenozoic strata in the western Qaidam Basin

Paleocene‐Early Eocene uplift of the Altyn Tagh Mountain: Evidence from detrital zircon fission track analysis and seismic sections in the northwestern Qaidam basin

New paleomagnetic constraints on middle Miocene strike‐slip faulting along the middle Altyn Tagh Fault

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