Late Cenozoic Activity of the Tashkurgan Normal Fault and Implications for the Origin of the Kongur Shan Extensional System, Eastern Pamir

Chen, Shenqiang; Chen, Hanlin

doi:10.1007/s12583-020-1282-1

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…This model predicts that extension initiates at the southern end of the extensional system and propagates northward. (e) The KES caused by gravitational collapse, because of excessive thickening of the Pamir crust (Cao et al., 2013; Chen & Chen, 2020). This model predicts synchronous extension across the entire extensional system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of the Curved Southern Asian Margin Between the Tarim and Tajik Cratons During the Evolution of the Pamir, Insights From Sandbox Modeling

Yang,

Jia,

Chen

et al. 2024

Tectonics

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Enhanced knowledge of the Pamir salient formation can contribute to comprehending the tectonic evolution of Himalaya‐Tibetan orogen. However, whether the Pamir salient formed along a linear or a curved southern Asian margin between the Tarim and Tajik cratons remains controversial. Likewise, the role of the two craton blocks during the evolution of the Pamir salient is unclear. Here we present three sandbox experiments exploring the effect of the geometry of the southern Asian margin, as well as the presence of Tarim and Tajik cratons. The results show that the highly curved shape of the Pamir salient, transpressional faults in its wings and strike‐slip faults within its interior only form along a curved southern Asian margin. A westward‐deflecting arcuate thrust wedge formed along the asymmetric curved southern Asian margin. Together with the Tarim craton and the Tajik craton, this wedge facilitated the westward transfer of materials in the Pamir, and resulted in the westward deflection of the velocity field in Pamir and the formation of the Tajik fold‐thrust belt. The oblique slip of arcuate thrust wedge along the western edge of the Tarim craton generated the Kongur extensional system. Moreover, the Tarim and Tajik cratons concentrated deformation mainly along the non‐cratonic continental margin and promoted the formation of transpressional faults surrounding the Pamir and the strike‐slip faults within the Pamir.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of the Curved Southern Asian Margin Between the Tarim and Tajik Cratons During the Evolution of the Pamir, Insights From Sandbox Modeling

Yang,

Jia,

Chen

et al. 2024

Tectonics

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“…In the Kongur Shan massif, two-dimension thermo-kinematic modeling results based on mica and biotite 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages suggest that the activity of the KSF started at ~7 Ma and continued until recently at a constant exhumation rate of ~4 mm/yr, hence a minimum E-W extension of ~34 km (Robinson et al, 2004;Robinson et al, 2010). By contrast, the southern portion of the KSF may have initiated later, at ~5-6 Ma, as recorded by overlapping apatite fission track and zircon U-Th/He cooling ages in the footwall (Cao et al, 2013a;Thiede et al, 2013), synchronous with initiation of normal faulting along the Tashkurgan fault that was constrained by accelerated exhumation in the footwall at 6-5 Ma recorded by zircon and apatite U-Th/He data (Chen and Chen, 2020). Together with extensive 5-6 Ma peak ages from detrital zircon fission track from modern glacial and river sediments at the base of the domes, this argues for roughly synchronous onset of E-W extension along the entire length of the KSF at ~6-5 Ma (Cao et al, 2013a;Thiede et al, 2013).…”

Section: Frontiers Inmentioning

confidence: 97%

Tectonic and Climatic Control on Quaternary Exhumation in the Eastern Pamir Domes, Western China: Insights From Geomorphic Approaches

et al. 2022

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The Kongur Shan and Muztaghata massifs, bounded by the Kongur Shan extensional system (KES), represent tectonic and topographic anomalies in the eastern Pamir region. They are ideal examples to study how normal faulting and surface erosion influence Quaternary exhumation/erosion of the dome system. We apply multiple geomorphic parameters, including hypsometric integral, stream length-gradient index, drainage basin shape, drainage basin asymmetry and ratio of valley floor width to valley height, for the catchments on both sides of the range. We first evaluated the validity of various indices and chose three active tectonic-sensitive indices to establish a newly-integrated parameter (Iat) that is used to measure relative intensities of tectonic activity in active orogens. Results suggest stronger tectonic activity west of the domes along the Kongur Shan normal fault (KSF) and Muji dextral strike-slip fault, compared to the eastern side, along the Ghez and Kalagile faults. This first-order observation reflects tectonic control on the topographic development of the domal structure, consistent with eastward crustal tilting, attested by older thermochronology ages to the east. On the western flank of the range, stronger tectonic activity occurs mostly on the Muji fault, Kingata Tagh - Kongur Shan fault segment, as well as along the western and southern Muztaghata segments of the Kongur Shan fault. This is consistent with field investigations of Quaternary offsets of landforms, which suggest continuous activity of the Muji fault and KSF since the late Miocene. Average basin-wide erosion rates derived from stream power models are highest near the Kongur Shan dome, and gradually decrease southwards and northwards, in agreement with the spatial pattern of long-term exhumation rates in the footwall of the KSF obtained by low-temperature thermochronology data. Positive correlation between exhumation/erosion rates and extensional rates along the active faults located west of the domes indicates that extensional deformation likely plays a dominant role in controlling focused dome exhumation/erosion. However, considering peaked exhumation/erosion rates, stronger rock resistivity and steeper glacial landforms, attest to the important role of glacial buzz-saw in reshaping the recent dome’s landscape.

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“…As the southernmost segment of the KSES, the Tashkurgan Fault strikes NNW and dips to the east. The low-temperature thermochronological analysis indicated that the fault's footwall has been exhumed at an average rate of ~0.6-0.9 mm/yr since ~6-5 Ma (Chen and Chen, 2020). For the fault dipping 60 ° (Robinson et al, 2007) and striking 162 °, the million-yearaveraged E-W extension rate of this fault is ~0.3-0.6 mm/yr.…”

Section: Tashkurgan Faultmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The anticlockwise radial thrusting would form larger E-W extension stress diminishing from north to south in the northeastern Pamir (Figure 9C). The extension stress may have induced the gravitational collapse of the thickened crust in the northeastern Pamir, forming the KSES at ~6-5 Ma (Figure 9D) (Cao et al, 2013a;Cheng et al, 2016;Chen and Chen, 2020).…”

Section: Asymmetric Radial Thrusting Of the Pamir Salient And Its Int...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Two kinematic transformations of the Pamir salient since the Mid-Cenozoic: Constraints from multi-timescale deformation analysis

Jin

Shi²,

Chen³

et al. 2022

Front. Earth Sci.

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The Pamir salient is a key part of the Himalayan–Tibetan Plateau orogenic system and has undergone intense tectonic deformation during the India–Asian collision. Delineating the Cenozoic kinematics and geodynamics of the Pamir salient requires a comprehensive understanding of the active arcuate structures along its frontal margin, from the perspective of the multi-spatiotemporal evolution of deformation patterns. Here, we reviewed the deformation rates of the major structures at different timescales, reanalyzed the published Global Positioning System velocities, and examined the present-day seismicity to constrain the kinematics of the Pamir salient since the Late Cenozoic. Integrated with the crustal evolution history during the Middle–Late Cenozoic and the deep structure, we proposed a new model to explain the multi-stage kinematics and associated geodynamics of the Pamir salient. During ∼37–24 Ma, the initial Pamir salient moved northward via radial thrusting that rotated the basins on both sides, which was driven by the continuous compression of the Indian slab after the breakoff of its oceanic part. During ∼23–12 Ma, the gravitational collapse of the Central and South Pamir crusts, which was induced by the breakoff of the continental part of the Indian slab, triggered the extension within the Pamir and foreland-ward movement of the upper crust. The upper crustal materials moved in varying directions due to the differential strength of the foreland areas, transforming the crustal kinematics from radial thrusting into a combination of radial thrusting and transfer faulting. Since the coupling of the Indian and Pamir slabs at ∼12–11 Ma, the deformation propagation towards the forelands accelerated, after which the kinematics of the Pamir salient exhibited asymmetric radial thrusting that has been sustained until the present. The asymmetric radial thrusting was likely driven by the compressive stress effect of the lithospheric basal shear generated by the underthrusting of the cratonic Indian lithosphere, which further led to the rollback of the Pamir slab and the consequent migratory extension in the South Pamir.

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Late Cenozoic Activity of the Tashkurgan Normal Fault and Implications for the Origin of the Kongur Shan Extensional System, Eastern Pamir

Cited by 7 publications

References 55 publications

The Role of the Curved Southern Asian Margin Between the Tarim and Tajik Cratons During the Evolution of the Pamir, Insights From Sandbox Modeling

The Role of the Curved Southern Asian Margin Between the Tarim and Tajik Cratons During the Evolution of the Pamir, Insights From Sandbox Modeling

Tectonic and Climatic Control on Quaternary Exhumation in the Eastern Pamir Domes, Western China: Insights From Geomorphic Approaches

Two kinematic transformations of the Pamir salient since the Mid-Cenozoic: Constraints from multi-timescale deformation analysis

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