Using migrating growth strata to confirm a ∼230-km-long detachment thrust in the southern Tarim Basin

Chen, Hanlin; Zhang, Yuqing; Cheng, Xiaogan; Lin, Xiubin; Deng, Hongdan; Shi, Xuhua; Li, Yong; Wu, Hong-Xiang; Li, Chunyang; Yang, Shuna

doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2021.104488

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…This thrust roots into the Paleocene detachment and has a vergence synthetic to the structures of the WKR (Figures 1c and 1d). We therefore favor the idea that the shortening absorbed across the Hotan thrust system and associated updip slip have been transferred northward onto the Paleocene detachment and into the Tarim Basin up to the Mazar Tagh thrust (Figure 11), a kinematics in agreement with previous interpretations proposed from other structures of the foothills to the west of our study area (e.g., Guilbaud et al., 2017; Laborde et al., 2019; Li et al., 2016a; Lu et al., 2016), and in line with recent observations of migrating growth strata with the Tarim foreland (Chen et al., 2022).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Several authors suggested that the slip accommodated by these structures is transferred forward toward the foreland on this upper detachment. Such deformation could then be accommodated by the emergent Mazar Tagh thrust, ∼200 km further north from the topographic front of the WKR (Figure 1d, e.g., Chen et al., 2022; Guilbaud et al., 2017; Laborde et al., 2019; Lu et al., 2016; Wittlinger et al., 2004; Xu et al., 2020).…”

Section: Geological Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Kinematics of Cenozoic Shortening of the Hotan Anticline Along the Northwestern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau (Western Kunlun, China)

et al. 2022

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Kinematic constraints on the Cenozoic deformation along the northwestern edge of the Tibetan Plateau remain limited. Combining surface geological data and seismic profiles, we document the structural geometry and kinematics of the large‐scale east‐west striking Hotan anticline, along the foothills of the Western Kunlun Range. Four new balanced cross sections are constructed, and the temporal evolution of deformation is deciphered from the exceptionally well‐imaged growth strata at the front of the fold. This anticline results from a broad fault‐bend fold, subsequently deformed by a footwall duplex. The total shortening across the whole structure is relatively constant along strike, from ∼40 to ∼35 km. However, the shortening accommodated by the duplex varies laterally from ∼50–40% to 0% of the total shortening. Two distinct successive patterns of growth strata are recognized and are interpreted to be representative of deformation on the ramp anticline, followed by deformation on the duplex. The onset of deformation initiated by ∼16 Ma. Deformation of the underlying duplex began at ∼12 Ma to the west and subsequently propagated eastward. From these results, we determine a shortening rate of ∼5 mm/yr from ∼16 to ∼8–9 Ma across the Hotan thrust system, followed by a significant decrease in shortening rate, possibly down to <0.5 mm/yr. We explore the significance of this deceleration of deformation at the scale of the Western Kunlun foothills and at a broader regional scale as it may point to a regional kinematic reorganization by the late Miocene.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Geological Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kinematics of Cenozoic Shortening of the Hotan Anticline Along the Northwestern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau (Western Kunlun, China)

et al. 2022

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“…Collectively, since the late Cenozoic, the deformation pattern of the northern Tibetan Plateau expansion has been defined as partitioning of strike‐slip and thrust motion, accommodated by transpressional tectonics (Figure 9). The Cenozoic northeastward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau occurred through upper crustal thrusting, which migrated hundreds of kilometers (e.g., western Kunlun Shan and Qilian Shan) (Cheng et al., 2017, 2022; Jiang & Li, 2014; Laborde et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2016; Zuza et al., 2016) In contrast, the Cenozoic strain along the northwestern plateau margin propagated northward into the southeastern Tarim Basin and is accommodated by basement‐involved transpressional faults, at a relatively low propagation rate, and confined to a distance of ∼90–120 km (Figure 9).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(b) Stage 2 (post‐middle Miocene), initiation of crustal shortening, uplift of the North Qilian Shan, and development of the Hexi Corridor Basin (An et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2016). Contraction propagated into the southwestern Tarim Basin, forming the Hetian fault and Mazatagh thrust (Chen et al., 2022; Cheng et al., 2017). Partitioning of oblique convergence resulted in the northward growth of the plateau and development of transpressional faults within the southeastern Tarim Basin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Limited Northward Expansion of the Tibetan Plateau in the Late Cenozoic: Insights From the Cherchen Fault in the Southeastern Tarim Basin

et al. 2023

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The northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is defined by the left‐lateral Altyn Tagh fault. It remains unclear whether the Cenozoic deformation related to the India‐Asia collision has remained stationary along the Altyn Tagh fault or propagated northward into the southeastern Tarim Basin. The Cenozoic Cherchen fault is located in the southeastern Tarim Basin, ∼90–120 km north of the Altyn Tagh fault, and thus, may play a critical role in addressing this issue. Here, we used a densely‐spaced two‐dimensional seismic reflection survey to investigate the geometry and kinematics of the Cherchen fault and understand its role in the expansion of the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Our seismic study shows that the Cenozoic Cherchen fault is a high‐angle left‐lateral transpressional fault. Kinematic analysis of the Cherchen fault suggests that a restraining bend structure has formed along its central segment. Stratigraphic records suggest that the Cherchen fault initiated in the Paleozoic and reactivated during the middle Miocene (ca. 17–15.7 Ma). We infer that the dip‐slip and strike‐slip rates of the Cherchen fault are ∼0.09 mm/a and ∼1.66 mm/a, respectively. A regional cross section reveals that the northward expansion of the plateau is ongoing, but the range is limited to ∼90–120 km. We interpret that middle Miocene tectonic activity throughout the region was also concentrated along the northern plateau margin, defined by both northeast‐directed crustal shortening and northward expansion of the plateau.

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Broken foreland basins and the influence of subduction dynamics, tectonic inheritance, and mechanical triggers

Horton

Capaldi

Mackaman‐Lofland

et al. 2022

Earth-Science Reviews

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Using migrating growth strata to confirm a ∼230-km-long detachment thrust in the southern Tarim Basin

Cited by 12 publications

References 50 publications

Kinematics of Cenozoic Shortening of the Hotan Anticline Along the Northwestern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau (Western Kunlun, China)

Kinematics of Cenozoic Shortening of the Hotan Anticline Along the Northwestern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau (Western Kunlun, China)

Limited Northward Expansion of the Tibetan Plateau in the Late Cenozoic: Insights From the Cherchen Fault in the Southeastern Tarim Basin

Broken foreland basins and the influence of subduction dynamics, tectonic inheritance, and mechanical triggers

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