Evolution of the Altun Orogenic Belt in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic
The Altun orogenic belt on the eastern edge of Tarim basin experienced a complex geotectonic evolution in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic: uplifting and planation in early Mesozoic and collapsing and sedimentation in late Mesozoic. The eastward compression of Tarim Basin from Paleocene to Miocene resulted in the formation of a right-lateral slip obduction on the southeastern edge of the Altun orogenic belt and the subduction of Qaidam plate toward the Altun orogenic belt as well as the uplifting of this belt. Tarim basin migrated for a maximum distance of 400 to 500 km relative to Qaidam Basin, causing the disintegration of the originally integrated Tarim-Dunhuang-Qaidam Basin. The obduction strike-slip generated a series of small-sized strike-slip basins and a complex sedimentary formation accompanied by kinetic metamorphism and volcanism. The conversion of the east-west compression to a nonsymmetrical south-north couple-compression at the end of Miocene led to a structural reversion from right-lateral to left-lateral in the Altun orogenic belt and the disintegration of the integrated Tarim-Dunhuang basin. Tarim Basin drifted southward for more than 400 km. The eastward subduction of Tarim Basin caused drastic uplifting of the Altun orogenic belt. Besides, a series of small-sized basins were developed and a complex sedimentary formation was formed correspondingly in the Altun orogenic belt.
HUANG Li-gong,ZHONG Jian-hua,GUO Ze-qing,LIU Yun-tian,JIANG Bo,GUAN Quan-jun,LIU Zu-han,ZHANG Yue-zhong,ZHANG Yong-shu,LI Yong.2004.Evolution of the Altun Orogenic Belt in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic[J].Acta Geoscientica Sinica,25(3):287-294.