Deformation geometry and timing of the Wupoer thrust belt in the NE Pamir and its tectonic implications

The Pamir region, located to the northwest of the Tibetan Plateau, provides important information that can aid the understanding of the plateau＇s tectonic evolution. Here we present new findings on the deforma- tion geometry and timing of the Wupoer thrust belt at the northeastem margin of Pamir. Field investigations and interpretations of seismic profiles indicate that the eastern portion of the Wupoer thrust belt is dominated by an underlying foreland basin and an overlying piggy-back basin. A regional unconformity occurs between the Pliocene （N2） and the underlying Miocene （NI） or Paleogene （Pg） strata associated with two other local unconformities between Lower Pleistocene （Q1） and N2 and between Middle Pleistocene （Q2-4） and Q1 strata. Results of structural restorations suggest that compres- sional deformation was initiated during the latest Miocene to earliest Pliocene, contributing a total shortening magnitude of 48.6 km with a total shortening rate of 48.12%, most of which occurred in the period from the latest Miocene to earliest Pliocene. These results, com- bined with previous studies on the Kongur and Tarshkor- gan extensional system, suggest an interesting picture of strong piedmont compressional thrusting activity concur- rent with interorogen extensional rifting. Combining these results with previously published work on the lithospheric architecture of the Pamir, we propose that gravitational collapse drove the formation of simultaneous extensional and compressional structures with a weak, ductile middle crustal layer acting as a decollement along which both the extensional and compressional faults merged.