Geometry and kinematics of the western part of the NE Qaidam Basin: Implications for the growth of the Tibetan Plateau

Based on field geology, seismic reflection profiling data and isopach maps, the structural deformation pattern, timing of deformation, and mechanism of formation of the western part of the NE Qaidam Basin (including the Pingtai Uplift, Lenghu and Eboliang structural belts) during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras have been investigated. Several anticlines in the Lenghu and Eboliang structural belts are generally characterized by double fault systems at different structural levels. At shallower crustal levels, a thrust fault system dominates and at lower levels positive flower structures accommodate oblique shortening, and these are mainly separated by weak strata layers in the Upper Xiaganchaigou Formation, of late Eocene age. Left-step en echelon distributed normal faults and trailing extensional imbricate fan structures consistently demonstrate that the Lenghu and Eboliang structural belts are dominated by dextral transpressional deformation. The western part of the NE Qaidam Basin experienced an initial stage of extension in the Jurassic, which was associated with the formation of several NW-striking normal faults. We hypothesize that most of the deep compressional structures and shallow anticlines were formed due to the SW-directed thrusting of the Qilian Shan since the early Eocene, as a far-field effect of the Indo-Asian “hard” collision. The NNE-directed shortening was associated with dextral transpressional deformation within the western part of the NE Qaidam Basin that took place after the deposition of the Shangyoushashan Formation, of middle-late Miocene age. We interpret this phase of deformation to have been an integral part of the pulsed growth of the whole Tibetan Plateau. •Many anticlines in the western part of the NE Qaidam Basin is generally characterized by double fault systems.•Contractional deformation initially occurred in the western part of the NE Qaidam Basin during the early Eocene.•The compressional stress trajectory has changed orientation to an NNE direction since the middle Miocene.