Slip partitioning in the northeast Pamir–Tian Shan convergence zone

Based on a detailed analysis of satellite imagery combined with field geologic and geomorphic observations, we have mapped late Cenozoic folds and faults in the northeastern Pamir–Tian Shan convergence zone. It is a unique example to understand intracontinental ongoing mountain building within India–Eurasia collision system. In the front of northeastern Pamir, our investigations reveal that the NW-WNW-trending folds display a right-stepping en echelon pattern and NW-WNW-striking faults are mainly characterized by south-dipping thrusts with an extensive dextral strike-slip component. Drainage systems across the active faults show a systematic right-lateral offset. In contrast, structural style of the ENE trending fold-and-thrust belts are predominated by south–north directed shortening southwest of the Tian Shan. Our results also infer that oblique thrusting accommodates as long-term dextral slip rate of ca. 4.0 mm/yr during the late Cenozoic time north of the Pamir topographic front. Tectono-stratigraphic evidence suggests that the tectonic deformation was initiated at ca. 3–5 Ma in the study area. We suggest that intracontinental mountain building in the Pamir–Tian Shan convergence zone should be attributed to the crustal shortening caused by folding and thrusting as well as block rotation related to strike-slip faulting within the India–Eurasia collision system.