Structural evolution of the Yushu-Nangqian region and its relationship to syncollisional igneous activity, east-central Tibet

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 2005 Structural evolution of the Yushu-Nangqian region and its relationship to syncollisional igneous activity, east-central Tibet Matthew S. Spurlin; Matthew S. Spurlin 1Department of Earth and Space Sciences, and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1567, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar An Yin; An Yin 1Department of Earth and Space Sciences, and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1567, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brian K. Horton; Brian K. Horton 2Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1567, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jiangyu Zhou; Jiangyu Zhou 3Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jianghai Wang Jianghai Wang 3Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Matthew S. Spurlin 1Department of Earth and Space Sciences, and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1567, USA An Yin 1Department of Earth and Space Sciences, and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1567, USA Brian K. Horton 2Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1567, USA Jiangyu Zhou 3Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China Jianghai Wang 3Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 23 Jan 2004 Revision Received: 22 Sep 2004 Accepted: 16 Nov 2004 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2005) 117 (9-10): 1293–1317. https://doi.org/10.1130/B25572.1 Article history Received: 23 Jan 2004 Revision Received: 22 Sep 2004 Accepted: 16 Nov 2004 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Matthew S. Spurlin, An Yin, Brian K. Horton, Jiangyu Zhou, Jianghai Wang; Structural evolution of the Yushu-Nangqian region and its relationship to syncollisional igneous activity, east-central Tibet. GSA Bulletin 2005;; 117 (9-10): 1293–1317. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B25572.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Field mapping, geochronological analyses, and cross section construction reveal a protracted deformation history and a minimum of 61 km of Cenozoic NE-SW shortening (in present coordinates) across the Yushu-Nangqian thrust belt in northern Tibet. Cenozoic contraction started prior to 51 Ma and was followed first by northwest-striking right-slip faulting and later by northwest-striking left-slip faulting. Renewed NE-SW contraction is expressed by folding of Neogene strata and thrusting, which again was followed by northwest-striking left-slip faults. Late Neogene deformation is expressed by local north-striking normal faults. Shortening across the Yushu-Nangqian belt appears to be accommodated by thin-skinned thrusting, which raises the question of how the deformation was accommodated in the lower crustal levels. To resolve this problem, we perform geochemical analysis of igneous rocks dated as 51–49 and 38–37 Ma. The rocks exhibit geochemical signatures characteristic of subduction, which implies that coeval crustal thickening in northeastern Tibet was most likely induced by continental subduction. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.