40Ar/39Ar thermochronological evidence for formation and Mesozoic evolution of the northern-central segment of the Altyn Tagh fault system in the northern Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 2005 40Ar/39Ar thermochronological evidence for formation and Mesozoic evolution of the northern-central segment of the Altyn Tagh fault system in the northern Tibetan Plateau Yu Wang; Yu Wang 1Geologic Laboratories Center and Department of Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Xuemin Zhang; Xuemin Zhang 2School of Geophysics and Information Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Erchie Wang; Erchie Wang 3Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100029, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jinfeng Zhang; Jinfeng Zhang 4Department of Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Qi Li; Qi Li 5Institute of Geology, China Seismological Bureau, Beijing 100029, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Guihua Sun Guihua Sun 6Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Yu Wang 1Geologic Laboratories Center and Department of Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China Xuemin Zhang 2School of Geophysics and Information Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China Erchie Wang 3Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100029, China Jinfeng Zhang 4Department of Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China Qi Li 5Institute of Geology, China Seismological Bureau, Beijing 100029, China Guihua Sun 6Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 20 Jul 2004 Revision Received: 12 Dec 2004 Accepted: 10 Jan 2005 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2005) 117 (9-10): 1336–1346. https://doi.org/10.1130/B25685.1 Article history Received: 20 Jul 2004 Revision Received: 12 Dec 2004 Accepted: 10 Jan 2005 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Yu Wang, Xuemin Zhang, Erchie Wang, Jinfeng Zhang, Qi Li, Guihua Sun; 40Ar/39Ar thermochronological evidence for formation and Mesozoic evolution of the northern-central segment of the Altyn Tagh fault system in the northern Tibetan Plateau. GSA Bulletin 2005;; 117 (9-10): 1336–1346. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B25685.1 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 To better constrain the probable timing of formation and evolution of the Altyn Tagh sinistral strike-slip system in the Mesozoic, a 40Ar/39Ar thermochronological study has been carried out in the north-central segment of the Altyn Tagh fault system, the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin, and the eastern Kunlun orogenic belt. Muscovite, biotite, and K-feldspar separated from mylonite, granite, pegmatite, and metamorphic rocks have been analyzed. The range of 40Ar/39Ar data and structural evidence indicate that a peak metamorphic event in terranes bordering the Altyn Tagh fault system occurred between 450 and 420 Ma. At ca. 250–230 Ma there is evidence for initial sinistral strike-slip shearing. Sinistral strike-slip deformation occurred later along the Altyn Tagh fault system at 165–160 Ma and 100–89 Ma, respectively.Cooling histories in the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin and the eastern Kunlun orogenic belt show that these areas also experienced rapid cooling ca. 250–230 Ma, as was the case for the early Altyn Tagh fault system. This regional tectonic and cooling process indicates that the initial formation of the Altyn Tagh sinistral slip fault system occurred in latest Permian–Early Triassic time and was coupled with, or related to, suturing in the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin and the Kunlun orogenic belt. Cooling events along the Altyn Tagh fault system between 165 and 160 Ma and 100–89 Ma were accompanied by differential closure along the Bangong Lake–Nujiang suture zone in its eastern and western sectors during the Middle-Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, respectively (Zhao et al., 2001; Wang et al., 2002). You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.