Evolution characteristics of Quaternary tectonic stress field in the north and east margin of Qinghai-Xizang plateau

Abstract

By inversion of fault slip data for Quaternary tectonic stress field and the analysis of crustal deformation after late Teriary, we explained the evolution of crustal dynamic about the north and east margin of Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) plateau since Miocene. From middle or late Miocene to early Pleistocene, the tectonic stress field was featured by a maximum principal compression which was coming from the collision of India Plate perpendicular to the boundary of the plateau, and was basically of reverse faulting type. Since the late period of early Pleistocene, India Plate continued to push northward and the compressional deformation of the plateau interior increased continuously, meanwhile, NW-SE extension appeared on the east side of the plateau. This formed a favorable condition for the interior block of the plateau to slide towards east and southeast, causing the faults surrounding the plateau to change from thrust to strike-slip. The contemporary tectonic stress field was formed from the late period of early Pleistocene and continued to present. The direction of maximum principal compressional stress rotated clockwise with respect to the previous tectonic stress field, the stress field was mainly of strike-slip type.