Late Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region, China

Abstract

Research Article| November 01, 1990 Late Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region, China ZHANG PEIZHEN; ZHANG PEIZHEN 1Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar B.C. BURCHFIEL; B.C. BURCHFIEL 1Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar PETER MOLNAR; PETER MOLNAR 1Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar ZHANG WEIQI; ZHANG WEIQI 2Seismological Bureau of Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar JIAO DECHENG; JIAO DECHENG 2Seismological Bureau of Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar DENG QIDONG; DENG QIDONG 3Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar WANG YIPENG; WANG YIPENG 3Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar LEIGH ROYDEN; LEIGH ROYDEN 1Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar SONG FANGMIN SONG FANGMIN 3Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1990) 102 (11): 1484–1498. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1990)102<1484:LCTEOT>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation ZHANG PEIZHEN, B.C. BURCHFIEL, PETER MOLNAR, ZHANG WEIQI, JIAO DECHENG, DENG QIDONG, WANG YIPENG, LEIGH ROYDEN, SONG FANGMIN; Late Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region, China. GSA Bulletin 1990;; 102 (11): 1484–1498. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1990)102<1484:LCTEOT>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Part of the transition from active crustal shortening and strike-slip faulting in northwestern China to active extension in northeastern China takes place within the Ningxia Autonomous Region. Four arcuate zones of both strike-slip faults and thrust faults with associated ramp anticlines dominate the structures in southern Ningxia. Deformation in these zones indicates that a component of left-slip displacement is transferred into crustal shortening on north-south-trending folds and thrust faults. The average Quaternary slip rate along the Haiyuan-Liupan Shan fault zone is 5-10 mm/yr, and that along the Tianjin Shan-Mibo Shan fault zone is about 1.5-2.7 mm/yr. The amount of offset and rate of slip along the Yanton Shan and the Niushou Shan-Daluo Shan fault zones are unknown, but the topography of the mountains suggests that the rates of slip along these zones is lower than that of the Haiyuan-Liupan Shan fault zone. Deformation in northern Ningxia is dominated by normal faulting and extension. The Helan Shan rise about 2,000 m above the Yinchuan basin, reportedly filled with a few kilometers of Cenozoic sediments. The average rate of vertical separation in Quaternary time along the East Helan Shan fault is estimated to be at least 0.5-0.8 mm/yr. Opening of the Yinchuan graben is probably partly related to left-lateral slip on the Niushou Shan and Daluo Shan fault zone. The northeastern margin of Tibetan Plateau is probably being elevated by the irregular growth of convergent and left-slip structural zones. The evolution of deformation along the Haiyuan-Liupan Shan structural zone probably foreshadows the future deformation in the ranges north of it. Left slip and shortening within the Ningxia region appears to accommodate less than 20-25 km of east or northeast displacement of crustal fragments of the northern Tibetan Plateau. Large-magnitude lateral transport of crust with respect to the area to the east has not taken place within the part of the Ningxia region covered by this study. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this article.