Kongur Shan normal fault: Type example of mountain building assisted by extension (Karakoram fault, eastern Pamir)

Research Article| August 01, 1994 Kongur Shan normal fault: Type example of mountain building assisted by extension (Karakoram fault, eastern Pamir) M. Brunel; M. Brunel 1Laboratoire de Géologie, URA 1763 CNRS, Université Montpellier II, Montpellier-34095, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar N. Arnaud; N. Arnaud 2Laboratoire de Géologie, URA 10 CNRS Clermont Ferrand, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar P. Tapponnier; P. Tapponnier 3Laboratoire de Tectonique, Institut de Physique du Globe, Paris, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Y. Pan; Y. Pan 4Institute of Geology, Academia Sinica, Beijing, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Y. Wang Y. Wang 4Institute of Geology, Academia Sinica, Beijing, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information M. Brunel 1Laboratoire de Géologie, URA 1763 CNRS, Université Montpellier II, Montpellier-34095, France N. Arnaud 2Laboratoire de Géologie, URA 10 CNRS Clermont Ferrand, France P. Tapponnier 3Laboratoire de Tectonique, Institut de Physique du Globe, Paris, France Y. Pan 4Institute of Geology, Academia Sinica, Beijing, China Y. Wang 4Institute of Geology, Academia Sinica, Beijing, China Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1994) 22 (8): 707–710. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1994)022<0707:KSNFTE>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation M. Brunel, N. Arnaud, P. Tapponnier, Y. Pan, Y. Wang; Kongur Shan normal fault: Type example of mountain building assisted by extension (Karakoram fault, eastern Pamir). Geology 1994;; 22 (8): 707–710. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1994)022<0707:KSNFTE>2.3.CO;2 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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The northernmost segment of the Karakoram fault is an active normal dextral wrench fault that bounds the Muji-Tashgurgan Pliocene-Quaternary basin (eastern Pamir). The Kongurshan (7719 m) and Mustaghata (7546 m) mountains are interpreted as twin crustal ramp anticlines formed en echelon on the eastern side of the Karakoram fault by subduction of the Tarim lithosphere under the Pamir. West-dipping S/C mylonitic gneisses that have downdip stretching lineations form the western flank of Kongur Mountain. Kinematic criteria consistently indicate a top-to-the-west sense of shear. The mylonitic foliation is cut by a steeper active normal fault, which is marked by prominent triangular facets on west-facing spurs. The ductile normal shearing deformation occurred during the interval 5-1 Ma. Therefore, like the Himalayas, the Pamir mountain range shows the coeval development of frontal thrusting and rear normal faulting. The Kongur fault thus appears to be an excellent example of synorogenic extension where normal faulting contributes to relief. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.