Timing and magnitude of displacement on the Altyn Tagh fault: constraints from stratigraphic correlation of adjoining Tarim and Qaidam basins, NW China

The Altyn Tagh fault plays an important role in growth of the north‐western Tibetan plateau, but the timing of its inception and magnitude of left‐lateral displacement are not well constrained. This study provides new independent constraints by correlating stratigraphic development and spatial distribution of the neighbouring Tarim and Qaidam basins. It is shown that the Tarim and Qaidam basins experienced quite similar stratigraphic and sedimentary evolution from late Sinian to early Palaeogene times. This fact indicates that the Tarim and Qaidam basins were a single block, at least until Oligocene time, which was then offset by the Altyn Tagh fault. Early Palaeozoic and Late Triassic suture zones within the East and West Kunlun and pinch‐outs of Mesozoic strata are chosen as piercing lines. Restoration of these lines gives total offset estimates of ˜ 350–400 km across the south‐western and central segments of the Altyn Tagh fault.