Magnitude of post-Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) displacement on the central Altyn Tagh fault system, northwest China

Research Article| January 01, 2000 Magnitude of post–Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) displacement on the central Altyn Tagh fault system, northwest China Bradley D. Ritts; Bradley D. Ritts 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ulderico Biffi Ulderico Biffi 2Agip, LABO-STIG, Laboratori Eniricerche, Via Maritano 26, Bolgiano, 20097 San Donato Milanese (Mi), Italy Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2000) 112 (1): 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2000)112<61:MOPJBD>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 17 Dec 1997 rev-recd: 04 Jan 1999 accepted: 13 Apr 1999 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 Bradley D. Ritts, Ulderico Biffi; Magnitude of post–Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) displacement on the central Altyn Tagh fault system, northwest China. GSA Bulletin 2000;; 112 (1): 61–74. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2000)112<61:MOPJBD>2.0.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 The Altyn Tagh fault system, a key structural feature in the tectonic collage of central Asia, is an active left-lateral strike-slip fault system. However, its age of initiation, kinematic history, and total magnitude of displacement are not well known. Middle Jurassic nonmarine sedimentary rocks that crop out along the central segment of the Altyn Tagh fault were deposited in a contiguous Tarim-Qaidam foreland-style basin that was geodynamically linked to Mesozoic contraction in the Tian Shan, Bei Shan, Qilian Shan, and Kunlun Shan. This study documents the best evidence of a piercing point to date, consisting of an offset lacustrine shoreline demarcated by Aalenian-Bajocian open lacustrine strata to the west and fluvial and alluvial strata of comparable age to the east. Detrital compositions, palynology, paleocurrents, and lithostratigraphy support correlation of these sections. Restoration of this Jurassic facies boundary indicates 400 ± 60 km of post-Bajocian left-lateral separation on the Altyn Tagh fault. Consistent with this result, restoration of the Jurassic shoreline aligns felsic plutons across the western segment of the Altyn Tagh fault system that may have been left-laterally offset by 360 km. These two pairs of offset features suggest that the current best estimate for net magnitude of post-Bajocian left-lateral separation on the Altyn Tagh fault is about 360 km. You do not currently have access to this article.