Determination of an intracontinental transform system along the southern Central Asian orogenic belt in the latest Paleozoic

Intracontinental transform structures are important forms of continental deformation, such as the Altyn Tagh fault on Tibetan Plateau. Although many intracontinental have developed throughout geological history, their identification is relatively difficult due to later deformation and sedimentary covering. Strike-slip faults played an role in formation subsequent transformation Central Asian orogenic belt (CAOB). In this study, a group nearly EW-trending dextral shear zones along southern CAOB Beishan, Alxa, northern margin North China Craton Great Xing9an Mountains east, reported. Regional strike-slip duplex systems were strongly superimposed Beishan Alxa regions. Meanwhile, west coeval ductile with same kinematics also CAOB. The ages range from 280 Ma 230 become younger east. This megashear system may connect shortening Ural Orogenic convergence eastern Eurasian continent, which approximately more than 9000 km long continent consists structure central Pangea continent. Further west, Variscan Europe even South Appalachian Belt southeastern America, we call Intra-Pangean Megashear (IPM) after Irving (2004). rotation approach Baltic Siberian Pangean lithosphere heated by mantle plumes its lat.eral (eastward) spreading caused development IPM B A.