Kinematics of Cenozoic shortening of the Hotan anticline along the northwestern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (Western Kunlun, China)

Kinematic constraints on the Cenozoic deformation along northwestern edge of Tibetan Plateau remain limited. Combining surface geological data and seismic profiles, we document structural geometry kinematics large-scale east-west striking Hotan anticline, foothills Western Kunlun Range. Four new balanced cross-sections are constructed, temporal evolution is deciphered from exceptionally well-imaged growth strata at front fold. This anticline results a broad fault-bend fold, subsequently deformed by footwall duplex. The total shortening across whole structure relatively constant strike, ∼40 to ∼35 km. However, accommodated duplex varies laterally ∼50-40 % 0 shortening. Two distinct successive patterns recognised interpreted be representative ramp followed onset initiated ∼16 Ma. Deformation underlying began ∼12 Ma west propagated eastward. From these results, determine rate ∼5 mm/yr ∼8-9 thrust system, significant decrease in rate, possibly down <0.5 mm/yr. We explore significance this deceleration scale broader regional as it may point kinematic re-organisation late Miocene. article protected copyright. All rights reserved.