Neotectonics and glacial deformation in the Karakoram Mountains and Nanga Parbat Himalaya

Owen, L.A. 1989. Neotectonics and deformation in the Karakoram Mountains and Nanga Parbat Himalaya. In: N.-A. Momer and J. Adams (Editors), Paleoseismicity and Neotectonics. Tectonophysics, 163: 227-265. The Karakoram Mountains and the Nanga Parbat Himalaya are one of the most rapidly rising mountain areas in the world with uplift rates in the order of 2 mm/yr. Large-scale regional warping is the most likely form of uplift with the greatest rates around the Nanga Parbat-Haramosh Massif. Only two active faults have been recognised in the Pakistan Karakoram, the Rakhiot and the Misgar valley fault. The Rakhiot fault zone is a neotectonic expression of the rapid uplift centred around the Nanga Parbat syntaxis. Deformation structures in Quatemary and Recent sediments in the Rakhiot area are not produced solely by neotectonic processes but also by processes in the glacial depostional environment and slope related processes. Structures present vary from neotectonic shear zones, folds, thrusts and high-angled faults; glacially produced folds, thrusts, shears and joints; and debris slides bounded by discrete shear zones. The distinction between these structures is vital in making valid neotectonic models for high active mountain belts.