Low Quaternary slip rate reconciles geodetic and geologic rates along the Altyn Tagh fault, northwestern Tibet

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 2009 Low Quaternary slip rate reconciles geodetic and geologic rates along the Altyn Tagh fault, northwestern Tibet Eric Cowgill; Eric Cowgill 1Department of Geology, University of California–Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ryan D. Gold; Ryan D. Gold 1Department of Geology, University of California–Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Chen Xuanhua; Chen Xuanhua 2Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Wang Xiao-Feng; Wang Xiao-Feng 2Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J Ramón Arrowsmith; J Ramón Arrowsmith 3School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John Southon John Southon 4Earth Systems Science Department, University of California–Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2009) 37 (7): 647–650. https://doi.org/10.1130/G25623A.1 Article history received: 28 Oct 2008 rev-recd: 10 Feb 2009 accepted: 05 Mar 2009 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Eric Cowgill, Ryan D. Gold, Chen Xuanhua, Wang Xiao-Feng, J Ramón Arrowsmith, John Southon; Low Quaternary slip rate reconciles geodetic and geologic rates along the Altyn Tagh fault, northwestern Tibet. Geology 2009;; 37 (7): 647–650. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G25623A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract For more than two decades the slip rate along the active, left-slip Altyn Tagh fault of northwestern Tibet has been disputed, with millennial rates reported to be as much as three times faster than those determined geodetically. This problem is significant because the total offset, plate-boundary length, and age of the Altyn Tagh fault make it the most important single structure accommodating India-Asia convergence north of the Himalayas. Here we show that the central Altyn Tagh fault slipped at only 14–9 mm/a over the past 4–6 ka by tightly bracketing the age of a displaced fluvial terrace riser at Yuemake (88.51°E, 38.19°N). This result contradicts previous latest Quaternary rates and is consistent with those derived from geodetic, paleoseismic, and geologic measurements, and thus resolves the long-standing dispute over the latest Quaternary slip rate along the longest active strike-slip fault in Tibet. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.