Miocene to present activity along the Red River fault, China, in the context of continental extrusion, upper-crustal rotation, and lower-crustal flow

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2006 Miocene to present activity along the Red River fault, China, in the context of continental extrusion, upper-crustal rotation, and lower-crustal flow Lindsay M. Schoenbohm; Lindsay M. Schoenbohm 1Department of Geological Sciences, Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar B. Clark Burchfiel; B. Clark Burchfiel 2Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Chen Liangzhong; Chen Liangzhong 3Yunnan Institute of Geological Sciences, No. 87 Donfeng Alley, Donfeng East Road, Kunming 650051, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Yin Jiyun Yin Jiyun 3Yunnan Institute of Geological Sciences, No. 87 Donfeng Alley, Donfeng East Road, Kunming 650051, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Lindsay M. Schoenbohm 1Department of Geological Sciences, Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA B. Clark Burchfiel 2Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Chen Liangzhong 3Yunnan Institute of Geological Sciences, No. 87 Donfeng Alley, Donfeng East Road, Kunming 650051, China Yin Jiyun 3Yunnan Institute of Geological Sciences, No. 87 Donfeng Alley, Donfeng East Road, Kunming 650051, China Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 27 Feb 2005 Revision Received: 12 Oct 2005 Accepted: 29 Dec 2005 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2006) 118 (5-6): 672–688. https://doi.org/10.1130/B25816.1 Article history Received: 27 Feb 2005 Revision Received: 12 Oct 2005 Accepted: 29 Dec 2005 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Lindsay M. Schoenbohm, B. Clark Burchfiel, Chen Liangzhong, Yin Jiyun; Miocene to present activity along the Red River fault, China, in the context of continental extrusion, upper-crustal rotation, and lower-crustal flow. GSA Bulletin 2006;; 118 (5-6): 672–688. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B25816.1 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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Detailed mapping of field relationships along the Red River fault reveals information about the distribution and magnitude of slip along the fault, about its interactions with other regional fault systems, and the relationship between river incision and growth of the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The Red River fault is complex, consisting of up to four strands, and is dominated by right-lateral strike-slip displacement. Evidence for an extensional component of displacement is strongest along the northern part of the fault, and decreases to the southeast, to zero southeast of a major bend in the fault. Results of this study indicate dextral displacement on the Red River fault is probably at least ∼40 km, 15–16 km of which predates incision of the Red River in Pliocene time or later, and probably also predates plateau growth and development of other regional fault systems. Long-term average slip rate on the Red River fault is a minimum of ∼5 mm/yr. However, regional active tectonics are characterized by rotation of the upper crust around the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, bounded to the east by the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system, which deflects but does not cut the Red River fault. The distributed nature of the Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault system as it approaches the Red River fault is important for accommodating shearing across the strong crustal anisotropy formed by the Red River fault and Ailao Shan shear zone. The Red River fault appears to terminate in the extending Dali fault system in northwest Yunnan. Pliocene surface uplift, river incision, and rotation around the eastern Himalayan syntaxis are inconsistent with the pre-Pliocene displacement on the Red River fault and lateral extrusion along the Ailao Shan shear zone advocated by the "extrusion model." This suggests a significant change in crustal conditions on the southeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau in Pliocene time, possibly the result of lower-crustal flow. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.