Cenozoic tectonic deformation and uplift of the South Tian Shan: Implications from magnetostratigraphy and balanced cross-section restoration of the Kuqa depression

The collision of India with Eurasia has caused rejuvenated deformation and uplift of the remote Tian Shan intracontinental orogenic range and has led to deposition of thick Cenozoic sediments in its flank depressions. However, our knowledge when and how the range was deformed and uplifted is still limited. We carried out detailed tectonic investigations, seismostratigraphic analysis and paleomagnetic dating of the thrust-fold belt in the Kuqa depression at the southern Tian Shan flank. Combined with re-interpretation of other magnetostratigraphic results in the depression, we determined ages of major stratigraphic boundaries and constructed and restored the balanced cross-section across the depression. The results show that the total Cenozoic shortening along the cross section in the depression is similar to 13.95 km. Significant shortening began at similar to 36 Ma, accelerated since similar to 13 Ma and further increased two- to three-fold since 6.5 Ma, especially since similar to 2.6 Ma. This shortening process caused the development of the Kuqa thrust-fold system associated with the variation of the sedimentation rate, upward coarsening of sediments and a progressive development of growth strata. We therefore argue that significant deformation and uplift of the South Tian Shan began at similar to 36 Ma, becoming more evident since similar to 13 Ma, and culminating since similar to 6.5 Ma reaching its peak after similar to 2.6 Ma. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.