Long displacement of thrusts and tectonic patterns in the central Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Objective Thrust nappe structures are widely developed in the Qiangtang Basin. Clarifying the episodes and structural styles of this tectonic movement is of great significance for oil and gas exploration in the Qiangtang Basin. Methods Detailed field observations combined with integrated interpretation of 2D seismic data reveal two episodes of long-distance southward thrusting in the Shuanghu area of the central Tibetan Plateau, one in the Late Cretaceous and the other in the Paleogene. Results Late Cretaceous southward thrusting formed a huge nappe of the Bilogco–Andarco Paleo-petroliferous System (BAPS) overlying the Upper Cretaceous Abushan Formation (Fm), and rooted in the Dirangbico–South Yaqu Thrust (DST). The minimal displacement of the BAPS–DST thrust system is 116 km, corresponding to more than 54% crustal shortening in the Late Cretaceous. The Paleogene southward thrusting occurring north of the DST formed the Dawoco–Tuco Thrust (DTT) in the Northern Qiangtang Depression. The minimal displacement of the DTT is 38 km, corresponding to more than 53% crustal shortening. Conclusions Both the DST–BAPS and the DTT are thin-skinned thrusts, and thick gypsum layers in the Lower–Middle Jurassic formations act as favorable detachment layers for the long-displacement thrust. The foreland basins and molasse formations of the Abushan and Kangtuo Fms. formed along the BAPS-–DST and DTT thrust fronts in the Late Cretaceous and Paleogene, respectively. Significance Long-displacement thrusting in the Shuanghu area is key to the accumulation and preservation of oil and gas in the central Qiangtang Basin.

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BibTeX

@article{zhenhan2026long,
  title = {{Long displacement of thrusts and tectonic patterns in the central Tibetan Plateau}},
  author = {WU Zhenhan and ZHAO Zhen and JI Changjun and WU Yan and LIU Zhiwei and LI Yinglie and CHEN Yun},
  journal = {Dizhi lixue xuebao},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026083},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026083},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Long displacement of thrusts and tectonic patterns in the central Tibetan Plateau
AU  - WU Zhenhan
AU  - ZHAO Zhen
AU  - JI Changjun
AU  - WU Yan
AU  - LIU Zhiwei
AU  - LI Yinglie
AU  - CHEN Yun
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/26
JO  - Dizhi lixue xuebao
DO  - 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026083
UR  - https://doi.org/10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026083
AB  - Objective Thrust nappe structures are widely developed in the Qiangtang Basin. Clarifying the episodes and structural styles of this tectonic movement is of great significance for oil and gas exploration in the Qiangtang Basin. Methods Detailed field observations combined with integrated interpretation of 2D seismic data reveal two episodes of long-distance southward thrusting in the Shuanghu area of the central Tibetan Plateau, one in the Late Cretaceous and the other in the Paleogene. Results Late Cretaceous southward thrusting formed a huge nappe of the Bilogco–Andarco Paleo-petroliferous System (BAPS) overlying the Upper Cretaceous Abushan Formation (Fm), and rooted in the Dirangbico–South Yaqu Thrust (DST). The minimal displacement of the BAPS–DST thrust system is 116 km, corresponding to more than 54% crustal shortening in the Late Cretaceous. The Paleogene southward thrusting occurring north of the DST formed the Dawoco–Tuco Thrust (DTT) in the Northern Qiangtang Depression. The minimal displacement of the DTT is 38 km, corresponding to more than 53% crustal shortening. Conclusions Both the DST–BAPS and the DTT are thin-skinned thrusts, and thick gypsum layers in the Lower–Middle Jurassic formations act as favorable detachment layers for the long-displacement thrust. The foreland basins and molasse formations of the Abushan and Kangtuo Fms. formed along the BAPS-–DST and DTT thrust fronts in the Late Cretaceous and Paleogene, respectively. Significance Long-displacement thrusting in the Shuanghu area is key to the accumulation and preservation of oil and gas in the central Qiangtang Basin.
SN  - 1006-6616
ER  -

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