Active deformation of the Shargyn Basin, a transpressional strike-slip intersection in western Mongolia

Intraplate faulting in central Asia is a major component of the Indo-Eurasian collision. The kinematics and mechanisms of intraplate deformation are important in understanding broad active tectonic patterns, reconstructing past tectonics, analyzing seismic hazard and identifying potential resources. We examine the fault kinematics surrounding the 150 km wide Shargyn Basin at the intersection of the left-lateral transpressional Gobi-Altai fault system and the right-lateral transpressional Altai fault system. The studies were performed using satellite data and targeted field transects. The results suggest the Shargyn basin is formed by a compressional stepover, an uplifted wedge from the intersecting strike-slip systems and many strike-slip terminating thrust splays. Furthermore, local foliation is almost always fault parallel, pointing to the importance of pre-existing structural weaknesses in the development of active faults. This research demonstrates some of the potential kinematics for intraplate transpressional orogenies and emphasizes the importance of pre-existing crustal structure in the development of active faults.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Thompson, Thomas Ben

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Oliver Jagoutz.

• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/114129

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/114129