In compressional active orogenic belts, crustal deformation is accommodated by strike-slip faults and thrust faults. Studying the fault interactions of different types of active faults is important for understanding mountain building and seismogenic characteristics. This study uses field mapping, high-resolution digital elevation models, and in situ cosmogenic nuclides to present data from active thrusts and thrust-related folds on the southern margin of the Bole Basin, northern Tian Shan. These abandonment ages derived from in situ cosmogenic nuclides indicate that climate plays a significant role in controlling the alluvial surface incision. The crustal shortening rates of the eastern Jinghenan, central Jinghenan, and Yongji Faults are 0.21 +/- 0.04, 0.37 +/- 0.07, and 0.91 +/- 0.08 mm/yr, respectively. Based on the fresh fault scarps, three paleo-earthquakes are identified. The oldest paleo-earthquake (16.6 +/- 2.8 kyr) had a Mw of 6.5 +/- 0.3. The penultimate event (3.0 +/- 0.8-4.4 +/- 0.8 kyr) had a Mw of 6.6 +/- 0.3 or 6.8 +/- 0.3, while the most recent one (1.1 +/- 0.3 kyr) had a Mw of 7.0 +/- 0.3 or 6.5 +/- 0.3. Fault geometries and seismic activity indicate these thrusts and right-lateral strike-slip faults on both sides of Keguqin Range converge depth and form a positive half-flower structure. Crustal thickening outpaces denudation, showing that the Bole Basin is in an unsteady state. Keguqin Range is experiencing lateral growth, and as a result, the intermountain basins are expected to gradually diminish.
