Structural framework and its evolution in Chasang area of Qiangtang Basin in northern Tibetan

Through comprehensive research on the various geophysical and geological data acquired recently, we consider that the Chasang area in the western uplift of Qiangtang is a huge south-dipping block which is overlapped by several east-west trending blocks rather than a simple and palaeo-doming existing for a long time. The structural and geophysical features of the area, which only alone limited between Shuanghu and Rongma districts, are of no regional significance. Their development is closely related with the approximately south-north trending transform faults developed during the Mesozoic era on the east and west sides of the area and their later continuous movement. The compressing, overlapping and uplifting of the Chasang area began at the stage of reversing of the Qiangtang Basin during the Lower Cretaceous, which is in direct relation with Bangonghu-Dingqing limited ocean’s closure and the convergence of the neighboring blocks. The compression and overlapping of the area have further developed and reformed since the Eocene because of the continuing collision and pushing of the Indian Plate to the north.