Strike-Slip Model for Altyn Tagh Fault Developed since Late Mesozoic
晚中生代以来阿尔金断裂的走滑模式

Studies of sedimentation since Late Mesozoic in Qaidam and Tarim basins suggest that Qaidam and Tarim basins must have bveen originally combined into one basin before Middle Eocene. Researches on the structural evolution of the reverse "S" structure belts in Qaidam basin show that the strike-slip movement of Altyn fault began at Middle Eocene, controlling the surface sedimentation and the formation of reverse “S” structure belts in Qaidam basin. The samples of deformed Jurassic rocks and Caledonian mylonitized granite from the middle part of Altyn fault give an 89～92 Ma isochron age group of 40Ar/39Ar laser microprobe. These ages suggest that the strike-slip movement started at depth, and gradually extended to the surface. The response of the strike-slip movement at the surface is clearly later than the initiation of this movement at depth.