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

WU Zhenhan; ZHAO Zhen; JI Changjun; WU Yan; LIU Zhiwei; LI Yinglie; CHEN Yun

doi:10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026083

Volume 32 Issue 5

Oct. 2026

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Article Navigation > Journal of Geomechanics > 2026 > 32(5): 1004-1012

WU Z H，ZHAO Z，JI C J，et al.，2026. Long displacement of thrusts and tectonic patterns in the central Tibetan Plateau[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，32（5）：1004−1012 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026083

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

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026083

1.
Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
2.
Shaanxi Coal Geology Group, Xi'an 710021, Shannxi, China

Funds: This research was financially supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project (Grant Nos. 2025ZD1004600 and 2024ZD1001005), the Geological Survey Project of China Geological Survey (Grant Nos. DD2026022104 and DD20230315), the Project of Shaanxi Coal Geology Group (Grant Nos. SMDZ-2022ZD-8 and SMDZ-2021-1), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. U24A20597), and the Science and Technology Plan Project of Xizang Autonomous Region (Grant No. XZ202403ZY0040).

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Author Bio:
吴珍汉，中国地质科学院二级研究员，2025年荣获第十九次李四光地质科学奖科研奖。现任世界地质图委员会（CGMW）副主席，中国国际地球科学计划全国委员会秘书长，西藏自治区发展咨询委员会委员。长期从事青藏高原形成演化、构造地质及应用研究，主持完成西藏当雄幅1∶25万区域地质调查、青藏铁路沿线活动断层勘测与地应力测量及工程应用、青藏高原深部探测在矿产资源评价中的应用研究；创新提出羌塘盆地逆冲推覆构造成藏理论，发现富油裂缝型碳酸盐岩储层和厚达数百米的盐岩盖层，实现清水湖地区能源资源勘查重大突破。第一作者出版专著10部，核心期刊发表论文82篇；获国家科技进步特等奖1项、省部级一等奖1项、省部级二等奖4项，享受国务院政府特殊津贴
Received: 2026-06-30
Revised: 2026-10-04
Accepted: 2026-10-05

Available Online: 2026-10-10

Published: 2026-10-28

Abstract

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.
- thin-skinned thrust,
- thrust displacement,
- Paleogene,
- Late Cretaceous,
- central Qiangtang Basin

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