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<p>Our understanding of the dynamics of mountain belt growth is hampered by the lack of high-resolution kinematic observations spanning entire orogenic belts. This is particularly the case for the structurally complex and nascent Tian Shan plateau. Here we use 8 years of Sentinel-1 data across 2 million square kilometres of the Tian Shan to show that the mountain range is extending along its strike, predominantly by rotating along a northeast-trending distributed shear zone. This zone is conjugate to the range strike but aligned with fast axes of shear-wave splitting measurements and a band of strike-slip earthquakes. We interpret this broad zone of shear as resulting from the clockwise rotation of the indenting Tarim Basin, which drives the northeast-to-east motion of the part of the Tian Shan southeast of the cryptic shear zone. Conjugate strike-slip components on numerous basin-bounding faults within the Tian Shan likely facilitate this escape. The present-day vertical deformation of Tian Shan results from a mix of tectonic, climatic, and anthropogenic forcings, with uplift of the highest peak facilitated by thrust along a south-dipping Nalati fault that could be promoted by deglaciation.</p>

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Extension of Tian Shan along a nascent shear zone

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月22日

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  • Qi Ou,
  • John R. Elliott,
  • Yasser Maghsoudi,
  • Chris Rollins,
  • Milan Lazecky,
  • Tim J. Wright

摘要

Our understanding of the dynamics of mountain belt growth is hampered by the lack of high-resolution kinematic observations spanning entire orogenic belts. This is particularly the case for the structurally complex and nascent Tian Shan plateau. Here we use 8 years of Sentinel-1 data across 2 million square kilometres of the Tian Shan to show that the mountain range is extending along its strike, predominantly by rotating along a northeast-trending distributed shear zone. This zone is conjugate to the range strike but aligned with fast axes of shear-wave splitting measurements and a band of strike-slip earthquakes. We interpret this broad zone of shear as resulting from the clockwise rotation of the indenting Tarim Basin, which drives the northeast-to-east motion of the part of the Tian Shan southeast of the cryptic shear zone. Conjugate strike-slip components on numerous basin-bounding faults within the Tian Shan likely facilitate this escape. The present-day vertical deformation of Tian Shan results from a mix of tectonic, climatic, and anthropogenic forcings, with uplift of the highest peak facilitated by thrust along a south-dipping Nalati fault that could be promoted by deglaciation.