Abstract
Based on field geological survey, structural measurements and classical 40Ar/39Ar dating of mica, biotite and K-feldspar, we obtain cooling ages for Miocene left-lateral shear along the Xianshuihe fault zone. The results document two thermal events during the sinistral shear. The early event (12–10 Ma) corresponds to rapid cooling of the Zheduoshan granitic massif from above 700°C to below 350°C. The late event (5–3.5 Ma) corresponds to cooling of granites intruded along the eastern side of the fault zone. These dating results provide important thermochronological constraint on the timing of late Cenozoic eastward extrusion of the Chuan-Dian Block in the SE Tibetan margin.
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Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Professor Dong Shuwen and Professor Zhao Yue for their logistical supports. This work was supported by the Basic Research and Development Project (Grant No. 20010202) of the Minister of Land and Resources.
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Zhang, Y., Chen, W. & Yang, N. 40Ar/39Ar dating of shear deformation of the Xianshuihe fault zone in west Sichuan and its tectonic significance. SCI CHINA SER D 47, 794–803 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03653272
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03653272