Active low-angle (?) normal faulting along the North Lunggar rift, western Tibet

Here we present surface exposure ages of faulted fluvial terraces using cosmogenic nuclides from the North Lunggar rift. The Lunggar rift is one of seven major north-striking rift basins accommodating east-west directed extension on the Tibetan Plateau. The Lunggar rift in west-central Tibet is divided into two distinct north and south segments based on fault geometry. The North Lunggar range is bounded on its east side by a <40 degree dipping, ~N-striking normal fault. This normal fault is considered inactive as the main detachment is unconformably overlain by unfaulted moraines and alluvial fans. Farther into the hanging wall basin, approximately 6 km eastward, several fault scarps parallel the Lunggar detachment. Locally, active faulting is distributed in the hanging wall with as many as seven normal fault scarps accommodating active east-west directed extension. Recent activity of these smaller faults is apparent from cross-cut fluvial terraces that have been uplifted by as much as 75 m. The geomorphology and fault geometry of the North Lunggar rift are consistent with high-angle normal faults that sole into a single master detachment fault at depth. A high-resolution digital elevation model constructed from real-time kinematic-GPS data has made details of the geomorphology clear and allowed for precise measurements of geomorphic offsets across the fault scarps. We estimate the surface abandonment ages using the depth profiling approach with cosmogenic nuclides. Three cosmogenic depth profiles are being analyzed in this study with each depth profile consisting of five samples at varying depths in order to account for inheritance. Site 1 is the southernmost and is on the highest uplifted fluvial terrace and is being prepared for 10Be analysis. Site 2 comprises two depth profiles on the highest and intermediate uplifted terraces, respectively. Samples at site 2 have low quartz yields and are being prepared for 36Cl analysis. Combining the fault offsets and surface exposure ages will provide Quaternary slip-rates of active normal faulting along the North Lunggar rift. A comparison between our results and those of other rift basins across Tibet will produce a recent kinematic image of Tibetan extension that should prove useful in reconciling the debate between models for continuum and rigid block styles of deformation.