Limited Northward Expansion of the Tibetan Plateau in the Late Cenozoic: Insights From the Cherchen Fault in the Southeastern Tarim Basin

The northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is defined by the left‐lateral Altyn Tagh fault. It remains unclear whether the Cenozoic deformation related to the India‐Asia collision has remained stationary along the Altyn Tagh fault or propagated northward into the southeastern Tarim Basin. The Cenozoic Cherchen fault is located in the southeastern Tarim Basin, ∼90–120 km north of the Altyn Tagh fault, and thus, may play a critical role in addressing this issue. Here, we used a densely‐spaced two‐dimensional seismic reflection survey to investigate the geometry and kinematics of the Cherchen fault and understand its role in the expansion of the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Our seismic study shows that the Cenozoic Cherchen fault is a high‐angle left‐lateral transpressional fault. Kinematic analysis of the Cherchen fault suggests that a restraining bend structure has formed along its central segment. Stratigraphic records suggest that the Cherchen fault initiated in the Paleozoic and reactivated during the middle Miocene (ca. 17–15.7 Ma). We infer that the dip‐slip and strike‐slip rates of the Cherchen fault are ∼0.09 mm/a and ∼1.66 mm/a, respectively. A regional cross section reveals that the northward expansion of the plateau is ongoing, but the range is limited to ∼90–120 km. We interpret that middle Miocene tectonic activity throughout the region was also concentrated along the northern plateau margin, defined by both northeast‐directed crustal shortening and northward expansion of the plateau. The Tibetan Plateau is propagating north of the Altyn Tagh fault into the Tarim Basin, evidenced by slip along the Cherchen faultStructural analysis of the Cherchen fault suggests it is a high‐angle transpressional faultThe northward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau is ongoing but limited to ∼90–120 km The Tibetan Plateau is propagating north of the Altyn Tagh fault into the Tarim Basin, evidenced by slip along the Cherchen fault Structural analysis of the Cherchen fault suggests it is a high‐angle transpressional fault The northward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau is ongoing but limited to ∼90–120 km