Central Asian mountain belt

Abstract

Neotectonic structures 'of the Altai, Tien-Shan and Dzungar Alatau have much in common, the mountain regions forming a single Central Asian belt. Its main structural elements are zones of linear deformations, large basins and the central Dzungarian intermountain plain. Morphology of the tectonic relief suggests that lithospheric blocks within the mountain belt underwent strong horizontal crushing and longitudinal flow. Arch-block orogenesis (of Gobian type) prevails, mountains growing at the expense of depressions.

A bilateral symmetry (due to the Altai and Tien-Shan similarity) is typical for the mountain belt structure, as well as longitudinal and transversal translations of structural elements and their combinations. The Central Asian mountain belt was formed in the zone of continental collision by horizontal compression directed submeridionally.