Movement of Ordos block and alternation of activity along its boundaries

The GPS data in and around the Ordos block area indicate that the left-lateral slip rate along the northern or southern margin of the Ordos block is about twice or three times as fast as the right-lateral slip rate along the eastern or western margin of the block. However, many researchers stressed the dextral-slip of the eastern or western boundaries of the Ordos block, and suggested that the block as a whole rotated counterclockwise based on the available geological data. Focusing on the inconsistency, we reexamine the late Cenozoic deformation pattern in the Ordos region based on seismicity data and geodesy data (GPS and leveling) around it. The results indicate that the rigid block-like motion appears to be the basic characteristic of the kinematics of the Ordos region, and this motion is absorbed by the displacement of the faults around the block. When the faults along the northern and southern boundaries of the Ordos block are active, its eastern boundary is inactive. However, if the faults along the eastern boundary are active, the northern and southern are inactive. In recent years, the northern and southern boundaries of the Ordos block are in active. But in the long term, the Ordos block is moving southeastward relative to the Alxa and Yinshan blocks because of the strong pushing of the Tibetan Plateau on its southwestern side, and this deformation is accommodated by the counterclockwise rotation of the block itself.     

GPS观测及断裂晚第四纪滑动速率所反映的青藏高原北部变形

断裂晚第四纪滑动速率及现今GPS观测揭示了青藏高原向北扩展与高原边缘隆升的运动特征.主要断裂晚第四纪滑动速率及跨断裂GPS应变速率的结果表明,青藏高原北部边缘的断裂以低滑动速率（＜10 mm/a）为主,特别是两条边界断裂：阿尔金断裂和海原—祁连山断裂.两条主要边界断裂上的滑动速率分布显示了断裂间滑动速率转换及调整特征.阿尔金断裂自95°E以西的8～12 mm/a稳定滑动速率,向东逐渐降低到最东端的约1～2 mm/a,而海原断裂自哈拉湖一带开始发育后滑动速率为1～2 mm/a,到祁连一带（101°E以东）增大到相对稳定的4～5 mm/a,直到过海原后转向六盘山一带,滑动速率降低到1～3 mm/a,甚至更低.滑动速率的变化及分布特征显示,阿尔金断裂滑动主要是通过祁连山内部隆起及两侧新生代盆地变形引起的缩短来吸收的,海原—祁连山断裂的低滑动速率及沿断裂运动学特征表明断裂尾端的陇西盆地变形及六盘山的隆起是断裂左旋走滑速率的主要吸收方式.这一变形特征表明,青藏高原北部边缘的变形模式是一种分布式的连续变形,变形发生自高原内部,边界断裂的走滑被高原内部变形所吸收.     

Discovery of the Longriba fault zone in eastern Bayan Har block,China and its tectonic implication

Re-measured GPS data have recently revealed that a broad NE trending dextral shear zone exists in the eastern Bayan Har block about 200 km northwest of the Longmenshan thrust on the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The strain rate along this shear zone may reach up to 4-6 mm/a. Our interpretation of satellite images and field observations indicate that this dextral shear zone corresponds to a newly generated NE trending Longriba fault zone that has been ignored before. The northeast segment of the Longriba fault zone consists of two subparallel N54°±5°E trending branch faults about 30 km apart, and late Quaternary offset landforms are well developed along the strands of these two branch faults. The northern branch fault, the Longriqu fault, has relatively large reverse component, while the southern branch fault, the Maoergai fault, is a pure right-lateral strike slip fault. According to vector synthesizing principle, the average right-lateral strike slip rate along the Longriba fault zone in the late Quaternary is calculated to be 5.4±2.0 mm/a, the vertical slip rate to be 0.7 mm/a, and the rate of crustal shortening to be 0.55 mm/a. The discovery of the Longriba fault zone may provide a new insight into the tectonics and dynamics of the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Taken the Longriba fault zone as a boundary, the Bayan Har block is divided into two sub-blocks: the Ahba sub-block in the west and the Longmenshan sub-block in the east. The shortening and uplifting of the Longmenshan sub-block as a whole reflects that both the Longmenshan thrust and Longriba fault zone are subordinated to a back propagated nappe tectonic system that was formed during the southeastward motion of the Bayan Har block owing to intense resistance of the South China block. This nappe tectonic system has become a boundary tectonic type of an active block supporting crustal deformation along the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from late Cenozoic till now. The Longriba fault zone is just an active fault zone newly-generated in late Quaternary along this tectonic system.     

青藏高原东部构造块体的运动学及形变特征分析

通过分析青藏高原东部的活动断裂资料和GPS速度场数据,试图阐述活动地块的几何学、运动学和形变特征。初步认为:(1)第四纪特别是晚更新世以来的活动地块边界带与早期的构造单元边界密切相关,但也具有明显的新生性;(2)根据两种资料推导出的各个活动地块的运动学特征基本上是吻合的,其中鲜水河-玉树-玛尼断裂带是一条重要的分界线,其南、北部活动地块的运动方式差异明显;(3)除了活动地块的边界带强烈活动外,各个地块内部也显示出很强的变形;(4)晚更新世以来,青藏高原地壳的运动学和形变特征表现为在印度板块挤压力作用下,活动地块在向NE方向的运动过程中遇到稳定地块阻挡,调节方式是地壳增厚以及南、北部地块分别向SE-SSE和NWW-W方向的构造软弱部位水平侧向迁移。     

Present-Day Crustal Vertical Motion Around the Ordos Block Constrained by Precise Leveling and GPS Data

Precise leveling data observed in the period of 1970–2014 around the Ordos block were collected and processed to estimate present-day crustal vertical movement. Vertical rates of 6 GPS sites were employed as a priori constraints to define the reference frame. The velocity field shows that the interior of the Ordos block moves upward at a rate of 3 mm/a as a stable block. With respect to the central Ordos, the grabens and rifts around the Ordos block are undergoing subsidence, while the northeastern and southwestern Ordos uplift at the average rates of 2 and 1 mm/a, respectively. To the southeastern margin of the Ordos block, the Weihe and southern Shanxi grabens are subsiding at the rates of 4–6 mm/a. The subsidence of the Shanxi graben indicates that the graben is experiencing extensional movement on a long timescale. To the northwestern margin of the Ordos block, the Hetao and Yinchuan rifts are subsiding at the rates of 2–3 mm/a. A 2-D buried faulting model is used to infer the normal or reverse dip-slip rates. Our solution shows that most of the normal slip rates along the faults in the grabens and rifts are ~2 mm/a.     

PRESENT-DAY KINEMATICS OF THE ORDOS BLOCK AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS FROM GPS OBSERVATIONS

Located among the South China block, Tibetan plateau, Alxa block and Yinshan orogenic belt, the Ordos block is famous for its significant kinematic features with stable tectonics of its interior but frequent large earthquakes surrounding it. After the destruction of the North China Craton, the integrity, rotation movement and kinematic relations with its margins are hotly debated. With the accumulation of active tectonics data, and paleomagnetic and GPS observations, some kinematic models have emerged to describe rotation movement of the Ordos block since the 1970's, including clockwise rotation, anticlockwise rotation, clockwise-anticlockwise-alternate rotation, and sub-block rotation, etc. All of these models are not enough to reflect the whole movement of the Ordos block, because the data used are limited to local areas.
In this study, based on denser geophysical observations, such as GPS and SKS splitting data, we analyzed present-day crustal and mantle deformation characteristics in the Ordos block and its surrounding areas. GPS baselines, strain rates, and strain time series are calculated to describe the intrablock deformation and kinematic relationship between Ordos block and its margins. SKS observations are used to study the kinematic relationship between crust and deeper mantle and their dynamic mechanisms, combined with the absolute plate motion(APM)and kinematic vorticity parameters. Our results show that the Ordos block behaves rigidly and rotates anticlockwise relative to the stable Eurasia plate(Euler pole: (50.942±1.935)°N, (115.692±0.303)°E, (0.195±0.006)°/Ma). The block interior sees a weak deformation of~5 nano/a and a velocity difference of smaller than 2mm/a, which can be totally covered by the uncertainties of GPS data. Therefore, the Ordos block is moving as a whole without clear differential movement under the effective range of resolution of the available GPS datasets. Its western and eastern margins are characterized by two strong right-lateral shearing belts, where 0.2°~0.4°/Ma of rotation is measured by the GPS baseline pairs. However, its northern and southern margins are weakly deformed with left-lateral shearing, where only 0.1°/Ma of rotation is measured. Kinematics in the northeastern Tibetan plateau and western margin of the Ordos block can be described with vertical coherence model with strong coupling between the crust and deeper mantle induced by the strong extrusion of the Tibetan plateau. The consistency between SKS fast wave direction and absolute plate motion suggests the existence of mantle flow along the Qinling orogenic belt, which may extend to the interior of the Ordos block. SKS fast wave directions are consistent with the direction of the asthenosphere flow in Shanxi Rift and Taihang Mountains, indicating that the crustal deformation of these areas is controlled by subduction of the Pacific plate to North China. The week anisotropy on SKS in the interior of Ordos block is from fossil anisotropy in the craton interior. After comparing with the absolute plate motion direction and deformation model, we deem that anisotropy in the interior of Ordos block comes from anisotropy of fossils frozen in the lithosphere. In conclusion, the Ordos block is rotating anticlockwise relative to its margins, which may comes from positive movement of its margins driven by lithospheric extrusion or mantle flow beneath, and its self-rotation is slight. This study can provide useful information for discussion of kinematics between the Ordos block and its surrounding tectonic units.     

天山地震带主要活动断层现今的滑动速率及其地震矩亏损

文中收集了1999—2015年天山地震带及其周边地区的GNSS数据,计算得到了速度场结果,并利用弹性块体模型计算了研究区域内各块体的闭锁深度和主要断层的滑动速率.研究结果表明:南天山断裂带西段的迈丹断裂的缩短速率处于高值状态,达(-6.3±1.9)mm/a,高于南天山东段;北天山断裂带西段的缩短速率同样高于东段.利用主...     

Influence of 2008 Wenchuan earthquake on earthquake occurrence trend of active faults in Sichuan-Yunnan region

The Wenchuan earthquake coseismic deformation field is inferred from the coseismic dislocation data based on a 3-D geometric model of the active faults in Sichuan-Yunnan region. Then the potential dislocation displacement is inverted from the deformation field in the 3-D geometric model. While the faults' slip velocities are inverted from GPS and leveling data, which can be used as the long-term slip vector. After the potential dislocation displacements are projected to long-term slip direction, we have got the influence of Wenchuan earthquake on active faults in Sichuan-Yunnan region. The results show that the northwestern segment of Longmenshan fault, the southern segments of Xianshuihe fault, Anninghe fault, Zemuhe fault, northern and southern segments of Daliangshan fault, Mabian fault got earthquake risks advanced of 305, 19, 12, 9.1 and 18, 51 years respectively in the eastern part of Sichuan and Yunnan. The Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault, Nujiang fault, Longling-Lancang fault, Nantinghe fault and Zhongdian fault also got earthquake risks advanced in the western part of Sichuan-Yunnan region. Whereas the northwestern segment of Xianshuihe fault and Xiaojiang fault got earthquake risks reduced after the Wenchuan earthquake.     

鄂尔多斯块体周缘地区现今地壳水平运动与应变

位于青藏块体和华北块体之间的鄂尔多斯块体及其周缘地区是中国大陆构造活动最活跃的地区之一,从1300年至今,在块体周边断陷盆地和西南缘断裂带上发生了五次8级以上的地震.为了了解该地区现今地壳运动、应变状态以及断裂滑动分布,我们收集了中国大陆构造环境监测网络2009—2013年、国家GPS控制网、跨断陷盆地的8个GPS剖面等共527个流动站和32个连续站GPS观测数据,获得了高空间分辨率的地壳水平运动速度场,进一步用均匀弹性模型计算了应变率分布.结果表明,块体内部GPS站点向NEE方向运动,速度变化较小,应变率大多在(-1.0~1.0)×10~(-8)/a之间;山西断陷带构造运动与变形最为强烈,盆地相对于鄂尔多斯块体为拉张变形,应变率为(1.0~3.0)×10~(-8)/a,相对于东部山地则为挤压变形,应变率为(-2.0~-3.0)×10~(-8)/a,盆地西侧断裂(如罗云山断裂、交城断裂)以拉张运动为主,拉张速率为2~3mm·a-1,盆地东侧断裂主要以右旋缩短运动为主,速率为1~3mm·a-1;河套断陷带西部的临河凹陷处于较强的张性应变状态,应变率为(2.0~3.0)×10~(-8)/a;块体西南边缘处于压缩应变状态,应变率为(-1.0~-2.0)×10~(-8)/a,六盘山断裂存在明显的地壳缩短运动,速率约为2.1mm·a-1,速率在断裂附近逐渐减小,反映了断裂处于闭锁状态;相对于鄂尔多斯块体内部渭河断裂带为左旋运动,速率为1.0mm·a-1,盆地处在弱拉张变形状态.     

软流圈物质运动对鄂尔多斯块体周缘断陷盆地运动特征的影响

研究软流圈物质运动及其对断陷盆地运动特征的影响,是揭示软流圈与岩石圈相互作用,认识华北克拉通破坏的深部动力学过程的基础.本文以鄂尔多斯块体周缘断陷盆地为研究对象,利用数值方法模拟了盆地底部软流圈物质的运动,进而分析了软流圈物质运动对周缘断陷盆地运动特征的影响.研究结果表明:(1)软流圈物质水平运动的区域流向为NWW-SEE向,流速基本一致,局部略有变化.随着深度增加,局部变化特征不再显著;(2)软流圈物质垂向运动存在区域性差异,其中鄂尔多斯体块体北部、西部以及北缘、西缘底部,物质以下沉流为主,尤其西缘下沉流更显著;块体中部、东部以及南缘、西南缘底部,以上升流为主;东缘底部,上升流与下沉流相间分布,以上升流为主.随着深度增加,上述区域性差异特征依然明显;(3)依据热物质的水平拖曳和垂向拉张作用对断陷盆地可能产生的影响,进一步推测,软流圈物质运动有利于北缘盆地的剪切走滑,东缘盆地的伸展拉张,南缘盆地的走滑兼拉张,西缘和西南缘盆地的走滑.     

渭河盆地及邻区现今地壳形变及构造特征研究

基于2009—2014年渭河盆地及邻区GPS资料,利用Shen提出的连续形变场与应变场计算方法,获得渭河盆地及邻区的水平形变场及应变率场,结合构造地质、地震目录等资料对渭河盆地及邻区的现今地壳形变及构造特征进行研究,并得到如下结论:(1)鄂尔多斯地块南缘西段和东段GPS形变场变化差异明显,六盘山—陇县—宝鸡断裂带形变场...     

Numerical simulations of deformation and movement of blocks within North China in response to 1976 Tangshan earthquake

Using methods of discontinuous deformation analysis and finite element (DDA+FEM), this paper simulates dynamic processes of the Tangshan earthquake of 1976, which occurred in the northern North China where its internal blocks apparently interacted. Studies focus upon both the movement and deformation of the blocks, in particular, the Ordos block, and variations of stress states on the boundary faults. The Tangshan earthquake was composed of three events: slipping motions of NNE-striking major fault, NE-striking fault near the northeastern end of the NNE-striking fault, and NW-striking fault on the southeastern side of the NNE-striking fault. Compared with previous studies, our model yields a result that is more agreeable with the configuration of aftershock distributions. A number of data are presented, such as the principle stress field during the earthquake, contours of the maximum shear stress, the strike-slip deformation between blocks near the earthquake focus, time-dependent variations of slips of earthquake-triggered faulting, the maximum slip distance, and stress drops. These results are in accord with the earthquake source mechanism, basic parameters from earthquake wave study, macro-isoseismic line, observed horizontal displacement vectors, etc. The Tangshan earthquake exerted different influences on the adjacent blocks and boundary faults between them, thus resulting in differential movement and deformation. The Ordos block seems to have experienced the small-scale counterclockwise rotation and deformation, but its northeast part, bounded on the east by the Taihangshan and on the north by the Yanshan and Yinshan belts, underwent relatively stronger deformation. The Tangshan earthquake also changed the stress state of boundary faults of the North China, leading to an increase in shear stress and a decrease in normal stress in the NW-trending Zhangjiakou-Penglai fault through Tangshan City and the northern border faults of the Ordos block, and therefore raises the potential risk of earthquake occurrence. This result is supported by the facts that a series of Ms≥ 6 earthquakes took place at the northern margin of the Ordos block after the Tangshan earthquake.     

Numerical simulations of deformation and movement of blocks within North China in response to 1976 Tangshan earthquake

Using methods of discontinuous deformation analysis and finite element (DDA+FEM), this paper simulates dynamic processes of the Tangshan earthquake of 1976, which occurred in the northern North China where its internal blocks apparently interacted. Studies focus upon both the movement and deformation of the blocks, in particular, the Ordos block, and variations of stress states on the boundary faults. The Tangshan earthquake was composed of three events: slipping motions of NNE-striking major fault, NE-striking fault near the northeastern end of the NNE-striking fault, and NW-striking fault on the southeastern side of the NNE-striking fault. Compared with previous studies, our model yields a result that is more agreeable with the configuration of aftershock distributions. A number of data are presented, such as the principle stress field during the earthquake, contours of the maximum shear stress, the strike-slip deformation between blocks near the earthquake focus, time-dependent variations of slips of earthquake-triggered faulting, the maximum slip distance, and stress drops. These results are in accord with the earthquake source mechanism, basic parameters from earthquake wave study, macro-isoseismic line, observed horizontal displacement vectors, etc. The Tangshan earthquake exerted different influences on the adjacent blocks and boundary faults between them, thus resulting in differential movement and deformation. The Ordos block seems to have experienced the small-scale counterclockwise rotation and deformation, but its northeast part, bounded on the east by the Taihangshan and on the north by the Yanshan and Yinshan belts, underwent relatively stronger deformation. The Tangshan earthquake also changed the stress state of boundary faults of the North China, leading to an increase in shear stress and a decrease in normal stress in the NW-trending Zhangjiakou-Penglai fault through Tangshan City and the northern border faults of the Ordos block, and therefore raises the potential risk of earthquake occurrence. This result is supported by the facts that a series of Ms ≥ 6 earthquakes took place at the northern margin of the Ordos block after the Tangshan earthquake.     

华北中西部和青藏高原东北缘上地幔各向异性变形特征

基于华北中西部和青藏高原东北缘3个流动台阵共480个台站新得到的远震XKS(SKS、SKKS和PKS)波分裂结果,并结合研究区已得到的987个台站的分裂结果,获得了高分辨率的上地幔各向异性图像.分析表明,鄂尔多斯块体的时间延迟较小,反映了其稳定性和弱的各向异性变形特征,可能保留了古老克拉通根的"化石"各向异性,但其靠近...     

基于GPS观测的北天山主要断裂现今构造运动特征研究

借助分布在北天山地区最新GPS点位的运动观测资料, 利用GAMIT/GLOBK数据处理软件获取了北天山地区现今地壳的运动位移场． 以该位移场为基础, 利用弹性半空间位错理论, 估算了研究区内博罗科努—阿其克库杜克断裂和准噶尔盆地南缘断裂两条具有代表性的主要断裂的现今活动速率． 结果表明: 博罗科努—阿其克库杜克右旋走滑断裂东、 西两段滑移速率的差异性不明显, 1944年3月10日乌苏南M_S7.2强震发生后, 该断层现今表现为震后微蠕滑运动, 东、 西两段滑动速率均在1—2 mm/a之间; 准噶尔盆地南缘断裂现今滑动速率为(5.6±1.0) mm/a．      

LIMITATION OF CURRENT TECTONIC DEFORMATION MODES IN THE WESTERN MARGIN OF ORDOS BASED ON SEISMIC ACTIVITY CHARACTERISTICS

Due to the interaction between the Tibetan plateau, the Alxa block and the Ordos block, the western margin of Ordos(33.5°~39°N, 104°~108°E)has complex tectonic features and deformation patterns with strong tectonic activities and active faults. Active faults with different strikes and characteristics have been developed, including the Haiyuan Fault, the Xiangshan-Tianjingshan Fault, the Liupanshan Fault, the Yunwushan Fault, the Yantongshan Fault, the eastern Luoshan Fault, the Sanguankou-Niushoushan Fault, the Yellow River Fault, the west Qinling Fault, and the Xiaoguanshan Fault. In this study, 7 845 earthquakes(M≥1.0)from January 1st, 1990 to June 30th, 2018 were relocated using the double-difference location algorithm, and finally, we got valid locations for 4 417 earthquakes. Meanwhile, we determined focal mechanism solutions for 54 earthquakes(M≥3.5)from February 28th, 2009 to September 2nd, 2017 by the Cut and Paste(CAP)method and collected 15 focal mechanism solutions from previous studies. The spatial distribution law of the earthquake, the main active fault geometry and the regional tectonic stress field characteristics are studied comprehensively. We found that the earthquakes are more spatially concentrated after the relocation, and the epicenters of larger earthquakes(M≥3.5) are located at the edge of main active faults. The average hypocenter depth is about 8km and the seismogenic layer ranges from 0 to 20km. The spatial distributions and geometry structures of the faults and the regional deformation feature are clearly mapped with the relocated earthquakes and vertical profiles. The complex focal mechanism solutions indicate that the arc-shaped tectonic belt consisting of Haiyuan Fault, Xiangshan-Tianjingshan Fault and Yantongshan Fault is dominated by compression and torsion; the Yellow River Fault is mainly by stretching; the west Qinling Fault is characterized by shear and compression. The structural properties of the fault structure are dominated by strike-slip and thrust, with a larger strike-slip component. The near-north-south Yellow River Fault is characterized by high angle NW dipping and normal fault motion. Based on small earthquake relocation and focal mechanism solution results, and in combination with published active structures and geophysical data in the study area, it is confirmed that the western margin of Ordos is affected by the three blocks of the Tibetan plateau, the Alax and the Ordos, presenting different tectonic deformation modes, and there are also obvious differences in motion among the secondary blocks between the active faults. The area south of the Xiangshan-Tianjingshan Fault has moved southeastward since the early Quaternary; the Yinchuan Basin and the block in the eastern margin of the Yellow River Fault move toward the SE direction.     

利用GPS观测资料分析2008年于田Ms7.3地震的同震位移及震后形变

2008年3月21日新疆于田发生Ms7.3级地震.本文通过处理、分析GPS数据,得到破裂断层北侧100 km附近的同震位移及震后形变信息.在观测区域GPS点监测到10 mm左右的同震位移,其中最大为南向14 mm,东向5 mm.同震位移呈现一致性的东南向运动特征,证实于田地震存在显著的左旋走滑分量.震后台站向西南方向运...     

帕米尔构造结及邻区的晚新生代构造与现今变形

帕米尔构造结是中国大陆受板块动力作用和地震活动最强烈的地区之一.晚新生代帕米尔构造结北部向北楔入推移了约300km,但对这一变形过程至今未能很好的限定.帕米尔构造结的晚新生代构造变形在空间上是不对称的.帕米尔西缘表现为NW向的径向逆冲,伴随着塔吉克盆地东部块体绕垂直轴的逆时针旋转.在帕米尔东部,构造变形的方式、空间分布...     

利用GPS资料研究郯庐带现今运动及变形状态

本文利用华北地区1999—2001年, 2001—2004年, 2004—2007年及2007—2009年四期GPS速度场资料, 基于块体的整体旋转与均匀应变模型, 分析了郯庐断裂带中南段的运动及变形特征。 结果显示: 潍坊—郯城段主要为右旋走滑的变形特征, 而郯城—庐江段则为左旋滑动的变形特征, 两段垂直断层方向上的变形表现为“张压交替”的特征。 基于刚体运动模型, 计算了扣除环渤海湾区域整体刚性运动的华北地区GPS速度场, 并分析了环渤海湾区域块体的变形状态, 结果显示环渤海区虽然各期的变形特征不同, 特别是郯庐带附近, 各期的运动特征差异较大, 但基本可反映燕山—渤海地震带是运动特征差异的分界线, 且每期郯庐带各站点的一致性运动明显。     

The Present Space-Time Motion and Deformation Features of the Northeastern Margin of the Qinghai-Xizang（Tibet） Block and Its Adjacent Area

On the basis of Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA), and considering the moderate intrusion of specific block boundaries to different extents, the first-order block motion model is established for the northeastern margin of Qinghai-Xizang(Tibet) block and the kinematical model for depicting deformation of small regions as well by using GPS observations of three periods (1991, 1999 and 2001). By simulating, we obtained the motion features of the firstorder blocks between the large WWN faults on the sides of the studied region, the distribution features of the principal strain rate field and the inhomogeneous motion features with spacetime of the faults in the northern boundary of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) block.