Study on the Seismic Source Mechanisms of the Tibetan Plateau

Tibet has often been called the “Roof of the World”. The plateau is probably the largest and highest area ever to exist in Earth history, with an average elevation exceeding 5000m. The uplifting of the Tibetan Plateau is the result of continent|continent collision. This process is still going on and is significant for us to understand the formation and the evolution of global continent.It's generally accepted is act as the northern boundary of the Tibetan Plateau is the Altyn Tagh Fault. The Altyn Tagh Fault is recognized as a large|scale left|lateral strike|slip fault, many studies indicate it is the northern margin of the eastward extruded of crustal blocks and the northern boundary of the Plateau as well. Compared to the knowledge on the southern plateau and the Himalaya, we know much less about the northern plateau and the Altyn Tagh Fault. Some people have already begun to realize the importance of the latter for the revealing the uplifting of the Plateau.