Inhomogeneity of East-West Extension Interior of the Tibetan Plateau

Holocene slip rates of active faults are critical to understand the kinematics of crustal deformation interior of the Tibetan Plateau. Here, we quantitatively studied the sinistral strike-slip rate the northern Yadong-Gulu rift (YGR), the unique one that has left-lateral component among the main seven N-S treading rifts in southern Tibet. By detailed fieldwork, UAV topographic data and ¹⁰Be cosmogenic dating, we document 2.5-3.5 mm/yr (3.0±0.5 mm/yr) Holocene left-lateral slip rate along the northern YGR at two moraine sites. This rate is consistent with GPS results (4 mm/yr) of the conjugate strike-slip faults in central Tibet. Both of this fault and the northern Beng Co dextral strike-slip fault (4.2-5.4 mm/yr) probably comprise a conjugate fault system, contributing to the extension rate of Gulu rift (~6±1.8 mm/yr) and accommodating the eastward extrusion of central Tibet.