Pull-apart basin tectonic model is structurally impossible for Kashmir basin, NW Himalaya

Abstract. Kashmir Basin in NW Himalaya is considered a Neogene-Quatermary piggyback basin that was formed as result of the continent-continent collision of Indian and Eurasian plates. This model however is recently challenged by a pull-apart basin model, which argues that a major dextral strike-slip fault through Kashmir basin is responsible for its formation. And here it is demonstrated that the new tectonic model is structurally problematic, and conflicts with the geomorphology, geology, and tectonic setting of Kashmir basin. It also conflicts, and contradicts with the various structural features associated with a typical dextral strike-slip fault system where it shows that such a major structure cannot pass through the middle of the basin. It is demonstrated that such a structure is structurally, and kinematically impossible, and could not exist.