ON TECTONIC TRANSFORMATION OF MOUNTAINS AND BASINS AT NORTHERN MARGIN OF WEST KUNLUN MOUNTAINS

In couple with piedmont drilling and geophysical data, investigation of the sections across southern segment of Xinjiang-Tibet highway and Yulong-Kashi valley to the area north of Hotan as well as in Duwa and Pi-Aman reveals that the transition from northern margin of the west Kunlun mountains to Tarim basin is completed by Pamir-West Kunlun thrust system in form of a series of thrusts. The research results show that the formation and development of Pamir-West Kunlun thrust system control the development of Pamir-West Kunlun orogenic belt and foreland basin. Four stages of thrusting could be differentiated.