Structural deformation characteristics, mechanics and physical modeling of Kedong structure in piedmont of western Kunlun Mountain

The Kedong structure locates in the front of the western Kunlun orogenic belt and was impacted signi-ficantly by the uplift of the western Kunlun Mountain. Deformations took place mainly in Neogene and Quaternary. Seismic data showed that the deformations in deep series were featured by thrust and imbricate faults, while in the shallow series a set of Cenozoic monoclines inclined to the north developed. The structural deformation process and mechanism of the Kedong structure were analyzed with physical simulation. It was concluded that the Kedong structure was mainly controlled by compression from south to north, erosion and synkinematic sedimentation. Paleogene evaporate bed and Jurassic coal-series stratum worked as regional composite detachment and controlled the decoupling and differential evolution of the upper and lower structures.