The large-scale ductile shear zone in Kuda, western Kunlun

A set of metamorphic suites, previously known as the Precambrian metamorphic basement in Kuda, western Kunlun has been determined as a large nappe ductile shear zone which develops penetrative foliation, oriented stretching lineation, various but consistent kinematic indicators of thrusting from north to south. The microstructure and the supermicrostructure also display the ductile deformation characteristics, and the paleotectonic differential stress is obtained. The metamorphic age is 426–451 Ma dated by⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method. According to tectonic background, it is a product of early Paleozoic accretionary wedge orogenesis in western Kunlun.