Kinematics of active deformation of the Western Kunlun Range (Xinjiang, China): implications for potential seismic hazards

By combining structural geology and geomorphology, this PhD project aimed at quantifying the rates and loci of active deformation across the Western Kunlun range, along the northwestern Tibetan Plateau. It documented the structure and kinematics of the Mazar Tagh frontal thrust, which forms the widest known active continental thrust sheet. From there, the seismic hazards of the region were discussed.

Publications:

• Guilbaud C., Simoes M., Barrier L., Laborde A., Van der Woerd J., Li H., Tapponnier P., Coudroy T.*, Murray A., Kinematics of active deformation across the Western Kunlun mountain range (Xinjiang, China), and potential seismic hazards within the southern Tarim Basin, J. Geophys. Res, doi:10.1002/2017JB014069, 2017.
• Baby G., Simoes M., Barrier L., Guilbaud C., Li H., van der Woerd J., Kinematics of Cenozoic shortening of the Hotan anticline along the northwestern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (Western Kunlun, China)., Tectonics, 41 (5), doi: 10.1029/2021TC006928, 2022.