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

A set of metamorphic suites, previously known as the Precambrian metamorphi c basement in Kuda, western Kunlun has been determined as a large nappe duc tile shear zone which develops penetrative foliation, oriented stretching l ineation, various but consistent kinematic indicators of thrusting from nor th to south. The microstructure and the supermicrostructure also display th e ductile deformation characteristics, and the paleotectonic differential s tress is obtained, The metamorphic age is 426-451 Ma dated by Ar-40/Ar-39 m ethod, According to tectonic background, it is a product of early Paleozoic accretionary wedge orogenesis in western Kunlun.