ABSTRACT
The inversion of fault slip data for tectonic stress field and the analysis of crustal deformation characteristics suggest that during the period from Pliocene to early Pleistocene the north and east margin of Qing-Zang Plateau was subjected to an omnibearing compression caused by the collision of India Plate with Qing-Zang block, which resulted into mainly reverse faulting in the margin of the plateau. Since the end of early Pleistocene India Plate continues to push northward and the compressional deformation of the plateau crust increases continuously, at the same time NW-SE extension appeared on the east side of the plateau. This forms a favorable condition for the interior of plateau to slide towards east and southeast, causing the faults surrounding the plateau to change their type from thrust to strike-slip fault.
