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Stop-and-go tectonics of the Karakoram Fault segments induced pulsating localised crustal extension.

Ojha AK.

JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY. 2026;207

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2026.105695 

A detailed analysis of the Karakoram Fault (KF), which has been the subject of debate for the last several decades, revealed a segmented kinematic readjustment with stop-and-go behavior in response to the Longmu Co GazhaCo fault impingement. This resulted in episodic crustal extension and cessation in the zone of impingement. Further, the last kinematic readjustment event has an estimated average age of ~0.5 Ma. The proposed zone of active crustal extension is suitable for both groundwater and geothermal energy exploration and exploitation, which is much needed in the Ladakh region.

Fig: Model explaining the kinematic readjustment of the Karakoram Fault and the pulsating localized crustal extension in the zone of impingement.

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