Figure 1: Simplified regional geologic map of the central and northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent regions.

Tectonostratigraphic terranes are shown in the explanation. Figure was generated using MapInfo Professional [11.0.4], (URL: http://www.pbinsight.com/) and Global Mapper [17.2], (USL: http://www.bluemarblegeo.com). The coordinate system is the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84). To facilitate comparisons with the eastern part of the Kunlun Belt, two transects from our previous work10 are shown as transect 4 and 5.