Abstract:

Abstract：Two scaled analogue models are constructed to simulate the evolution of thick-skinned shortening on salt-bearing basins
with pre-existing passive salt diapirs. These models simulate the evolution of the Cenozoic salt-related structures in the Qiulitage
structural belt, western Kuqa depression. Model results show that the syn-kinematic depositional rate has a major controlling influence
on the differential structural deformation in different longitudinal segmentations from the Bozi-Quele area (the west part) to
Qiulitage-Kelasu area (the east part) in the Qiulitage structural belt, western Kuqa depression. During the shortening, the slow
syn-kinematic depositional rate caused the north flank (the south flank of the Baicheng sag) of the pre-existing passive salt diapir thrust
onto the south flank (the north flank of the Misikantake salt anticline) and made the formation of the Quele salt nappe and the

Misikantake salt anticline in the Bozi-Quele area; In contrast, the quick syn-kinematic depositional rate caused the south flank of the
pre-existing passive salt diapir thrust onto the north flank (the south flank of the Baicheng sag), which made the formation of the south
Qiulitage salt anticline in the Qiulitage-Kelasu area.

Key words: syn-kinematic deposition rate, Kuqa depression, Qiulitage, salt structure, analogue modeling