青海大通断裂带是青藏高原北部压性盆地带内的一条NE向断裂,构成西宁盆地与大通城关盆地的边界。该断裂带主要由麻子营一庙沟断裂(F1)和老爷山-南门峡断裂(F2)2条次级断裂段构成,沿该断裂带有明显垂直断错的地貌现象。野外调查表明,断裂具有长期活动特征,基岩中发育10余米宽的断层破碎带,且沿断裂带一些地段有岩脉侵入。断裂最新活动表现为寒武纪地层逆冲到早第四纪砖红色砾石层之上,沿断层面发育数厘米厚的断层泥。但断层带上覆坡积黄土未被断错。断层泥测年(ESR)结果为(610±61)kaBP;上覆黄土测年(OSL)结果为(14.6±1.5)kaBP。根据测年结果和地质地貌现象判定该断裂带在中更新世有过明显活动。大通盆地内部地层以长轴NW向的褶皱变形为主,根据断层与褶皱变形的关系认为,在NEE向区域挤压应力作用下NE向的大通断裂是断层两侧褶皱带之间不同段落压缩不均匀而形成的横向撕裂。这一特征可能代表了青藏高原东北部一系列NE向断裂的共同特征。这些NE向断裂规模不大,被围限在活动块体内部,与褶皱和压性盆地轴向近垂直。
Datong Fault belt is a northwest trending fault in the north of Qinghai-Tibet plateau which controis the boundary of Xining Basin and Datong Basin. It consists of the Maziying-Miaogou (Ft)Fault and the Laoye mountain-Nanmenxia Fault( F2). There is obvious displacement in vertical direction along the fault belt. The field investigation results show that this belt has long-term activity. There are several meters-long crushed zone and veins along the fault side in the basement rock. In the visible profile of fault, the Cambria system thrusts to the red brick Quaternary gravel, and there are several centimeters-thick fault gouges along the fault side. ESR dating of the fault gouge in the fault profile shows an age of (610 ± 61 )ka. The covering deluvial loess is not offset, and the OSL result is ( 14.6 ± 1.5) ka. So it can be concluded that the fault belt was active in middle Pleistocene but not in later Pleistocene according to the age data and geomorphologic feature. Interior stratum of the Datong Basin is mainly featured with fold with the major axis in northwest direction. According to the relation of fault and fold deformation, Datong Fault is a transversal tear, which is due to uneven compression of the folds in different parts and the NNE-oriented regional compressional stress. It is common among the NE-trending faults in northeastern Qinghai-Tibet plateau. These NE-trending faults aren't large, and most are located in the active plate. They are all nearly vertical to the axis of the folds and compressive basins.