The anticlines (e.g. Qiulitag) in this study are a series of detachment folds.
Shortening distances (∼12 km) were calculated for the whole cross-section.
Initial folding age: Qiulitag and Kumugeliemu (∼6 Ma) and Yaken (0.15–0.21 Ma).
Shortening rate increased from ∼2 mm/a (∼6 Ma), to 3–4 mm/a (∼0.2 Ma), to ∼5 mm/a (present).
Intracontinental deformation increased from ca.∼6 Ma to present.