The dextral strike-slip movement of the Tanlu Fault Zone in the late Cenozoic occurred during two main stages:

1) Early Miocene (23-15 Ma): The early Miocene marked the onset of significant dextral strike-slip displacement along the Tanlu Fault Zone. This stage was characterized by high rates of displacement, estimated to be around 10-15 mm/yr, and resulted in the formation of major fault segments and pull-apart basins along the fault zone.

2) Late Miocene to Pliocene (10-3 Ma): The late Miocene to Pliocene period witnessed continued dextral strike-slip movement along the Tanlu Fault Zone, although at slightly reduced rates compared to the early Miocene stage. This phase of deformation was associated with the interaction between the Tanlu Fault Zone and other major tectonic structures in the region, such as the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt and the Bohai Bay Basin.

How did dextral strike-slip movement of the Tanlu Fault Zone in late Cenozoic occur?

The dextral strike-slip movement of the Tanlu Fault Zone in the late Cenozoic is primarily attributed to the collision and interaction between the Pacific and Eurasian plates. As the Pacific Plate subducted beneath the Eurasian Plate along the Japan Trench, it resulted in the westward extrusion and tectonic escape of the South China Block. This regional-scale crustal movement drove dextral strike-slip deformation along the Tanlu Fault Zone, which acted as a major accommodation zone for the eastward escape of the South China Block.

In summary, the dextral strike-slip movement of the Tanlu Fault Zone in the late Cenozoic occurred in two main stages, driven by the collision between the Pacific and Eurasian plates and the associated westward escape of the South China Block. This deformation played a crucial role in shaping the present-day tectonic framework and landscape of eastern China.