Abstract: The authors' analysis of the chemical components and sedimentary characteristics of the well developed Triassic strata in the southeastern part of western Kunlun Shan led them to conclude that the sediments comprise a set of typical deep-water to semi-deep-water flysch that formed in the passive continental margin of the Qiangtang Block. This suit of strata had undergone strong deformation giving rise to a SW-thrusting duplex, imbricate fans, high-angle thrust fault, recumbent fold, SW-inverted fold, etc.. The deformational intensity weakens gradually southeastward. This is a foreland fold and thrust belt caused by the collision between the Qiangtang Block and the island arc on the southern margin of the the Tarim Plate at the end of late Triassic.
The sedimentary and deformational characteristics of the Triassic strata were used to reconstruct the evolution of this foreland fold and thrust belt as proposed below. Before the end of Triassic, this region was a passive continental margin in the north of the Qiangtang Block. The end of Triassic to Jurassic was a stage of thrusting, folding, uplifting and development of the foreland basin. The evolution of the fold and thrust was completed in Cretaceous.

Key words: Western Kunlun Shan, Triassic strata, sedimentary environment, deformation, passive continental margin, foreland fold and thrust belt

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