In response to indentation of the Pamir wedge and tectonic movements along the Altyn Tagh fault, the Tarim basin underwent clockwise rotation about a vertical axis since the Tertiary.

• 区域构造研究表明，塔里木盆地新生代主要发生了4期区域构造变形，第三纪以来还发生顺时针旋转。