Abstract: The highly precise magnetochronologic study indicates that the age of Xiaganchaigou and Shangganchaigou Formations in Hongsanhan No.1 area is in the range of 40-26.5 Ma. The dividing age between Xiaganchaigou and Shangganchaigou Formations is 35.5 Ma. According to the relativity of the sediment area and source provenance, Cenozoic sandstone samples, collected from Hongsanhan No.1 section in Qaidam Basin, have been analyzed by using DickinsonGazzi method. The results suggest that the sandstone components are sensitive to the provenance tectonic changes. The analyses of the sandstone components suggest that the sedimentary environment was relatively stable during Xiaganchaigou period, and reveal that the Altyn Mountains had not uplifted rapidly at that time. But during Shangganchaigou period the sedimentary environment became unstable, combining with regional thermochronologic data, it indicates that the Altyn Mountains were uplifted strongly in Oligocene, which may be caused by the fast strikeslip movement along the Altyn fault.

Key words: sandstone component analysis, Altyn Mountain, Hongsanhan No.1 area, Qaidam Basin, Cenozoic