The eastern part of Tajikistan (the Pamir Mountains) lies within the complex zone of collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The dominant structures in this area are a combination of thrust faults and sinistral (left lateral) strike-slip faults. The Sarez-Karakul fault zone is a major SW-NE trending sinistral strike-slip fault that extends from south of Sarez Lake to north of Karakul lake. The 1911 earthquake is thought to have been caused by movement on this structure.