Along-strike topographic variations of the Altyn Tagh fault in the northern Tibetan Plateau

•We found similar along-strike topographic variation of the Altyn Tagh fault to that of the Quaternary deformation by analyzing a series of the topographic indices, such as altimetry, hillslope gradient, local relief, and river channel steepness index.•The topographical indices along the Altyn Tagh fault are characterized by wave-like changes from west to east, with the dividing points near the Xorkol Basin and Annanba Mountain.•3The Quaternary oblique slip along the Altyn Tagh fault has led to the development of the differential landscapes in the northern Tibetan Plateau.