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Non-technical summary: This work addresses an important longstanding problem in Earth science, whether the continents deform like blocks, as in plate tectonics, or flow in a fluid-like manner.  Tibet is the main battleground for this controversy.  The current study provides strong new support for the block model and shows for the first time (contrary to numerous previous assertions) that both GPS data and low slip rates on Tibet’s major faults (Altyn Tagh, Kunlun, and Haiyuan) are compatible with block motions. These GPS slip rates estimates build on previous results from the Altyn Tagh fault and show that GPS rates on other faults are typically a factor of 2-3 less than those estimated by geologic studies using dated offsets of late Quaternary river terraces and glacial moraines.  The cause of the discrepancy is controversial, but it is unlikely to represent a late Quaternary change in rate--all the geologic estimates are all high relative to the GPS rates and the India-Eurasia convergence rate of 35 mm/yr has remained constant over the past ~3 Ma.