Spatio-temporal framework of tectonic uplift stages of the Tibetan Plateau in Cenozoic

Abstract

Four intensive uplift periods, i.e., Ma in the Himalayas of the southern Tibet), and since about 5 Ma, can be determined on the Tibetan Plateau by synthetical analysis of low-temperature thermo-chronology data, sedimentary deposit records, and structural deformation records of different areas. The strong tectonic uplift periods in different areas on the Tibetan Plateau are penecontemporaneous, except for the Himalayan area of the southern Tibet, where a rapid uplift and exhumation period, controlled by the activity of the South Tibetan Detachment System faults, occurred during 18-13 Ma. These strong uplift and exhumation periods correspond well to intensive deformation activity periods, suggesting tectonically-controlled uplift and exhumation. The deposit records, such as the distribution of coarse clastic sediments, the distribution of tectonically-controlled basins, stratigraphic discontinuousness or unconformity, and fault-controlled geomorphologic evolution, also match well with the strong uplift and exhumation periods. Expanding processes of the plateau are also discussed. Tibetan Plateau, Cenozoic, intensive tectonic uplift and exhumation periods, plateau growth and expansion Citation:Wang G C, Cao K, Zhang K X, et al. Spatio-temporal framework of tectonic uplift stages of the Many researches have focused on the uplift processes of the Tibetan Plateau because it is the highest and largest plateau in the world and has a strong influence on the global climatic changes. Researchers have tried to quantitatively constrain the details of the uplift and exhumation processes in different parts of the plateau by using multidisciplinary approaches, including low-temperature thermo-chronology, paleontology, climatology, paleogeography, paleogeobarometry, and stable isotope, etc. They have also tried to study the dynamics of the tectonic uplift of the plateau by analyzing the Cenozoic structural deformation pattern and magma evolution. More and more data show that the tectonic processes of the Tibetan Plateau during the Cenozoic are characteristic of distinct stages and obvious diversity from area to area. Both tectonic uplift processes and development of the corresponding deposition and structural deformation exhibit the spatial-temporal diversity of the uplift and exhumation. This paper will review and analyze the spatial-temporal framework of tectonic uplift stages of the Tibetan Plateau in the Cenozoic based on low-temperature thermo-chronology data, sedimentary deposit records, and structural deformation records of different areas on the plateau.

Paleocene‐Early Eocene uplift of the Altyn Tagh Mountain: Evidence from detrital zircon fission track analysis and seismic sections in the northwestern Qaidam basin

“…Wang et al . [] identified four intensive tectonic uplift and exhumation stages of the Tibetan Plateau: 60–35 Ma, 25–17 Ma, 12–8 Ma (southern Tibetan Plateau at 18–13 Ma), and ~5 Ma. These were determined by analyzing low‐temperature thermochronological data, sedimentation, and tectonic deformation.…”

Low palaeoelevation of the northern Lhasa terrane during late Eocene: Fossil foraminifera and stable isotope evidence from the Gerze Basin

“…The chemistry of these magmas has been attributed to break-off the Indian continental lithosphere that had subducted beneath the Lhasa terrane and/or convective removal of the Tibetan lithospheric mantle5556. Ninety-six apatite fission track ages collected from the Lhasa terrane indicate three cooling age peaks at 22–15, 10–7, and 5–0 Ma, whereas the Palaeogene ages are more scattered57 (Fig. 5b(2)).…”

“…Statistical distribution of zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages for the Miocene adakitic rocks from southern Tibet modified from Mo et al 52, ( b ( 2 )). Histogram of apatite fission track ages in the Lhasa terrane57.…”

Late Miocene episodic lakes in the arid Tarim Basin, western China

“…Although the Indo-Eurasian convergence since the Late Eocene resulted in high elevations of the Tibetan Plateau and, to a lesser degree, surrounding mountains including Pamir and Tianshan by the mid-Miocene time (8), tectonic activities in broad areas around the Tarim Basin appear to be rejuvenated since the Late Miocene. Tectonic deformations during the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene inferred from growth strata, sedimentary facies changes, and low-temperature thermochronologic studies occurred in Tianshan to the north of the Tarim Basin, in the Kunlun Mountains to its south and the Pamir to its west (32)(33)(34)(35). Syntectonic growth strata from the foreland basins of the Kunlun and Tianshan Ranges (32) show that strong crust shortening and potential mountain uplift initiated ∼6.5-5 Ma and lasted to the Early Pleistocene (Fig.…”