Review on Regional Climate Change Induced by Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Uplift

[Objective]The aim was to study the influence of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau uplift on regional climate in China.[Method] Trough relevant study of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding movement,the tectonic movement of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas,especially the case of the impact caused by plateau phased uplift were studied based on paleomagnetic measurements.[Result]The increasing Qinghai-Tibet Plateau led to obvious transition from dry to cold in northwest China and it became dry quickly,which led to loess accumulation,replacement of vegetation types and human activity.Meanwhile,it was dry,and there was certain degree of climate changes in the area.[Conclusion] Qinghai-Tibet Plateau had far-reaching significance on basic climate characteristics in northwest China.

Sedimentary Evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Cenozoic and its Response to the Uplift of the Plateau

We have studied the evolution of the tectonic lithofacies paleogeography of Paleocene- Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau by compiling data regarding the type, tectonic setting, and iithostratigraphic sequence of 98 remnant basins in the plateau area. Our results can be summarized as follows. （1） The Paleocene to Eocene is characterized by uplift and erosion in the Songpan-Garze and Gangdise belts, depression （lakes and pluvial plains） in eastern Tarim, Qaidam, Qiangtang, and Hoh Xil, and the Neo-Tethys Sea in the western and southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. （2） The Oligocene is characterized by uplift in the Gangdise--Himalaya and Karakorum regions （marked by the absence of sedimentation）, fluvial transport （originating eastward and flowing westward） in the Brahmaputra region （marked by the deposition of Dazhuka conglomerate）, uplift and erosion in western Kunlun and Songpan-Garze, and depression （lakes） in the Tarim, Qaidam, Qiangtang, and Hoh Xil. The Oligocene is further characterized by depressional littoral and neritic basins in southwestern Tarim, with marine facies deposition ceasing at the end of the Oligocene. （3） For the Miocene, a widespread regional unconformity （ca. 23 Ma） in and adjacent to the plateau indicates comprehensive uplift of the plateau. This period is characterized by depressions （lakes） in the Tarim, Qaidam, Xining-Nanzhou, Qiangtang, and Hoh Xil. Lacustrine facies deposition expanded to peak in and adjacent to the plateau ca. 18-13 Ma, and north-south fault basins formed in southern Tibet ca. 13-10 Ma. All of these features indicate that the plateau uplifted to its peak and began to collapse. （4） Uplift and erosion occurred during the Pliocene in most parts of the plateau, except in the Hoh Xil-Qiangtang, Tarim, and Qaidam. The continuous uplift and intensive taphrogeny in the plateau divided the original large basin into small basins, deposition of lacustrine facies decreased considerably, and boulderstone accumulated, indicating a response to the overall uplift of the plateau. Here, we discuss the evolution of tectonic lithofacies paleogeography in Cenozoic and its response to the tectonic uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in relation to the above characteristics. We have recognized five major uplift events, which occurred during 58-53 Ma, 45-30 Ma, 25-20 Ma, 13-7 Ma, and since 5 Ma. The results presented here indicate that the paleogeomorphic configurations of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau turned over during the late Miocene, with high elevations in the east during the pre-Miocene switching to high contours in the west at the end of Miocene.

Late Cenozoic Stratigraphy and Paleomagnetic Chronology of the Zanda Basin,Tibet, and Records of the Uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The characteristics of Late Cenozoic tectonic uplift of the southern margin of the Qinghai- Tibet Plateau may be inferred from fluvio-lacustrine strata in the Zanda basin, Ngari, Tibet. Magnetostratigraphic study shows that the very thick fluvio-lacustrine strata in the basin are 5.89- 0.78 Ma old and that their deposition persisted for 5.11 Ma, i.e. starting at the end of the Miocene and ending at the end of the early Pleistocene, with the Quaternary glacial stage starting in the area no later than 1.58 Ma. Analysis of the sedimentary environment indicates that the Zanda basin on the southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau began uplift at -5.89 Ma, later than the northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Presence of gravel beds in the Guge and Qangze Formations reflects that strong uplift took place at -5.15 and -2.71 Ma, with the uplift peaking at -2.71 Ma.

UPLIFT AND DENUDATION AT SOUTHEAST MARGIN OF TIBET PLATEAU IN QUATERNARY

The southeast margin of Tibet plateau mainly consists of the Western Yunnan plateau (WYP). The uplift and denudation at the southeast margin of Tibet plateau can be represented by that of the WYP. Based on the uplift of ancient plantain surface, river terrace and sedimentary response in peripheral basins of the WYP, suggest that the WYP experienced a rapid uplift and denudation in Quaternary. The WYP have been uplifted about 610～700m, and eroded away about 1095～1600m since Quaternary, average denudation rate reach 0 68～0 94mm/a. Uplift rates in different time interval were calculated according to river terrace. Relations between WYP and Tibetan plateau are discussed further..The Yinggehai basin located at the south termination of the Red River fault, it is the younger (mainly Neogene) pull\|apart basin, which developed at releasing bend of the Red River right\|lateral wrench fault. Since the Neogene, the subsidence center of the Yinggehai basin shifted southward and, connected with the Southeast Hainan basin. Both basins collected large amounts of the Holocene and Quaternary deposits of marine origin. They are peripheral marine basin of the WYP.. Silicate clastic sediments in both basins have been large supported from the WYP into both basins through the Red River system. The total volumes derived from the WYP in the Neogene and Quaternary is 2 8004×10 14 t(1 and 5 1206×10 14 t. The sedimentation rate in Yinggehai basin rose from 0 52mm/a in the Neogene to 1 39mm/a in the Quaternary. The facts that accumulation volume and sedimentation rate rose greatly after the Neogene, suggested a rapid uplift in the WYP. The rapid uplift was responsible for the unconformity between the Neogene and Quaternary. Elevation of ancient planation surface,and river terrace supported the rapid uplift of the WYP also. The ancient planation surface was elevated from 2500～2600m to 3000～3200m during Quaternary, seven terraces in Tue can be traced through the field area in elevation from 20 5m to 612m above the modern river surface in the Lancang River. The Jinsha River also incised into bed rocks about 700m in Shigu. All the facts suggest that southeast margin of Tibet plateau rose rapidly; the plateau was elevated about 610～700m in the Quaternary.

Three-Phase Uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau During the Cenozoic Period: Igneous Petrology Constraints

In northern Qinghai\|Tibet plateau there are developed Cenozoic volcanic rocks. They constitute a trachybasalt\|shoshonite\|latite\|trachydacite assemblage. According to the forming ages, three Cenozoic volcanic rock lithozones can be distinguished in the northern part of the plateau. Cenozoic volcanic rocks and muscovite/two\|mica granites forming the three belts in pairs represent the northern and southern margins of the plateau in different periods. In fact, the tectonic setting of the northern part of the Qinghai\|Tibet plateau is significantly different from that of the southern part—Himalayas. The southern part has experienced subduction and continent\|continent collision. There are developed the Cenozoic S\|type granites (muscovite/two\|mica granites) there. But the northern part is characterized by Cenozoic basaltic magmatism which obviously comes from the upper mantle. Slight doming of the upper mantle is recognized underneath the northern part of the plateau, which is the result of resistance of the Tarim plate to the north direction\|sense movement of the Tibetan plate. And at the same time, the uplift machanism shows that the formation of the Qinghai\|Tibet plateau involved three orogenic stages (35-23 Ma, 23-10 Ma and <2 Ma) of uplift in the vertical direction and extension in the horizontal direction with the Gangdise\|Qiangtang orogenic belt as its core.

PRESENT LANDFORMS, ACTIVE TECTONIC ZONES, DEEP STRUCTURES AND UPLIFT MECHANISMS OF THE LONGSHOUSHAN BLOCK ON THE NORTHERN MARGIN OF THE QINGHAI—TIBET PLATEAU

Located in the northern margin of the Qinghai—Tibet Plateau, the Longshoushan Mt. is a small block between Qinghai—Tibet Landmass and Alashan Landmass.Traditional tectonic viewpoint does not consider that the Longshoushan Mt. is a single tectonic block. It is quite evident that there is only a hazy idea about the Longshoushan block. Though there is a very complex tectonic region between Qinghai—Tibet Landmass and Alashan Landmass, the Longshoushan block in the region shows unique tectonic landforms, deep structures and uplift mechanisms. Researching into the relationship between the Longshoushan block and the Qinghai—Tibet and Alashan Landmasses will contribute to the realization of boundary and orogenic belt on the northern margin of the Qinghai—Tibet block. It is a very important scientific subject.The Longshoushan Mt., longer than 150km in NWW direction and wider than 10km, is located on the northern side of Hexi corridor(100 5°～102 5°E,38 5°～39 3°N). It extends from the northwest of Zhangye to Hexibu, and from the south of Chaoshui basin to the north of Minle basin. From west to east, there are the highest peak, Dongdashan Mt.(3616m), the second peak, Dufengding(2937m) and Qianshan peak(2827m), height of the mountains is getting lower and lower, mean height above sea level is over 2000m, and relative height difference is about 1000m. The Longshoushan Mt. provides a natural defence for stopping the southward migration of sandstorm in the Hexi corridor, and forms a topographic step zone from the Alashan Plateau to the Qinghai—Tibet Plateau. In the Longshoushan area, developed landforms, such as planation surface, table\|land, terrace land, are general characters of all geomorphic units. It is shown that the Longshoushan Mt. is a intermittently uplifted block. An astonishingly similar of geometric patterns of Taohualashan Mt. and Hongshihu basin is very interesting natural landscape in the area. It is suggested that Taohualashan Mt. broke away from Hongshihu Basin in secular tectonic movement. The viewpoint is supported by major formation, lithofacies, limitation and style of active faulting. The Longshoushan block consists of two major active fault zones (the northern Longshoushan fault zone and the southern Longshoushan fault zone), the active Pingshanhu—Hongshihu fault basin belt and Taohualashan—Xieposhan tectonic uplift belt. In addition, there are the NNW\|trending West Polamading fault, NWW\|trending Maohudong fault trough, NNE\|trending Daxiahe rift valley and others on the block. the activity and formation style of these structures indicate that the block is acted not only by compressive stress, but also by tensile stress. The northern Longshoushan and southern Longshoushan fault zones are closely related to formation and evolution of the Longshoushan block, the two zones are active fault zones since late Pleistocene and boundary fault zones of the block. The genesis and activity style of the Pingshanhu\|Hongshihu basin are similar to the continental rift, which may be due to the mantle uplift.

Deep Tectonophysical Process of the Uplift of the Northern Qinghai--Tibet Plateau--Evidence from the Integrated Geological--Geophysical Profile from Golmud to the Tanggula Mountains, Qinghai Province, China

The tectonic activities occurring since the Cenozoic in the northern part of theQinghai-Tibet Plateau (the region from the East Kunlun Mountains to the Tanggula Mountains)were probably caused by the intense intraplate deformation propagation after the collision be-tween the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. Their main expressions include the substantial up-lifting of the plateau, alternation of horizontal extension and compression under the verticalgreatest principal stress σ_1, occurrence of rift-type volcanic activity, formation of thebasin-range system, and successive eastward extrusion of blocks resulting from large-scalestrike-slip faulting. Geophysical exploration and experiments have revealed that there exist close-ly alternating horizontal high-velocity and low-velocity layers as well as lithospheric faults of aleft-lateral strike-slip sense in the lower part of the lithosphere (the lower crust and lithosphericmantle, 60-120 km deep). Based on an integrated study of the geological-geophysical data avail-able, the authors have proposed a model of deep-seated mantle diapir and the associatedtectonophysical process as the dynamic source for the uplift of the northern part of theQinghai-Tibet Plateau.

ESR DATING OF THE CENOZOIC STRATA AT LAOJUNMIAO SECTION, YUMEN AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR UPLIFT OF TIBETAN PLATEAU

Vast thickness gravel formation developed widely around Tibetan Plateau, it provides the evidences of the uplift strongly process of Tibetan Plateau and it is also the products of uplift. So the study on origin, sediment environment and deposit faces of gravel layers can reveal the process and feature of Tibetan Plateau. According texture and components and glue degree and lithostratigraphy context of gravels, these gravel layers were divided into lower Pleistocene Yumen gravel formation and Middle Pleistocene Jiuquan gravel formation by Prof. Sun Jianchu in 1942. Since then, a lot of works have been carried including magnetic chronology. However, the absolute accumulated age of gravel is not yet identical because of different methods and precision. In this paper, a 1000m thick Cenozoic sediment at Laojunmiao, located at the northern foothill of Qilian Mt., is dating for ESR systematically. 19 block samples were collected for ESR dating. The pretreated samples were irradiated with a 60 Co\|source in different dosage. The irradiated samples were kept untouched for about ten days and then measured with a JES\|FEIXG ESR spectrum with the following measurement conditions: room temperature, X\|band, Microwave power: 0 1mW and 2mW, modulation amplitude: 0 8mT, magnetic field scanning range (334±5)mT. We select Ge and E’ centre as the dating signal. The concentrations of radioactive elements, U, Th, K 2O, were determined by laser fluorescence, colorimetric spectrophotometry and atomic absorption techniques, respectively. AD value were obtained by linear regression. The results show that it is linear relationship between age and depth (thickness), and the age is well identical with paleomagnetic age.

GEOMORPHIC EVIDENCES FOR CENOZOIC UPLIFT IN THE EASTERN MARGIN OF QINGHAI—TIBET PLATEAU

The uplift history has been becoming the key for the geological science of Qinghai—Tibet plateau. The scholars abroad have reconstructed uplift history of the plateau by studying geological process of the inner globe, they considered that the altitude of the plateau got up to the maximum at 14Ma (M.Coleman et al, 1995; S.Turner et al, 1993)or the plateau got to the present elevation at about 8Ma (T.M.Harrison,1992). The Chinese geologists make use of substitutes of outer environmental elements to deduce that the uplift of Qinghai—Tibet plateau began from 3 4Ma(Li Jijun,1995). It is obvious that there are the different views and controversies about the plateau uplift history.

THE PATTERN OF GENERAL ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION IN EASTERN ASIA BEFORE THE UPLIFT OF THE TIBETAN PLATEAU

The global climatic change study is a hot point today.As the pattern of the general circulation of the atmosphere is the key factor for climate,the reconstruction of the pattern of the past general circulation of the atmosphere has become important part of the global climatic change study.The paleowind belts are the comprising part of the past general circulation of the atmosphere and also the records of the circulation,therefore,their reconstruction will be helpful to the reconstruction of the general circulation of the atmosphere.In present years,the pattern of the general circulation of the atmosphere has attracted great concern from scientists.For example,Zhang Linyuan and Liu Dongsheng, based on the existence and inexistence of the Tibetan Plateau and paleogeography,divide the evolution of the general circulation of the atmosphere in eastern asia into two stages:the planetary wind stage before the uplift of the plateau and the monsoon stage after the uplift of the plateau which is subdivided into ancient monsoon and modern monsoon stages.While Dong Guangrong et al., Jiang Xinsheng et al. and Cooke et al, based on the latitudinal distribution of the Cretaceous and Tertiary deserts and the generation of arid climate,suggest that there was a subtropical high pressure zone across the eastern asia and was a planetary wind system,but have not found any direct record of the circulation.It is true that before the Early Tertiary,not only organism, but also inorganism,i.e.,biogeography and lithogeography, show strong zonal distribution.It can only indicate that zonal climate was evident at that time.Of course, as the climate is the result of the influences on the ground by zones of the circulation,it is reasonable to deduce the existence of zonal circulation,i.e. the the existence of the planetary wind system,from the zonal climate.But it would be much better if direct record of planetary wind system were found.Prevailing winds are the main geological agent for a desert which must leave deep stamps on the desert.The stamps on modern desert are reflected by dune migrating directions and on paleodesert by foreset dip directions..It is the most direct geological record for reconstructing paleowind belts and has been extensively used to reconstruct paleowind belts,paleogeography,paleoclimate and even to check the paleolatitude determined by paleomagnetism (for example, Opdyke and Runcorn, 1960; Creer, 1958; Pook, 1962; Bigarella and Salamuni,1961).

Variation of Uplift Velocit y in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Its Occasion and Consequences

The velocity of uplift in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau has been changed in a remarkable sense by the continental collision.In this paper the buoyancy variation,which occurred in the crustal shortening and thickening process,was used to explain the varied velocities.In the initial stage subcrustal material came from anomalous mantle with high temperature,then the density contrast between crust and mantle was small; in turn both the buoyancy and the surface uplift were gentle.When the thickened crust was squeezed into normal mantle in the later stage,the significant buoyancy would cause a rapid uplift.The variation of buoyancy also affected the stress regime around the plateau.

A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE UPLIFT OF THE QINGHAI-XIZANG(TIBET)PLATEAU

The uplift of the QinghaiXizang(Tibet) Plateau happened indifferent crustal movements and different time from those of the collision of Asia continent with the allochthonous India crustobody, and the uplift occurred very long after the finish of the collision. According to its temporal evolution, the uplift happened in another active stage of the mantle creep flow after the active stage resulting in the collision and the interruption of the 140Ma′s quiet stage. On the basis of the dynamic analysis, the uplift resulted from the multiple compressing stresses in the reactivation stage after weakening of the colliding stress and the following compressing stress, and after the interruption of the stable stage dominating the vertical movements and represented by formation of the universal QinghaiXizang(Tibet) ancient platform. It was the production of another stress field existing in another crustobody evolution stage and growth age. In the light of the nature of the orogeny, the uplift was caused by the intracontinental Diwa (geodepression)type orogeny after converging connection of the Central Asia Crustobody and the India crustbody which immediately became a part of the Asia continent, and hence after the substitution for the colliding stress and the following compressing stress by the platformtype crustal movements.

青藏高原可可西里盆地晚白垩世—早中新世地层年代学新进展及其对地层和古环境的指示意义

青藏高原构造隆升是新生代重大地质事件之一,是东亚构造—气候演化的重要边界条件之一,也是研究全球气候变化绕不开的一个重要因素。目前,关于青藏高原的隆升历史和机制等存在较大的争议,其中,一个最重要的原因是地层年代学问题,可靠的地层沉积年龄是后续研究的基础。青藏高原中北部可可西里盆地保存有晚白垩世至中新世较连续的沉积,是研究青藏高原构造演化不可多得的研究材料。笔者等基于可可西里盆地最新的晚始新世至中新世地层年龄研究结果,同时,结合其他已发表的、有绝对年龄控制点的地层年龄,认为风火山群和沱沱河组是两套独立的地层单元,即在可可西里盆地,地层划分从老到新可划分为:风火山群、沱沱河组、雅西错组和五道梁组。在可可西里盆地地层沉积年龄最新进展基础之上,综合盆地的古高度、古纬度、古温度、古地磁、沉积相变化、地层接触关系、全球温度、大气二氧化碳以及亚洲季风和高原隆升之间关系的模拟等证据,指出:①青藏高原面上类似于现在向东、东南逃逸的GPS速度运动场方向可能在始新世就已经形成,沱沱河盆地以东的物质向东南逃逸,以西没有这种趋势,沱沱河盆地可能是一个重要的边界;②类似于现在的东亚季风—内陆干旱化格局形成于晚渐新世—早中新世;③青藏高原中北部晚始新世以来发生了明显的两阶段隆升,>38.5~26(24)Ma的隆升主要由印度与欧亚板块的碰撞挤压缩短所致,16 Ma—现在的隆升由岩石圈地幔对流拆沉引起,26(24)~16 Ma是隆升相对平静期;④青藏高原中北部主夷平面可能发育于26(24)~16 Ma期间;⑤角度不整合接触不是构造事件发生的可靠判别标志;⑥石膏等盐类矿物的出现不是干旱化的可靠指标,但似乎表明在盐类矿物沉淀析出之前,区域应该存在至少一期湿润的气候,按此结果,可能暗示了至少在古新世我国中东部可能已经存在季风气候。

Cenozoic Adakite-type Volcanic Rocks in Qiangtang,Tibet and Its Significance

Volcanic rocks in the study area, including dacite, trachyandesite and mugearite, belong to the intermediate-acid, high-K calc-alkaline series, and possess the characteristics of adakite. The geochemistry of the rocks shows that the rocks are characterized by SiO2>59%, enrichment in A12O3(15.09-15.64%) and Na2O (>3.6%), high Sr (649-885 μg/g) and Sc, low Y contents (<17 μg/g), depletion in HREE (Yb<1.22 μg/g), (La/Yb)N>25, Sr/Y>40, MgO<3% (Mg<0.35), weak Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu=0.84-0.94), and lack of the high field strength elements (HFSE) (Nb, Ta, Ti, etc.). The Nd and Sr isotope data (87Sr/86Sr=0.7062-0.7079, 143Nd/144Nd=0.51166-0.51253, εNd= -18.61-0.02), show that the magma resulted from partial melting (10%-40%) of newly underplated basaltic lower crust under high pressure (1-4 GPa), and the petrogenesis is obviously affected by the crust's assimilation and fractional crystallization (AFC). This research will give an insight into the uplift mechanism of the Tibetan plateau.

Scientists Use Palaeobotanical Evidence to Estimate Early Miocene Elevation in Northern Tibet

The area and elevation of the Tibetan Plateau over time has directly affected Asia’s topography,the characteristics of the Asian monsoon,and modified global climate—but in ways that are poorly understood.Charting the uplift history is crucial for understanding the mechanisms that link elevation and climate irrespective of time and place.While some palaeoelevation data are available for southern and central Tibet,clues to the uplift history of northern Tibet remain sparse and largely circumstantial.Lately,

青藏高原东缘中新生代隆升及构造扩展方式转换

为研究青藏高原向东构造挤压过程中,构造变形扩展方式的变化,文章选取青藏高原东缘为研究对象,开展了磷灰石和锆石裂变径迹测定及分析工作。结果表明,若尔盖盆地和龙门山块体具有诸多低温热年代学及构造隆升差异:若尔盖盆地样品冷却速率较为集中,介于1.257~1.285℃/Myr,而龙门山块体样品冷却速率变化较大,介于1.243~2.875℃/Myr;若尔盖盆地在100 Ma以来共经历了2次明显的构造热事件,第一次为100~80 Ma(冷却速率为4.40±0.395℃/Myr),第二次为21~12 Ma(冷却速率为2.89±0.597℃/Myr),龙门山块体东缘地区在70 Ma以来,总体上表现为构造隆升程度的逐渐增强,且在8 Ma以来构造隆升持续增强,冷却速率达到了5.75±0.238℃/Myr;若尔盖盆地的构造变形属于前展式构造扩展,而龙门山块体则为后展式(自8 Ma以来),文章将该过程总结为“构造变形扩展的反射和折射”现象,“反射部分”在第四纪(4.48 Ma)达到龙日坝断裂附近,形成兼具逆冲与右旋走滑的龙日坝断裂带。

青藏高原面地貌稳定态与高原隆升时间

本文基于地貌垂直地带性理论,提出计算高原隆升时间的地貌演化模型,并利用GPS现代垂直位移速率资料,计算青藏高原高原隆升时间。海拔4000~5000 m的青藏高原高原面为冰缘地貌带,以上为冰川地貌带,以下为流水地貌带。青藏高原面的构造隆升速率难以超过砂板岩等软弱岩层的冻融侵蚀剥夷速率,处于地貌稳定态,高程受冰缘气候控制,与隆升速率无关。花岗岩、石灰岩等坚硬岩层组成的冰川山地,抗寒冻风化能力强,剥蚀和隆升的竞争中,隆升战胜剥蚀,处于地貌不稳定态,山地持续上升。根据珠峰高程、剥蚀岩层厚度,高原面高程和隆升速率,利用模型求得从青藏高原隆升到现今冰缘地貌带高程以来的隆升时间为2.5 Ma~7.8 Ma。

青藏高原东部中新生代差异隆升的热年代学证据

为定量分析青藏高原东北部中新生代以来构造隆升时序及特征,笔者开展了磷灰石和锆石裂变径迹年龄测试。结果表明:研究区磷灰石裂变径迹年龄为[BF](66±9)~(4.3±1)Ma,锆石裂变径迹年龄为(187±11)~(69±4)Ma,东北部及东部裂变径迹年龄值较大;研究区西北缘构造隆升较早(200~160 Ma),东南部隆升相对较晚(140~30 Ma),西(南)部构造隆升最晚(90~10 Ma),新近纪之后则整体进入构造隆升;岩石冷却速率和剥蚀速率广元—江油一带西侧较高,红原—文县一带南侧更高,理县附近最大,分别为23.26℃/Ma和0.78 mm/a,这种分区差异性主要受多条区域性大型断裂带制约。

柴达木盆地东北缘晚新生代构造隆升——来自碎屑锆石U-Pb年代学证据

随着印度与欧亚板块在新生代的持续碰撞,柴达木盆地东北缘发生了强烈的地壳缩短变形,形成了一系列北西西走向山脉。由于缺乏系统的沉积学研究,盆地东北缘一系列山脉隆升过程存在不同认识。笔者等选取柴达木盆地东北缘怀头他拉剖面,对中新统下油砂山组、上油砂山组及中新统—上新统狮子沟组采集碎屑锆石样品,开展碎屑锆石U-Pb年代学测试。结合已有的研究成果,分析了柴达木盆地东北缘山脉隆升过程。研究结果显示,研究区碎屑锆石Th/U值介于0.03~3.3之间,以岩浆锆石为主。碎屑锆石年龄具有200~300 Ma、400~500 Ma、750~950 Ma、1.6~2.0 Ga以及2.2~2.5 Ga共5个年龄段。结合MDS(Multidimensional scaling)图分析表明:上油砂山组沉积中期(14.8~12.5 Ma),研究区发生一次物源转换,指示研究区南边的埃姆尼克山发生隆升,成为研究区物源地。狮子沟组沉积早期(8.6~7.0 Ma),研究区物源再次发生变化,表明南祁连山发生快速隆升,为研究区提供物源。据此,笔者等提出青藏高原北东向生长导致柴达木盆地东北缘构造隆升依次向北东传递。

Cenozoic sedimentary records and geochronological constraints of differential uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Geological mapping data (1:250000) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its adjacent regions reveal the sediment sequences, distribution and tectonic evolution of the 92 Tertiary remnant basins. Southern Tibet and the Yecheng area in Xinjiang, located at southern and northwestern margins of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, respectively, were parts of the Neo-Tethys remnant sea in the Paleogene. In southern Tibet, both the subabyssal and abyssal sequences occur at the Gyangze, Saga, Guoyala, and Sangmai areas. The deep-water facies successions outcrop in the west, whereas the shallow-water facies sequences in the east, indicating the east to the west retreat of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. The retreat of the Neo-Tethys Ocean in the east was contributed to the earlier tectonic uplift of the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The uplift process of the Plateau from the Late Cretaceous to Pliocene is described as follows: During the Late Cretaceous, tectonic uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau occurred in the northeastern part and the configuration of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was characterized by rise in the northeast and depression in the west. In the Paleocene-Eocene interval, the Tengchong-Baingoin and Kuyake-Golmud areas experienced local tectonic uplifting, the West Kunlun uplift zone broadened easterly, the Qilian uplift zone broadened southerly, and the Songpan-Garzê uplift zone shrank easterly. The Oligocene configuration of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was characterized by mountain chains rising along its margins and sedimentary basins in the central part because of tectonic uplifts of the Gangdisê and the Himalaya blocks. Meanwhile, the Kunlun-Altyn-Qilian uplift zones have also broadened southerly and northerly. In contrast, the great uplift zones of the Gangdisê, the Himalaya, the Karakorum, and the Kunlun blocks characterize the paleogeographic contours of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the Miocene-Pliocene. Additionally, the thermochronological data on tectonic uplift events in southern Tibet, West Kunlun Mountains, Altyn Tagh, eastern Tibet, and western Sichuan all suggest that the most intense deformation occurred at 13-8 Ma and since 5 Ma, respectively, corresponding to two great uplift periods in Neogene. As a result, turnover of paleogeographic configuration of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau occurred during the Neogene, experiencing a change from high contours in the east in the pre-Oligocene to high contours in the west at the end-Pliocene. The uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the Cenozoic was episodic, and the uplifts of various blocks within the Plateau were spatially and chronologically different.