An Orthogonal Collision Dynamic Mechanism of Wave-Like Uplift Plateaus in Southern Asia

In southern Asia, there are three large-scale wave-like mountains ranging from the Tibetan Plateau westward to the Iranian Plateau and the Armenian Plateau. On the southern side between plateaus, there are the Indian Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula. What dynamic mechanisms form the directional alignment of the three plateaus with the two peninsulas remains a mystery. In the early stages of the Earth’s geological evolution, the internal structure of the Earth was that the center was a solid core, and the outmost layer was a thin equatorial crust zone separated by two thick pristine continents in polar areas, while the middle part was a deep magma fluid layer. Within the magma fluid layer, thermal and dynamic differences triggered planetary-scale vertical magma cells and led to the core-magma angular momentum exchange. When the core loses angular momentum and the magma layer gains angular momentum, the movement of upper magma fluids to the east and the tropical convergence zone (TCZ) drives the split and drift of two thick pristine continents, eventually forming the current combination of these plateaus and peninsulas and their wave-like arrangement along the east-west direction. Among them, the horizontal orthogonal convergence (collision) of upper magma fluids from the two hemispheres excited the vertical shear stress along the magma TCZ, which is the dynamic mechanism of mountain uplifts on the north side and plate subductions on the south side. To confirm this mechanism, two examples of low-level winds are used to calculate the correspondence between cyclone/anticyclonic systems generated by the orthogonal collision of airflows along the atmospheric TCZ and satellite-observed cloud systems. Such comparison can help us revisit the geological history of continental drift and orogeny.

Secondary Cones of the Shatsky Rise and Implications for Late-Stage Volcanism Atop Oceanic Plateaus

Oceanic plateaus are large igneous provinces in the oceans,created by massive underwater eruptions,but their late-stage volcanism is poorly understood.With the addition of recent high-quality bathymetric data to existing data,286 secondary cones were discovered over Shatsky Rise oceanic plateau.These cones with steeper flank slopes(mean 6.1°±4.4°)and smaller sizes(102–1923 m in height)are morphologically distinct from the plateau,and they are thought to have formed after the main volcanic episodes.Cone height and characteristic height(420 m)are close to seamounts in the Pacific Ocean,whereas greater than those in the Atlantic Ocean.Mean flatness of Shatsky Rise’s cones(0.25±0.20)are similar to that of seamounts in both Pacific and Atlantic Oceans,but notably density in cone distribution(0.56 km^-3)and their mean slope are significantly lower than those of seamounts in the two oceans.Lower slopes of secondary cones within Shatsky Rise may be explained by higher effusion rates of remaining magma.Although cone formation was expected to have a link to rifting by seafloor spreading,weak relationship between cone orientation and magnetic anomaly pattern implies that the expectation is negative.Moreover,weak correlation between the cone height and depth indicates it is not true that volcanic cones grow taller when they occur closer to the massif summits with thicker oceanic crust,which was suggested as the increase in hydraulic pressure.Cone height and flatness are also not strongly related,implying that remaining magma supply was too limited to foster the cones to critical height.

Analysis on Landscape Ecological Risk of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateaus:A Case Study on Niyang River Basin

Taking Niyang River Basin as an example, applying with the indices of landscape pattern, the indices of ecological risk of ecosystems are calculated in this paper, which takes the value of ecological loss of main ecosystem as the evaluation standard and takes into account the impacts of probability or the velocity of main hazards and event of the ecosystem. And the grades of ecological risk are assessed. According to the results of assessment, the ecological risk grades of the basin are divided into five classes. From the first grade risk to the fifth grade risk, the values of regional risk indices gradually reduce. The first grade risk areas mainly distribute in Niyang river and its branches downstream and the surrounding areas of main towns. And the basin area of non-valley region and the headstream regions of the branches are the fifth grades risk areas. This evaluation results provide the basis to the regional sustainable development.

Comparative analysis of the mass elevation effect and its implication for the treeline between the Tibetan and Bolivian plateaus based on solar radiation

As one of the main non-zonal factors,the mass elevation effect(MEE)has significant impacts on both regional climates and mountain ecological patterns.In recent years,with the development of quantitative techniques and methods,quantitative studies on the MEE and its implication on mountain altitudinal belts have developed rapidly.However,some issues have not been solved yet,such as high errors in spatial temperature estimations and difficulties in the definition and extraction of intramountain base elevation.Moreover,there is still a lack of comparative studies on the MEE and its influence on treelines and snowlines as most studies were conducted on specific mountains or plateaus.To compare the MEE magnitudes of the Tibetan Plateau(TP)and the Bolivian Plateau(BP),we estimated the correspondent air temperatures and simulated the solar radiations based on MODIS surface temperature,station observation,and treeline data.Then,we analyzed the elevation of the 10℃isotherms on the two plateaus,the temperatures at the same elevation,and the solar radiations.According to the mechanism of the MEE and the relationship of solar radiation and treeline,we constructed treeline models for the two plateaus through a stepwise regression analysis by considering several influencing factors of the MEE(e.g.,air temperature and precipitation)and using solar radiation as its proxy.The results showed that:(1)the MEE magnitude on the TP is equivalent to that on the BP although the former is slightly higher than the latter;(2)the MEE strongly influences the highest treelines in the northern and southern hemispheres,which both occur on the two plateaus.Notably,the treeline distribution models based on solar radiation had higher accuracies than those models with parameters of temperature and precipitation(the adjusted R^(2) values were 0.76 for the TP and 0.936 for the BP),indicating that solar radiation can be used to quantify the MEE and its implications on treelines.Overall,the results of this study can serve as a basis for subsequent analyses on the MEE’s impact factors.

Cryogenic wedges on the NE Qinghai-Tibet and Ordos Plateaus:Their characteristics,origin and OSL dating

Cryogenic wedges developed due to very cold,rather arid conditions during the maximum of the last cold event when the drying up of the neighboring China Sea resulted in the failure of the East Asian Monsoon.As the climate ameliorated and the Monsoon rains reappeared,ice-wedges developed.Further warming permitted thawing of the ice infillings accompanied by replacement of the ice by sediments partly from the host ground as well as from the surface by wind or sheet wash.In cases of extreme surface water flow on slopes after 10 ka B.P.,small baydjarakhs typically c.50 cm high developed,only to have the resulting hollows infilled by sediments carried by wind and/or sheet wash.These shallow structures form a network on top of many of the cryogenic wedges.This complex history makes dating the ages of the wedges difficult using OSL methodology.Unfortunately,past field work ignored the problem of the angle of the cut face to the direction of the wedge infilling when sampling the contents of the narrow wedges,resulting in potential contamination of the samples with the host sediment.Sampling of the larger deposits should be alright,but the likelihood of contamination makes the interpretation of the resulting OSL dates from the narrow wedges questionable.Primary wedges consisting of primary mineral infillings should still have similar OSL dates with depth for a given wedge,but the distinction between ice-wedge infillings and soil wedges is difficult since both can exhibit older dates of the infillings with depth.The available data suggests that ice-wedges were significantly more common than sediment-filled primary wedges.A protocol to avoid having to obtain large numbers of OSL dates by more careful field sampling and the use of grain size determinations is provided in the Appendix.

Mechanism of Diabatic Heating on Precipitation and the Track of a Tibetan Plateau Vortex over the Eastern Slope of the Tibetan Plateau

Existing studies contend that latent heating(LH)will replace sensible heating(SH)to become the dominant factor affecting the development of the Tibetan Plateau vortex(TPV)after it moves off the Tibetan Plateau(TP).However,in the process of the TPV moving off the TP requires that the airmass traverse the eastern slope of the Tibetan Plateau(ESTP)where the topography and diabatic heating(DH)conditions rapidly change.How LH gradually replaces SH to become the dominant factor in the development of the TPV over the ESTP is still not very clear.In this paper,an analysis of a typical case of a TPV with a long life history over the ESTP is performed by using multi-sourced meteorological data and model simulations.The results show that SH from the TP surface can change the TPV-associated precipitation distribution by temperature advection after the TPV moves off the TP.The LH can then directly promote the development of the TPV and has a certain guiding effect on the track of the TPV.The SH can control the active area of LH by changing the falling area of the TPV-associated precipitation,so it still plays a key role in the development and tracking of the TPV even though it has moved out of the main body of the TP.

Effects of formal credit on pastoral household expense: Evidence from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China

Formal credit is critical in agricultural production,allowing more expenditure and productive input,thereby improving farmers'welfare.In pastoral China,formal financial institutions are gradually increasing.However,a limited understanding remains of how formal credit affects herders'household expenses.Based on a survey of 544 herders from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China,this study adopted the propensity score matching approach to identify the effect of formal credit on herders'total household expenses,daily expenses,and productive expenses.The results found that average age,grassland mortgage,and other variables significantly affected herders'participation in formal credit.Formal credit could significantly improve household expenses,especially productive expenses.A heterogeneity analysis showed that formal credit had a greater impact on the household total expense for those at higher levels of wealth;however,it significantly affected the productive expense of herders at lower wealth levels.Moreover,the mediating effect indicated that formal credit could affect herders'household income,thus influencing their household expenses.Finally,this study suggests that policies should improve herders'accessibility to formal credit.

Central Asia revealed as a key area in evolution of Eremurus (Asphodelaceae)

Eremurus was described at the beginning of the 19th century.However,due to limited sampling and the small number of gene markers to date,its phylogeny and evolution are largely unknown.In this study,we analyzed plastomes from 27 species belonging to 2 subgenera and 3 sections of Eremurus,which are found in Central Asia(its center of diversity)and China.We also analyzed nuclear DNA ITS of 33 species,encompassing all subgenera and sections of the genus in Central Asia,southwest Asia and China.Our findings revealed that the genus was monophyletic,although both subgenera Eremurus and Henningia were found to be paraphyletic.Both plastome and nrDNA-based phylogenetic trees had three clades that did not reflect the current taxonomy of the genus.Our biogeographical and time-calibrated trees suggest that Eremurus originated in the ancient Tethyan area in the second half of the Eocene.Diversification of Eremurus occurred from the early Oligocene to the late Miocene.Paratethys Sea retreat and several orogenetic events,such as the progressive uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and surrounding mountain belts(Altai,Pamir,Tian Shan),caused serious topographic and climate(aridification)changes in Central Asia that may have triggered a split of clades and speciation.In this transformed Central Asia,speciation proceeded rapidly driven mainly by vicariance caused by numerous mountain chains and specialization to a variety of climatic,topographic and soil conditions that exist in this region.

Megafossils of Betulaceae from the Oligocene of Qaidam Basin and their paleoenvironmental and phytogeographic implications

Understanding the paleoenvironment and phytogeographical history of the Tibetan Plateau,China relies on discovering new plant fossils.The Qaidam Basin has long been regarded as an ideal‘field laboratory’to investigate the paleoclimate and paleobiological evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau.However,fossil angiosperms from the Qaidam Basin are rare,and our knowledge of its paleovegetation is poor.Here,we report fossil leaves and fruits of Betulaceae found from the Oligocene Shangganchaigou Formation of northwestern Qaidam Basin(Huatugou area).Comparative morphological analysis led us to assign the fruits to the Betula subgenus Betula and the leaves to Carpinus grandis.These findings,together with other reported fossil plants from the same locality,reveal a close floristic linkage between the Qaidam Basin and Europe during the Oligocene.The northern pathway of this floristic exchange may have crossed through the Qaidam Basin during the late Paleogene.This floristic linkage may have been facilitated by the continuous narrowing of the Turgai Strait and stronger westerlies,which transported moisture and provided favorable climatic conditions.Indeed,fossil plants collected from the Qaidam Basin suggest that during the Oligocene this region had warm and humid deciduous broad-leaf forest,which differs from the region’s modern vegetation and indicates that the Qaidam Basin may have been a suitable region for these plants to flourish and spread during the Oligocene.

Erosion control of Chinese loess using polymer SH and ryegrass

The China Loess Plateau is subjected to severe soil erosion triggered by intense rainfall,resulting in significant harm and losses to both human society and the natural surroundings.In this study,a novel technique for managing loess erosion is introduced,which involves the utilization of a combined polymer SH and ryegrass.A comprehensive series of tests were undertaken,including rainfall erosion tests,disintegration experiments,and scanning electron microscopy examinations,to assess the accumulative sediment yield(ASY),disintegration ratio,and microstructural features of both untreated and treated loess samples.The results showed a significant reduction in ASY with increased dry density of untreated loess.Furthermore,the combined technique effectively controlled erosion,limiting ASY to 266.2 g/cm^(2)in 60 minutes.This was approximately one-sixth,one-ninth,and one-fifteenth of the ASY in SH-treated loess(L-SH),ryegrass-treated loess(L-R),and untreated loess,respectively.It resisted disintegration better than ryegrass alone but slightly less than SH.This improvement was due to the combined effect of SH and ryegrass,which reduced raindrop impact,improved loess microstructure,and boosted ryegrass growth.The innovative technique holds the potential to be applied as a field-scale technique in the Loess Plateau region of China.

Significant lake expansion has accelerated permafrost degradation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

In recent years, lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have become more responsive to climate change. In September 2011, Zonag Lake in Hoh Xil experienced sudden drainage, the water eventually flowed into Yanhu Lake, which caused Yanhu Lake to continue to expand. The potential collapse of Yanhu Lake could directly threaten the operational safety of the adjacent Qinghai-Tibet Highway, Qinghai-Tibet Railway. To explore the implications of expanding lakes on the surrounding permafrost, we selected Hoh Xil Yanhu Lake on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to study the effect of lake expansion on permafrost degradation. The permafrost degradation in the Yanhu Lake basin from October 2017 to December 2022 was inverted using Sentinel-1 satellite image data and small baseline subset interferometry synthetic aperture radar(SBAS-In SAR) technology. Additionally, permafrost degradation from February 2007 and February 2010 was analyzed using advanced land observing satellite phased array-type L-band synthetic aperture radar(ALOS PALSAR) satellite images and differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar(D-In SAR) technique. The results showed that the permafrost around Yanhu Lake experienced accelerated degradation. Prior to the expansion of Yanhu Lake, the average annual deformation rate along the line of sight(LOS) direction was 6.7 mm/yr. After the expansion, the rate increased to 20.9 mm/yr. The integration of spatial-temporal distribution maps of surface subsidence, Wudaoliang borehole geothermal data, meteorological data, Yanhu Lake surface area changes, and water level changes supports the assertion that the intensified permafrost degradation could be attributed to lake expansion rather than the rising air temperature. Furthermore, permafrost degradation around Yanhu Lake could impact vital infrastructure such as the adjacent Qinghai-Tibet Highway and Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Inbreeding and genetic load in a pair of sibling grouse species:Tetrastes sewersowi and T.bonasia

Genetic load and inbreeding are recognized as important factors to be considered in conservation programs.Elevated levels of both can increase the risk of population extinction by negatively impacting fitness-related characters in many species of plants and animals,including humans(inbreeding depression).Genomic tech-niques are increasingly used in measuring and understanding genetic load and inbreeding and their importance in evolution and conservation.We used whole genome resequencing data from two sibling grouse species in subarctic Eurasia to quantify both.We found a large range of inbreeding measured as FROH(fraction of runs of homozygosity)in individuals from different populations of Chinese Grouse(Tetrastes sewerzowi)and Hazel Grouse(T.bonasia).FROH estimated from genome-wide runs of homozygosity(ROH)ranged from 0.02 to 0.24 among Chinese Grouse populations and from 0.01 to 0.44 in Hazel Grouse.Individuals from a population of Chinese Grouse residing in the Qilian mountains and from the European populations of Hazel Grouse(including samples from Sweden,Germany and Northeast Poland)were the most inbred(FROH ranged from 0.10 to 0.23 and 0.11 to 0.44,respectively).These levels are comparable to other highly inbred populations of birds.Hazel Grouse from northern China and Chinese Grouse residing in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau showed relatively lower inbreeding levels.Comparisons of the ratio between deleterious missense mutations and synonymous mutations revealed higher levels in Chinese Grouse as compared to Hazel Grouse.These results are possibly explained by higher fixation rates,mutational melt down,in the range-restricted Chinese Grouse compared to the wide-ranging Hazel Grouse.However,when we compared the relatively more severe class of loss-of-function muta-tions,Hazel Grouse had slightly higher levels than Chinese Grouse,a result which may indicate that purifying selection(purging)has been more efficient in Chinese Grouse on this class of mutations.

Case Studies of the Microphysical and Kinematic Structure of Summer Mesoscale Precipitation Clouds over the Eastern Tibetan Plateau

Three cases of microphysical characteristics and kinematic structures in the negative temperature region of summer mesoscale cloud systems over the eastern Tibetan Plateau(TP)were investigated using X-band dual-polarization radar.The time-height series of radar physical variables and mesoscale horizontal divergence δderived by quasi-vertical profiles(QVPs)indicated that the dendritic growth layer(DGL,-20°C to-10°C)was ubiquitous,with large-value zones of K_(DP)(specific differential phase),Z_(DR)(differential reflectivity),or both,and corresponded to various dynamic fields(ascent or descent).Ascents in the DGL of cloud systems with vigorous vertical development were coincident with large-value zones of Z_(DR),signifying ice crystals with a large axis ratio,but with no obvious large values of K_(DP),which differs from previous findings.It is speculated that ascent in the DGL promoted ice crystals to undergo further growth before sinking.If there was descent in the DGL,a high echo top corresponded to large values of K_(DP),denoting a large number concentration of ice crystals;but with the echo top descending,small values of K_(DP) formed.This is similar to previous results and reveals that a high echo top is conducive to the generation of ice crystals.When ice particles fall to low levels(-10℃ to 0℃),they grow through riming,aggregation,or deposition,and may not be related to the kinematic structure.It is important to note that this study was only based on a limited number of cases and that further research is therefore needed.

Changes in Spring Snow Cover over the Eastern and Western Tibetan Plateau and Their Associated Mechanism

The spring snow cover(SC)over the western Tibetan Plateau(TP)(TPSC)(W_TPSC)and eastern TPSC(E_TPSC)have displayed remarkable decreasing and increasing trends,respectively,during 1985–2020.The current work investigates the possible mechanisms accounting for these distinct TPSC changes.Our results indicate that the decrease in W_TPSC is primarily attributed to rising temperatures,while the increase in E_TPSC is closely linked to enhanced precipitation.Local circulation analysis shows that the essential system responsible for the TPSC changes is a significant anticyclonic system centered over the northwestern TP.The anomalous descending motion and adiabatic heating linked to this anticyclone leads to warmer temperatures and consequent snowmelt over the western TP.Conversely,anomalous easterly winds along the southern flank of this anticyclone serve to transport additional moisture from the North Pacific,leading to an increase in snowfall over the eastern TP.Further analysis reveals that the anomalous anticyclone is associated with an atmospheric wave pattern that originates from upstream regions.Springtime warming of the subtropical North Atlantic(NA)sea surface temperature(SST)induces an atmospheric pattern resembling a wave train that travels eastward across the Eurasian continent before reaching the TP.Furthermore,the decline in winter sea ice(SIC)over the Barents Sea exerts a persistent warming influence on the atmosphere,inducing an anomalous atmospheric circulation that propagates southeastward and strengthens the northwest TP anticyclone in spring.Additionally,an enhancement of subtropical stationary waves has resulted in significant increases in easterly moisture fluxes over the coastal areas of East Asia,which further promotes more snowfall over eastern TP.

Quantifying freeze-melt dynamics of lakes on the Tibetan Plateau using Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar imagery

The ice phenology of alpine lakes on the Tibetan Plateau(TP)is a rapid and direct responder to climate changes,and the variations in lake ice exhibit high temporal frequency characteristics.MODIS and passive microwave data are widely used to monitor lake ice changes with high temporal resolution.However,the low spatial resolutions make it difficult to effectively quantify the freeze-melt dynamics of lakes.This work used Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar(SAR)data to derive high-resolution ice maps(about 6 days),then with the aid of Sentinel-2 optical images to quantify freeze-melt processes in three typical lakes on the TP(e.g.Selin Co,Ayakekumu Lake,and Nam Co).The results showed that three lakes had an average annual ice period of 125-157 days and a complete ice cover period of 72-115 days,from 2018 to 2022.They exhibit different ice phenology patterns.Nam Co is characterized by repeated episodes of freezing,melting,and refreezing,resulting in a prolonged freeze-up period.Meanwhile,the break-up period of Nam Co lasts for a longer duration(about 19 days),and the break-up exhibits a smooth process.Similarly,Ayakekumu Lake showed more significant inter-annual fluctuations in the freeze-up period,with deviations of up to 28 days observed among different years.Compared to the other two lakes,Selin Co experienced a relatively short freeze-up and break-up period.In short,Sentinel-1 SAR data can effectively monitor the weekly and seasonal variations in lake ice on the TP.Particularly,this data facilitates quantification of the freeze-melt dynamics.

Cover Story

The cover photo (29.534789°N,96.501984°E,2,400 m) in Journal of Mountain Science (Vol.21 No.1,2024) was taken by Dr.NIU Hewen in October 2021 during his field expedition to Bomi county,Tibet Autonomous Region,China.The glacier in the picture is one of the typical mountain glaciers in the Tibetan Plateau,even in the High Mountain Asia.This example of limited and fragile mountain glacier ecosystem(proglacial lake,glaciated landform,vegetation) can directly reflect extensive glacier shrinkage and retreat under the background of prevalent global warming.

Westerlies Affecting the Seasonal Variation of Water Vapor Transport over the Tibetan Plateau Induced by Tropical Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal

This study investigates the activity of tropical cyclones(TCs)in the Bay of Bengal(BOB)from 1979 to 2018 to discover the mechanism affecting the contribution rate to the meridional moisture budget anomaly(MMBA)over the southern boundary of the Tibetan Plateau(SBTP).May and October–December are the bimodal phases of BOB TC frequency,which decreases month by month from October to December and is relatively low in May.However,the contribution rate to the MMBA is the highest in May.The seasonal variation in the meridional position of the westerlies is the key factor affecting the contribution rate.The relatively southern(northern)position of the westerlies in November and December(May)results in a lower(higher)contribution rate to the MMBA.This mechanism is confirmed by the momentum equation.When water vapor enters the westerlies near the trough line,the resultant meridional acceleration is directed north.It follows that the farther north the trough is,and the farther north the water vapor can be transported.When water vapor enters the westerlies from the area near the ridge line,for Type-T(Type-R)TCs,water vapor enters the westerlies downstream of the trough(ridge).Consequently,the direction of the resultant meridional acceleration is directed south and the resultant zonal acceleration is directed east(west),which is not conducive to the northward transport of water vapor.This is especially the case if the trough or ridge is relatively south,as the water vapor may not cross the SBTP.

Occurrence of microplastics in natural and farmland soil in the Qilian Mountains of the Northern Tibetan Plateau

Microplastics(MPs)become ubiquitous in soil and are an environmental and public health concern worldwide.However,the status of MPs in natural and farmland soils in remote areas remains poorly understood.In this study,we investigated the characteristics of MPs in natural and farmland soils along two transects in the Qilian Mountains of the northern Tibetan Plateau.The average abundance of MPs in natural and farmland soils was 29,778 and 56,123 items kg^(-1),respectively,with a detection size range of 10-1000μm.MPs in the size range of 10-100μm accounted for 84.1%of particles detected.Among the 21 polymers detected,polyethylene dominated in both farmland and natural soils.The shape of MPs was dominated by fragments(95.8%),followed by fibers(3.8%)and beads(0.4%).The abundance of MPs was positively correlated with increasing altitude in natural soils.There was no significant correlation between the abundance of MPs and soil physicochemical properties due to the narrow range of values of soil physicochemical properties.With the growing concern regarding MPs pollution,research on the status of MPs in high altitude and remote areas is critical to understanding their global cycle.

Multiple Uplift and Exhumation of the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau:Evidence from Low-Temperature Thermochronology

Since the Cenozoic,the Tibetan Plateau has experienced large-scale uplift and outgrowth due to the India-Asia collision.However,the mechanism and timing of these tectonic processes still remain debated.Here,using apatite fission track dating and inverse thermal modeling,we explore the mechanism of different phases of rapid cooling for different batholiths and intrusions in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau.In contrast to previous views,we find that the coeval granitic batholith exposed in the same tectonic zone experienced differential fast uplift in different sites,indicating that the present Tibetan Plateau was the result of differential uplift rather than the entire lithosphere uplift related to lithospheric collapse during Cenozoic times.In addition,we also suggest that the 5-2 Ma mantle-related magmatism should be regarded as the critical trigger for the widely coeval cooling event in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau,because it led to the increase in atmospheric CO_(2)level and a hotter upper crust than before,which are efficient for suddenly fast rock weathering and erosion.Finally,we propose that the current landform of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau was the combined influences of tectonic and climate.

Assessment of natural and anthropogenic impacts on terrestrial water storage in the Loess Plateau based on different types of GRACE/GRACE-FO solutions

Changes in water resource storage are inevitable due to climate change and human activities,thus understanding alterations in water storage within a specific region is imperative for the planning and management of water resources.Data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment(GRACE)satellite mission are extensively employed to analyze large-scale total terrestrial water storage anomalies(TWSA).In this study,we derived a more reliable TWSA using different types of GRACE gravity models,which served as the basis for evaluating spatial and temporal variations in total terrestrial water storage and its hydrological components(soil moisture and groundwater)across the Loess Plateau.Additionally,we analyzed the impact of natural and anthropogenic influences on water storage in the Loess Plateau,categorizing them into primary and secondary influences,utilizing data on climate and human activities.The findings revealed a declining trend in the overall TWSA of the Loess Plateau,with a rate of decrease at-0.65±0.05 cm/yr from 2003 to 2020(P<0.01).As the direct factors affecting TWSA,soil moisture dominated the change of TWSA before 2009,and groundwater dominated the change of TWSA after 2009.Spatially,there was variability in the changes of TWSA in the Loess Plateau.More in-depth studies showed that soil moisture changes in the study area were primarily driven by evapotranspiration and temperature,with precipitation and vegetation cover status playing a secondary role.Human activities had a secondary effect on soil moisture in some sub-regions.Population change and agricultural development were major factors in altering groundwater storage in the study area.Other than that,groundwater was influenced by natural factors to a limited extent.These findings provided valuable insights for local governments to implement proactive water management policies.