Thoughts on Pairing Assistance to Tibet for Promoting Agricultural High-quality Development in Southern Tibet from the Perspective of Agricultural Power

In the new era,there is an urgent need to further promote pairing assistance to Tibet,promote the simultaneous construction of a strong agriculture in Tibet and the China's Mainland,and compose a Chinese-style modernization.Southern Tibet,located in the southeastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region,includes Shannan City and Nyingchi City,is a region assisted by four provincial partners including Hubei Province.This paper introduces the agricultural environment in southern Tibet,studies its agricultural characteristics,and analyzes the main issues of its pairing assistance.Taking forging the strong consciousness of the Chinese national community as the main line,the paper explores strategies for promoting agricultural high-quality development in southern Tibet through pairing assistance to Tibet from the perspective of agricultural power,and proposes some strategies,such as inheriting agricultural cultural heritage,promoting the upgrading of modern seed industry,enhancing the characteristic advantages of highland barley(naked barley)and animal husbandry industries,and developing edible fungi and cold water fish industries.

Late Cenozoic Sedimentary Evolution of Pagri-Duoqing Co graben, Southern End of Yadong-Gulu Rift, Southern Tibet

The north trending rifts in southern Tibet represent the E-W extension of the plateau and confirming the initial rifting age is key to the study of mechanics of these rifts. Pagri-Duoqing Co graben is located at southern end of Yadong-Gulu rift, where the late Cenozoic sediments is predominately composed of fluvio-lacustrine and moraine. Based on the sedimentary composition and structures, the fluviolacustrine could be divided into three facies, namely, lacustrine, lacustrine fan delta and alluvial fan. The presence of paleo-currents and conglomerate components and the provenance of the strata around the graben indicate that it was Tethys Himalaya and High Himalaya. Electron spin resonance(ESR) dating and paleo-magnetic dating suggest that the age of the strata ranges from ca. 1.2 Ma to ca. 8 Ma. Optically stimulated luminescence(OSL) dating showed that moraine in the graben mainly developed from around181-109 ka(late Middle Pleistocene). Combining previous data about the Late Cenozoic strata in other basins, it is suggested that 8-15 Ma may be the initial rifting time. Together with sediment distribution and drainage system, the sedimentary evolution of Pagri could be divided into four stages. The graben rifted at around 15-8 Ma due to the eastern graben-boundary fault resulting in the appearance of a paleolake.Following by a geologically quiet period about 8-2.5 Ma, the paleolake expanded from east to west at around 8-6 Ma reaching its maximum at ca. 6 Ma. Then, the graben was broken at about 2.5 Ma. At last,the development of the glacier separated the graben into two parts that were Pagri and Duoqing Co since the later stages of the Middle Pleistocene. The evolution process suggested that the former three stages were related to the tectonic movement, which determined the basement of the graben, while the last stage may have been influenced by glacial activity caused by climate change.

Triassic Sequence Stratigraphy and Sea-Level Changes in Qomolongma Area, Southern Tibet, China: From Epicontinental Sea to Rift Basin

The Triassic in the Qomolongma area, southern Tibet, was deposited under an extensional tectonic setting from the Pangea supercontinent to continental rifting. From the Induan to Rhaetian, 12 depositional sequences (3rd order) have been recognized, which can be grouped into 5 sequence sets and in turn make up a well defined mesosequence (2nd order). Among the recognized marine transgressions, those at 250 Ma, 239 Ma, 231 Ma and 223 Ma respectively are particularly of significance and can be correlated widely across continents. The study shows that in Triassic the Qomolongma area experienced a sedimentary evolution from epicontinental sea to rift basin with the turning point at ca 228 Ma. During the early and middle epochs, the area was under epeiric sea, with carbonate ramp to mixed shoal environments predominant. In the late Carnian, the strong extension initiated listric faulting, thus resulting in rapid basement subsidence and the onset of a rift basin. From the late Norian to Rhaetian, it manifested as a rapid basin filling process in the area. Coupled with long term sea level fall, the excessive terrigenous influx led to the shift of environment from deep water prodelta to shore and finally to fluvial plain.

Characteristic of crustal structure beneath the rifts in southern Tibetan plateau

The method of 2-D travel time inversion, which can be applied to determining 2-D velocity structure and interfaces simultaneously, is used in this paper to reprocess the data of Paiku Co-Pumoyingcuo seismic profile across the Nyima-Tingri rift and Shenzha-Dinggye rift. P-wave velocity structure and interfaces beneath the profile are obtained. The interfaces in the crust near Tingri and Dinggye which are located on rifts have a tendency to uplift, and velocities of middle and lower crusts are high. Low velocity layer in upper crust has an offset. Compared with the distribution of the earthquakes in this region, it is speculated that normal faults near Tingri and Dinggye extend to the upper mantle. Apparently it is affected by deep material： the uplift of mantle causes partial melting in the crust, thus the thickness of crust in this area becomes thin, and tension failures occur in this region easily. On the basis of the characteristics of the earthquakes＇ distribution and the structures of the crustal velocity and interfaces, materials from the mantle still uplifts and the failures are still active.

Initial Rifting Age of the Nearly N–S Rifts in Southern Tibetan Plateau:New Evidence from the Age limit of the Early Sediments

Objective The nearly parallel N-S-trending rifts in southern Tibet represent the E-W extension of the Tibet Plateau. Most data which constrained the age of the extensional deformation come from isotopic dating of the dikes probably related to the activity of the nearly N-S faulting and micas from hydrothermal activity and the low- temperature thermochronology of plateau uplift. Previous research shows that there are at least three different ideas about the age of the rifts： （1） older than 16-12 Ma, （2） 14- 10 Ma, and （3） 8-4 Ma （Fig. la）. For the old sedimentary strata represented the beginning of the rifting, the dating of the sediments helps to better define the initial rifting age.

Distribution of the low velocity bulk in the middle-to-lower crust of southern Tibet: implications for formation of the north–south trending rift zones

We conducted the ambient noise tomography to image the shallow crustal structure of southern Tibet. The2D maps of phase velocity anomalies at the periods of10–16 s show that the low velocities are mainly confined along or near some of the rift zones. While the maps at the periods of 18–25 s show that the coherent patterns that the low velocities expand outside of the rift zones. It means that the low velocities are prevailing in the middle crust of southern Tibet. According to the previous study of surface wave tomography with teleseismic data,we find that the low velocities from the lower crust to the lithospheric mantle are also restricted to the same rift zones. Thus,the integrated knowledge of the distribution of the low velocities in southern Tibet provides some new insight on the formation of the north–south trending rift zones. Compiling the multidiscipline evidences,we conclude that the rifting was an integrated process of the entire lithosphere in the early stage（＊26–10 Ma）,but mainly occurred within the upper crust due to the weakening a decoupling in the low velocity middle crust in the late stage（later than ＊8 Ma）.

An Important Spreading Event of the Neo-Tethys Ocean during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous: Evidence from Zircon U-Pb SHRIMP Dating on Diabase in Nagarze, Southern Tibet

Widely distributed in Gyangzê-Chigu area, southern Tibet, NW- and nearly E-W-trending diabase（gabbro）-gabbro diorite dykes are regarded as the product of the large-scale spreading of the late Neo-Tethys Ocean. In order to constrain the emplacement age of these dykes, zircons of two samples from diabases in Nagarzê were dated by using the U-Pb SHRIMP method. Two nearly the same weighted mean ^206pb/^23SU ages were obtained in this paper, which are 134.9±1.8 Ma （MSWD=0.65） and 135.5 ± 2.1 Ma （MSWD=1.40）, respectively. They not only represent the crystallization age of the diabase, but also documented an important spreading event of the Neo-Tethys Ocean during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous. This dating result is of great significance to reconstruct the temporal framework of the late Neo-Tethys Ocean in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Late Triassic Granites From the Quxu Batholith Shedding a New Light on the Evolution of the Gangdese Belt in Southern Tibet

The Gangdese magmatic belt formed during Late Triassic to Neogene in the southernmost Lhasa terrane of the Tibetan plateau. It is interpreted as a major component of a continental margin related to the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab beneath Eurasia and it is the key in understanding the tectonic framework of southern Tibet prior to the India-Eurasia collision. It is widely accepted that northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust formed the Gangdese magmatic belt, but the occurrence of Late Triassic magmatism and the detailed tectonic evolution of southern Tibet are still debated. This work presents new zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope data and whole-rock geochemical compositions of a mylonitic granite pluton in the central Gangdese belt, southern Tibet. Zircon U-Pb dating from two representative samples yields consistent ages of 225.3~=1.8 Ma and 229.9~1.5 Ma, respectively, indicating that the granite pluton was formed during the early phase of Late Triassic instead of Early Eocene （47-52 Ma） as previously suggested. Geochemically, the mylonitic granite pluton has a sub-alkaline composition and low-medium K calc-alkaline affinities and it can be defined as an I-type granite with metaluminous features （A/CNK〈I.1）. The analyzed samples are characterized by strong enrichments of LREE and pronounced depletions of Nb, Ta and Ti, suggesting that the granite was generated in an island-arc setting. However, the use of tectonic discrimination diagrams indicates a continental arc setting. Zircon Lu-Hf isotopes indicate that the granite has highly positive till（t） values ranging from ＋13.91 to ＋15.54 （mean value ＋14.79）, reflecting the input of depleted mantle material during its magmatic evolution, consistent with Mg# numbers. Additionally, the studied samples also reveal relatively young Hf two-stage model ages ranging from 238 Ma to 342 Ma （mean value 292 Ma）, suggesting that the pluton was derived from partial melting of juvenile crust. Geochemical discrimination diagrams also suggest that the granite was derived from partial melting of the mafic lower crust. Taking into account both the spatial and temporal distribution of the mylonitic granite, its geochemical fingerprints as well as previous studies, we propose that the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab beneath the Lhasa terrane had already commenced in Late Triassic （-230 Ma）, and that the Late Triassic magmatic events were formed in an active continental margin that subsequently evolved into the numerous sub- terranes, paleo-island-arcs and multiple collision phases that form the present southern Tibet.

Early Eocene Radiolarian Fauna from the Sangdanlin, Southern Tibet: Constraints on the Timing of Initial India-Asia Collision

This is a new report on the early Eocene radiolarian fauna from the Sangdanlin section in the Gyirong region, along the southern margin of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone. The Sangdanlin section measured in this study is divided into three lithostratigraphic units from bottom to top： the Zongzhuo, Sangdanlin, and Zheya formations. Abundant radiolarian fossils were obtained from the Sangdanlin section and 54 species of 30 genera were identified and assigned as follows： Cryptamphorella conara-C. macropora the late Cretaceous Zone and Amphis_phaera coronate, Bur）ella tetradica-Bekoma campechensis, and B.bidartensis-B. divaricata the Paleocene-early Eocene Interval Zones. The Paleocene- early Eocene radiolarian zones are comparable to the radiolarian zones RP4-RP8 in New Zealand. Based on the data of radiolaria and lithofacies, it is suggested that the Zongzhuo Formation should be deposited along the base of the north-facing, continental slope of the Greater Indian continental margin, and the Sangdanlin Formation should be a deep marine, sedimentary sequence located in a foreland basin. The early Eocene radiolarian fauna in the Sangdanlin Formation constrains the initial age of the India-Asia collision to no later than 53.6 Ma.

Planktic Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of the Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds in Kangmar,Southern Tibet,China

The planktic foraminifera of the Chuangde Formation （Upper Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds, CORBs） as exposed at Tianbadong section, Kangmar, southern Tibet has been firstly studied for a detailed for a detailed biostratigraphy elaboration. A rich and well-preserved planktic foraminifera were recovered from the Chuangde Formation of the Tianbadong section and the Globotruncanita elevata, Globotruncana ventricosa, Radotruncana calcarata, Globotruncanella havanensis, Globotruncana aegyptiaca, Gansserina gansseri and Abathomphalus mayaroensis zones have been recognized. The planktic foraminiferal assemblage points to an early Campanian to Maastrichitian age for the CORBs of the eastern North Tethyan Himalayan sub-belt, which also provides a better understanding of the shifting progress of the Indian Plate to the north and the evolution of the Neotethyan ocean. The lithostratigraphy of the Chuangde Formation of the Tianbadong section comprises two lithological sequences observed in ascending succession： a lower unit （the Shale Member） mainly composed of purple （cherry-red, violet-red） shales with interbedded siltstones and siliceous rocks; and an upper unit （the Limestone Member） of variegated limestones. The strata of the Chuangde Formation in the Tianbadong section are similar to CORBs in other parts of the northern Tethyan Himalaya area of Asia （Gyangze, Sa＇gya, Sangdanlin, northern Zanskar, etc.）. The fossil contents of the Chuangde Formation in the sections （CORBs） studied provide a means of correlation with the zonation schemes for those of the northern Tethyan Himalayan sub-belt and the Upper Cretaceous of the southern Tethyan Himalayan sub-belt. Paleogeographic reconstruction for the Late Cretaceous indicates that the Upper Cretaceous Chuangde Formation （CORBs） and correlatable strata in northern Zanskar were representative of slope to basinal deposits, which were situated in the northern Tethyan Belt. Correlatable Cretaceous strata in Spiti and Gamba situated in the southern Tethyan Belt in contrast were deposited in shelf environments along the Tethyan Himalayan passive margin. CORBs are most likely formed by the oxidation of Fe（II）-enriched, anoxic deep ocean water near the chemocline that separated the oxic oceanic surface from the anoxic.

Burial Records of Reactive Iron in Cretaceous Black Shales and Oceanic Red Beds from Southern Tibet

One of the new directions in the field of Cretaceous research is to elucidate the mechanism of the sedimentary transition from the Cretaceous black shales to oceanic red beds. A chemical sequential extraction method was applied to these two types of rocks from southern Tibet to investigate the burial records of reactive iron. Results indicate that carbonate-associated iron and pyrite are relatively enriched in the black shales, but depleted or absent in red beds. The main feature of the reactive iron in the red beds is relative enrichment of iron oxides （largely hematite）, which occurred during syn-depostion or early diagenesis. The ratio between iron oxides and the total iron indicates an oxygen-enriched environment for red bed deposition. A comparison between the reactive iron burial records and proxies of paleo-productivity suggests that paleo-productivity decreases when the ratio between iron oxides and the total iron increases in the red beds. This phenomenon could imply that the relationship between marine redox and productivity might be one of the reasons for the sedimentary transition from Cretaceous black shale to oceanic red bed deposition.

Response of Reactive Phosphorus Burial to the Sedimentary Transition from Cretaceous Black Shales to Oceanic Red Beds in Southern Tibet

The mechanism of sedimentary transition from the Cretaceous black shales to the oceanic red beds is a new and important direction of Cretaceous research. Chemical sequential extraction is applied to study the burial records of reactive phosphorus in the black shale of the Gyabula Formation and oceanic red beds of the Chuangde Formation, Southern Tibet. Results indicate that the principal reactive phosphorus species is the authigenic and carbonate-associated phosphorus （CAP） in the Gyabula Formation and iron oxides-associated phosphorus （FeP） in the Chuangde Formation which accounts for more than half of their own total phosphorus content. While the authigenic and carbonate-associated phosphorus （CAP） is almost equal in the two Formations; the iron oxidesassociated phosphorus is about 1.6 times higher in the Chuangde Formation than that in the Gyabula Formation resulting in a higher content of the total phosphorus in the Chuangde Formation. According to the observations on the marine phosphorus cyde in Modern Ocean, it is found that preferential burial and regeneration of reactive phosphorus corresponds to highly oxic and reducing conditions, respectively, leading to the different distribution of phosphorus in these two distinct type of marine sediments. It is the redox-sensitive behavior of phosphorus cycle to the different redox conditions in the ocean and the controlling effects of phosphorus to the marine production that stimulate the local sedimentary transition from the Cretaceous black shale to the oceanic red beds.

CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY BOUNDARY IN THE TINGRI REGION OF SOUTHERN TIBET

Marine uppermost Cretaceous to lowermost Tertiary sequence occurs in the Gamba and Tingri regions of southern Tibet. In previous work, the sequences in both regions were divided into the Zongshan, Jidula and Zhepure Formations (Wan, 1985; Hao and Wan, 1985; Xu, Wan, et al. 1990). The K/T boundary in Gamba was studied by Wan Xiaoqiao (1988). This paper deals with the boundary in the Tingri region. Willems (1993) discussed the Cretaceous to Tertiary sequence in the Tingri region. In his work, the Upper Cretaceous to Lower Tertiary passage beds involved the Zongshan, Zhepure Shanpo, Jidula and Zhepure Shan Formations. The lithologies in the Tingri and Gamba regions are generally comparable, and we describe the boundary sequence in the Tingri region as follows:1\ Zongshan Formation (Campanian—Middle Maastrichtian) Hao and Wan (1985) first described this formation in Tingri. It consists of limestones equivalent to the strata in Gamba. The nomination of the Zongshan formation has been used in both regions. The Formation in Gamba ranges from Campanian to Late Maastrichtian age. In Tingri, however, the upper beds were referred to the Zhepure Shanpo Formation because they are clastic sediments (Willems, 1993). Planktonic foraminifera are abundant, such as Globotruncana spp. and Omphalocyclus sp.

Zircon U-Pb Geochronological Constraints on Rapid Exhumation of the Mantle Peridotite of the Xigaze Ophiolite, Southern Xizang(Tibet)

The Xigaze ophiolite crops out in the central segment of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone,southern Tibet(Fig.1).It is characterized by large amounts of ultramafic units with minor mafic rocks.The mafic rocks consist of gabbros,

PALEOCEANOGRAPHY AND EVOLUTION OF THE CENO-TETHYS: MICROPALEONTOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FROM PELAGIC SEDIMENTS IN THE YARLUNG ZANGBO SUTURE ZONE, SOUTHERN TIBET

The Ceno\|Tethys is a southern branch of the Tethyan ocean and existed in the Mesozoic and early Cenozoic times. The evolution of the Ceno\|Tethys has been discussed based mainly on geological and paleontological data obtained from shallow marine sediments on the both sides of the ocean. Pelagic sediments deposited in a deep ocean basin of the Ceno\|Tethys are often incorporated in suture zones. However, geological and paleontological data from the pelagic sediments, which enable us to elucidate the paleoceanography and tectonic evolution of the Ceno\|Tethys, are still limited. The Xialu chert crops out about 30 km south of Xigaze and occupies the southern marginal part of the E—W trending Yarlung Zangbo Suture zone. As a result of radiolarian biostratigraphic research along two continuous sections, we identified seven different aged radiolarian assemblages from pelagic and hemipelagic sediments ranging early Middle Jurassic (Aalenian) to Early Cretaceous. The Aalenian radiolarian fauna is the oldest known record so far for the Xialu chert. It is noteworthy to point out that the fauna came from a chert sample which contains no terrigenous elements other than clay minerals. There is a possibility that radiolarian faunas older than Aalenian age will be discovered from the Xialu chert in the future.

Finite element modelling of the pull-apart formation: implication for tectonics of Bengo Co pull-apart basin, southern Tibet

The tectonic deformation and state of stress are significant parameters to understand the active structure, seismic phenomenon and overall ongoing geodynamic condition of any region. In this paper, we have examined the state of stress and crustal deformation during the formation of the Beng Co pull-apart basins produced by an enéchelon strike-slip fault systems using 2D Finite Element Modelling (FEM) under plane stress condition. The numerical modelling technique used for the experiments is based on FEM which enables us to analyze the static behavior of a real and continues structures. We have used three sets of models to explore how the geometry of model (fault overlap and pre-existing weak shear zone) and applied boundary conditions (pure strike-slip, transpressional and transtensional) influence the development of state of stress and deformation during the formation of pull-apart basins. Modelling results presented here are based on five parameters: 1) distribution, orienttation, and magnitude of maximum (σH max) and minimum (σH max) horizontal compressive stress 2) magnitude and orientation of displacement vectors 3) distribution and concentration of strain 4) distribution of fault type and 5) distribution and concentration of maximum shear stress (σH max) contours. The modelling results demonstrate that the deformation pattern of the en-échelon strike-slip pull-apart formation is mainly dependent on the applied boundary conditions and amount of overlap between two master strike-slip faults. When the amount of overlap of the two master strike-slip faults increases, the surface deformation gets wider and longer but when the overlap between two master strike-slip faults is zero, block rotation observed significantly, and only narrow and small surface deform ation obtained. These results imply that overlap between two master strike-slip faults is a significant factor in controlling the shape, size and morphology of the pull-apart basin formation. Results of numerical modelling further show that the pattern of the distribution of maximum shear stress (τmax) contours are prominently depend on the amount of overlap between two master strike-slip faults and applied boundary conditions. In case of more overlap between two masters strike-slip faults, τ max mainly concentrated at two corners of the master faults and that reduces and finally reaches zero at the centre of the pull-apart basin, whereas in case of no overlap, τmax largely concentrated at two corners and tips of the master strike-slip faults. These results imply that the distribution and concentration of the maximum shear stress is mainly governed by amount of overlap between the master strike-slip faults in the en-échelon pull-apart formation. Numerical results further highlight that the distribution patterns of the displacement vectors are mostly dependent on the amount of overlap and applied boundary conditions in the en-échelon pull-apart formation.

Thermodynamic modeling and elemental migration for the early stage of rodingitization:An example from the Xialu massif of the Xigaze ophiolite,southern Tibet

The analysis of early stage rodingite from the ultramafic rocks of the Xialu Massif in the Xigaze Ophiolite,Tibet,in China shows that the rodingitization involved continuous changes in fluid composition during different stages of subduction.The early stage prehnite-bearing rodingite was produced at low pressures and temperatures along extensional fractures.Samples of rodingite were collected along a profile from the center to the margin of a rodingitized intrusive igneous rock(^10 m×30 m),and they record wide variations in bulk composition,mineralogy,and texture.The mineral assemblages,from center to margin,vary from(1)relics of primary clinopyroxene(Cpx_(r))and primary amphibole(Amp_(r))+newly formed late amphibole(Act)+primary plagioclase(Pl_(r))+clinozoisite+prehnite+albite+chlorite+titanite+ilmenite(R1 rodingite),through(2)relics of primary clinopyroxene(Cpx_(r))+newly formed late clinopyroxene(Cpx_(n))+primary and late amphiboles(Amp_(r)+Act)+clinozoisite+prehnite+albite+chlorite+titanite(R2 rodingite),to(3)newly formed late clinopyroxene(Cpx_(n))and amphibole(Act)+clinozoisite+prehnite+albite+chlorite+titanite(R3 rodingite).As a result of the metasomatic process of rodingitization,the content of CaO in the whole rock chemical composition from R1 to R3 increases,SiO_(2) decreases,and Na_(2)O+K_(2)O is almost completely removed.Massbalance diagrams show enrichments in large ion lithophile elements such as Rb,Cs,Ba,and Pb as well as Ni during rodingitization.The central part of the rodingitized intrusion(R1 rodingite)was only slightly affected by metasomatism.On the other hand,the contents of the rare earth elements(REEs),high field strength elements(HFSEs;e.g.Zr,Nb,Ta,Hf,and Y),and some highly compatible elements such as Cr and Sc decreased slightly during rodingitization.Thermodynamic modeling based on equilibrium mineral assemblages indicates that the rodingite of the Xialu Massif formed in an H_(2)O-saturated,CO_(2)-rich environment.The estimated conditions of metamorphism were-281-323℃and 0.4-3.9 kbar,representing the subgreenschist facies.In this environment,REEs and HFSEs were soluble in the fluids and partly removed.Moreover,these prehnite rodingites formed in a progressively reducing and less alkaline environment,as indicated by decreases in f(O_(2))and bulk-rock Fe^(3+)/Fe^(2+) ratios,and the records of fluidΔpH from the center to the margin of the studied rodingitized intrusion.

The Cenomanian-Turonian Anoxic Event in Southern Tibet: A Study of Organic Geochemistry

The Cenomanian-Turonian oceanic anoxic event (C/T OAE) is developed in southern Tibet. Organic geochemical study of the Cenomanian-Turonian sediments from the Gamba and Tingri areas shows that the mid-Cretaceous black shales in southern Tibet are enriched in organic carbon. The molecular analyses of organic matter indicate marine organic matter was derived from algae and bacteria. In the Gamba area, the organic matter is characterized by abundant tricyclic terpanes and pregane, which are predominant in 191 and 217 mass chromatograms, respectively. Pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios in the C/T OAE sediments are less than 1, demonstrating the domination of phytane. The presence of carotane can be regarded as a special biomarker indicating oxygen depletion in the C/T OAE sediments in the Tethyan Himalayas. In anoxic sediments, β-carotane and γ-carotane are very abundant. The β- and γ-carotane ratios relative to nC 17 in the Cenomanian-Turonian anoxic sediments vary from 32.28～ 42.87 and 5.10～ 11.01.

Characteristics of Metamorphic Rock Magnetic Fabrics in the Nyalam Area of the Southern Tibet and Its Geological Significance, China

This paper reports Precambrian rock magnetic fabrics in the Nyalam area of southern Tibet. The analytical results of magnetic fabrics show that the values of H are high （〉 10% in general）, so the ductile deformations of the Precambrian rock are strong. The orientation of the maximum principal stress inferred from the minimum magnetic susceptibility is nearly S-N, NE-SW and NW-SE. The Flinn diagram of the magnetic fabrics show that the strain pattern is oblate and constrictional type. Magnetic foliation of great majority of rock samples is well developed and the magnetic lineation is poor and the magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid is flattened. The magnetic lineation of the minority rock samples is well developed and the magnetic foliation is poor and the magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid is prolate. According to the geological field and the magnetic fabrics, there are 3 times tectonic stress field in SN directed extruding, NW-SE directed extruding, NW-SE directed extension. It shows that the Nyalam area has undergone process the orientation of SN, NW-SE nappe structure and NW-SE directed extension structure. The change of tectonic stress is reflected by the field characteristics of the Precambrian rock magnetic fabrics that is the direct responding result of the arc-continental, continent-continental collision between the India and Asian continents in the late part of the Late Cretaceous to Late Eocene and subsequently shifted to intra-continental convergent, the plateau uplifting and extension structure stage since the Late Eocene.

Biogenic characteristics of Mesozoic cherts in southern Tibet and its significance

The Xialu chert, which contains abundant biological information, were investigated by major element analysis, micro-Raman, SEM and EPMA. The results show that SiO2 content of chert is 84.12%-93.08%, averaging 89.84%. The close packed structures of low degree crystallinity of quartz indicate the hydrothermal origin. SiO2 of modern hot springs exhibit loose silica pellets and nodular, beaded structures. Under polarization microscope, the presence of biological skeleton structures indicate that biological activities are involved in the hydrothermal deposition, which correspond to the geochemical characteristics: w(SiO2)/ w(K2O+Na2O), w(SiO2)/w(Al2O3) and w(SiO2)/w(MgO), with average values of 295.29, 68.88 and 284.45, respectively. SiO2 is enriched in the organism(radiolarian) centers, the degree order of SiO2 within the biologic structures is much higher than that of outside. The impurity minerals albites are formed earlier than the original deposition. Kaolinites, feldspars and mixture of organic materials display lower degree of crystallinities and accumulate as vermicular aggregates.