Geomorphic constraints on surface uplift, exhumation, and plateau growth in the Red River region, Yunnan Province, China

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 2004 Geomorphic constraints on surface uplift, exhumation, and plateau growth in the Red River region, Yunnan Province, China L.M. Schoenbohm; L.M. Schoenbohm 1Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar K.X Whipple; K.X Whipple 1Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar B.C. Burchfiel; B.C. Burchfiel 1Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar L. Chen L. Chen 2Yunnan Institute of Geological Sciences, 131 Baita Rd., Kunming, Yunnan, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information L.M. Schoenbohm 1Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA K.X Whipple 1Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA B.C. Burchfiel 1Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA L. Chen 2Yunnan Institute of Geological Sciences, 131 Baita Rd., Kunming, Yunnan, China Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 25 Mar 2003 Revision Received: 16 Nov 2003 Accepted: 29 Nov 2003 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2004) 116 (7-8): 895–909. https://doi.org/10.1130/B25364.1 Article history Received: 25 Mar 2003 Revision Received: 16 Nov 2003 Accepted: 29 Nov 2003 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation L.M. Schoenbohm, K.X Whipple, B.C. Burchfiel, L. Chen; Geomorphic constraints on surface uplift, exhumation, and plateau growth in the Red River region, Yunnan Province, China. GSA Bulletin 2004;; 116 (7-8): 895–909. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B25364.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Field observations, digital elevation model (DEM) data, and longitudinal profile analysis reveal a perched low-relief upland landscape in the Red River region, Yunnan Province, China, which correlates to an uplifted, regional low-relief landscape preserved over the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. As with other major rivers of the plateau margin, the Red River has deeply incised the low-relief upland landscape, which we interpret to be the remnants of a pre-uplift or relict landscape. We examine longitudinal river profiles for 97 tributaries of the Red River. Most profiles consist of three segments separated by sharp knickpoints: an upper, low-gradient channel segment, a steeper middle channel segment, and a very steep lower channel segment. Upper channel segments correspond to the relict landscape and have not yet experienced river incision. Steeper middle and lower segments indicate onset of rapid, two-phase river incision, on the basis of which changes in external forcings, such as climate or uplift, can be inferred. In terms of two end-member scenarios, two-phase incision could be the result of pulsed plateau growth, in which relatively slow uplift during the first phase is followed by rapid uplift during the second phase, or it could reflect adjustments of the main channel to changing climate conditions against the backdrop of steady plateau growth. Reconstruction of the paleo–Red River indicates ∼1400 m river incision, 1400–1500 m surface uplift, and a maximum of 750 m vertical displacement across the northern Red River fault, elevating the northern Ailao Shan range above the surrounding relict landscape. On the basis of stratigraphic constraints, incision along the Red River likely began in Pliocene time. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.