Thermochronologic evidence for plateau formation in central Tibet by 45 Ma

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 2012 Thermochronologic evidence for plateau formation in central Tibet by 45 Ma Alexander Rohrmann; Alexander Rohrmann * 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA *Current address: Institute für Erd- und Umweltwissenschaften, Universität Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Paul Kapp; Paul Kapp 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Barbara Carrapa; Barbara Carrapa 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Peter W. Reiners; Peter W. Reiners 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jerome Guynn; Jerome Guynn 2Exxon Mobil Exploration Company, Houston, Texas 70060, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lin Ding; Lin Ding 3Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Matthew Heizler Matthew Heizler 4New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, New Mexico 87801, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Alexander Rohrmann * 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Paul Kapp 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Barbara Carrapa 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Peter W. Reiners 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Jerome Guynn 2Exxon Mobil Exploration Company, Houston, Texas 70060, USA Lin Ding 3Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China Matthew Heizler 4New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, New Mexico 87801, USA *Current address: Institute für Erd- und Umweltwissenschaften, Universität Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany. Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 06 Jun 2011 Revision Received: 26 Sep 2011 Accepted: 19 Oct 2011 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2012 Geological Society of America Geology (2012) 40 (2): 187–190. https://doi.org/10.1130/G32530.1 Article history Received: 06 Jun 2011 Revision Received: 26 Sep 2011 Accepted: 19 Oct 2011 First Online: 09 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 Alexander Rohrmann, Paul Kapp, Barbara Carrapa, Peter W. Reiners, Jerome Guynn, Lin Ding, Matthew Heizler; Thermochronologic evidence for plateau formation in central Tibet by 45 Ma. Geology 2012;; 40 (2): 187–190. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G32530.1 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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The timing of Tibetan plateau development remains elusive, despite its importance for evaluating models of continental lithosphere deformation and associated changes in surface elevation and climate. We present new thermochronologic data [biotite and K-feldspar 40Ar/39Ar, apatite fission track, and apatite (U-Th)/He] from the central Tibetan plateau (Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes). The data indicate that over large regions, rocks underwent rapid to moderate cooling and exhumation during Cretaceous to Eocene time. This was coeval with >50% upper crustal shortening, suggesting substantial crustal thickening and surface elevation gain. Thermal modeling of combined thermochronometers requires exhumation of most samples to depths of <3 km between 85 and 45 Ma, followed by a decrease in erosional exhumation rate to low values of <0.05 mm/yr. The thermochronological results, when interpreted in the context of the deformation and paleoaltimetric history, are best explained by a scenario of plateau growth that began locally in central Tibet during the Late Cretaceous and expanded to encompass most of central Tibet by 45 Ma. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.