Evidence from paleosols for low to moderate elevation of the India-Asia suture zone during mid-Cenozoic time

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2017 Evidence from paleosols for low to moderate elevation of the India-Asia suture zone during mid-Cenozoic time Ryan J. Leary; Ryan J. Leary 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jay Quade; Jay Quade 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Peter G. DeCelles; Peter G. DeCelles 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Amanda Reynolds Amanda Reynolds 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Ryan J. Leary 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Jay Quade 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Peter G. DeCelles 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Amanda Reynolds 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 23 Nov 2016 Revision Received: 01 Jan 2017 Accepted: 05 Jan 2017 First Online: 28 Jun 2017 Online Issn: 1943-2682 Print Issn: 0091-7613 © 2017 Geological Society of America Geology (2017) 45 (5): 399–402. https://doi.org/10.1130/G38830.1 Article history Received: 23 Nov 2016 Revision Received: 01 Jan 2017 Accepted: 05 Jan 2017 First Online: 28 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ryan J. Leary, Jay Quade, Peter G. DeCelles, Amanda Reynolds; Evidence from paleosols for low to moderate elevation of the India-Asia suture zone during mid-Cenozoic time. Geology 2017;; 45 (5): 399–402. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G38830.1 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 post-collisional uplift history of the India-Asia suture zone in southern Tibet is important for understanding the geodynamic conditions of the India-Asia collision and how it may have modified regional and global climate. Here we use stable isotope and major element analyses of paleosols preserved in the Liuqu Conglomerate to reconstruct India-Asia suture zone paleoclimate and paleoelevation. Paleosol carbonate δ13C (Vienna Peedee belemnite) average values of −9.4‰ ± 1.1‰ indicate that Liuqu paleosols were well vegetated by C3 plants, unlike thinly vegetated and arid modern Tibet. Major element weathering indices show that these soils experienced significant collapse and loss of cations due to weathering of similar intensity to that in the wet, low elevations of the Neogene Himalayan foreland. Age estimates for the Liuqu vary, but current evidence points to an early Miocene age. Our evidence requires that the India-Asia suture zone experienced wet, well-vegetated conditions during Liuqu Conglomerate deposition. Geodynamically this implies that the suture zone was at relatively low elevation and was topographically open to monsoon moisture as late as 40 m.y. after the start of the India-Asian collision. This challenges the idea that uplift of the India-Asia suture zone was monotonic and tied directly to crustal thickening. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.