Open AccessSynorogenic morphotectonic evolution of the G angdese batholith, S outh T ibet: Insights from low‐temperature thermochronology
Author(s) -
Li Guangwei,
Kohn Barry,
Sandiford Mike,
Xu Zhiqin,
Tian Yuntao,
Seiler Christian
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.928
H-Index - 136
ISSN - 1525-2027
DOI - 10.1002/2015gc006047
Subject(s) - thermochronology , batholith , geology , plateau (mathematics) , cenozoic , paleontology , zircon , late miocene , earth science , tectonics , structural basin , mathematical analysis , mathematics
The uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau remains one of most intriguing and controversial issues in the Cenozoic history of our planet, and has a significant impact on regional and global climate. Here, we report new low‐temperature thermochronology apatite and zircon data from the Gangdese batholith in southern Tibet. Thermal history modeling of the data show that the batholith experienced a phase of rapid Early Cenozoic cooling probably associated with exhumation resulting from the initial India‐Asia's collision, but possibly also due to postarc volcanic activity in the region. The batholith, then transitioned to low erosion rates (<0.05 mm/yr) between the Middle Eocene and Early Miocene, followed by a renewed episode of cooling commencing in the Early Miocene. Our results indicate that the Gangdese belt, as the southern margin of Eocene Tibetan Plateau, became plateau‐like by ∼45 Ma. The later cooling episode from Early Miocene onward, can probably be attributed to incision of the ancestral Yarlung River system, cutting through the Gangdese belt by ∼22 Ma at the latest.