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Palaeozoic and Pliocene tectonic evolution of the Salt Range constrained by low‐temperature thermochronology
Author(s) -
Ghani Humaad,
Sobel Edward R.,
Zeilinger Gerold,
Glodny Johannes,
Zapata Sebastian,
Irum Irum
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
terra nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.353
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-3121
pISSN - 0954-4879
DOI - 10.1111/ter.12515
Subject(s) - thermochronology , geology , fission track dating , paleontology , outcrop , precambrian , paleozoic , rift , tectonics , closure temperature , range (aeronautics) , salt tectonics , pleistocene , diapir , metamorphism , materials science , composite material
The Salt Range in Pakistan exposes Precambrian to Pleistocene strata outcropping along the Salt Range Thrust (SRT). To better understand the in‐situ Cambrian and Pliocene tectonic evolution of the Pakistan Subhimalaya, we have conducted low‐temperature thermochronological analysis using apatite (U‐Th‐Sm)/He and fission track dating. We combine cooling ages from different samples located along the thrust front of the SRT into a thermal model that shows two major cooling events associated with rifting and regional erosion in the Late Palaeozoic and SRT activity since the Pliocene. Our results suggest that the SRT maintained a long‐term average shortening rate of ~5–6 mm/yr and a high exhumation rate above the SRT ramp since ~4 Ma.