Quaternary integrative stratigraphy, biotas, and paleogeographical evolution of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas

• Published in: Science China. Earth sciences 2024-04, Vol.67 (4), p.1360-1394
• Main Authors: Wang, Yong, Zheng, Mianping, Ling, Yuan, Xiang, Shuyuan, Shao, Zhaogang, Zhang, Kexin, Ke, Xue, Lin, Xiao, Han, Fang, Han, Jian’en
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arid environments; Arid zones; Basins; Biota; Conglomerates; Cryosphere; Drainage systems; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Evolution; Fluvial deposits; Foothills; Geomorphology; Glaciers; Glaciohydrology; Lake deposits; Lake sediments; Lakes; Landforms; Mountain glaciers; Mountains; Paleoclimate; Paleogeography; Plateaus; Pliocene; Quaternary; Quaternary tectonics; Regional development; Regions; Review; Rivers; Sediments; Snow line; Strata; Stratigraphy; Tectonics; Unconformity
• ISSN: 1674-7313; 1869-1897
• DOI: 10.1007/s11430-023-1214-7

The Quaternary strata on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau contain rich information about the paleoclimate and environmental evolution, record the evolution process of the Quaternary regional tectonics, paleogeography, and geomorphology of the plateau, and are extremely important areas for studying the Quaternary geological events and regional environmental evolution. According to a comprehensive analysis of the regional stratigraphic data and the development and evolution characteristics of the biota, based on the differences in the lithostratigraphic units, sedimentary characteristics, landforms, and drainage systems, the Quaternary strata on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas are divided into five stratigraphic regions: the Tarim region, Loess Plateau region, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region, Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau region, and India-Ganges region. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau stratigraphic region is divided into seven stratigraphic sub-regions: the West Kunlun-Karakorum, Altun-Qilian Mountains, Qaidam-Hehuang, East Kunlun-Bayan Har, Qiangtang, East Xizang-West Yunnan-West Sichuan, and Gangdise-Himalayan sub-regions. This paper briefly describes the lithostratigraphic units of the seven stratigraphic sub-regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. According to the lithostratigraphic sequence and its sedimentary characteristics, stratigraphic contact relationship, formation age, and evolution of the biota in each stratigraphic sub-region, the Quaternary tectonic paleogeographic evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is divided into four stages. (1) The inherited differential uplift stage since the Pliocene (2.6−1.8/1.5 Ma): the regional sedimentary differences were significant, and the stratigraphic distribution was limited, the alluvial-proluvial sandy conglomerate was widely developed along the piedmont, and fluvial and lacustrine deposits were developed in the low-lying areas between the mountains. (2) The mountain range flattening stage (1.8/1.5−1.2/0.8 Ma): the erosion unconformity surfaces around the plateau were widely distributed, large rivers were formed, and lake sediments developed in the intermountain basins and the hinterland of the plateau. (3) 1.2/0.8−0.128 Ma: the plateau continued to rise in a large range, with significant topographic differences and intensified mountain erosion. At about 0.8 Ma, the plateau uplifted above the snow line and entered the cryosphere, mountain glaciers developed, and the alpine arid environment gradually formed.