Paleogene-Neogene stratigraphic realm and sedimentary sequence of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and their response to uplift of the plateau

• Published in: Science China. Earth sciences 2010-09, Vol.53 (9), p.1271-1294
• Main Authors: Zhang, KeXin, Wang, GuoCan, Ji, JunLiang, Luo, ManSheng, Kou, XiaoHu, Wang, YueMing, Xu, YaDong, Chen, FenNing, Chen, RuiMing, Song, BoWen, Zhang, JianYu, Liang, YinPing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cartography; Cenozoic; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth science; Earth Sciences; Geologic mapping; Neogene; Paleogene; Plate tectonics; Research Paper; Sedimentary geology; Stratigraphy
• ISSN: 1674-7313; 1869-1897
• DOI: 10.1007/s11430-010-4048-2

Based on the data of 1:250000 geological mapping completed by CGS and the previous literature of the Cenozoic strata, 98 remnant basins and 5 stratigraphic realms with 13 stratigraphic subrealms have been recognized on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its adjacent area. Through the research of the types of remnant basins, tectonic setting, stratigraphic sequence and sedimentary characteristics, contact relationship between the strata, the formation time and evolution history of sediments, we divided the uplift process and sedimentary response of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau into 3 stages and 8 sub-stages, namely, subduction-collision uplift stage (65-34 Ma) with three sub-stages, intercontinental convergence and compressive uplift stage (34-13 Ma) with three sub-stages, and intercontinental isostatic adjustment uplift stage (since 13 Ma) with two sub-stages.