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Multi-terrane structure controls the contrasting lithospheric evolution beneath the western and central-eastern Tibetan plateau.

ABSTRACT: The Tibetan plateau is manifested by contrasting along-strike lithospheric structures, but its formation mechanism and the relationship with the heterogeneous multi-terrane configuration is a challenging problem. Here we conduct systematic numerical modeling to explore the roles of width, density, and rheological properties of the multiple terranes in the lithospheric evolution of the Tibetan plateau, which reveals two distinct collision modes. In Mode-I, the lithospheric mantles of both the strong and weak terranes in the Tibetan plate are completely detached, followed by the underthrusting of Indian lithosphere beneath the whole plateau. Alternatively, Mode-II is characterized by full detachment of the weak terranes, but (partial) residue of the strong terranes during collision. These two contrasting modes, broadly consistent with the lithospheric structures of western and central-eastern Tibetan plateau, respectively, are strongly dependent on the along-strike variation of the width of the strong Lhasa-Qiangtang terranes.

SUBMITTER: Huangfu P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6141583 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Multi-terrane structure controls the contrasting lithospheric evolution beneath the western and central-eastern Tibetan plateau.

Huangfu Pengpeng P Li Zhong-Hai ZH Gerya Taras T Fan Weiming W Zhang Kai-Jun KJ Zhang Huai H Shi Yaolin Y

Nature communications 20180917 1

The Tibetan plateau is manifested by contrasting along-strike lithospheric structures, but its formation mechanism and the relationship with the heterogeneous multi-terrane configuration is a challenging problem. Here we conduct systematic numerical modeling to explore the roles of width, density, and rheological properties of the multiple terranes in the lithospheric evolution of the Tibetan plateau, which reveals two distinct collision modes. In Mode-I, the lithospheric mantles of both the str ...[more]

PMID: 30224766

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Multi-terrane structure controls the contrasting lithospheric evolution beneath the western and central-eastern Tibetan plateau.

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Multi-terrane structure controls the contrasting lithospheric evolution beneath the western and central-eastern Tibetan plateau.

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