Early Cretaceous exhumation of the Qiangtang Terrane during collision with the Lhasa Terrane,Central Tibet |
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| Authors: | Zhongbao Zhao Paul D Bons Konstanze Stübner Gen‐Hou Wang Todd A Ehlers |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 56, Germany;2. Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China;3. School of Earth Science and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China |
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| Abstract: | The timing of the closure of the Bangong Ocean between the Lhasa and South Qiangtang Terranes in central Tibet and the resulting crustal thickening are still under debate. We integrate published apatite fission track and (U–Th)/He thermochronometer data with new zircon (U–Th)/He ages from eight samples and with structural profiles to document that the South Qiangtang Terrane experienced slow exhumation between 200 and 150 Ma, associated with the opening of the Bangong Ocean. Accelerated exhumation (around 0.2–0.3 mm/a) of the South Qiangtang Terrane was initiated at around 150 Ma. This exhumation event is interpreted to reflect collision between the Lhasa and South Qiangtang Terranes after closure of the Bangong Ocean, associated with crustal thickening via thick‐skinned folding and thrusting within the South Qiangtang Terrane. The amalgamation of the Lhasa and South Qiangtang Terranes recorded here may represent the first stage of crustal thickening in the central Tibetan Plateau. |
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