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Pliocene-Quaternary crustal melting in central and northern Tibet and insights into crustal flow

Author

Listed:
  • Qiang Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences (CETES))

  • Chris J. Hawkesworth

    (School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building
    University of St Andrews)

  • Derek Wyman

    (School of Geosciences, The University of Sydney)

  • Sun-Lin Chung

    (Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica
    National Taiwan University)

  • Fu-Yuan Wu

    (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xian-Hua Li

    (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zheng-Xiang Li

    (ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems (CCFS) and the Institute for Geoscience Research (TIGeR), Curtin University)

  • Guo-Ning Gou

    (State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiu-Zheng Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Gong-Jian Tang

    (State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wei Dan

    (State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Lin Ma

    (State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yan-Hui Dong

    (State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

There is considerable controversy over the nature of geophysically recognized low-velocity–high-conductivity zones (LV–HCZs) within the Tibetan crust, and their role in models for the development of the Tibetan Plateau. Here we report petrological and geochemical data on magmas erupted 4.7–0.3 Myr ago in central and northern Tibet, demonstrating that they were generated by partial melting of crustal rocks at temperatures of 700–1,050 °C and pressures of 0.5–1.5 GPa. Thus Pliocene-Quaternary melting of crustal rocks occurred at depths of 15–50 km in areas where the LV–HCZs have been recognized. This provides new petrological evidence that the LV–HCZs are sources of partial melt. It is inferred that crustal melting played a key role in triggering crustal weakening and outward crustal flow in the expansion of the Tibetan Plateau.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiang Wang & Chris J. Hawkesworth & Derek Wyman & Sun-Lin Chung & Fu-Yuan Wu & Xian-Hua Li & Zheng-Xiang Li & Guo-Ning Gou & Xiu-Zheng Zhang & Gong-Jian Tang & Wei Dan & Lin Ma & Yan-Hui Dong, 2016. "Pliocene-Quaternary crustal melting in central and northern Tibet and insights into crustal flow," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11888
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11888
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    Cited by:

    1. Lanfang He & Ling Chen & Dorji & Xiaolu Xi & Xuefeng Zhao & Rujun Chen & Hongchun Yao, 2016. "Mapping the Geothermal System Using AMT and MT in the Mapamyum (QP) Field, Lake Manasarovar, Southwestern Tibet," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-13, October.

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