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

Author

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  • Pengpeng Huangfu

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhong-Hai Li

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology)

  • Taras Gerya

    (ETH-Zurich)

  • Weiming Fan

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Kai-Jun Zhang

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Huai Zhang

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yaolin Shi

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Pengpeng Huangfu & Zhong-Hai Li & Taras Gerya & Weiming Fan & Kai-Jun Zhang & Huai Zhang & Yaolin Shi, 2018. "Multi-terrane structure controls the contrasting lithospheric evolution beneath the western and central–eastern Tibetan plateau," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-06233-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06233-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Liang Liu & Lijun Liu & Jason. P. Morgan & Yi-Gang Xu & Ling Chen, 2023. "New constraints on Cenozoic subduction between India and Tibet," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.

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