念青唐古拉花岗岩热演化历史和山脉隆升过程的热年代学分析

念青唐古拉山是青藏高原内部的重要山脉,主体由黑云母二长花岗岩组成,岩体内部发育不同类型的变质岩包体如Lgn、Ygn片麻岩和元古代（Pt）变质岩,岩体东西两侧发育伸展型韧性剪切带。对念青唐古拉黑云母二长花岗岩进行矿物对热年代学分析,良好地揭示了岩浆热演化历史和山脉隆升过程。通过单颗粒锆石离子探针测年,发现65．0～55．0Ma发生早期岩浆侵位事件,形成Lgn、Ygn花岗片麻岩包体;在18．3～11．1Ma期间,在约11km深度的Lgn、Ygn下方发生大规模岩浆侵位和结晶成岩事件,形成念青唐古拉黑云母二长花岗岩（NG）。在11．1～9．3Ma期间,念青唐古拉花岗岩发生快速冷却和隆升过程,平均降温速度约222．2℃／Ma,对应的平均差异隆升速率为5．56mm／a;在9．3～8．6Ma期间,念青唐古拉花岗岩继续发生差异隆升和快速降温,平均降温速率为142．8℃／Ma,对应的差异隆升速率为3．57mm／a;在8．0～5．0Ma期间,念青唐古拉山区发生伸展型韧性剪切变形,导致念青唐古拉花岗岩快速隆升,平均差异隆升速率为3．50mm／a;在5．0～3．7Ma期间,念青唐古拉花岗岩继续发生构造隆升,平均降温速率约92．3℃／Ma,对应的平均差异隆升速率为2．31mm／a。自3．7Ma以来念青唐古拉花岗岩平均降温速度达27．0℃／Ma,平均抬升速度达0．68mm／a。念青唐古拉岩浆集聚、NG花岗岩侵位与INDEPTH-Ⅱ地震深反射亮点揭示的地壳局部熔融存在动力学成因联系,导致上地壳伸展构造变形、NG花岗岩缓慢冷却和念青唐古拉山脉快速隆升。     

青藏高原腹地典型盆—山构造形成时代

青藏高原腹地发育NE向，NW向与SN向不同方向的盆－山构造系统。应用热年代学与ESR测年方法，测定青藏高原腹地典型盆－山构造－地貌的形成时期。结果表明，羌塘地块南部NE向双湖－和平盆－山构造的形成时期为0－5Ma，拉萨地块中部NE向羊八井－当雄盆－山构造裂陷开始时代为6.8-8Ma，而拉萨地块中部NW向格仁错－申扎盆－山构造的形成时期为0－6.5Ma。青藏高原腹地典型盆－山构造－地貌初始形成时代相近，约为5－8Ma，对应于区域构造环境自近SN向挤压缩短向近EW向伸展裂陷的转变时代。     

青藏高原中-南部新生代构造演化的热年代学制约

青藏高原新生代以来的隆升过程及特征长期以来广存争议.岩体中不同单矿物所记录的中低温热年代学信息适用于揭示较新年代地质体的隆升过程,可以为之提供有效制约.在青藏高原部分岩浆岩与变质岩露头区原位采集15块样品,利用锆石与磷灰石裂变径迹等热年代学结果为青藏高原中生代末期以来的隆升过程提供约束.其中,所获10块样品的锆石裂变径迹数据年龄范围为182~33 Ma,分别记录了渐新世之前青藏高原内不同块体间相互碰撞及高原内不同地区的构造热事件.特别是沿雅鲁藏布江缝合带分布的3个样品,锆石裂变径迹年龄结果一致显示始新世末期-渐新世早期该带存在一期显著的构造热事件.该构造热事件暗示在约36~33 Ma沿雅江缝合带发生过强烈的陆-陆硬碰撞.所获14块样品的磷灰石裂变径迹年龄范围为70.4~5.0 Ma,综合热史反演结果显示青藏高原南部中新世中晚期以来存在整体性隆升,特别是从上新世开始隆升速率显著加快.磷灰石裂变径迹年龄在空间分布上具有向高原东南部变年轻的趋势,表明青藏高原东南部在上新世以来的构造隆升较其他地区要强烈,暗示印度-亚洲板块碰撞驱动机制对该时期的高原隆升具有控制作用.此外,青藏高原中部在白垩纪末期-始新世可能即已隆升至相当高度,此后至今保持了相当低的剥蚀速率.      

昆仑山南部西大滩盆北花岗岩的年龄与热历史

对南昆仑缝合带中段西大滩盆北花岗岩,应用不同的年代学方法,测定岩浆结晶时代和构造热事件年龄,分析构造地貌演化过程。应用离子探针方法,测出西大滩盆北花岗岩的锆石U-Pb同位素年龄为196.4- 212.1 Ma,平均年龄204.1±2.6 Ma,代表岩浆侵位结晶时代。西大滩盆北花岗岩的黑云母K-Ar和Ar-Ar同位素年龄为134.47-145.3 Ma,指示晚期韧性剪切变形时代。应用矿物对热年代学方法,揭示出204.1-134.47 Ma、57. 67-26.0 Ma、26 Ma以来3期构造热事件,降温速率分别为6.46℃/Ma、4.91℃/Ma、3.84℃/Ma,对应的隆升速率分别为0.21 mm/a、0.16 mm/a、0.13 mm/a;说明134.47-57.67 Ma为缓慢降温和剥蚀夷平时期,对应的降温速率为0.64℃/Ma、差异隆升速率为0.02 mm/a。结合磷灰石裂变径迹测年和风火山群、五道梁群挤压缩短时代、区域伸展走滑起始年龄资料,推断昆仑山南部新生代山脉快速隆升发生于渐新世-中新世早期,估算隆升速率达0.26 mm/a。     

东昆仑野马泉地区磷灰石裂变径迹热年代学及构造意义

通过对东昆仑西段野马泉地区所获得的5个磷灰石样品的裂变径迹分析, 探讨该地区构造演化特征.磷灰石裂变径迹年龄分为153.8 Ma、106.8~81.0 Ma、48.7~44.4 Ma 3个年龄组, 其中153.8 Ma记录了班公湖-怒江洋闭合事件; 106.8~81.0 Ma是拉萨地块与羌塘地块碰撞拼合事件对东昆仑地区的远程效应; 48.7~44.4 Ma是印度-欧亚大陆碰撞之后伸展事件的体现.野马泉地区热历史分为3个阶段:第1阶段(130~110 Ma)持续隆升, 对应班公湖-怒江洋闭合后拉萨地块与羌塘地块拼合事件; 第2阶段(110~14 Ma)持续隆升, 90 Ma之前隆升速度较快, 与阿尔金断裂走滑及西大滩断裂韧性变形有关, 90 Ma之后进入一个时间较长的平稳抬升期; 第3阶段(14 Ma至今)受青藏高原新近纪以来强烈构造活动的影响, 快速隆升.3个阶段的隆升速率和隆升量分别0.021 mm/a和0.42 km、0.01 mm/a和1.0 km、0.1 mm/a和1.43 km, 平均隆升速率为0.028 mm/a, 总隆升量为2.86 km.      

西藏当雄地区构造地貌及形成演化过程

西藏当雄地区在区域性挤压缩短期后发育2种典型层状地貌面，即山顶面与盆地面，不同地块具有不同特点与不同高度的山顶面。山顶面形态与分区性、分段性明显受早期逆冲推覆构造与晚期断裂所控制，山顶面梯级带对应于区域张性－张扭性断裂与盆－山构造－地貌边界。原始山项面或高原主夷平面主要形成于15－8Ma，念青唐古拉山脉开始快速隆升与两侧地块初始断陷时代为8－4Ma，羊八井－当雄－谷露盆地快速裂陷事件发生于2－1．5Ma,区域NW向走滑断裂与现今河流峡谷主要形成于1．4Ma以来。当雄及邻区层状地貌面的形成、裂解与演化良好地反映了青藏高原腹地挤压缩短与地壳增厚期后区域构造活动和地貌环境变迁的动力学过程。     

东昆仑中生代隆升剥露历史

位于中央造山带西段的东昆仑造山带因多期次造山和复杂演化历史而备受关注,约束其中生代隆升剥露历史,对于理解青藏高原大规模隆升在东昆仑地区的扩展及影响颇具意义。东昆仑造山带内中生代侏罗系-白垩系地层缺失严重,体现中生代以来强烈的隆升剥露过程,也是该区热演化的研究难点。本文通过对东昆仑造山带样品的磷灰石、锆石裂变径迹分析和热演化史研究,并结合东昆仑及周缘地区现有低温热年代学研究,识别出东昆仑造山带所经历的五次隆升冷却事件,即201~193Ma（早侏罗世）、172~152Ma（中-晚侏罗世）、120~98Ma（早白垩世末-早白垩世初）、98~20Ma（晚白垩世-中新世）及20~0Ma（中新世至今）。所获5个年龄组响应东昆仑地区所经历的构造热事件,其中201~193Ma年龄组响应南部羌塘地块与昆仑地块的碰撞事件;172~152Ma年龄组为中-晚侏罗世古特提斯洋闭合后,造山后伸展的构造事件的记录;120~98Ma热事件吻合拉萨地块和羌塘地块碰撞事件;98~20Ma年龄组为东昆仑地区长期缓慢剥蚀去顶过程的印证;20~0Ma的快速隆升剥露事件则为东昆仑周缘断裂系活化相伴,多期隆升剥蚀事件均得到地层不整合及沉积记录等研究成果的证实。区内剥蚀起始时间从由南到北逐渐变老,体现东昆仑地区隆升剥蚀的不均一性。     

青藏高原东缘新生代构造层序与构造事件

新生代龙门山前盆地和盐源盆地是青藏高原东缘龙门山－锦屏山冲断带内及前缘地区发育和保存最好的新生代沉积盆地，本次以地层不整合面和ESR测年资料为主要依据，将该区新生代构造地层序列划分为5个构造层序，即TS1（65－55Ma)、TS2(40-50Ma)、TS3（23－16Ma)、TS4(4．7-1.6Ma)和TS5（0．74－0Ma)，据此将青藏高原东缘新生代构造变形和隆升事件划分为5期，其中TS1与喜马拉雅地体和拉萨地体拼合事件相关，TS2与印亚碰撞事件相关，TS3与青藏高原第一次隆升事件相关，TS4与青藏高原第二次隆升事件相关，TS5与青藏高原第三次隆升事件相关。     

大巴山中-新生代隆升的裂变径迹证据

大巴山中-新生代隆升作用的研究不仅对全面认识秦岭造山带的演化具有重要的意义,而且对川东北地区的油气勘探也具有重要的指导意义.对采自大巴山地区的18个样品进行了磷灰石裂变径迹测年及热历史模拟分析.分析结果表明大巴山自白垩世120～110Ma开始隆升,表现为持续的隆升过程,经历了快速隆升→平稳→加速隆升3个阶段,并且随着大巴山由北东向南西构造的扩展变形,隆升年龄表现出阶段性递进年轻的特点.大巴山120～110Ma的快速隆升冷却事件是秦岭造山带白垩世区域性隆升剥露作用的体现.随后大巴山进入了一个构造相对稳定的阶段,样品滞留在部分退火带中.10～6Ma以来大巴山加速隆升,这一构造事件是青藏高原东部边界向东扩展的响应.     

东昆仑及相邻地区中生代-新生代早期构造过程的热年代学记录

针对东昆仑及相邻地区研究较薄弱的中生代—新生代早期时段的构造过程提供了系列新的热年代学资料.不同热年代学方法综合揭示了东昆仑及相邻地区在中生代—新生代早期至少存在3次明显的热事件记录.第一次大约启动于200Ma的晚三叠世晚期,并可能一直延续到早中侏罗世之交,是一次具有广泛影响并奠定造山带区域构造格架的构造热事件.区域动力背景可能和南部羌塘地块与昆仑地块的碰撞、松潘—甘孜—巴颜喀拉浊积盆地闭合相关.第二次发生在大约130~150Ma的早白垩世,并可能延续到早白垩世末,主要表现为系列区域性NWW-SEE向的挤压性断裂活动,可对应于白垩纪时期拉萨地块沿班公湖—怒江缝合带与欧亚大陆的增生拼贴事件.第三次为大约56~45Ma的古新世,表现为一期伸展抬升.热年代学记录与零星保存的地质记录具有良好的匹配性,并对构造过程提供了更确切的时间限定.     

The origin and pre-Cenozoic evolution of the Tibetan Plateau

Different hypotheses have been proposed for the origin and pre-Cenozoic evolution of the Tibetan Plateau as a result of several collision events between a series of Gondwana-derived terranes (e.g., Qiangtang, Lhasa and India) and Asian continent since the early Paleozoic. This paper reviews and reevaluates these hypotheses in light of new data from Tibet including (1) the distribution of major tectonic boundaries and suture zones, (2) basement rocks and their sedimentary covers, (3) magmatic suites, and (4) detrital zircon constraints from Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks. The Western Qiangtang, Amdo, and Tethyan Himalaya terranes have the Indian Gondwana origin, whereas the Lhasa Terrane shows an Australian Gondwana affinity. The Cambrian magmatic record in the Lhasa Terrane resulted from the subduction of the proto-Tethyan Ocean lithosphere beneath the Australian Gondwana. The newly identified late Devonian granitoids in the southern margin of the Lhasa Terrane may represent an extensional magmatic event associated with its rifting, which ultimately resulted in the opening of the Songdo Tethyan Ocean. The Lhasa−northern Australia collision at ~ 263 Ma was likely responsible for the initiation of a southward-dipping subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethyan Oceanic lithosphere. The Yarlung-Zangbo Tethyan Ocean opened as a back-arc basin in the late Triassic, leading to the separation of the Lhasa Terrane from northern Australia. The subsequent northward subduction of the Yarlung-Zangbo Tethyan Ocean lithosphere beneath the Lhasa Terrane may have been triggered by the Qiangtang–Lhasa collision in the earliest Cretaceous. The mafic dike swarms (ca. 284 Ma) in the Western Qiangtang originated from the Panjal plume activity that resulted in continental rifting and its separation from the northern Indian continent. The subsequent collision of the Western Qiangtang with the Eastern Qiangtang in the middle Triassic was followed by slab breakoff that led to the exhumation of the Qiangtang metamorphic rocks. This collision may have caused the northward subduction initiation of the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean lithosphere beneath the Western Qiangtang. Collision-related coeval igneous rocks occurring on both sides of the suture zone and the within-plate basalt affinity of associated mafic lithologies suggest slab breakoff-induced magmatism in a continent−continent collision zone. This zone may be the site of net continental crust growth, as exemplified by the Tibetan Plateau.     

Zircon LA-ICP-MS dating and geochemical characteristics of I-type granitoids from the Yanhu area,west segment of the Bangongco-Nujiang suture (western Tibet): Petrogenesis and implications for the southward subduction of the Tethyan Ocean

The Yanhu granitoids are located in the west segment of the Bangongco-Nujiang suture in the western Tibetan Plateau. The main rock types of the granitoids are diorite porphyry, quartz diorite, granodiorite, granite and granite porphyry. Here, their zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages and petrogeochemical data are reported. Three groups of magmatic events can be distinguished from the Yanhu area: group 1 includes samples AK01 and ZK01 of diorite porphyry, and sample D3658 of quartz diorite that yield mean zircon U-Pb ages of 121.0 ± 2.7 Ma, 116.6 ± 2.0 Ma and 116.0 ± 3.9 Ma, respectively; group 2 includes sample D0050 of diorite porphyry, samples D1393 and D3660 of granodiorite and sample D3065 of granite porphyry that yield mean zircon U-Pb ages of 104.9 ± 2.0 Ma, 105.4 ± 3.8 Ma, 104.2 ± 1.9 Ma and 104.2 ± 1.9 Ma, respectively; group 3 includes sample D3093 of granite that yields mean zircon U-Pb ages of 93.6 ± 1.5 Ma. The zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages suggest that the Yanhu granitoids were emplaced at 121.0–93.6 Ma, representing Cretaceous magmatism in the west segment of the Bangongco-Nujiang suture. The granitoids are composed of SiO₂ (56.57 to 76.98 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (12.20 to 17.90 wt.%), Na₂O (3.61 to 4.98 wt.%), K₂O (2.06 to 4.71 wt.%) and CaO (0.27 to 5.74 wt.%). The Yanhu granitoids exhibit enrichment in LREE (light REE) and LILE (large ion lithophile elements) such as Rb, Th, U, Pb and K and depletion of HREE (heavy REE), P, Ti, Nb, Ta and Zr. Their A/CNK ratios of 0.85-1.06 are <1.1, implying that they are high-K, metaluminous-weakly peraluminous I-type granites. TheYanhu granitoids were generated mainly by partial melts of the meta-igneous lower crust and some arc-related materials. The Yanhu granitoids probably formed in VAG and syn-COLG tectonic settings related to the southward subduction of the Tethyan Ocean. Diorite porphyry and quartz diorite magmatism from 121.0 Ma to 116.0 Ma may be associated with the southward Bangongco–Nujiang Tethys oceanic crust subduction. Diorite porphyry, granodiorite, and granite porphyry magmatism from 105.4 Ma to 104.2 Ma may be associated with the rising asthenosphere induced by the slab breakoff. Granite magmatism from 93.6 Ma may be related to the crustal thickening induced by the final amalgamation of the Lhasa Terrane and the Qiangtang Terrane.     

How does the elevation changing response to crustal thickening process in the central Tibetan Plateau since 120 Ma?

When and how the Tibetan Plateau formed and maintained its thick crust and high elevation on Earth is continuing debated. Specifically, the coupling relationship between crustal thickening and corresponding paleoelevation changing has not been well studied. The dominant factors in crustal thickness changing are crustal shortening, magmatic input and surface erosion rates. Crustal thickness change and corresponding paleoelevation variation with time were further linked by an isostatic equation in this study. Since 120 Ma crustal shortening, magmatic input and surface erosion rates data from the central Tibetan Plateau are took as input parameters. By using a one-dimensional isostasy model, the authors captured the first-order relationship between crustal thickening and historical elevation responses over the central Tibetan Plateau, including the Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes. Based on the modeling results, the authors primarily concluded that the Qiangtang terrane crust gradually thickened to ca. 63 km at ca. 40 Ma, mainly due to tectonic shortening and minor magmatic input combined with a slow erosion rate. However, the Lhasa terrane crust thickened by a combination of tectonic shortening, extensive magmatic input and probably Indian plate underthrusting, which thickened the Lhasa crust over 75 km since 25 Ma. Moreover, a long-standing elevation >4000 m was strongly coupled with a thickened crust since about 35 Ma in the central Tibetan Plateau.©2021 China Geology Editorial Office.     

滇西北羊拉铜矿床江边岩体岩石学、地球化学特征及锆石U-Pb年龄

羊拉铜矿是三江地区金沙江—哀牢山铜金成矿带的大型铜矿床,位于中咱微陆块与昌都—思茅地块相夹持的金沙江板块结合带,矿床与印支期侵入岩(花岗闪长岩体)有密切的时空成因联系。通过对江边花岗闪长斑岩体、花岗闪长岩体的地球化学研究,发现岩体富SiO₂、Al和大离子亲石元素,贫Fe、Mg、高场强元素,属准铝质-弱过铝质I型花岗岩;各岩石样品点均落入火山弧花岗岩和同碰撞花岗岩过渡区域,反映江边岩体属活动板块边缘产物,岩浆除幔源外,还混入了下地壳熔融物质。江边岩体锆石原位U-Pb定年分析得出2个花岗闪长斑岩(ZKJ1-1-14、ZKJ2-1-7)年龄为215 Ma、208 Ma,3个花岗闪长岩(ZKJ1-1-17、ZKJ2-1-6、ZKJ2-1-8)年龄为221 Ma、220 Ma和214 Ma,结合对路农、里农和贝吾花岗闪长岩体结晶年龄分析,得出羊拉矿区成矿岩体自南向北年龄逐渐变新的侵位序列;矿区内岩浆活动持续25 Ma,印证江边岩体同属俯冲-碰撞作用所致的造山期岛弧型花岗岩类,为碰撞后拉张背景的典型产物。     

班公湖- 怒江缝合带东段八宿地区花岗岩体差异性隆升：来自锆石和磷灰石裂变径迹证据

班公湖- 怒江缝合带为青藏高原内部分隔羌塘和拉萨两地块的构造边界,是研究青藏高原构造演化的重要窗口之一。该缝合带自西向东分为西段（班公湖至改则）、中段（安多至东巧）和东段（丁青至怒江）,其中东段的研究程度较低。本次以东段八宿县郭庆乡一条花岗岩高程剖面为研究对象,采用激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱仪（LA- ICPMS）法对锆石和磷灰石开展裂变径迹测试。花岗岩锆石U- Pb年龄为~180 Ma,指示其结晶时代为早侏罗世。锆石和磷灰石裂变径迹年龄分别为180～130 Ma、86～61 Ma,对应的年龄- 海拔曲线分别为负斜率和正斜率。QTQt模拟显示花岗岩高程剖面顶部在130～60 Ma时剥蚀冷却速率快,中部在130～40 Ma时剥蚀冷却速率居中,而底部在~130 Ma之后一直保持最低的剥蚀冷却速率。这种差异性隆升源自班公湖- 怒江缝合带东段的南向俯冲板片断离早于北向俯冲板片断离。     

青藏高原的形成与隆升

青藏高原的形成与隆升问题是个十分复杂、倍受地球科学家关注的问题。它被认为是冈瓦纳大陆与欧亚大陆长期相互作用的结果。青藏高原是由6个地体相继增生到亚洲大陆上的一个组合,这些地体之间的边界被5条缝合带所限定。造山作用自北向南相继变年轻。青藏高原是特提斯的主要范畴,它可以分成3个区域,分别代表了3个阶段主洋盆位置。特提斯北区位于昆仑山和祁连山,它的遗迹是第五缝合带,在大陆基底上于震旦纪形成裂谷,奥陶纪闭合。特提斯中区位于可可西里-巴颜喀喇,古生代晚期以来在弧后盆地基础上继续破裂、扩张,典型的洋壳形成于石炭-二叠纪,这个时期的洋称古特提斯,它的遗迹为第三和第四缝合带。特提斯南区位于青藏高原南部,雅鲁藏布江缝合带代表了它的主洋盆遗迹,班公-怒江缝合带代表了它的弧后盆地。青藏高原的隆升以多阶段、非均匀、不等速为特征,大体上可分成4个阶段,即45～38,25～17,13～8和3～0Ma。虽然到目前为止已经提出了多种模式来解释高原的形成与隆升,但是这一问题迄今仍然没有解决。文中笔者根据多年来地质。地球物理和地球化学研究成果和近年来新的实验研究结果,提出了叠加压扁热动力模式来解释青藏高原的形成与隆升机制。     

拉萨地块东部米拉山地区中新世地层的特征及构造意义

中新世是拉萨地块增厚隆升的重要时期.本次报道了拉萨地块东部首次厘定的中新世地层,岩石类型包括流纹岩、英安岩、火山碎屑岩、黑曜岩和岩屑砂岩等,由3组喷发旋回构成.锆石U-Pb定年显示,该套地层形成于17.2~18.2 Ma.全岩地球化学和锆石Hf同位素分析显示,地层中的流纹岩具有钾质火山岩的地球化学特征,同时兼具A型花岗岩的亲缘性,为古老中下地壳部分熔融的产物.英安岩具有埃达克质岩的地球化学特征,为增厚新生下地壳部分熔融的产物.米拉山钾质流纹岩和埃达克质英安岩野外共生,丰富了拉萨地块中新世岩浆岩的研究内容,为青藏高原中新世岩石圈减薄/拆沉模型提供了新的证据.      

Detrital zircon UPb geochronology of the Wuyu (Oiyug) Basin,southern Tibetan Plateau,and its geological implications

Cenozoic strata in the Wuyu Basin record the tectonic evolution of the southern Tibetan Plateau. Here, we use detrital zircon isotope data and paleocurrents based on petrographic and sedimentary facies analyses to constrain the provenance of sediments in the Wuyu Basin. On this basis, we recognize multiple phases of tectonic activity in the southern Tibetan Plateau since the Miocene. Tectonic activity at ca. 15 Ma ended the lacustrine sedimentary facies of the Mangxiang Fm. and caused volcanic eruptions; the Wuyu Basin received deposits of the Laiqing Fm. dominated by volcanic and pyroclastic rocks. Tectonic activity at ca. 8 Ma resulted in the volcanic and pyroclastic rocks of the Laiqing Fm. becoming one of the main provenances for the overlying Wuyu Fm. The lacustrine environment in the Wuyu Basin ended again and shifted to braided river sedimentation, the paleocurrent directions changed from northward to southward, and the central Lhasa subterrane became one of the main provenances at ca. 2.5 Ma. By comparing the detrital zircon ages of our samples in the Wuyu Basin and sands from the Lhasa River, we infer that a long river comparable to the modern Lhasa River existed in the Wuyu Basin area at ca. 2.5 Ma. During the Quaternary, due to the consistent convergence between the Indian and Eurasian plates, the eastern Gangdese Mountains uplifted, which resulted in the blocking of this river and the development of the current geomorphic features in the Wuyu Basin area.     

Early Cretaceous sedimentary evolution of the northern Lhasa terrane and the timing of initial Lhasa-Qiangtang collision

Lower Cretaceous strata in the Baingoin basin of the northern Lhasa terrane record initial collision between the Lhasa and Qiangtang blocks, followed by the early uplift of central Tibet. North-south traverses across the Baingoin basin highlight major differences between the Duba Formation in the north and the quasi-coeval Duoni Formation in the south. The Duba Formation documents upward transition from shallow shelf and deltaic environments to coarse-grained siliciclastic fluvial sedimentation. Abundance of detrital zircons yielding Jurassic-Cretaceous ages with εHf(t) values mainly between −2 and +10, occurrence of chert, Cr-spinel, and pyroxene grains, together with southward paleocurrent directions indicate that the Duba Formation was sourced from the southern Qiangtang terrane and Bangong-Nujiang suture zone to the north. The Duoni Formation in the south was deposited in shelfal to fan-delta and fluvial environments. Abundant volcanic clasts, detrital zircons yielding Cretaceous ages with mainly negative εHf(t) values, and northward paleocurrents indicate an active volcanic source located in the central Lhasa terrane to the south, with minor input from the northern Lhasa terrane. Only the northern part of the Baingoin basin was directly controlled by the Lhasa-Qiangtang collision and may thus be considered a peripheral foreland basin, whereas the southern part was mainly influenced by tectonic processes related to the northward subduction of Neotethyan lithosphere, and may thus be comparable to a retroarc foreland basin. But these sedimentary features and the 139–79 Ma Baingoin plutonic intrusion do not fit well with classical foreland-basin models. Zircon chronostratigraphy constrains the final consumption of Bangong-Nujiang oceanic lithosphere and initial collision between the Lhasa and Qiangtang microcontinents to have taken place by 122 Ma, which has major implications for paleotectonic reconstructions of the Tibetan Plateau.