渭河-三门峡盆地三门组沉积充填特征、物源区及其构造意义

渭河盆地和三门峡盆地内发育的河湖相三门组沉积,记录了上新世-更新世的盆地沉积历史,对认识区域古环境及盆地演化特征具有重要意义.通过两个盆地三门组地层的沉积相分析和物源重建,发现2.8~2.6 Ma盆地环境发生了明显变化,2.8~2.6 Ma渭河盆地由深湖转为浅湖沉积,水位下降,而三门峡盆地由河流相转为滨浅湖,水位上升.结合前人古地貌重建和区域应力反演结果,认为上新世渭河盆地和三门峡盆地相互独立,早更新世两个盆地才连通,湖水由渭河盆地注入三门峡盆地,形成统一的三门古湖.对比区域构造事件和物源分析结果,认为青藏高原的快速隆升导致秦岭的抬升,可能是盆地及其水系演化的触发动力.      

西藏阿里札达盆地上新世-早更新世的古植被、古环境与古气候演化

本文将西藏札达盆地河湖相地层重新划分为第四系下更新统香孜组(Qp1-1x)、新近系上新统古格组(N22g)和上新统托林组(N21t)。河湖相地层的古地磁法和ESR法测年结果表明,札达盆地内河湖相沉积地层的形成时代为新近纪上新世—第四纪早更新世。根据该套河湖相地层沉积演化和其中的孢粉组合特征、河湖相沉积中所发现的各种古动植物化石等的综合分析,笔者对札达盆地上新世—早更新世的古植被、古环境与古气候演变进行了探讨。结果表明,札达地区上新世—早更新世气候经历了从湿热—温暖潮湿—偏冷潮湿—寒冷干旱的变化,以及植被从森林—灌木—草原的逐渐演化。可将札达盆地上新世—早更新世环境演化划分为7个大的阶段,其总体特征是15.4~4.4Ma,札达地区处于亚热带湿热气候环境;24.4~3.95Ma,为暖温带温暖潮湿气候;33.95~3.5Ma,为偏凉潮湿阶段,气候开始转冷;43.5~3.2Ma,为温暖潮湿阶段;53.2~2.9Ma,气候转为偏冷潮湿阶段;62.9~2.57Ma,该阶段气候偏冷而干旱,整体较为干冷;72.57~1.36Ma,气候寒冷而干旱。表明自上新世—早更新世,该区的古气候环境在逐渐变干、变冷的总趋势上,经历了多次明显的冷暖与干湿波动。     

西藏阿里札达盆地上新世—早更新世河湖相地层年代学研究

通过对西藏阿里札达盆地河湖相地层实测剖面中的古地磁、ESR样品的测试分析,确定了札达盆地新近纪上新世—第四纪早更新世沉积地层的时间序列。测试结果表明:从剖面自下而上所做的古地磁测年数据为5.41～1.60Ma;而ESR测年数据为5.4～1.36Ma,两者大体吻合。根据古地磁、ESR测年结果,可将该套河湖相地层的时序划分为:上新世托林组(N21t)的形成时间为5.41～4.20Ma、上新世古格组(N22g)为4.20～2.57Ma、早更新世香孜组(Qp1-1x)为2.57～1.36Ma。为青藏高原新近纪上新世—第四纪早更新世地层时间序列标尺的建立,以及上新世、早更新世河湖相地层的划分与对比提供了重要依据。     

西藏札达盆地形成演化与喜马拉雅山隆升

通过野外地质调查、实测地层剖面和室内综合研究,笔者将札达盆地上新世—早更新世形成演化划分为6个阶段①盆地初始断陷阶段;②盆地加速断陷阶段;③盆地强烈断陷阶段;④盆地断陷止息阶段;⑤盆地二次初始断陷阶段;⑥盆地二次加速断陷阶段。并以札达盆地形成演化为基础将喜马拉雅山此阶段的隆升划分为5个阶段①慢速隆升阶段(5.4~4.4Ma);②中速隆升阶段(4.4~3.5Ma);③快速隆升阶段(3.5~3.2Ma);④停止隆升阶段(3.2~2.7Ma);⑤快速隆升阶段(2.7Ma)。研究表明,喜马拉雅山的隆升是一个多阶段、不等速和非均变的复杂过程。     

昭通盆地茨营组沉积演化及聚煤规律研究

昭通盆地是云南省重要的褐煤产地。为了对区内褐煤资源进行客观评价,以野外地质调查和钻探成果为基础,通过对盆地的沉积相展布和区域地质背景分析,系统研究了盆地形成、演化过程和聚煤规律。研究结果表明:①盆地新近系茨营组广泛发育冲积扇-扇三角洲沉积体系、泥炭沼泽沉积体系和湖泊沉积体系;上新世早期盆地主体发育扇三角洲-半深湖-深湖沉积体系;上新世晚期发育泥炭沼泽-半深湖沉积体系;更新世早期发育半深湖-深湖沉积体系。②盆地经历了快速断陷期(上新世早期)、稳定坳陷期(上新世晚期)和稳定扩张期(更新世早期),形成了可采煤层M1、M2、M3,其中M1、M2煤层形成于湖平面相对上升泥炭沼泽,是盆地内分布最广泛的可采煤层,煤层M3主要分布于海子向斜。     

关中盆地上新世地层形成时代、层序划分及沉积相特征研究

关中盆地位于华北板块西南缘,为一新生代断陷盆地,具典型地堑形态,沉积巨厚的新生代地层。针对盆地新近纪上新世地层形成时代有争议、地层层序划分不明确、沉积相界定较笼统等问题,利用钻测井资料及野外调研,结合前人研究成果,对盆地新生代地层进行了重新划分,明确了上新世各地层形成时代及其地层层序划分和沉积相类型。研究结果表明,上新统可划分为蓝田组(11Ma—7 Ma)、灞河组(7.3 Ma—2.6 Ma)、张家坡组(3.4 Ma—2.6 Ma);新生代层序地层可划分为古近系构造层序、中新统构造层序、上新统构造层序和第四系构造层序等4个一级层序,存在6个构造层序界面。蓝田组以"三趾马红黏土"的风成沉积为特征。灞河组沉积时期,关中盆地的西安凹陷为一套冲(洪)积相、河流、三角洲相沉积,固市凹陷为一套冲(洪)积、河流、三角洲及滨浅湖相沉积;盆地边部开始出现小范围的风成黏土沉积。张家坡组以河湖相沉积为主,沉积中心向南移;盆地南北两侧或边部为冲(洪)积扇相、河流相及三角洲相沉积,边部也有小范围的风成黏土沉积。     

西藏阿里札达盆地上新世-早更新世河湖相地层层序地层分析

根据札达盆地河湖相剖面地层岩性、粒度、沉积构造、古生物等反映的沉积岩相,以及不整合面等沉积特征,可将札达盆地上新世—早更新世河湖相地层,初步划分为两个三级层序(Ⅰ、Ⅱ)。层序Ⅰ代表上新统地层层序,并进一步区分出退积准层序组和进积准层序组。对应上新世湖相沉积由低位体系域—湖泊扩张体系域—湖泊收缩体系域的演化,反映湖泊由源区水系冲积亚相—滨湖三角洲亚相—滨浅湖亚相—半深湖亚相—滨浅湖亚相的湖泊,由扩张到萎缩的一个完整的发展演化旋回。层序II代表下更新统地层层序,反映一个盆地受构造和气候(冰期—间冰期)双重控制的夭折型冰湖形成演化的由冰水冲积相到冰湖沉积相的不完整沉积旋回,为青藏高原新近系上新统与第四系的研究与划分提供了重要依据。     

山西榆社盆地新近系高庄组沉积环境演化

通过山西榆社盆地新近系高庄组剖面的野外地质调查以及沉积物粒度、碳酸盐、磁化率等环境指标的分析,结合前人的ESR测年资料,分析了上新世早期高庄组的沉积环境演化特征。认为榆社盆地上新世早期(5.25～3.16 Ma)以温暖湿润条件下的湖泊环境为主,存在多次强弱不等的干旱气候波动,且榆社古湖水体经历了3次稳定增加—波动性增加的周期性变化。5.25～4.50 Ma盆地演化进入初次裂陷活动期,水体经历稳定加深阶段—波动加深阶段,形成桃阳段地层;4.44～3.89 Ma盆地演化进入裂陷稳定期,对应南庄沟段的沉积,水体经历稳定阶段—波动加深阶段;3.81～3.16 Ma盆地演化进入二次裂陷活动期,对应醋柳沟段的沉积,水体经历稳定加深阶段—波动平衡阶段,其中3.50～3.33 Ma出现极端干旱的气候事件,而后向温暖湿润环境转化。     

“三江”北段沱沱河盆地古近纪—新近纪沉积格架与盆地演化分析

通过对青藏高原腹地沱沱河盆地古近纪—新近纪沉积序列、区域不整合面、岩性特点及分布特征等的分析研究,认为沱沱河盆地古近纪—新近纪沉积由下而上可分为沱沱河组、雅西措组、五道梁组和曲果组4个向上变浅序列,构成两个完整的陆相造山磨拉石建造序列。盆地分析表明,古近纪—新近纪沱沱河盆地经历了前陆盆地演化阶段(56.5~45.0 Ma)→走滑拉分盆地阶段(45.0~30.0 Ma)→整体抬升,山间残留盆地阶段(23.5~16.0 Ma)→前陆盆地-局限盆地-山间残留盆地阶段(16~2.6?Ma)等阶段。根据构造岩相古地理的演化史认为,在雅西措组沉积早期,大约在45 Ma左右,区域大地构造背景发生了大的转换,由区域挤压增厚阶段转变为以板块间的侧向走滑作用为主,由此进入陆内板块汇聚演化阶段。从沱沱河盆地古近纪—新近纪的沉积演化来看,印度板块与欧亚板块的碰撞是脉动性的,整个古近纪—新近纪的沉积中4个区域不整合面和2个磨拉石建造序列是脉动造山过程的沉积响应,初始碰撞可能发生在白垩纪与古近纪之交,时间在56.5 Ma之前。     

额尔齐斯-西拉木伦对接带古生代沉积盆地演化

额尔齐斯-西拉木伦对接带位于西伯利亚板块、华北陆块和准噶尔地块之间, 其构造演化和古亚洲洋洋盆的打开与关闭有密切的关系.笔者在系统分析研究区3个二级和19个三级构造单元古生代岩石地层、生物地层及年代地层的基础上, 对沉积盆地进行原型恢复, 共划分出10个盆地类型.同时, 根据沉积盆地充填序列对研究区的构造-沉积演化做出了初步的论述.(1)早古生代-早石炭世古亚洲洋俯冲阶段; (2)早、晚石炭世之交的碰撞演化阶段; (3)晚石炭世-早二叠世碰撞及碰撞后演化阶段.研究认为古亚洲洋的闭合由西向东呈"剪刀式", 时间分别为早石炭世末(318 Ma)和中二叠世-早三叠世(260~245 Ma).三叠纪古亚洲洋消亡总体转为陆相环境.      

Cenozoic uplift of the Tibetan Plateau: Evidence from the tectonic-sedimentary evolution of the western Qaidam Basin

Geologists agree that the collision of the Indian and Asian plates caused uplift of the Tibet Plateau.However,controversy still exists regarding the modes and mechanisms of the Tibetan Plateau uplift.Geology has recorded this uplift well in the Qaidam Basin.This paper analyzes the tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the western Qaidam Basin using sub-surface seismic and drill data. The Cenozoic intensity and history of deformation in the Qaidam Basin have been reconstructed based on the tectonic developments,faults growth index,sedimentary facies variations,and the migration of the depositional depressions.The changes in the sedimentary facies show that lakes in the western Qaidam Basin had gone from inflow to still water deposition to withdrawal.Tectonic movements controlled deposition in various depressions,and the depressions gradually shifted southeastward.In addition,the morphology of the surface structures in the western Qaidam Basin shows that the Cenozoic tectonic movements controlled the evolution of the Basin and divided it into(a) the southern fault terrace zone, (b) a central Yingxiongling orogenic belt,and(c) the northern fold-thrust belt;divided by the XI fault (Youshi fault) and Youbei fault,respectively.The field data indicate that the western Qaidam Basin formed in a Cenozoic compressive tectonic environment caused by the India—Asia plate collision. Further,the Basin experienced two phases of intensive tectonic deformation.The first phase occurred during the Middle Eocene—Early Miocene(Xia Ganchaigou Fm.and Shang Ganchaigou Fm.,43.8—22 Ma),and peaked in the Early Oligocene(Upper Xia Ganchaigou Fm.,31.5 Ma).The second phase occurred between the Middle Miocene and the Present(Shang Youshashan Fm.and Qigequan Fm., 14.9—0 Ma),and was stronger than the first phase.The tectonic—sedimentary evolution and the orientation of surface structures in the western Qaidam Basin resulted from the Tibetan Plateau uplift,and recorded the periodic northward growth of the Plateau.Recognizing this early tectonic—sedimentary evolution supports the previous conclusion that northern Tibet responded to the collision between India and Asia shortly after its initiation.However,the current results reveal that northern Tibet also experienced another phase of uplift during the late Neogene.The effects of these two stages of tectonic activity combined to produce the current Tibetan Plateau.     

青藏高原2.8Ma来的环境演化及其对构造事件响应

本文根据青藏高原中部错鄂湖深钻研究的最新成果,结合东部若尔盖盆地湖泊沉积物记录,探讨了青藏高原2.8Ma以来的环境演化过程和高原构造隆升运动对环境演化的影响。初步研究显示:大约2.8MaBP错鄂湖构造成盆;2.6MaBP左右孢粉组合、粒度特征、岩性变化等均记录了一次强烈的构造隆升运动;2.6Ma~0.8Ma时段,高原可能处于一种整体隆升过程中的相对夷平阶段;若尔盖古湖揭示了0.9MaBP来的3次构造隆升运动,反映了高原环境演变的三个阶段;和黄土底界相当的错鄂湖沉积记录显示并未干旱的特征;黄土旺盛堆积时期(L₁₅、L₉、L₆)高原湖泊记录的气候特征为偏湿气候。      

柴达木盆地东北部新近纪构造旋转及其意义

青藏高原东北缘构造变形的研究是认识高原隆起过程、机制和印度—欧亚板块碰撞远程效应的重要途径。柴达木盆地是印度－欧亚板块碰撞后南北向挤压应力为动力背景的高原东北部内陆盆地,沉积物主要来自于周边山地,完整的保存了新生代以来高原隆升的详细记录。通过柴达木盆地东北部瑙格剖面精细古地磁及构造旋转研究发现,20.1～15.1Ma以及15.1～8.2Ma柴达木盆地分别发生了9.7°±7.4°和6.4°±4.4°的顺时针旋转,约8.2Ma后,柴达木盆地东北部瑙格地区发生了16°±7.5°的逆时针快速旋转。通过分析认为,前两次的顺时针构造旋转事件可能与阿尔金断裂的左旋走滑有关。而约82Ma以来的逆时针旋转事件属于柴达木盆地东北部瑙格地区的局部旋转,可能与温泉断裂的右旋走滑有关,说明青藏高原东北部在昆仑山、阿尔金山和祁连山三条巨型断裂系左旋相对运动的宏观控制下形成的NNW向温泉右旋走滑断裂开始走滑的年代为约8Ma。     

柴达木路乐河地区新生代碎屑组分变化及其对构造隆升的指示

碎屑组分变化是反映盆地物源演化历程的重要物质表现。路乐河地区作为柴达木盆地的重要组成部分,沉积地层记载着印度-欧亚板块碰撞以来青藏高原北缘造山带的构造隆升过程。高长石组分含量、物源方向及毗邻山脉岩性对比揭示,路乐河物源主要受南祁连和赛什腾山控制,其碎屑组分变化对毗邻造山带构造活动具有很好的耦合性。新生代53.5~2.9Ma期间,路乐河地区存在3次物源转换事件,发生时间依次同印度-欧亚板块碰撞及高原内部构造隆升事件相吻合。其中早期50.1~46.6Ma,南祁连山的快速抬升是对大陆初始碰撞的远程响应;44.5Ma,高原以垂向增生和推覆构造发育为特点,赛北断裂高速剥露,致使路乐河地区物源发生转变;渐新世末期(22.6Ma),青藏高原准同时整体隆升,赛什腾山和南祁连山协同为路乐河地区供给沉积物。所获认识为深入了解高原隆升演化和板块碰撞远程效应提供新的沉积依据。     

Detrital apatite fission track analyses of the Subei basin: implications for basin-range structure of the northern Tibetan Plateau

The northern Tibetan Plateau has evolved a unique basin-range structure characterized by alternating elongated mountain ranges and basins over a history of multiple tectonic and fault activities. The Subei basin recorded evolution of this basin-range structure. In this study, detailed detrital apatite fission track (AFT) thermochronological studies in conjunction with previously documented data reveal provenance of the Subei basin, important information about the Indo-Eurasia collision, and two Miocene uplift and exhumation events of the northern Tibetan Plateau. Detrital AFT analyses combined with sedimentary evidences demonstrate that the Danghenanshan Mountains is the major provenance of the Subei basin. In addition, very old age peaks indicate that part sediments in the Subei basin are recycling sediments. Age peak populations of 70–44 Ma and 61–45 Ma from the lower and upper Baiyanghe formations record the tectono-thermal response to the Indo-Eurasia collision. Combined detrital AFT thermochronology, magnetostratigraphy and petrography results demonstrate the middle Miocene uplift and exhumation event initiated 14–12 Ma in the Subei basin, which may resulted from the Miocene east-west extension of the Tibetan Plateau. Another stronger uplift and exhumation event occurred in the late Miocene resulted from strengthened tectonic movement and climate. A much younger AFT grain age, breccia of diluvial facies and boulders of root fan subfacies record the late Miocene unroofing in the Danghenanshan Mountains.     

Magnetostratigraphy and Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility of the Lulehe Formation in the Northeastern Qaidam Basin

The timing of onset of deposition of the Lulehe Formation is a significant factor in understanding the genesis of the Qaidam basin and the evolution of the Tibetan Plateau. Here, we describe a detailed magnetostratigraphic and magnetic fabric study of the middle and lower parts of the Lulehe Formation. A total of 234 samples were collected from 117 sites throughout a thickness of almost 460 m of fluvial and lacustrine deposits at the Xitieshan section in the northeastern Qaidam basin. Out of these sites, 94 sites yielded well-defined characteristic remanent magnetization components by stepwise thermal demagnetization and were used to establish the magnetostratigraphy of the studied section. Based on correlation with the geomagnetic polarity timescale, the studied section spans the period from 53.8 Ma to 50.7 Ma. Our results show a three-fold decrease in sedimentation rates as well as marked change in facies from braided river to delta and shore–shallow lake around 52.6 Ma, which suggests tectonic uplift of the northeastern Qaidam basin margin ridge was rapid at the onset of formation of the Qaidam basin and subsequently weakened after 52.6 Ma. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility results indicate that tectonic compression stress had reached the northeastern Tibetan Plateau by the early stages of Indo–Eurasian plate collision and that the direction of stress in the study area was NE–SW. Furthermore, a weakening of tectonic compression stress around 52.6 Ma is consistent with sedimentary records. The age of initial deposition of the Qaidam basin (around 53.8 Ma) was almost synchronous with that of the Qiangtang, Hoh Xil, Xining, and Lanzhou basins, which implies that stress was transferred rapidly through the Tibetan Plateau during or immediately after the onset of Indo–Eurasian collision.     

The Sedimentary Record in Northern Qaidam Basin and its Response to the Uplift of the South Qilian Mountain at around 30 Ma

The thick, Eocene to Pliocene, sedimentary sequence in Qaidam Basin at the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau records the surface uplift history of the northeastern Tibetan plateau. In this study, we present detailed geochemistry, heavy mineral, and clay mineralogy data of the well preserved sedimentary record in the Dahongou section in the northeast of the Qaidam Basin. The results suggest that the sedimentary sequence recorded a 30 Ma young uplift/unroofing event in the northern edge of the Qaidam Basin, which is characterized by high ZTR index value and chlorite content, and low CIW`. The results are consistent with previous sedimentological studies of the Qaidam Basin, which indicated rapid increase of the accumulation rates around 30 Ma. Based on past thermochronological data from the mountains around the Qaidam Basin and the accumulation rates of the Cenozoic basins in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, we infer a regional uplift and denudation event along the northeastern Tibetan Plateau during early Oligocene (～30 Ma), indicating that the Tibetan Plateau had expanded north-eastward of the study area at that time.     

青藏高原南部乌郁盆地渐新世—上新世地层沉积相分析

青藏高原南部乌郁盆地是欧亚与印度板块碰撞以来冈底斯山隆升最具代表性的盆地之一,也是青藏高原南部较大的新生代残留盆地之一。沉积盆地中保存着完整的渐新世—早更新世连续沉积记录,自下而上由古新世—始新世林子宗群（典中组、年波组和帕那组）、渐新世—中新世日贡拉组、中新世芒乡组、来庆组、上新世—早更新世乌郁群（乌郁组、达孜组）,总厚度大于4180m。林子宗群为一套中—酸性钙碱性火山岩系,夹紫红色砂岩、砾岩及粉砂岩。日贡拉组主要为紫红色砂岩、砾岩,夹少量火山熔岩及酸性火山凝灰岩,为一套山间盆地沉积。芒乡组为灰色、深灰色泥岩、砂岩,夹煤和油页岩,为湖泊相—前三角洲相—沼泽相。来庆组为一套褐色安山岩、火山碎屑岩。乌郁组是一套碎屑岩,颜色呈灰色、灰褐色,夹煤及油页岩,为山间盆地辫状河—湖泊—沼泽沉积。达孜组是一套黄褐色砾岩、砂砾岩、砂岩,夹少量泥岩,发育铁质结核,为辫状河沉积。沉积相分析表明具有明显的古新世—始新世林子宗群（典中组、年波组和帕那组）、渐新世—中新世日贡拉组—芒乡组、中新世来庆组—上新世乌郁组、上新世—早更新世达孜组四个阶段式隆升—剥蚀过程。从芒乡组的潮湿炎热的气候转变为乌郁组的干燥凉爽,显然与青藏高原隆升密切相关。乌郁盆地渐新世—早更新世沉积相分析对于研究青藏高原隆升和油气等能源均具有重要意义。      

Late Oligocene-early Miocene evolution of the Lunpola Basin,central Tibetan Plateau,evidences from successive lacustrine records

Widespread Cenozoic sediments in and around the Tibetan Plateau (TP) are thought to have played an important role in explaining the process of the India-Asia collision as well as its interactions with global and regional paleoclimate. However, high-resolution temporal frameworks of sedimentary sequences and controls on geological and climatic events are still absent. To study the abovementioned issues, we investigate the Oligocene-Miocene lacustrine sequences (the Dingqinghu Formation) of the Lunpola Basin, central TP. In this work, cyclostratigraphic analyses are conducted with gamma ray log and pollen data to establish a high resolution temporal framework ranging from ca. 25.4 to 18.0 Ma for the sections. Along these sections, sediment accumulation rates are calculated with orbital signals to monitor clastic input of the lake basin; elemental, palynological, and isotopic data are summarized to depict the paleoclimate and paleoelevation evolution of this drainage system. Integrating all these clues together, we sort out a chronological list of events including lake basin, tectonics, and paleoclimate: regional uplift took place at 23.7 Ma; simultaneously, a distinct lake-basin transition characterized by accelerated sediment accumulation rate is recognized; about 0.2 Ma later at 23.5 Ma, catchment scale drought occurred and maintained to the end of the sections. Our results demonstrate that paleoclimate did not impose decisive influence on the late Oligocene-early Miocene evolution of the lake basin; instead, regional uplift and its associated accelerated exhumation of the source area resulted in the lake-basin transition and paleoclimatic drought. After reviewing the Oligocene-Miocene sedimentary records distributed in and around the TP, we argue that the 23.7 Ma geological event of the Lunpola Basin is probably not a single case but a regional effect of a dramatic tectonic transition of the plateau.     

Exhumation History of the Xining Basin Since the Mesozoic and Its Tectonic Significance

The Xining Basin is located in the northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, and its continuous Cenozoic strata record the entire uplift and outgrowth history of the Tibetan Plateau during the Cenozoic. The newly obtained apatite fission track data presented here shows that the Xining Basin and two marginal mountain ranges have experienced multiphase rapid cooling since the Jurassic, as follows. In the Middle–Late Jurassic, the rapid exhumation of the former Xining Basin resulted from collision between the Qiangtang Block and the Tarim Block. During the Early–Late Cretaceous, the former Xining Basin underwent a tectonic event due to marginal compression, causing the angular unconformity between the Upper and Lower Cretaceous. In the Late Cretaceous to the Early Cenozoic, collision between the Qiangtang Block and the Lhasa Block may have resulted in the rapid exhumation of the Xining Basin and the Lajishan to the south. In the Early Cenozoic(ca. 50–30 Ma), collision between the Indian and Eurasia plates affected the region that corresponds to the present northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. During this period, the central Qilian Block rotated clockwise by approximately 24° to form a wedge-shaped basin(i.e., the Xining Basin) opening to the west. During ca. 17–8 Ma, the entire northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau underwent dramatic deformation, and the Lajishan uplifted rapidly owing to the northward compression of the Guide Basin from the south. A marked change in subsidence occurred in the Xining Basin during this period, when the basin was tectonically inverted.