A Compilation of New and Existing Thermochronology Data Concerning the Lhasa Terrane Combined with a Geological Synthesis of the Area
Zhongbao Zhao, Chao Li, Xuxuan Ma, Haibing Li
Abstract
Abstract The history and geodynamic mechanisms of Cenozoic exhumation and denudation of the Lhasa terrane (LT), southern Tibetan Plateau, remain poorly constrained. Most previous studies investigating the exhumation of the LT have relied on extrapolating interpretations based on a few well‐studied but small areas, which inevitably introduce bias. Here, our compilation of new and published thermochronologic ages are plotted against latitude, longitude, and elevation, to illustrate the distribution of cooling ages across broad regions of the LT. Primary results reveal that (1) the north LT experienced significant exhumation during 80–40 Ma; (2) compared with north LT, exhumation and erosion in the south LT continued after ∼40 Ma; and (3) N–S striking rifting, E–W striking river incision, and thrusts led to continued local denudation of the south LT between 20–5 Ma.