Climatic and Tectonic Evolution in the North Qaidam since the Cenozoic: Evidence from Sedimentology and Mineralogy

Chaowen Wang; Hanlie Hong; Zhaohui Li; Guojun Liang; Jin Xie; Bowen Song; Eping Song; Kexin Zhang

doi:10.1007/s12583-013-0332-3

Volume 24 Issue 3

Jun 2013

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Journal of Earth Science > 2013 > 24(3): 314-327.

Chaowen Wang, Hanlie Hong, Zhaohui Li, Guojun Liang, Jin Xie, Bowen Song, Eping Song, Kexin Zhang. Climatic and Tectonic Evolution in the North Qaidam since the Cenozoic: Evidence from Sedimentology and Mineralogy. Journal of Earth Science, 2013, 24(3): 314-327. doi: 10.1007/s12583-013-0332-3

Citation:

Chaowen Wang, Hanlie Hong, Zhaohui Li, Guojun Liang, Jin Xie, Bowen Song, Eping Song, Kexin Zhang. Climatic and Tectonic Evolution in the North Qaidam since the Cenozoic: Evidence from Sedimentology and Mineralogy. Journal of Earth Science, 2013, 24(3): 314-327. doi: 10.1007/s12583-013-0332-3

Citation:

Chaowen Wang, Hanlie Hong, Zhaohui Li, Guojun Liang, Jin Xie, Bowen Song, Eping Song, Kexin Zhang. Climatic and Tectonic Evolution in the North Qaidam since the Cenozoic: Evidence from Sedimentology and Mineralogy. Journal of Earth Science, 2013, 24(3): 314-327. doi: 10.1007/s12583-013-0332-3

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Climatic and Tectonic Evolution in the North Qaidam since the Cenozoic: Evidence from Sedimentology and Mineralogy

doi: 10.1007/s12583-013-0332-3

Chaowen Wang^{1, 2},
Hanlie Hong^{1, 2},
Zhaohui Li^{2, 3
,
,},
Guojun Liang^{1, 2},
Jin Xie^{1, 2},
Bowen Song^{1, 2},
Eping Song^{1, 4},
Kexin Zhang^{1, 4}

1.
State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
2.
Faculty of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
3.
Geosciences Department, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha WI 53141-2000, USA
4.
Geological Survey of China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

Funds:

the China Geological Survey 1212011121261

the National Natural Science Foundation of China 41272053

the National Natural Science Foundation of China 41072030

Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China 20110145110001

the Independent Research Project Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan GBL11307

More Information

Corresponding author: Zhaohui Li, li@uwp.edu
Received Date: 18 Oct 2012
Accepted Date: 07 Dec 2012
Publish Date: 01 Jun 2013

Abstract

Abstract

Clay mineralogy and bulk mineral composition of Tertiary sediments in Qaidam were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy in order to better understand regional climate change resulting from uplift of the Northeast Tibetan Plateau. Climate change in Qaidam since ~53.5 Ma could be divided into four stages: a warm and seasonally arid climate between ~53.5 and 40 Ma,a cold and arid climate from ~40 to 26 Ma,a warm and humid climate between ~26 and 13.5 Ma,and a much colder and arid climate from ~13.5 to 2.5 Ma,respectively. The illite crystallinity and sedimentary facies suggested that uplift events took place around > 52–50,~40-38,~26-15,~10-8,and < 5 Ma in the Qaidam region,respectively. The climate in Qaidam Basin could have been controlled by global climate prior to 13.5 Ma. As the Tibetan Plateau reached a significant elevation by ~13.5 Ma,and the climate cycles of the East Asian monsoon might add additional influence.
- clay mineral,
- illite crystallinity,
- paleoclimate,
- Qaidam Basin,
- Tibetan Plateau

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References(51)

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