Miocene marl is the most widespread Tertiary stratigraphic record in the northern Tibet Plateau, termed the Wudaoliang Group in the Hoh Xil region and the correlative Suonahu Formation in the Qiangtang region. The uni...Miocene marl is the most widespread Tertiary stratigraphic record in the northern Tibet Plateau, termed the Wudaoliang Group in the Hoh Xil region and the correlative Suonahu Formation in the Qiangtang region. The uniform marl overlies red beds of the Eocene-Oligocene Fenghuoshan Group. The Wudaoliang Group is generally 100-400 m thick, but the thickest strata are 700-1300 m, located in the Haidinghu (Maiding Lake) and Tuotuohe (Tuotuo River) regions respectively. Based on observations from eight measured sections and outcrops, the thin-bedded marl, which varies in colour from grey-white to light brown-grey, is explained as a large-scale or serial lacustrine deposit stretching throughout northern Tibet.The Wudaoliang Group commonly crops out on geographic lowland at an average elevation of 4600 m above sea level within the mountain chains, showing concordant summit levels, e.g. the Fenghuoshan and Bairizhajia Mountains. These mountains with a flat ridge are considered to be remains of the palaeo-planation surface. However, the spatial distribution of the Wudaoliang Group is not confined by the current mountain-basin landform configuration. We have observed the Miocene Wudaoliang Group marl exposed on a 5233 m-high mountain peak. The largest difference in height between the current lake level and the mesa crest is 600 m; the maximum dip angle is 25°, but usually below 10°, which is obviously different from the Fenghuoshan Group red beds with moderate to strong structural deformation. The horizon of the Wudaoliang Group thin-bedded marl and its widespread occurrence throughout the northern Tibetan Plateau can only be reasonably inferred to a sedimentary record relevant to the palaeo-planation. Its deposition occurred on primary land floor by erosion at 20 Ma and its bed surface is a typical sign of geomorphic rise and collapse after the erosion.展开更多
Planation surfaces （PS） play a major role in reconstruction of the evolutionary history of landforms in local areas. Thus, objective and consistent mapping of planation surfaces from remotely sensed data （e.g., sat...Planation surfaces （PS） play a major role in reconstruction of the evolutionary history of landforms in local areas. Thus, objective and consistent mapping of planation surfaces from remotely sensed data （e.g., satellite imagery, digital elevation models （DEMs）） is paramount for interpreting the geomorphological evolution. Due to the lack of dated sedimentary covers and the difficulties of com-prehensive field work, the number and age of planation surfaces in the Southwest Hubei （湖北） Prov-ince of China are still controversial. In order to map the PS in the study area, four data visualization techniques including ETM＋ false color composite, grey-scale DEM, shaded relief model （SRM） and painted relief model （P M） were examined. It is found that the PRM is the most optimal technique for planation surface mapping. The study area was successfully mapped by visual interpretation of a PRM derived from ASTER GDEM. The mapped PS was divided into five classes in terms of elevation ac-cording to previous studies, varying from 1 700-2 000 （PS1）, 1 300-1 500 （PS2）, 1 000-1 200 （PS3）, 800-900 （PS4） to 500-600 （PS5） m. The results were partially compared with the published works. It is revealed that this method of mapping enjoys a higher accuracy and can reduce the time and ef- fort required in the traditional mapping to a large extent. The results also demonstrated that the PRM is an effective tool for geomorphological fea-ture mapping with considerable accuracy. The pre- liminary results can serve to facilitate locating rep-resentative samples for the planation surfaces dating, thus to determine the ages of PS in the study areas.展开更多
A planation hypothesis is proposed to explain landform evolution of the Tibet Plateau. A denudation threshold （T）, the maximum potential denudation rate for a certain type of rock, is introduced to explain the combi...A planation hypothesis is proposed to explain landform evolution of the Tibet Plateau. A denudation threshold （T）, the maximum potential denudation rate for a certain type of rock, is introduced to explain the combined effects of lithology and tectonics on landform evolution. If the tectonic uplifting rate （U） is equal to or less than the threshold rate （U ≤ T）, the tectonic uplifting and terrain denudation are in dynamic equilibrium, and landforms are in a steady state. The end product should be planation surfaces whether the original landforms are flat plains or deeply dissected mountains. If U 〉 T, uplift and denudation are not able to reach a dynamic equilibrium state. The plateau surface is mostly underlain by soft rocks, such as the Mesozoic epimetamorphic argillites and Tertiary sedimentary rocks, while the mountain ranges comprise hard rocks, such as granite, gneiss and limestone. In soft rock regions, hills are low with a relative relief of mostly less than 100 m and the slopes are gentle at a gradient of 〈200. In contrast, hills can maintain steep slopes in hard rock regions. The Tibet Plateau has been under an equilibrium condition between tectonic uplifting and denudation except for the mountain ranges. The plateau might have reached the present altitudes before the Quaternary.展开更多
Planation surface, a surface that is almost flat, is a kind of low-relief landforms. Planation surface is the consequence of the denudation and planation processes under a tectonic stable condition. The quantitative e...Planation surface, a surface that is almost flat, is a kind of low-relief landforms. Planation surface is the consequence of the denudation and planation processes under a tectonic stable condition. The quantitative expression of the characteristics of planation surface plays a key role in reconstructing and describing the evolutionary process of landforms. In this study, Landform Planation Index(LPI), a new terrain derivative, was proposed to quantify the characteristics of planation surface. The LPIs were calculated based on the summit surfaces formed according to the clustering results of peaks. Ten typical areas in the Ordos Platform located in the central part of the Loess Plateau of China are chosen as the test areas for investigating their planation characteristics with the LPI. The experimental results indicate that the LPI can be effectively used to quantify the characteristics of planation surfaces. In addition, the LPI can be further used to depict the patterns of spatial differentiation in the Ordos Platform. Although the present Ordos Platform area is full of the high-density gullies, its planation characteristics is found to be well preserved. Furthermore, the characteristics of the planation surfaces can also reflect the original morphology of the Ordos Platform before the loess dusts deposition process evolved in this area. The statistical results of the LPI show that there is a gradually increasing tendency along with the increasing of slope gradient of summit surface. It indicates that the characteristics of planation surfaces vary among test areas with different landforms. These findings help to deepen the understanding of planation characteristics of the loess landform and its underlying paleotopography. Results of this study can be also served as an important theoretical reference value for revealing the evolutionary process of loess landform.展开更多
The fieldwork and experiments indicate that the red weathering crust, which developed on the limestone of Tibet Plateau and its eastern district, is a component of common planation surface of karst. The evidences are ...The fieldwork and experiments indicate that the red weathering crust, which developed on the limestone of Tibet Plateau and its eastern district, is a component of common planation surface of karst. The evidences are as follows: (1) They distributed in transverse continuity and often covered on the summit plane of hills. They correspond with a certain geomorphologic surface, for example, near Lijiang of Yunnan, there are summit planes of little undulation, the red weathering crust of large area distributed on the summit plane, and there are also many dolines and closed depressions up to hundreds of meters in diameter. (2) According to the situation of karst development, the soil loss made the fine sediments to be washed away through the crack in the district which vertical process developed well. Therefore, even if in the most active district of karst process, the weathering crust of continuous heavy layer can not be formed only if there existed a certain undulation. The organic soil and redizina can only be formed, and their main types of soil profile are AF\|D and A\|D. The thick weathering crust is only observed on the karst plane nearby base\|level of erosion. (3) The existence of terra rossa indicates the humid tropical/subtropical environment. The study results show that the component of red weathering crust on the limestone generally had the character of high content of clay particles(<2μm) and the weak process of silicon losing and aluminium concentration comparing with typical terra rossa. These characters indicate that its forming environment was humid and eluviation was weak. This situation only existed in the peneplain environment where groundwater was shallow and drainage condition was not very well. In a word, the forming time of thick weathering crust in the limestone district corresponded with the period of peneplain, and the forming altitude height was near the base level of erosion. So the red weathering crust of limestone had the significance of geomorphologic stage. These knowledges were important for assessing of the degree of Tibet Plateau uplift by the use of red weathering crust.展开更多
The net primary productivity(NPP) is an important indicator for assessing the carbon sequestration capacities of different ecosystems and plays a crucial role in the global biosphere carbon cycle. However, in the cont...The net primary productivity(NPP) is an important indicator for assessing the carbon sequestration capacities of different ecosystems and plays a crucial role in the global biosphere carbon cycle. However, in the context of the increasing frequency, intensity, and duration of global extreme climate events, the impacts of extreme climate and vegetation phenology on NPP are still unclear, especially on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(QXP), China. In this study, we used a new data fusion method based on the MOD13A2 normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI) and the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies(GIMMS) NDVI_(3g) datasets to obtain a NDVI dataset(1982–2020) on the QXP. Then, we developed a NPP dataset across the QXP using the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach(CASA) model and validated its applicability based on gauged NPP data. Subsequently, we calculated 18 extreme climate indices based on the CN05.1 dataset, and extracted the length of vegetation growing season using the threshold method and double logistic model based on the annual NDVI time series. Finally, we explored the spatiotemporal patterns of NPP on the QXP and the impact mechanisms of extreme climate and the length of vegetation growing season on NPP. The results indicated that the estimated NPP exhibited good applicability. Specifically, the correlation coefficient, relative bias, mean error, and root mean square error between the estimated NPP and gauged NPP were 0.76, 0.17, 52.89 g C/(m^(2)·a), and 217.52 g C/(m^(2)·a), respectively. The NPP of alpine meadow, alpine steppe, forest, and main ecosystem on the QXP mainly exhibited an increasing trend during 1982–2020, with rates of 0.35, 0.38, 1.40, and 0.48 g C/(m^(2)·a), respectively. Spatially, the NPP gradually decreased from southeast to northwest across the QXP. Extreme climate had greater impact on NPP than the length of vegetation growing season on the QXP. Specifically, the increase in extremely-wet-day precipitation(R99p), simple daily intensity index(SDII), and hottest day(TXx) increased the NPP in different ecosystems across the QXP, while the increases in the cold spell duration index(CSDI) and warm spell duration index(WSDI) decreased the NPP in these ecosystems. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for relevant departments to formulate future policies addressing the impact of extreme climate on vegetation in different ecosystems on the QXP.展开更多
The characteristics of red karst weathering crust in the research region can be divided into three subtypes. The first one includes the silicon to aluminum ratio, the composition of the clay minerals, etc., and reflec...The characteristics of red karst weathering crust in the research region can be divided into three subtypes. The first one includes the silicon to aluminum ratio, the composition of the clay minerals, etc., and reflects the weak action of de-silicon and aluminum enrichment. The second one, for example the granularity, shows that the viscous action is strong. The third one, such as the CaCO3 content and pH value, has regional difference in a large scale, which is consistent with the condition of modern scenery, so it is not important as for the ancient environment.展开更多
The Tibetan Plateau has experienced a number of processes of uplift and planation alternately since about 45 Ma B. P. when it began to raise. A differential equation model for describing the Plateau altitude variation...The Tibetan Plateau has experienced a number of processes of uplift and planation alternately since about 45 Ma B. P. when it began to raise. A differential equation model for describing the Plateau altitude variation with time is formulated on the basis of previous field studies and a theoretical hypothesis: if palaeomagnetic polarity is positive, the convective activity in the earth is strong; orogenic movement is violent; and the raising velocity of the Plateau is high and vice versa . The analytical solution of the equation is obtained. The altitude variation from the beginning of the Plateau uplift to present is computed through using the geomagnetic polarity reversals timing series and interstellar atomic hydrogen concentration data. A comparison between the model results and the field studies indicates that the former is quite similar to the latter. The model results are able to basically reproduce the alternating processes of uplift and planation of the plate geological history. In the present model, the influences of the denudation and the geomagnetic polarity and interstellar atomic hydrogen concentration on the raising velocity of the Plateau altitude are mainlv considered.展开更多
Identification of the planation surfaces (PSs)is key for utilizing them as a reference in studying the long- term geomorphological evolution of the Upper Yangtze River Basin in the Sichuan-Yurman region,Southwest Chin...Identification of the planation surfaces (PSs)is key for utilizing them as a reference in studying the long- term geomorphological evolution of the Upper Yangtze River Basin in the Sichuan-Yurman region,Southwest China.Using a combined method of DEM-based fuzzy logic and topographic and fiver profiles analysis and based on a comprehensive analysis of four morphometfic parameters:slope,curvature,terrain raggedness index, and relative height,we established the relevant fuzzy membership functions,and then calculated the membership degree (MD)of the study area.Results show that patches with a MD>80% and an area>0.4 km^2 correspond well to the results of Google Earth and field investigation,representing the PS remnants.They consist of 1764 patches with an altitude,area,mean slope,and relief of mostly 2000-2500 m above sea level (asl),0-10 km^2,4°-9°,0-500 m,respectively,covering 9.2% of the study area's landscape,dipping to southeast,decreasing progressively from northwest to southeast in altitude,and with no clear relation between each patch's altitude and slope,or relief.All these results indicate that they are remnants of once regionally continuous PSs which were deformed by both the lower crust flow and the faults in upper crust,and dissected by the network of Upper Yangtze River.Additionally,topographic and river profiles analysis show that three PSs (PS1-PS3)well developed along the main valleys in the Yongren-Huili region, indicating several phases of uplift then planation during the Late Cenozoic era.Based on the incision amount deduced from projection of relict river profiles on PSs, together with erosion rates,breakup times of the PS 1,PS2,and PS3 were estimated to be 3.47 Ma,2.19 Ma,and 1.45 Ma,respectively,indicating appearance of modem Upper Yangtze River valley started between the Pliocene to early Pleistocene.展开更多
THE formation periods,properties and initial elevations of Tibetan planation surfaces are keysto the issues ot the plateau uplift.Li et al.believed that the study on planation surfaces hasfar-reaching significance.Yan...THE formation periods,properties and initial elevations of Tibetan planation surfaces are keysto the issues ot the plateau uplift.Li et al.believed that the study on planation surfaces hasfar-reaching significance.Yang et al.indicated that the summit level and the basin level展开更多
On the basis of results of relative subjects, the fossil planation surface has been discussed by the authors from the point of geomorphologic view. The discussion contents included the characteristic information, rese...On the basis of results of relative subjects, the fossil planation surface has been discussed by the authors from the point of geomorphologic view. The discussion contents included the characteristic information, research methods, paleotopography (gradient and altitude) and other problems about fossil planation surface. The recognition and reconstruction of fossil planation surface mainly rely on the following characteristic information: (i) the character of erosion unconformity surface; (ii) the paleo-weathering crust and residual deposits; (iii) the paleo-karst and filled deposit in the paleo-karst under the unconformity surface, and (iv) the character and environment of sediment above the unconformity surface. According to the above-mentioned characteristic information, the authors recognized and reconstructed two stages of fossil planation surface on Pa-leo-land of North China and Yangtze Paleo-land. These two fossil planation surfaces formed from Middle Ordovician to Lower Carboniferous and from展开更多
The thick-bedded and continuous karst crust only formed in the old stage of geomorphic development. The corresponding landscape is the karst planation surface. The karst planation surface consists of the loose weather...The thick-bedded and continuous karst crust only formed in the old stage of geomorphic development. The corresponding landscape is the karst planation surface. The karst planation surface consists of the loose weathering crust and the base weathering front below the crust. Its profile structure is similar to 'double surface of leveling' model built by Budel. In the limestone area, the base weathering front is the covered karst. From the Tibet Plateau to Yun-Gui (Yunnan- Guizhou) plateau and Xiang-Gui (Hunan-Guangxi) hills, the covered karst is concomitant with the red weathering crust; all of them are the component of the double-level surfaces of karst planation. But, they belong to the different disintegration stages of planation surface. The different subtypes of the covered karst and the red weathering crust indicate the existence of karst planation surface. Thus, they can be made as a reference system when the rising degree and the rising rate of the Tibet Plateau are discussed.展开更多
The authors reviewed the research of planation surface in recent years and commented on the development of method and theory about the planation surface. Some aspects of research, such as the restrictive planation sur...The authors reviewed the research of planation surface in recent years and commented on the development of method and theory about the planation surface. Some aspects of research, such as the restrictive planation surface, the karst planation surface, the fossil planation surface, the dating of weathering crust, the research of weathering crust and environmental evolution, extremely enriched the method and theory of the planation surface. Besides, the authors pointed out that we must take further steps to study the following issues: the deformation of planation surface, the original height of planation surface, the recognition and contrast of the planation surface. The weathering crust and planation surface should be regarded as a whole, and it will still be a principal aspect in the future.展开更多
Planation surfaces includes peneplain, pediment and etchplain, which differ from each other in formation and distribution. The double leveling surfaces theory offered by Budel can be used to explain the landforms in l...Planation surfaces includes peneplain, pediment and etchplain, which differ from each other in formation and distribution. The double leveling surfaces theory offered by Budel can be used to explain the landforms in limestone areas. According to Budel, that the residue is the upper layer of a planation surface is very important in studying the formation展开更多
Traditional theories of geographical cycle and pediplain cannot describe correctly the development of planation surfaces in karst regions. Authors, therefore, put forward conception of karst planation and karst planat...Traditional theories of geographical cycle and pediplain cannot describe correctly the development of planation surfaces in karst regions. Authors, therefore, put forward conception of karst planation and karst planation surface, suggesting that karst planation is another type of planation process characterized by chemical erosion and transformation. To identify the distinction between evolution features of normal landforms and those of karst landforms developed in the South China, authors suggest karst planation surfaces under similar environmental conditions may reach a lower altitude and gradient ratio, in contrast with normal landform areas. This may be applied to researching on Tibetan Plateau uplift.展开更多
Present granite landform characteristics and distribution are the integrated result of climate, tectonics and lithology. Various types of granite landforms in China signify climate zonality and differential vertical m...Present granite landform characteristics and distribution are the integrated result of climate, tectonics and lithology. Various types of granite landforms in China signify climate zonality and differential vertical movement of earth surface, while published research results on Chinese granite landforms are very rare, especially in international journals. Based on the process analysis of chemical weathering and physical disintegration, four granite landform regions in China are classified according to the present climate regime. On the Tibetan Plateau, the cold and freezing climate induced periglacial landscapes; the northeast region is characterized by physical disintegration and low round mounds are widespread; in the northwest region controlled by arid climate, wind-carved minor landscapes are extremely prominent. The most spectacular granite landscapes in China are presented in southeast as a result of Iongtime chemical weathering under humid and warm conditions, as well as the differential uplift after Neogene. Correlating the weathering crust in southern China, Tibetan Plateau and India, a possible unified planation surface in Neogene is proposed. With corestones as indicators of original weathering front, the differential uplift extent of dissected planation surfaces can be estimated. At least three landforms implying uplift can be identified in southeastern China, with elevations of 300-400 m, 2000 m and 3600 m above the sea level respectively.展开更多
The late Cenozoic geomorphic features and geochronologic data of the Zhingfang River catchment in the Yuntaishan World Geopark are studied. Several quarternary geochronologic methods, including electron spin resonance...The late Cenozoic geomorphic features and geochronologic data of the Zhingfang River catchment in the Yuntaishan World Geopark are studied. Several quarternary geochronologic methods, including electron spin resonance （ESR）, optically stimulated luminescence （OSL）, thermo-luminescence （TL） and U-series are presented in this paper. The results suggest that there are two planation surfaces, named as the Taihang surface which is a peneplain of Taihang stage formed during Oligocene or Oligocene to early-middle Miocene period, and Tang-hien surface which is a mature wide valley of Tang-hien stage formed during late Miocene-Pliocene or Piiocene-early Pleistocene period and probably ended prior to 2.2-2.6 Ma based on ESR dating. After the Tang-hien stage, the incision and aggradation of the river formed six stream terraces with heights of 3-5 m, 8-12 m, 22-24 m, 28-38 m, 50-62 m and 80-85 m above the river bottom, respectively. The dating results of the alluvium sediments suggest that these terraces were formed during Holocene, 20-23 ka B.P., 110-120 ka B.P., 200-240 ka B.P., 840-1200 ka B.P. or ~450 ka B.P. and 1600-1800 ka B.P. or -1100 ka B.P., respectively. These results indicate that episodic incision of the river, which controls the formation of the scenery in the Yuntaishan World Geopark, was mainly influenced by the periodic dry-wet climate change during late Cenozoic mountain uplift.展开更多
The karst landforms distributed on the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau can be genetically classed with the Tertiary underground karst, which were gradually exhumed to the surface with the uplift of the plateau during Q...The karst landforms distributed on the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau can be genetically classed with the Tertiary underground karst, which were gradually exhumed to the surface with the uplift of the plateau during Quaternary period. The relative deposits of the Tertiary palaeokarst processes, such as the residuum and speleothem, were discovered recently in the southern and southeastern fringe areas of the plateau, where has geological-currently been disintegrated by the headward erosion processes of the modern river systems. The major chemical components of the clay portion of the residuum consist mainly of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3. The clay minerals composition of the clay portion belongs to illite-kaolinite pattern for most of the residuum samples, and kaolinite-illite pattern for a few of the samples. It can be judged from the silicic acid index and the clay minerals composition that the formation of the residuum of the Plateau was in its initial phase. However, such a lower chemical weathering index only reflected the weathering degree in the bottom or lower parts of the lateritic weathering crust. The relatively intensive chemical weathering processes of the surface layers of the lateritic weathering crust could be logically speculated. The surface feature textures of quartz grains in the residuum were formed mainly by the chemical erosion, which revealed a long-term humid-tropical environment when the residuum and the palaeokarst formed.展开更多
The widely distributed red clay sediment underlying the Chinese Loess Plateau truly records the Neogene environmental evolution, and its genesis and development are intrinsically related to the uplift processes of the...The widely distributed red clay sediment underlying the Chinese Loess Plateau truly records the Neogene environmental evolution, and its genesis and development are intrinsically related to the uplift processes of the Tibetan Plateau and the evolution of East Asia monsoon system. In this paper, a detailed magnetostratigraphy of a loess-red clay section （107°13′E, 35°02′N） from the central Loess Plateau is reported. The loess-red clay sequence is composed of 175 m Quaternary loess-paleosol sequence and 128 m Neogene red clay sediments. Based on the correlation with the standard geomagnetic polarity time scale, the paleomagnetic results indicate that the age of Chaona red clay sequence extends to 08.1 Ma, which is the older red clay deposition in the central Chinese Loess Plateau. The commencement of red clay at -8.1 Ma may imply that the Ordos planation surface was broken by the movement of the Haiyuan-Liupanshan Faults, which was related to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau induced by the collision of India Plate and Eurasian Plate. And the western part adjacent to the Tibetan Plateau was uplifted to form the embryo of the Liupan Shan （Mts.） and the eastern part was down-faulted to receive red clay deposition. We link this faulting to an initial uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. The undulating nature of the broken Ordos planation surface may explain the chronological differences and depth discrepancies among various cross-sections of red clay.展开更多
The North China rift zone,including the North China Plain rift zone and the middle Shanxi graben-rift zone,is a continental rift;geomorphologically,its most common and important characteristics are the multiple accord...The North China rift zone,including the North China Plain rift zone and the middle Shanxi graben-rift zone,is a continental rift;geomorphologically,its most common and important characteristics are the multiple accordant summit levels (ASLs) in the denudational area.In this study three methods based on geomorphic analysis,that is,(1) unified topographic profiles,(2) cyclic knickpoints along longitudinal river profiles,and (3) depth contours of river downcutting,are used to identify the ASLs and analyze their tectonic deformation.The formation time of the ASLs is determined by geological and geomorphological evidence,the correlation with the sedimentary facies in the Plain rift zone,and K-Ar ages of basalts on the ASLs,indicating the rates of tectonic uplift.The North China rift zone has five ASLs,of which the highest and oldest ASL I is the remnant of a fossil peneplain formed before rifting and the other four lower and younger ones are pediplain-typed formed contemporaneously with rifting.Study of展开更多
基金under the auspices of the National Key Project for Basic Researches on the Tibet Plateau(G1998040800)
文摘Miocene marl is the most widespread Tertiary stratigraphic record in the northern Tibet Plateau, termed the Wudaoliang Group in the Hoh Xil region and the correlative Suonahu Formation in the Qiangtang region. The uniform marl overlies red beds of the Eocene-Oligocene Fenghuoshan Group. The Wudaoliang Group is generally 100-400 m thick, but the thickest strata are 700-1300 m, located in the Haidinghu (Maiding Lake) and Tuotuohe (Tuotuo River) regions respectively. Based on observations from eight measured sections and outcrops, the thin-bedded marl, which varies in colour from grey-white to light brown-grey, is explained as a large-scale or serial lacustrine deposit stretching throughout northern Tibet.The Wudaoliang Group commonly crops out on geographic lowland at an average elevation of 4600 m above sea level within the mountain chains, showing concordant summit levels, e.g. the Fenghuoshan and Bairizhajia Mountains. These mountains with a flat ridge are considered to be remains of the palaeo-planation surface. However, the spatial distribution of the Wudaoliang Group is not confined by the current mountain-basin landform configuration. We have observed the Miocene Wudaoliang Group marl exposed on a 5233 m-high mountain peak. The largest difference in height between the current lake level and the mesa crest is 600 m; the maximum dip angle is 25°, but usually below 10°, which is obviously different from the Fenghuoshan Group red beds with moderate to strong structural deformation. The horizon of the Wudaoliang Group thin-bedded marl and its widespread occurrence throughout the northern Tibetan Plateau can only be reasonably inferred to a sedimentary record relevant to the palaeo-planation. Its deposition occurred on primary land floor by erosion at 20 Ma and its bed surface is a typical sign of geomorphic rise and collapse after the erosion.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2011CB710600)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) (No. CUGL100211)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 91014002)
文摘Planation surfaces （PS） play a major role in reconstruction of the evolutionary history of landforms in local areas. Thus, objective and consistent mapping of planation surfaces from remotely sensed data （e.g., satellite imagery, digital elevation models （DEMs）） is paramount for interpreting the geomorphological evolution. Due to the lack of dated sedimentary covers and the difficulties of com-prehensive field work, the number and age of planation surfaces in the Southwest Hubei （湖北） Prov-ince of China are still controversial. In order to map the PS in the study area, four data visualization techniques including ETM＋ false color composite, grey-scale DEM, shaded relief model （SRM） and painted relief model （P M） were examined. It is found that the PRM is the most optimal technique for planation surface mapping. The study area was successfully mapped by visual interpretation of a PRM derived from ASTER GDEM. The mapped PS was divided into five classes in terms of elevation ac-cording to previous studies, varying from 1 700-2 000 （PS1）, 1 300-1 500 （PS2）, 1 000-1 200 （PS3）, 800-900 （PS4） to 500-600 （PS5） m. The results were partially compared with the published works. It is revealed that this method of mapping enjoys a higher accuracy and can reduce the time and ef- fort required in the traditional mapping to a large extent. The results also demonstrated that the PRM is an effective tool for geomorphological fea-ture mapping with considerable accuracy. The pre- liminary results can serve to facilitate locating rep-resentative samples for the planation surfaces dating, thus to determine the ages of PS in the study areas.
基金supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(Grant Nos.40599421 and 90502002)
文摘A planation hypothesis is proposed to explain landform evolution of the Tibet Plateau. A denudation threshold （T）, the maximum potential denudation rate for a certain type of rock, is introduced to explain the combined effects of lithology and tectonics on landform evolution. If the tectonic uplifting rate （U） is equal to or less than the threshold rate （U ≤ T）, the tectonic uplifting and terrain denudation are in dynamic equilibrium, and landforms are in a steady state. The end product should be planation surfaces whether the original landforms are flat plains or deeply dissected mountains. If U 〉 T, uplift and denudation are not able to reach a dynamic equilibrium state. The plateau surface is mostly underlain by soft rocks, such as the Mesozoic epimetamorphic argillites and Tertiary sedimentary rocks, while the mountain ranges comprise hard rocks, such as granite, gneiss and limestone. In soft rock regions, hills are low with a relative relief of mostly less than 100 m and the slopes are gentle at a gradient of 〈200. In contrast, hills can maintain steep slopes in hard rock regions. The Tibet Plateau has been under an equilibrium condition between tectonic uplifting and denudation except for the mountain ranges. The plateau might have reached the present altitudes before the Quaternary.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41201464,41471316)Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(No.164320H101)
文摘Planation surface, a surface that is almost flat, is a kind of low-relief landforms. Planation surface is the consequence of the denudation and planation processes under a tectonic stable condition. The quantitative expression of the characteristics of planation surface plays a key role in reconstructing and describing the evolutionary process of landforms. In this study, Landform Planation Index(LPI), a new terrain derivative, was proposed to quantify the characteristics of planation surface. The LPIs were calculated based on the summit surfaces formed according to the clustering results of peaks. Ten typical areas in the Ordos Platform located in the central part of the Loess Plateau of China are chosen as the test areas for investigating their planation characteristics with the LPI. The experimental results indicate that the LPI can be effectively used to quantify the characteristics of planation surfaces. In addition, the LPI can be further used to depict the patterns of spatial differentiation in the Ordos Platform. Although the present Ordos Platform area is full of the high-density gullies, its planation characteristics is found to be well preserved. Furthermore, the characteristics of the planation surfaces can also reflect the original morphology of the Ordos Platform before the loess dusts deposition process evolved in this area. The statistical results of the LPI show that there is a gradually increasing tendency along with the increasing of slope gradient of summit surface. It indicates that the characteristics of planation surfaces vary among test areas with different landforms. These findings help to deepen the understanding of planation characteristics of the loess landform and its underlying paleotopography. Results of this study can be also served as an important theoretical reference value for revealing the evolutionary process of loess landform.
文摘The fieldwork and experiments indicate that the red weathering crust, which developed on the limestone of Tibet Plateau and its eastern district, is a component of common planation surface of karst. The evidences are as follows: (1) They distributed in transverse continuity and often covered on the summit plane of hills. They correspond with a certain geomorphologic surface, for example, near Lijiang of Yunnan, there are summit planes of little undulation, the red weathering crust of large area distributed on the summit plane, and there are also many dolines and closed depressions up to hundreds of meters in diameter. (2) According to the situation of karst development, the soil loss made the fine sediments to be washed away through the crack in the district which vertical process developed well. Therefore, even if in the most active district of karst process, the weathering crust of continuous heavy layer can not be formed only if there existed a certain undulation. The organic soil and redizina can only be formed, and their main types of soil profile are AF\|D and A\|D. The thick weathering crust is only observed on the karst plane nearby base\|level of erosion. (3) The existence of terra rossa indicates the humid tropical/subtropical environment. The study results show that the component of red weathering crust on the limestone generally had the character of high content of clay particles(<2μm) and the weak process of silicon losing and aluminium concentration comparing with typical terra rossa. These characters indicate that its forming environment was humid and eluviation was weak. This situation only existed in the peneplain environment where groundwater was shallow and drainage condition was not very well. In a word, the forming time of thick weathering crust in the limestone district corresponded with the period of peneplain, and the forming altitude height was near the base level of erosion. So the red weathering crust of limestone had the significance of geomorphologic stage. These knowledges were important for assessing of the degree of Tibet Plateau uplift by the use of red weathering crust.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U2243227)。
文摘The net primary productivity(NPP) is an important indicator for assessing the carbon sequestration capacities of different ecosystems and plays a crucial role in the global biosphere carbon cycle. However, in the context of the increasing frequency, intensity, and duration of global extreme climate events, the impacts of extreme climate and vegetation phenology on NPP are still unclear, especially on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(QXP), China. In this study, we used a new data fusion method based on the MOD13A2 normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI) and the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies(GIMMS) NDVI_(3g) datasets to obtain a NDVI dataset(1982–2020) on the QXP. Then, we developed a NPP dataset across the QXP using the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach(CASA) model and validated its applicability based on gauged NPP data. Subsequently, we calculated 18 extreme climate indices based on the CN05.1 dataset, and extracted the length of vegetation growing season using the threshold method and double logistic model based on the annual NDVI time series. Finally, we explored the spatiotemporal patterns of NPP on the QXP and the impact mechanisms of extreme climate and the length of vegetation growing season on NPP. The results indicated that the estimated NPP exhibited good applicability. Specifically, the correlation coefficient, relative bias, mean error, and root mean square error between the estimated NPP and gauged NPP were 0.76, 0.17, 52.89 g C/(m^(2)·a), and 217.52 g C/(m^(2)·a), respectively. The NPP of alpine meadow, alpine steppe, forest, and main ecosystem on the QXP mainly exhibited an increasing trend during 1982–2020, with rates of 0.35, 0.38, 1.40, and 0.48 g C/(m^(2)·a), respectively. Spatially, the NPP gradually decreased from southeast to northwest across the QXP. Extreme climate had greater impact on NPP than the length of vegetation growing season on the QXP. Specifically, the increase in extremely-wet-day precipitation(R99p), simple daily intensity index(SDII), and hottest day(TXx) increased the NPP in different ecosystems across the QXP, while the increases in the cold spell duration index(CSDI) and warm spell duration index(WSDI) decreased the NPP in these ecosystems. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for relevant departments to formulate future policies addressing the impact of extreme climate on vegetation in different ecosystems on the QXP.
基金the National Important Basic Research Developing Project (Grant No.G1998040800), Research Project of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant Nos. KZ951-AL-204 KZ95T-06).
文摘The characteristics of red karst weathering crust in the research region can be divided into three subtypes. The first one includes the silicon to aluminum ratio, the composition of the clay minerals, etc., and reflects the weak action of de-silicon and aluminum enrichment. The second one, for example the granularity, shows that the viscous action is strong. The third one, such as the CaCO3 content and pH value, has regional difference in a large scale, which is consistent with the condition of modern scenery, so it is not important as for the ancient environment.
基金Project supported by the National Climbing Project "A Study on the Uplift,Evolution and Ecosystem of the Tibetan Plateau"and the CAS"(Chinese Academy of Sciences)Foundations for Returned Scholars
文摘The Tibetan Plateau has experienced a number of processes of uplift and planation alternately since about 45 Ma B. P. when it began to raise. A differential equation model for describing the Plateau altitude variation with time is formulated on the basis of previous field studies and a theoretical hypothesis: if palaeomagnetic polarity is positive, the convective activity in the earth is strong; orogenic movement is violent; and the raising velocity of the Plateau is high and vice versa . The analytical solution of the equation is obtained. The altitude variation from the beginning of the Plateau uplift to present is computed through using the geomagnetic polarity reversals timing series and interstellar atomic hydrogen concentration data. A comparison between the model results and the field studies indicates that the former is quite similar to the latter. The model results are able to basically reproduce the alternating processes of uplift and planation of the plate geological history. In the present model, the influences of the denudation and the geomagnetic polarity and interstellar atomic hydrogen concentration on the raising velocity of the Plateau altitude are mainlv considered.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.41471008 and 41730637)the United Fund of the National Scientific Foundation of China and Yunnan Province (U0933604)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (lzujbky-2013-272).
文摘Identification of the planation surfaces (PSs)is key for utilizing them as a reference in studying the long- term geomorphological evolution of the Upper Yangtze River Basin in the Sichuan-Yurman region,Southwest China.Using a combined method of DEM-based fuzzy logic and topographic and fiver profiles analysis and based on a comprehensive analysis of four morphometfic parameters:slope,curvature,terrain raggedness index, and relative height,we established the relevant fuzzy membership functions,and then calculated the membership degree (MD)of the study area.Results show that patches with a MD>80% and an area>0.4 km^2 correspond well to the results of Google Earth and field investigation,representing the PS remnants.They consist of 1764 patches with an altitude,area,mean slope,and relief of mostly 2000-2500 m above sea level (asl),0-10 km^2,4°-9°,0-500 m,respectively,covering 9.2% of the study area's landscape,dipping to southeast,decreasing progressively from northwest to southeast in altitude,and with no clear relation between each patch's altitude and slope,or relief.All these results indicate that they are remnants of once regionally continuous PSs which were deformed by both the lower crust flow and the faults in upper crust,and dissected by the network of Upper Yangtze River.Additionally,topographic and river profiles analysis show that three PSs (PS1-PS3)well developed along the main valleys in the Yongren-Huili region, indicating several phases of uplift then planation during the Late Cenozoic era.Based on the incision amount deduced from projection of relict river profiles on PSs, together with erosion rates,breakup times of the PS 1,PS2,and PS3 were estimated to be 3.47 Ma,2.19 Ma,and 1.45 Ma,respectively,indicating appearance of modem Upper Yangtze River valley started between the Pliocene to early Pleistocene.
文摘THE formation periods,properties and initial elevations of Tibetan planation surfaces are keysto the issues ot the plateau uplift.Li et al.believed that the study on planation surfaces hasfar-reaching significance.Yang et al.indicated that the summit level and the basin level
基金This work was supported by the National Key Basic Research Development Project (Grant No. 1998040800).
文摘On the basis of results of relative subjects, the fossil planation surface has been discussed by the authors from the point of geomorphologic view. The discussion contents included the characteristic information, research methods, paleotopography (gradient and altitude) and other problems about fossil planation surface. The recognition and reconstruction of fossil planation surface mainly rely on the following characteristic information: (i) the character of erosion unconformity surface; (ii) the paleo-weathering crust and residual deposits; (iii) the paleo-karst and filled deposit in the paleo-karst under the unconformity surface, and (iv) the character and environment of sediment above the unconformity surface. According to the above-mentioned characteristic information, the authors recognized and reconstructed two stages of fossil planation surface on Pa-leo-land of North China and Yangtze Paleo-land. These two fossil planation surfaces formed from Middle Ordovician to Lower Carboniferous and from
基金This Project was supported by Research Project of the Tibet Plateau from Chinese Academy ofSciences (Grant Nos. KZ951-A1-204 KZ95T-06) the Key Foundation of National liasic Researches of China (Grant No. G1998040800).
文摘The thick-bedded and continuous karst crust only formed in the old stage of geomorphic development. The corresponding landscape is the karst planation surface. The karst planation surface consists of the loose weathering crust and the base weathering front below the crust. Its profile structure is similar to 'double surface of leveling' model built by Budel. In the limestone area, the base weathering front is the covered karst. From the Tibet Plateau to Yun-Gui (Yunnan- Guizhou) plateau and Xiang-Gui (Hunan-Guangxi) hills, the covered karst is concomitant with the red weathering crust; all of them are the component of the double-level surfaces of karst planation. But, they belong to the different disintegration stages of planation surface. The different subtypes of the covered karst and the red weathering crust indicate the existence of karst planation surface. Thus, they can be made as a reference system when the rising degree and the rising rate of the Tibet Plateau are discussed.
基金This work was supported by the National (Grant No. 1998040800)CAS's Key Project for Bastic Research on Tibetan Plateau (Grant Nos. KZ951-A1-204 and KZ957-06).
文摘The authors reviewed the research of planation surface in recent years and commented on the development of method and theory about the planation surface. Some aspects of research, such as the restrictive planation surface, the karst planation surface, the fossil planation surface, the dating of weathering crust, the research of weathering crust and environmental evolution, extremely enriched the method and theory of the planation surface. Besides, the authors pointed out that we must take further steps to study the following issues: the deformation of planation surface, the original height of planation surface, the recognition and contrast of the planation surface. The weathering crust and planation surface should be regarded as a whole, and it will still be a principal aspect in the future.
文摘Planation surfaces includes peneplain, pediment and etchplain, which differ from each other in formation and distribution. The double leveling surfaces theory offered by Budel can be used to explain the landforms in limestone areas. According to Budel, that the residue is the upper layer of a planation surface is very important in studying the formation
基金This work was supported by the State Key Project on Fundamental Research Planning (Grant No. G1998040800) CAS Pandeng Projects (Grant No. kz951 -A 1 -204 and kz95T-06).
文摘Traditional theories of geographical cycle and pediplain cannot describe correctly the development of planation surfaces in karst regions. Authors, therefore, put forward conception of karst planation and karst planation surface, suggesting that karst planation is another type of planation process characterized by chemical erosion and transformation. To identify the distinction between evolution features of normal landforms and those of karst landforms developed in the South China, authors suggest karst planation surfaces under similar environmental conditions may reach a lower altitude and gradient ratio, in contrast with normal landform areas. This may be applied to researching on Tibetan Plateau uplift.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40701017
文摘Present granite landform characteristics and distribution are the integrated result of climate, tectonics and lithology. Various types of granite landforms in China signify climate zonality and differential vertical movement of earth surface, while published research results on Chinese granite landforms are very rare, especially in international journals. Based on the process analysis of chemical weathering and physical disintegration, four granite landform regions in China are classified according to the present climate regime. On the Tibetan Plateau, the cold and freezing climate induced periglacial landscapes; the northeast region is characterized by physical disintegration and low round mounds are widespread; in the northwest region controlled by arid climate, wind-carved minor landscapes are extremely prominent. The most spectacular granite landscapes in China are presented in southeast as a result of Iongtime chemical weathering under humid and warm conditions, as well as the differential uplift after Neogene. Correlating the weathering crust in southern China, Tibetan Plateau and India, a possible unified planation surface in Neogene is proposed. With corestones as indicators of original weathering front, the differential uplift extent of dissected planation surfaces can be estimated. At least three landforms implying uplift can be identified in southeastern China, with elevations of 300-400 m, 2000 m and 3600 m above the sea level respectively.
基金the work of "Study of the geo-scientific settings of geo-tourist landscapes in Yuntaishan World Geopark",and supported by the Department of International Cooperation of Ministry of Science and Technology of China. (Grant No. 2006DFA21320)the Science Foundation of institute of geomechanics, CAGS (Grant No. DZLXJK200706) the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40501006)
文摘The late Cenozoic geomorphic features and geochronologic data of the Zhingfang River catchment in the Yuntaishan World Geopark are studied. Several quarternary geochronologic methods, including electron spin resonance （ESR）, optically stimulated luminescence （OSL）, thermo-luminescence （TL） and U-series are presented in this paper. The results suggest that there are two planation surfaces, named as the Taihang surface which is a peneplain of Taihang stage formed during Oligocene or Oligocene to early-middle Miocene period, and Tang-hien surface which is a mature wide valley of Tang-hien stage formed during late Miocene-Pliocene or Piiocene-early Pleistocene period and probably ended prior to 2.2-2.6 Ma based on ESR dating. After the Tang-hien stage, the incision and aggradation of the river formed six stream terraces with heights of 3-5 m, 8-12 m, 22-24 m, 28-38 m, 50-62 m and 80-85 m above the river bottom, respectively. The dating results of the alluvium sediments suggest that these terraces were formed during Holocene, 20-23 ka B.P., 110-120 ka B.P., 200-240 ka B.P., 840-1200 ka B.P. or ~450 ka B.P. and 1600-1800 ka B.P. or -1100 ka B.P., respectively. These results indicate that episodic incision of the river, which controls the formation of the scenery in the Yuntaishan World Geopark, was mainly influenced by the periodic dry-wet climate change during late Cenozoic mountain uplift.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 49901002 and No. 49371011
文摘The karst landforms distributed on the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau can be genetically classed with the Tertiary underground karst, which were gradually exhumed to the surface with the uplift of the plateau during Quaternary period. The relative deposits of the Tertiary palaeokarst processes, such as the residuum and speleothem, were discovered recently in the southern and southeastern fringe areas of the plateau, where has geological-currently been disintegrated by the headward erosion processes of the modern river systems. The major chemical components of the clay portion of the residuum consist mainly of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3. The clay minerals composition of the clay portion belongs to illite-kaolinite pattern for most of the residuum samples, and kaolinite-illite pattern for a few of the samples. It can be judged from the silicic acid index and the clay minerals composition that the formation of the residuum of the Plateau was in its initial phase. However, such a lower chemical weathering index only reflected the weathering degree in the bottom or lower parts of the lateritic weathering crust. The relatively intensive chemical weathering processes of the surface layers of the lateritic weathering crust could be logically speculated. The surface feature textures of quartz grains in the residuum were formed mainly by the chemical erosion, which revealed a long-term humid-tropical environment when the residuum and the palaeokarst formed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NO:40202019,90102017,40121303)National Basic Research Program of China(2004CB720202)China Postdoctoral Fund
文摘The widely distributed red clay sediment underlying the Chinese Loess Plateau truly records the Neogene environmental evolution, and its genesis and development are intrinsically related to the uplift processes of the Tibetan Plateau and the evolution of East Asia monsoon system. In this paper, a detailed magnetostratigraphy of a loess-red clay section （107°13′E, 35°02′N） from the central Loess Plateau is reported. The loess-red clay sequence is composed of 175 m Quaternary loess-paleosol sequence and 128 m Neogene red clay sediments. Based on the correlation with the standard geomagnetic polarity time scale, the paleomagnetic results indicate that the age of Chaona red clay sequence extends to 08.1 Ma, which is the older red clay deposition in the central Chinese Loess Plateau. The commencement of red clay at -8.1 Ma may imply that the Ordos planation surface was broken by the movement of the Haiyuan-Liupanshan Faults, which was related to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau induced by the collision of India Plate and Eurasian Plate. And the western part adjacent to the Tibetan Plateau was uplifted to form the embryo of the Liupan Shan （Mts.） and the eastern part was down-faulted to receive red clay deposition. We link this faulting to an initial uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. The undulating nature of the broken Ordos planation surface may explain the chronological differences and depth discrepancies among various cross-sections of red clay.
文摘The North China rift zone,including the North China Plain rift zone and the middle Shanxi graben-rift zone,is a continental rift;geomorphologically,its most common and important characteristics are the multiple accordant summit levels (ASLs) in the denudational area.In this study three methods based on geomorphic analysis,that is,(1) unified topographic profiles,(2) cyclic knickpoints along longitudinal river profiles,and (3) depth contours of river downcutting,are used to identify the ASLs and analyze their tectonic deformation.The formation time of the ASLs is determined by geological and geomorphological evidence,the correlation with the sedimentary facies in the Plain rift zone,and K-Ar ages of basalts on the ASLs,indicating the rates of tectonic uplift.The North China rift zone has five ASLs,of which the highest and oldest ASL I is the remnant of a fossil peneplain formed before rifting and the other four lower and younger ones are pediplain-typed formed contemporaneously with rifting.Study of
