Three stages of plateau evolution manifested in present-day Tibetan Plateau

Shihua Cheng, Xiao Xiao, Li Sun, Weilai Wang, Jianping Wu, Xiaoxin Wang, Xiaofeng Liang, Xiaobo Tian, Hongyi Li and Lianxing Wen ()
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Shihua Cheng: University of Science and Technology of China
Xiao Xiao: University of Science and Technology of China
Li Sun: China Earthquake Administration
Weilai Wang: China Earthquake Administration
Jianping Wu: China Earthquake Administration
Xiaoxin Wang: University of Science and Technology of China
Xiaofeng Liang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiaobo Tian: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Hongyi Li: China University of Geosciences
Lianxing Wen: State University of New York at Stony Brook

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Notwithstanding the evolution of the Tibetan Plateau being a fundamental topic in continental dynamics, general mechanisms of Plateau uplift remain elusive and past Plateau evolution models lack clarity of the actual geodynamical process. Here, with detailed mappings of intra-crustal low-velocity zones and crust-mantle discontinuity in the region using the seismic data consolidated by the China Seismological Reference Model project, we show that the present-day Tibetan Plateau manifests three stages of mid-crustal flow driven evolution that can be clearly identified in three distinct regions of the Plateau: a pre-response stage with a young mid-crustal partially molten zone but little response of surface topography and crust-mantle discontinuity, the first stage with a mature mid-crustal partially molten zone by deepening crust-mantle discontinuity without large-scale surface uplift, and the last stage by large-scale surface uplifting. Our results provide direct observation and a unique reference of geodynamical responses at different evolution stages of the continent-continent collision zones.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64607-4

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