Multi-terrane structure controls the contrasting lithospheric evolution beneath the western and central–eastern Tibetan plateau

Pengpeng Huangfu, Zhong-Hai Li (), Taras Gerya, Weiming Fan, Kai-Jun Zhang, Huai Zhang and Yaolin Shi
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Pengpeng Huangfu: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhong-Hai Li: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Taras Gerya: ETH-Zurich
Weiming Fan: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Kai-Jun Zhang: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Huai Zhang: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yaolin Shi: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The Tibetan plateau is manifested by contrasting along-strike lithospheric structures, but its formation mechanism and the relationship with the heterogeneous multi-terrane configuration is a challenging problem. Here we conduct systematic numerical modeling to explore the roles of width, density, and rheological properties of the multiple terranes in the lithospheric evolution of the Tibetan plateau, which reveals two distinct collision modes. In Mode-I, the lithospheric mantles of both the strong and weak terranes in the Tibetan plate are completely detached, followed by the underthrusting of Indian lithosphere beneath the whole plateau. Alternatively, Mode-II is characterized by full detachment of the weak terranes, but (partial) residue of the strong terranes during collision. These two contrasting modes, broadly consistent with the lithospheric structures of western and central–eastern Tibetan plateau, respectively, are strongly dependent on the along-strike variation of the width of the strong Lhasa–Qiangtang terranes.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06233-x

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