Pliocene-Quaternary crustal melting in central and northern Tibet and insights into crustal flow
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: There is considerable controversy over the nature of geophysically recognized low-velocity-high-conductivity zones (LV-HCZs) within the Tibetan crust, and their role in models for the development of the Tibetan Plateau. Here we report petrological and geochemical data on magmas erupted 4.7-0.3 Myr ago in central and northern Tibet, demonstrating that they were generated by partial melting of crustal rocks at temperatures of 700-1,050 °C and pressures of 0.5-1.5 GPa. Thus Pliocene-Quaternary melting of crustal rocks occurred at depths of 15-50 km in areas where the LV-HCZs have been recognized. This provides new petrological evidence that the LV-HCZs are sources of partial melt. It is inferred that crustal melting played a key role in triggering crustal weakening and outward crustal flow in the expansion of the Tibetan Plateau.
Source: Nature Communications
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11888
Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, University of St Andrews, University of Bristol, The University of Sydney, National Taiwan University, Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Curtin University, ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems
Language: English
Subfield: Geophysics
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
OpenAlex ID: W2430630579