Clift, P. D., Zheng, H., Carter, A., Böning, P., Jonell, T. N. , Schorr, H., Shan, X., Pahnke, K., Wei, X. and Rittenour, T. (2017) Controls on erosion in the western Tarim Basin: Implications for the uplift of northwest Tibet and the Pamir. Geosphere, 13(5), pp. 1747-1765. (doi: 10.1130/GES01378.1)
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Abstract
We present here bulk sediment major element chemistry, Nd and Sr isotope ratios, and detrital apatite fission-track (AFT) and U-Pb zircon ages to characterize the provenance of the southwestern Taklimakan Desert (northwest China) and the three major rivers draining this region. We establish the spatial and temporal controls on erosion and sediment transport in the modern Tibetan rain shadow. The Hotan River drains the North Kunlun block and is characterized by zircon populations at 160–230 Ma and 370–520 Ma. The Yarkand River shares these grains with the Hotan, but also has a very prominent zircon population at 40–160 Ma, which is common in Karakoram basement, indicating heavy sediment flux from these ranges to that drainage. This implies a strong control on erosion by topographic steepness and precipitation mediated through glaciation. Our zircon data confirm earlier studies that indicated that the Taklimakan sand is derived from both the Kunlun and Pamir Mountains. AFT ages are younger in the Hotan River than in the Kashgar River, which drains the Pamir, and in both are younger than in the Transhimalaya and parts of the western edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Exhumation is estimated at ∼1000 m/m.y. in the North Kunlun and ∼500 m/m.y. in the eastern Pamir, which have been exhuming more slowly than the western ranges in the recent past.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Jonell, Dr Tara |
| Authors: | Clift, P. D., Zheng, H., Carter, A., Böning, P., Jonell, T. N., Schorr, H., Shan, X., Pahnke, K., Wei, X., and Rittenour, T. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences |
| Journal Name: | Geosphere |
| Publisher: | Geological Society of America |
| ISSN: | 1553-040X |
| ISSN (Online): | 1553-040X |
| Published Online: | 25 August 2017 |
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