Cenozoic evolution of the Pamir plateau based on stratigraphy, zircon provenance, and stable isotopes of foreland basin sediments at Oytag (Wuyitake) in the Tarim Basin (west China)

Bershaw, John; Garzione, Carmala N.; Schoenbohm, Lindsay M.; Gehrels, George E.; Li, Tao

doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2011.04.020

Cited by 105 publications

(149 citation statements)

References 81 publications

(151 reference statements)

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“…In contrast to models invoked for the neighboring Tibetan Plateau, crustal flow does not seem to be involved in the evolution of Pamir (Gloaguen and Ratschbacher, 2011). The India-Asia convergence resulted in thrust and strike-slip faulting, which follows the trend described by the Pamir salient (Bershaw et al, 2012 S o u t h P a m i r S h e a r Z o n e R a n k u l F . K a r a s u F .…”

Section: The Crustal Deformation In Pamirmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…Figs. 1, 2) is largely controlled by the crustal shortening due to the Cenozoic India-Asia convergence (Burtman and Molnar, 1993;Bershaw et al, 2012) and still ongoing northward propagation of the Indian plate (Reigber et al, 2001;Mohadjer et al, 2010) in line with local block rotation (Waldhoer et al, 2001). In contrast to models invoked for the neighboring Tibetan Plateau, crustal flow does not seem to be involved in the evolution of Pamir (Gloaguen and Ratschbacher, 2011).…”

Section: The Crustal Deformation In Pamirmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The tectonic units of Pamir are assumed to consist of along-strike equivalents of the Tibetan Plateau that accreted to the Eurasian plate (Burtman and Molnar, 1993;Schwab et al, 2004;Cowgill, 2010;Bershaw et al, 2012). Classically, the Pamir is divided into three distinct tectonic terranes: the Northern, Central, and Southern Pamir (Fig.…”

Section: Tectonic Setting and Structural Units Of Pamirmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tectonic and climatic forcing on the Panj river system during the Quaternary

Fuchs

Gloaguen

Pohl

2013

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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Surface processes involve complex feedback effects between tectonic and climatic influences in the high mountains of Pamir. The ongoing India-Asia collision provokes the development of east-west-trending mountain ranges that impose structural control on flow directions of the Pamir rivers. The evolving relief is further controlled by strong moisture gradients. The decreasing precipitations from the southern and western margins of the Pamir Plateau to its center, in their turn, control the emplacement of glaciers. Chronologies of glacial records from the Pamir Plateau attest for strong climatic variability during the Quaternary. Corresponding remnants of glacial advances suggest glacial morphodynamic restricted to >4,000 m a.s.l. since marine isotope stage (MIS) 4. The Panj, the trunk river of Pamir, deflects from the predominant westward drainage, connecting its main tributaries at the western margin of the drainage basin. The geometry of the river network and the pattern of incision characterize the Panj as a composite river. River reaches of indicated low incision coincide with west-trending valleys, parallel to domes and their bounding faults. Valley shape ratios reflect increased incision in north-trending sections, but do not match with changes in the catchment geometry or erodibility of rock types. Modelled riverbed profiles distinguish three Panj reaches. The upstream increase in convexity suggests successive river captures in response to local base-level changes. The northward-deflected river reaches link the local base levels, which coincide with the southern boundaries of the Shakhdara and Yazgulom Dome and Darvaz Range. We argue that tectonics plays a large role controlling the drainage system of the Panj and hence surface processes in the Pamir mountains.

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Section: The Crustal Deformation In Pamirmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: The Crustal Deformation In Pamirmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Tectonic Setting and Structural Units Of Pamirmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tectonic and climatic forcing on the Panj river system during the Quaternary

Fuchs

Gloaguen

Pohl

2013

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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“…1), the Pamir comprises a series of Paleozoic to Mesozoic sutures, magmatic belts and crustal blocks (e.g., Burtman and Molnar, 1993) that formed a steady state elevated plateau since the onset of the Cenozoic (Ducea et al, 2003). The tectonic units are assumed to be along-strike equivalents of the Tibetan Plateau that accreted to the Eurasian plate (e.g., Cowgill, 2010;Bershaw et al, 2012). In particular, the Cretaceous arc-type granitoids in the Central and Southern Pamir have been linked to equivalents in Tibet.…”

Section: Tectonic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thermochronology indicates that exhumation of the Shakhdara and Yazgulom domes reached a peak at ∼15 Myr and continued until at least ∼2 Myr (Stübner et al, 2013). Neotectonic activity is focused at the active frontal range of the Pamir that bends almost 180 • from northern Afghanistan into western China (Bershaw et al, 2012). The indentation of the Pamir into Eurasia has involved two intermediate-depth intra-continental subduction zones that are resolvable by seismicity and tomography (southern Tien Shan-Pamir and Hindu-Kush-Pamir slabs; e.g.…”

Section: Tectonic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rates of river incision across the main tectonic units of the Pamir identified using optically stimulated luminescence dating of fluvial terraces

et al. 2014

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Calculated incision rates along the Panj, the main river of the Pamir, are used to investigate any influence by tectonics or climate on the architecture of the river. The depositional ages of Panj river terraces were calculated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of terrace sand. Fluvial incision rates were generated by integrating the terrace depositional ages with accurate kinematic GPS measurements of terrace heights above the modern Panj. We investigated 16 terraces along the Panj at the western Pamir margin and one terrace from the Vakhsh River to the north of the Pamir. The results reveal brief periods of fluvial deposition over the past 26 kyr. The oldest Panj terrace depositional ages coincide with early MIS 2 and MIS 2/1 glaciations on the Pamir Plateau. Younger terrace ages have no apparent link with glacial cycles. Terraces with varying heights above the modern Panj at different localities yielded similar depositional ages. This suggests that local conditions have determined fluvial incision rates. Combining all of the terrace measurements, the average incision rate of the Panj over the last 26 kyr has been ∼5.6 mm/yr. A high mean incision rate of ∼7.3 mm/yr was calculated from terraces where the Panj has cut a steep-sided valley through the Shakhdara Dome. Significantly lower incision rates (∼2 -3 mm/yr) were calculated from terraces where the Panj flows along the southern boundaries of the Shakhdara and Yazgulom domes. At those localities, graded segments of the Panj river profile and increased valley widths are indicative of local base levels. Downstream of the Yazgulom Dome, river incision rates are generally lower (∼4 -5 mm/yr) than the Panj average. However, there is one exception where higher incision rates (∼6 mm/yr) were calculated upstream of the Darvaz Fault Zone, a major tectonic feature that forms the western boundary of the Pamir. The Vakhsh river terrace to the north of the Pamir yielded a lower incision rate (∼3 mm/yr) compared to the Panj average. Variation in incision rates along the Panj does not correspond to changes in rock type or river catchment area. Instead, incision rates appear to have been primarily influenced by river capture across the southern and central metamorphic domes of the Pamir. Wherever the Panj cuts these domes it displays a convex river profile. The combination of localized river profile convexity and changes in incision rates across the Pamir domes indicates that the dome boundaries have been active recently.

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Oligocene clockwise rotations along the eastern Pamir: Tectonic and paleogeographic implications

et al. 2014

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Despite the importance of the Pamir range in controlling Asian paleoenvironments and land-sea paleogeography, its tectonic evolution remains poorly constrained in time and space, hindering its potential for understanding deep to surface processes. We provide here new constraints on vertical-axis tectonic rotations from the southwest Tarim Basin along the eastern flank of the Pamir arcuate range based on paleomagnetic results. Two well-dated Eocene to Oligocene sections, previously analyzed using biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy, yield consistently clockwise rotations of 21.6 ± 4.2°in 41 to 36 Ma strata then 17.1 ± 6.5°in 33 to 28 Ma strata at the Aertashi section and 14.2 ± 11.5°in 41 to 40 Ma strata at the Kezi section. Combined with a regional review of existing paleomagnetic studies, these results indicate that most of the clockwise rotations along the eastern Pamir occurred during Oligocene times and did not extend systematically and regionally into the Tarim Basin. In contrast, on the western flank of the Pamir tectonic rotations in Cretaceous to Neogene strata are regionally extensive and systematically counterclockwise throughout the Afghan-Tajik Basin. This timing and pattern of rotations is consistent with paleogeographic reconstructions of the regional sea retreat out of Central Asia and supports a two-stage kinematic model: (1) symmetric rotations of either flanks of the Pamir arcuate range until Oligocene times followed by (2) continued rotations on its western flank associated with radial thrusting and, along the eastern flank, no further rotations due to decoupled transfer slip starting in the Early Miocene.

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Cenozoic evolution of the Pamir plateau based on stratigraphy, zircon provenance, and stable isotopes of foreland basin sediments at Oytag (Wuyitake) in the Tarim Basin (west China)

Cited by 105 publications

References 81 publications

Tectonic and climatic forcing on the Panj river system during the Quaternary

Tectonic and climatic forcing on the Panj river system during the Quaternary

Rates of river incision across the main tectonic units of the Pamir identified using optically stimulated luminescence dating of fluvial terraces

Oligocene clockwise rotations along the eastern Pamir: Tectonic and paleogeographic implications

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