Parallelism between the maximum exhumation belt and the Moho ramp along the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin: Coincidence or consequence?

Three‐Dimensional Model of the Lithospheric Structure Under the Eastern Tibetan Plateau: Implications for the Active Tectonics and Seismic Hazards

“…Therefore, we suggest that the “lower crustal flow” and the “brittle crustal shortening” models are not exclusive in building the eastern TP margin. The tectonic mechanism of this margin can be portrayed by a crocodile‐type tectonic wedging model, in which shortening strains are accommodated by the indentation of the rigid Yangtze crust into the weak BFB crust (Cai et al, ; G. W. Zhang et al, ), generating a coupled crust and mantle but partially decoupled upper and lower crust (Tan et al, ). A similar structural type is found in the East Kunlun fault (Z. Liu et al, ).…”

“…Low‐temperature thermochronology data have revealed that the eastern TP has undergone rapid exhumation since the late Cenozoic (Godard et al, ; Richardson et al, ; Tan et al, , ; Tian et al, ; E. Wang et al, ). It has been estimated that the LMS was denuded ~7–10 km during the Cenozoic (B. Deng et al, ; Tan et al, ), which resulted in the exposure of Precambrian metasedimentary or igneous rocks (Burchfiel et al, ; S.F. Chen et al, ; Lu et al, ; Yin & Harrison, ).…”

“…The steepest dip (~12°) is found under the southern and central LMS; northward, it decreases to ~7° under the Min Shan. Together, the Moho ramp plays an important role in the along‐strike variations of deformation in eastern TP during the Cenozoic (Tan et al, ). The Moho ramp intersects with the southern LMS in map view, where faults are more active than those in the northern LMS.…”

“…This change is interpreted to be the response to the isostatic rebound since the Mesozoic (Y. . Low-temperature thermochronology data have revealed that the eastern TP has undergone rapid exhumation since the late Cenozoic (Godard et al, 2009;Richardson et al, 2008;Tan et al, 2017Tan et al, , 2019Tian et al, 2013;E. Wang et al, 2012).…”

“…It has been estimated that the LMS was denuded 7-10 km during the Cenozoic (B. Deng et al, 2008;Tan et al, 2019), which resulted in the exposure of Precambrian metasedimentary or igneous rocks (Burchfiel et al, 1995;S.F. Chen et al, 1995;Lu et al, 2014;Yin & Harrison, 2000).…”