Rapid topographic growth of the Taiwan orogen since ~1.3–1.5 Ma

Abstract

We present the first paleotopographic reconstruction of Taiwan by measuring the hydrogen isotope composition of leaf waxes (δ 2 H n C29 ) preserved in 3-Ma and younger sediments of the southern Coastal Range. Plant leaf waxes record the δ 2 H of precipitation during formation, which is related to elevation. Leaf waxes produced across the orogen are transported and deposited in adjacent sedimentary basins, providing deep-time records of the source elevation of detrital organic matter. δ 2 H n C29 exported from the southern Taiwan orogen decreased by more than 40‰ since ~1.3–1.5 Ma, indicating an increase of >2 kilometers in the organic source elevation. The increase in organic source elevation is best explained by rapid surface uplift of the southern Central Range at around ~1.3–1.5 Ma and indicates that this part of the orogen was characterized by maximum elevations of at least 3 km at this time. Further increase in organic source elevation from ~0.85 to ~0.3 Ma indicates continued topographic growth to modern elevations.

The Physical Geography of Eastern Taiwan as a Baseline for Tourism and Earthquake Hazards

“…Metamorphism increases from west to east across the Taiwanese ranges due to the immense amount of compression from the Philippine Sea Plate. Huang et al (2015) and Chang et al (2023) indicated that the Central Range is rising at 1 cm/year and that much of the past orogenic activity occurred between 1.5-1.3 My and 300 Ka, while uplift rates for the Coast Range are more muted and range from 2 mm/year in the south to 5 mm/year in the north. Indeed, the metamorphosed marble formations at Taroko Gorge depicted in Figure 2a, with their compressed and contorted appearance derived from this tectonic setting, combined with a distinct series of ecological zones (discussed later), form an important baseline for its national park status and its role as a magnet for tourism.…”

Paleohydrology of North American Catchments and Rivers at the Onset of the Eocene-Oligocene Climate Transition: Reconstructions from Fluvial Strata of the White River Group, Toadstool Geologic Park, Nebraska

“…In contrast, locally sourced organic matter may capture environmental signals over years to thousands of years, representing much smaller spatial scales. Chang et al, 2023) In young floodplain surfaces or channels, the organic carbon is mainly detrital, derived from various parts of the upstream catchment area. Conversely, mature floodplain surfaces, which remain stable long enough to develop soils, accumulate significant amounts of in situ organic carbon that contains local environmental signals (Bobik, 2021).…”