Wang Chengshan

Disintegration and age of basement metamorphic rocks in Qiangtang, Tibet, China

Comprehensive studies on lithologic association, provenance of metacongelometre, characteristics of metamorphism and deformation, and207Pb/206Pb-dating of single-zircon for metamorphic rocks distributed in Chabu-Chasang areas in Qiangtang block indicate that most of them belong to Middle Proterozoic metamorphic basement except silicilith member ascribed to Triassic. Disintegrated basement strata are called Gemuri group and Guoganjianianri group; they are different in histories of metamorphism and deformation. The single-zircon207Pb/206Pb-ages provide excellent evidence for the existence of an Archean continent nucleus around study areas. Some thermal event ages such as 929–1016 and 509–548 Ma are recorded in Gemuri group.Comprehensive studies on lithologic association, provenance of metacongelometre, characteristics of metamorphism and deformation, and207Pb/206Pb-dating of single-zircon for metamorphic rocks distributed in Chabu-Chasang areas in Qiangtang block indicate that most of them belong to Middle Proterozoic metamorphic basement except silicilith member ascribed to Triassic. Disintegrated basement strata are called Gemuri group and Guoganjianianri group; they are different in histories of metamorphism and deformation. The single-zircon207Pb/206Pb-ages provide excellent evidence for the existence of an Archean continent nucleus around study areas. Some thermal event ages such as 929–1016 and 509–548 Ma are recorded in Gemuri group.

Characteristics of the Shuanghu graben and Cenozoic extension in northern Tibet

The latest Qiangtang Terrane structure is characterized by the south-north-trending graben formed during the eastwestward extensional processes. The Shuanghu graben is composed of a series of nearly parallel NE to NNE-trending normal faults. Studies on fault geometry, kinematics and sedimentation in the fault-controlled basin suggest that the faults activated periodically and their early activities began in the Pliocene, which caused the unconformable contact between the Pliocene and the subjacent Shuanghu Formation, as well as between the Pliocene and the overlying Quaternary. The movement rates of the faults had been strikingly increased since Quaternary when the faults activated intensively. The graben resulted from the gravitational spreading after the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. It is indicated that the collapse has been on setting in plateau hinterland.The latest Qiangtang Terrane structure is characterized by the south-north-trending graben formed during the eastwestward extensional processes. The Shuanghu graben is composed of a series of nearly parallel NE to NNE-trending normal faults. Studies on fault geometry, kinematics and sedimentation in the fault-controlled basin suggest that the faults activated periodically and their early activities began in the Pliocene, which caused the unconformable contact between the Pliocene and the subjacent Shuanghu Formation, as well as between the Pliocene and the overlying Quaternary. The movement rates of the faults had been strikingly increased since Quaternary when the faults activated intensively. The graben resulted from the gravitational spreading after the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. It is indicated that the collapse has been on setting in plateau hinterland.