No significant provenance changes in the Hoh Xil Basin, central-northern Tibetan Plateau, from the Late Cretaceous to the Early Miocene

A new study reveals that the Hoh Xil Basin in central-northern Tibet experienced no significant provenance changes from the Late Cretaceous to the Early Miocene, suggesting established topographic relief since at least 37 million years ago. The research integrated detrital zircon data, paleocurrent directions, petrological textures, sedimentary facies, and isotopic evidence from multiple sub-basins, indicating that the Tanggula Range has been the primary source region for the Hoh Xil Basin throughout this period. While minor contributions from the Fenghuo Range emerged in the Late Oligocene-Early Miocene, the overall basin remained consistent, implying surface deformation and uplift driven by tectonic collisions rather than crustal shortening. The findings suggest that additional uplift since the Middle Miocene may have been caused by mantle lithosphere removal or magmatic inflation.

Li, L., Chang, H., Zuza, A. V., Wu, C., & Qiang, X. (2024). No significant provenance changes in the Hoh Xil Basin, central-northern Tibetan Plateau, from the Late Cretaceous to the Early Miocene. Global and Planetary Change, 232, 104338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2023.104338