East-west extension and miocene environmental change in the southern Tibetan plateau: Thakkhola graben, central Nepal

Bulletin of the Geological Society of America

Volumn 115, Issue 1, 2003, Pages 3-20

  Garzione, Carmala N ^a   DeCelles, Peter G ^b   Hodkinson, Damian G ^b   Ojha, Tank P ^b   Upreti, Bishal N ^c  

^a UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER   (United States)

^b University of Arizona   (United States)

^c TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY   (Nepal)

Author keywords

Extension; Nepal; Thakkhola graben; Tibetan plateau

Indexed keywords

LACUSTRINE DEPOSITS;

ATMOSPHERIC HUMIDITY; CARBONATES; DRAINAGE; ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING; SEDIMENTATION; STRATIGRAPHY; TECTONICS;

SEDIMENTOLOGY;

BASIN EVOLUTION; EXTENSIONAL TECTONICS; GRABEN; MIOCENE; PALEOENVIRONMENT; PALEOGEOGRAPHY; PROVENANCE; SEDIMENTOLOGY; STRATIGRAPHY;

NEPAL;

EID: 0037284132     PISSN: 00167606     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1130/0016-7606(2003)115<0003:EWEAME>2.0.CO;2     Document Type: Article

References (86)

1. Armijo, R., Tapponnier, P., Mercier, J.L., and Han, T., 1986, Quaternary extension in southern Tibet: Field observation and tectonic implications: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 91, p. 13,803-13,872.
2. Blisniuk, P.M., Hacker, B.R., Glodny, J., Ratschbacher, L., Wu, Z., McWilliams, M.O., and Calvert, A., 2001, Normal faulting in central Tibet: Nature, v. 412, p. 628-632.
3. Burbank, D.W., Derry, L.A., and France-Lanord, C., 1993, Reduced Himalayan sediment production 8 Myr ago despite an intensified monsoon: Nature, v. 364, p. 48-50.
4. Burchfiel, B.C., Zhiliang, C., Hodges, K.V., Yuping, L., Royden, L.H., Changrong, D., and Jiene, X., 1992, The south Tibetan detachment system, Himalayan orogen: Extension contemporaneous with and parallel to shortening in a collisional mountain belt: Geological Society of America Special Paper 269, 51 p.
5. Burg, J.P., and Chen, G.M., 1984, Tectonics and structural zonation of southern Tibet: Nature, v. 311, p. 219-223.
6. Carroll, A.R., and Bohacs, K.M., 1999, Stratigraphic classification of ancient lakes: Balancing tectonic and climatic controls: Geology, v. 27, p. 99-102.
7. Catlos, E.J., Harrison, T.M., Kohn, M.J., Grove, M., Ryerson, F.J., Manning, C., and Upreti, B.N., 2001, Geochronologic and thermobarometric constraints on the evolution of the Main Central thrust, central Nepal Himalaya: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 106, p. 16,777-16,204.
8. Cerling, T.E., Harris, J.M., MacFadden, B.J., Leakey, M.G., Quade, J., Eisenmann, V., and Ehleringer, J.R., 1997, Global vegetation change through the Miocene/Pliocene boundary: Nature, v. 389, p. 153-158.
9. Chen, W.Y., 1981, Natural environment of the Pliocene basin in Gyirong, Xizang, in Liu, D.S., ed., Geological and ecological studies of the Quinghai-Xizang plateau, Volume 1: Beijing, Science Press, p. 343-352.
10. Colchen, M., 1999, The Thakkhola-Mustang graben in Nepal and the late Cenozoic extension in the Higher Himalayas: Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, v. 17, p. 683-702.
11. Colchen, M., LeFort, P., and Pêcher, A., 1986, Annapurna- Manaslu-Ganesh Himal: Centre National de la Recherché Scientifique, Paris, 136 p.
12. Coleman, M.E., 1998, U-Pb constraints on Oligocene- Miocene deformation and anatexis, Marsyangdi Valley, central Nepalese Himalaya: American Journal of Science, v. 298, p. 553-571.
13. Coleman, M., and Hodges, K., 1995, Evidence for Tibetan plateau uplift before 14 Myr ago from a new minimum age for east-west extension: Nature, v. 374, p. 49-52.
14. DeCelles, P.G., Gray, M.B., Ridgeway, K.D., Cole, R.B., Pivnik, D.A., Pequera, N., and Srivastava, P., 1991. Controls on synorogenic alluvial-fan architecture, Beartooth Conglomerate (Paleocene), Wyoming and Montana: Sedimentology, v. 38, p. 567-590.
15. DeCelles, P.G., Gehrels, G.E., Quade, J., Ojha, T.P., Kapp, P.A., and Upreti, B.N., 1998, Neogene foreland basin deposits, crosional unroofing, and kinematic history of the Himalayan fold-thrust belt, western Nepal: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 110, p. 2-21.
16. DeCelles, P.G., Robinson, D.M., Quade, J., Ojha, T.P., Garzione, C.N., Copeland, P., and Upreti, B.N., 2001. Stratigraphy, structure, and tectonic evolution of the Himalayan fold-thrust belt in western Nepal: Tectonics, v. 20, p. 487-509.
17. 86Sr: Impact on the marine Sr record: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 142, p. 59-74.
18. Dettman, D.L., Kohn, M.J., Quade, J., Ryerson, F.J., Ojha, T.P., and Hamidullah, S., 2001, Seasonal stable isotope evidence for a strong Asian monsoon throughout the past 10.7 m.y.: Geology, v. 29, p. 31-34.
19. Dhital, M.R., and Kizaki, K., 1987, Structural aspect of the northern Dang, Lesser Himalaya: University of the Ryukyus, Bulletin of the College of Science, v. 45, p. 159-182.
20. England, P.C., and Houseman, G.A., 1989, Extension during continental convergence, with application to the Tibetan plateau: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 94, 17,561-17,579.
21. Fielding, E.J., Isacks, B.L., Barazangi, M., and Duncan, C., 1994, How flat is Tibet? Geology, v. 22, p. 163-167.
22. Fort, M., 1987, Geomorphic and hazards mapping in the dry, continental Himalaya: 1:50,000 maps of Mustang district, Nepal: Mountain research and development, v. 7, p. 222-238.
23. Fort, M., Bassoullet, J.P., Colchen, M., and Freytet, P., 1981, Sedimentological and structural evolution of the Thakkhola-Mustang graben (Nepal Himalaya) during late Neogene and Pleistocene: Calcutta, India, Geological Survey of India, Neogene/Quaternary Boundary Field Conference, India, 1979, Proceeding, p. 25-35.
24. Fort, M., Freylet, P., and Colchen, M., 1982, Structural and sedimentological evolution of the Thakkhola Mustang graben (Nepal Himalayas): Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, v. 42, p. 75-98.
25. Gansser, A., 1964, Geology of the Himalayas: London, Interscience, 289 p.
26. Garzione, C.N., 2000, Tectonic and paleoelevation history of the Thakkhola graben and implications for the evolution of the southern Tibetan plateau [Ph.D. thesis]: Tucson, University of Arizona, 146 p.
27. Garzione, C.N., Dettman, D.L., Quade, J., DeCelles, P.G., and Butler, R.F., 2000a, High times on the Tibetan plateau: Paleoelevation of the Thakkhola graben, Nepal: Geology, v. 28, p. 339-342.
28. 18O vs, altitude gradients in meteoric water across the Nepal Himalaya: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 183, p. 215-229.
29. Godin, L., 1999, Tectonic evolution of the Tethyan sedimentary sequence in the Annapurna area, central Nepal Himalaya [Ph.D. thesis]: Carleton University, 219 p.
30. Godin, L., Brown, R.L., and Hammer, S., 1999, High strain zone in the hanging wall of the Annapurna detachment, central Nepal Himalaya, in Macfarlane, A., Sorkhabi, R.B., and Quade, J., eds., Himalaya and Tibet: Mountain roots to mountain tops: Geological Society of America Special Paper 328, p. 199-210.
31. Guillot, S., 1999, An overview of the metamorphic evolution in central Nepal: Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, v. 17, p. 713-725.
32. Harrison, T.M., Copeland, P., Kidd, W.F.S., and Yin, A., 1992, Raising Tibet: Science, v. 255, p. 1663-1670.
33. Harrison, T.M., Copeland, P., Kidd, W.F.S., and Lovera, O.M., 1995, Activation of the Nyainqentanghla shear zone: Implications for uplift of the southern Tibetan plateau: Tectonics, v. 14, p. 658-676.
34. Harrison, T.M., Lovera, O.M., and Grove, M., 1997, New insights into the origin of two contrasting Himalayan granite belts: Geology, v. 25, p. 899-902.
35. Hauck, M.L., Nelson, K.D., Brown, L.D., Zhao, W., and Ross, A.R., 1998, Crustal structure of the Himalayan orogen at ∼90° east longitude from Project INDEPTH deep reflection profiles: Tectonics, v. 17, p. 481-500.
36. Hein, F.J., and Walker, R.G., 1977, Bar evolution and development of stratification in the gravelly braided Kicking Horse River, British Columbia: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 14, p. 562-570.
37. Hodges, K.V., 2000, Tectonics of the Himalaya and southern Tibet from two perspectives: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 112, p. 324-350.
38. Hodges, K.V., and Silverburg, D.S., 1988, Thermal evolution of the Greater Himalaya, Garhwal, India: Tectonics, v. 7, p. 583-600.
39. Hodges, K.V., Parrish, R.R., and Searle, M.P., 1996, Tectonic evolution of the central Annapurna Range, Nepalese Himalayas: Tectonics, v. 15, p. 1264-1291.
40. Hoorn, C., Ojha, T., and Quade, J., 2000, Palynological evidence for vegetation development and climatic change in Sub-Himalayan zone (Neogene, central Nepal): Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 163, p. 133-161.
41. Horton, B.K., and Schmitt, J.G., 1996, Sedimentology of a lacustrine fan-delta system. Miocene Horse Camp Formation, Nevada, USA: Sedimentology, v. 43, p. 133-155.
42. 39Ar constraints on deformation and metamorphism in the Main Central thrust zone and Tibetan slab, eastern Nepal Himalaya: Tectonics, v. 8, p. 865-880.
43. Hurtado, J.M., Hodges, K.V., and Whipple, K.X., 2001, Neotectonics of the Thakkhola graben and implications for recent activity on the South Tibetan fault system in the central Nepal Himalaya: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 13, p. 222-240.
44. Iwata, S., 1984, Geomorphology of the Thakkhola-Muktinath region, central Nepal, and its late Quaternary history: Geographical Reports of the Tokyo Metropolitan University, v. 19, p. 25-42.
45. Johnson, M.R.W., Oliver, G.J.H., Parrish, R.R., and Johnson, S.P., 2001, Synthrusting metamorphism, cooling, and erosion of the Himalayan Kathmandu Complex, Nepal: Tectonics, v. 20, p. 394-415.
46. Kroon, D., Steens, T., and Troelstra, S.R., 1991, Onset of monsoonal related uplift in the western Arabian sea as revealed by planktonic foraminifera, in Prell, W.L., Niitsuma, N. et al., Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific results, Volume 117: College Station, Texas, Ocean Drilling Program, p. 257-263.
47. Le Fort, P., 1986, Metamorphism and magmatism during the Himalayan collision, in Coward, M.P., and Ries, A.C., eds., Collision tectonics: Geological Society [London] Special Publication 19, p. 159-172.
48. Le Fort, P., and France-Lanord, C., 1995, Granites from Mustang and surrounding regions (central Nepal): Journal of Nepal Geological Society, v. 11, p. 53-57.
49. Li Jijun, editor, 1995, Uplift of Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) plateau and global change: Lanzhou, China, Lanzhou University Press, 207 p.
50. Lowe, D.R., 1982, Sediment gravity flows: II. Depositional models with special reference to the deposits of high- density turbidity currents: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 52, p. 279-297.
51. McCaffrey, R., and Nabelek, J., 1998, Role of oblique convergence in the active deformation of the Himalayas and southern Tibetan plateau: Geology, v. 26, p. 691-694.
52. Miall, A.D., 1977, A review of the braided river depositional environment: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 13, p. 1-62.
53. Miall, A.D., 1985, Architectural-element analysis: A new method of facies analysis applied to fluvial deposits: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 22, p. 261-308.
54. Molnar, P., and Lyon-Caen, H., 1988, Some simple physical aspects of the support, structure, and evolution of mountain belts, in Clark, S., Burchtiel, B.C., and Suppe, J., eds., Processes in Continental Lithospheric Deformation: Geological Society of America Special Paper 218, p. 179-207.
55. Molnar, P., and Tapponnier, P., 1978, Active tectonics of Tibet: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 83, p. 5361-5375.
56. Molnar, P., England, P., and Martinod, J., 1993, Mantle dynamics, uplift of the Tibetan plateau, and the Indian monsoon: Reviews of Geophysics, v. 31, p. 357-396.
57. Mugnier, J.L., Mascle, G., and Faucher, T., 1993, Structure of the Siwaliks of western Nepal: An intracontinental accretionary prism: International Geology Reviews, v. 35, p. 32-47.
58. Murphy, M.A., and Harrison, T.M., 1999, The relationship between leucogranite magmatism and the Qomolungma detachment in the Rongbuk Valley, south Tibet: Geology, v. 27, p. 831-834.
59. Nemec, W., and Steel, R.J., 1984, Alluvial and coastal conglomerates: Their significant features and some comments on gravelly mass-flow deposits, in Kloster, E.H., and Steel, R.J., eds., Sedimentology of gravels and conglomerates: Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 10, p. 1-31.
60. Ni, J., and York, J., 1978, Late Cenozoic tectonics of the Tibetan plateau: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 83, p. 5377-5384.
61. Pan, Y., and Kidd, W.F.S., 1992, Nyainqentanghla shear zone: A late Miocene extensional detachment in the southern Tibetan plateau: Geology, v. 20, p. 775-778.
62. Prell, W.L., and Kutzbach, J.E., 1992, Sensitivity of the Indian monsoon to forcing parameters and implications for its evolution: Nature, v. 360, p. 647-652.
63. Prell, W.L., Murray, D.W., Clemens, S.C., and Anderson, D.M., 1992, Evolution and variability of the Indian Ocean summer monsoon: Evidence from the western Arabian Sea drilling program, in Duncan, R.A. et al., eds., Synthesis of results from scientific drilling in the Indian Ocean: American Geophysical Union Geophysical Monograph 70, 447-469.
64. Quade, J., Cerling, T.E., and Bowman, J.R., 1989, Development of Asian monsoon revealed by marked ecological shift during the latest Miocene in northern Pakistan: Nature, v. 342, p. 163-166.
65. Quade, J., Cater, J.M.L., Ojha, T.P., Adam, J., and Harrison, T.M., 1995, Late Miocene environmental change in Nepal and the northern Indian subcontinent: Stable isotopic evidence from paleosols: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 107, p. 1381-1397.
66. Ratschbacher, L., Frisch, W., Liu Guanghua, and Chen Chengsheng, 1994, Distributed deformation in southern and western Tibet during and after the India-Asia collision: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 99, p. 19,917-19,945.
67. Raymo, M.E., and Ruddiman, W.F., 1992, Tectonic forcing of late Cenozoic climate: Nature, v. 359, p. 117-122.
68. Royden, L.H., Burchfiel, C., King, R.W., Wang, E., Chen, Z., Shen, F., and Liu, Y., 1997, Surface deformation and lower crustal flow in eastern Tibet: Science, v. 276, p. 788-790.
69. Rozanski, K., Araguàs-Araguàs, L., and Gonfiantini, R., 1993, Isotopic patterns in modern global precipitation, in Swart, P., McKenzie, J.A., and Lohman, K.C., eds., Continental indicators of climate, Proceedings of Chapman Conference, Jackson Hole, Wyoming: American Geophysical Union Geophysical Monograph 78, p. 1-36.
70. Rust, B.R., 1972, Structure and process in a braided river: Sedimentology, v. 18, p. 221-245.
71. Schelling, D., 1992, The tectonostratigraphy and structure of the eastern Nepal Himalaya: Tectonics, v. 11, p. 925-943.
72. Searle, M.P., 1986, Structural evolution and sequence of thrusting in the High Himalaya, Tibetan Tethys, and Indus suture zones of Zanskar and Ladakh, western Himalaya: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 8, p. 923-936.
73. Seeber, L., and Pêcher, A., 1998, Strain partitioning along the Himalayan arc and the Nanga Parbat antiform: Geology, v. 26, p. 791-794.
74. Slate, J.L., Smith, G.A., Wang, Y., and Cerling, T.E., 1996, Carbonate-paleosol genesis in the Plio-Pleistocene St. David Formation, southeastern Arizona: Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 66, p. 85-94.
75. Sohn, Y.K., 1997, On traction-carpet sedimentation: Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 67, p. 502-509.
76. Srivastava, P., and Mitra, G., 1994, Thrust geometries and deep structure of the outer and lesser Himalaya, Kumaon and Garhwal (India): Implications for evolution of the Himalayan fold thrust belt: Tectonics, v. 13, p. 89-109.
77. Stöcklin, J., 1980, Geology of Nepal and its regional frame: Geological Society of London Journal, v. 137, p. 1-34.
78. Talbot, M.R., and Kelts, K., 1990, Paleolimnological signatures from carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios in carbonates from organic carbon-rich lacustrine sediments. in Katz, B.J., ed., Lacustrine basin exploration-Case studies and modern analogs: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 50, p. 99-112.
79. Todd, S.P., 1989, Stream-driven, high-density gravelly traction carpets: Possible deposits in the Traberg Conglomerate Formation, southwest Ireland and some theoretical considerations of their origin: Sedimentology, v. 36, p. 513-530.
80. Valdiya, K.S., 1980, Geology of the Kumaon Lesser Himalaya: Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 291 p.
81. Vannay, J.C., and Hodges, K.V., 1996, Tectonometamorphic evolution of the Himalayan metamorphic core between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, central Nepal, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 14, p. 635-656.
82. Williams, H., Turner, S., Kelley, S., and Harris, N., 2001, Age and composition of dikes in southern Tibet: New constraints on the timing of east-west extension and its relationship to postcollisional volcanism, v. 29, p. 339-342.
83. Xu Ren, 1981, Vegetational changes in the past and the uplift of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, in Geological and ecological studies of the Qinghai-Xizang plateau, Volume I, Geology, geological history, and origin of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau: Beijing, Science Press, p. 139-144.
84. Yin, A., 2000, Mode of Cenozoic east-west extension in Tibet suggesting a common origin of rifts in Asia during the Indo-Asian collision, v. 105, p. 21,745-21,759.
85. Yin, A., Kapp, P.A., Murphy, M.A., Manning, C.E., Harrison, T.M., Grove, M., Ding Lin, Deng Xi-Guang, Wu Cun-Ming, 1999, Significant late Neogene east-west extension in northern Tibet: Geology, v. 27, p. 787-790.
86. Yoshida, M., Igarashi, Y., Arita, K., Hayashi, D., and Sharma, T., 1984, Magnetostratigraphic and pollen analytic studies of the Takmar series, Nepal Himalayas: Nepal Geological Society Journal, v. 4, p. 101-120.