COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Indo-Asian Tectonics; Significance of Neogene Uplift Events

喜马拉雅高原和青藏高原的构造发育存在几种截然不同的模式。每一种模式都预测了地壳增厚开始的不同时间、增厚速率的差异以及达到现在地壳厚度的不同时间。然而，现有的模型都不能预测25 ~ 20 Ma的剥蚀事件。本研究将利用冈底斯带和亚东-古鲁裂谷的构造填图和40Ar/39Ar热年代学来验证这些模型，并确定剥蚀的广泛程度。热年代学也将与现有样品的磁地层学相结合，以充分测试模型。研究结果将对了解碰撞和地壳增厚过程的构造学有重要贡献。

Several contrasting models exist for the tectonic development of the Himalayan and Tibetan Plateau. Each of these models predicts different times for the initiation of crustal thickening, differences in the rate or thickening, and different times for attainment of present crustal thickness. However, none of the existing models predicts the inferred denudation event at 25 to 20 Ma. This study will test the models and determine how widespread was the denudation, using structural mapping and 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology along the Gangdese belt, and in the Yadong-Gulu rift. The thermochronology will also be combined with magneto- stratigraphy on existing samples in order to fully test the models. The results will provide a significant contribution to under- standing the tectonics of collisional and crustal thickening processes.