Continental plateaus and tectonics-climate interactions (VAMP)

造山高原的平均海拔为几公里，内部起伏较低，两侧被切割得又高又深，是构成地球上最大山脉不可分割的一级地貌构造现象。高原显示出统一的相似之处，如异常的岩石圈厚度、热流以及构造和气候过程之间复杂的相互作用。事实上，所有新生代高原都深刻地影响着气候和降水模式，这通常是因为它们在空间上接近有效的地形屏障。较高的降水和径流、高密度的河流网络和高侵蚀能力是这些地区迎风两侧斜坡的特点；相反，内部排水的干旱条件和低侵蚀能力的河流形成了高原内部，从而创造了强烈对比的地质和气候条件。可以说，造山高原是研究地表和深层过程如何相互作用形成地球表面的最佳地质环境之一。为了进一步了解地表和深层过程之间的相互作用在塑造地球地形中的作用，我们提出了一个名为垂直安纳托利亚运动项目(VAMP)的CRP来调查欧洲唯一的造山高原，即现在的中安纳托利亚高原(CAP)。我们的目标是对控制造山高原发展的相互竞争的构造、地貌和气候过程有一个定量的了解。我们的目标是提高高原建设过程的时间和空间分辨率。作为推论，我们将探讨高原隆升对造成地貌过程速率差异的气候条件的影响。我们将致力于(1)确定中新世对现代变形、隆升和应变分配的特征；(2)考察大陆沉积档案和地貌与构造隆起叠加的长期气候变化；(3)破译高原边缘侵蚀折返的时空模式；(4)评价高原及其周围深部地幔/岩石圈的地球物理特征。

With average elevations of several kilometers, low internal relief and high and deeply incised flanks, orogenic plateaus are first-order morphotectonic phenomena that form integral parts of the largest mountain ranges on Earth. Plateaus display unifying similarities such as anomalous lithospheric thicknesses, heat flow and complex interactions between tectonic and climatic processes. In fact, all Cenozoic plateaus profoundly impact climate and precipitation patterns commonly due to their spatial proximity to efficient orographic barriers. Higher precipitation and runoff, high-density stream networks, and high erosional capacity characterize the windward flanking slopes of these regions; conversely, arid conditions with internal drainage and low erosional capacity rivers define plateau interiors, thus creating strongly contrasting geologic and climatic conditions. Arguably, orogenic plateaus are thus among the best geological settings to investigate how surface and deep-seated process interact to shape the Earth’s surface.To further our understanding of interactions between surface and deep-seated processes in shaping the Earth’s topography we propose a CRP named Vertical Anatolian Movements Project (VAMP) to investigate the only orogenic plateau in Europe, the Miocene to Present Central Anatolia Plateau (CAP) . Our goal is to acquire a quantitative understanding of the competing tectonic, geomorphic and climatic processes controlling the development of orogenic plateaus. We aim at increasing the temporal and spatial resolution of plateau-building processes. As a corollary we will probe the effects of plateau uplift on climatic conditions that caused disparities in geomorphic process rates. We will strive to (1) determine the character of Miocene to Recent deformations, uplift and strain partitioning (2) inspect continental sedimentary archives and landforms with respect to long-term climate changes superposed on tectonic uplift; (3) decipher the spatiotemporal patterns of erosional exhumation along the plateau margins; and (4) evaluate the geophysical characteristics of the deep mantle/lithosphere beneath and around the plateau.