Abstract
The Helan Shan is located on the front edge of the expanding Tibetan Plateau. However, how the topography here responds to this propagation and its precise time constraints remain unknown. Based on the response process of fluvial landforms and tectonic evolution, we conducted a quantitative landform analysis of the Helan Shan region. Here, the spatial distribution features of various geomorphic indices were coupled, demonstrating that the mountain is tilting toward the west and north. The steeper downstream and gentle upper reaches indicate that the fluvial landforms have experienced an accelerated incision event, which can be attributed to the tectonic activity along the East Helan Shan Fault. Furthermore, the response time of the tectonic knickpoints ranges from 0.1 to 1.4 Ma based on the paleochannel reconstruction method. Combined with previous studies on low temperature thermochronology and active tectonics, we proposed a tectonic transformation model where the Helan Shan shifted the tilting model from the southwest to the northwest, as induced by the northeast expansion of the Tibetan Plateau from 0.1 to 1.4 Ma.
Highlights
IntroductionThe uplift of the Tibetan Plateau is one of the most significant tectonic processes that occurred in the Cenozoic: a formation that shaped the tectonic and climatic framework of Eurasia (Molnar and Tapponnier, 1975; Yin and Harrison, 2000; Royden et al, 2008) and has continued to expand since its establishment (Tapponnier et al, 2001; Zheng et al, 2006; Yin et al, 2008; Clark et al, 2010; Duvall et al, 2011; Rohrmann et al, 2012)
The spatial distribution of geomorphic indices showed that the ksn in the southern Helan Shan was >150 m0.9 and there were two peaks at approximately 8 and 12 km along the mountain range, which is close to the northern side
We investigated the various geomorphic indices and the response of channels based on quantitative geomorphology analysis
Summary
The uplift of the Tibetan Plateau is one of the most significant tectonic processes that occurred in the Cenozoic: a formation that shaped the tectonic and climatic framework of Eurasia (Molnar and Tapponnier, 1975; Yin and Harrison, 2000; Royden et al, 2008) and has continued to expand since its establishment (Tapponnier et al, 2001; Zheng et al, 2006; Yin et al, 2008; Clark et al, 2010; Duvall et al, 2011; Rohrmann et al, 2012). Recent studies on active tectonics suggest that the current active boundary of the Tibetan Plateau is the South Heli Shan Fault, North Longshou Shan Fault, and Sanguankou–Niushou Shan Fault, which developed during the Late Cenozoic (2–3 Ma) (Lei et al, 2016; Zheng et al, 2021). How the Helan Shan responded to this plateau propagation event in the Late Cenozoic, and precise constraints on the corresponding timing remain unclear.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
