Abstract
The area around Cangshan Mountain, located on the southeastern fringes of the Tibetan Plateau, is a key region in terms of revealing the processes involved in the uplifting of the Tibetan Plateau, plus its environmental effects. Based on systemic field and laboratory work, this study uncovers the step-like geomorphologic structure, characteristics and processes revealed in the Cangshan Mountain area, to argue for the formation and development of the Quaternary glaciation there. The results indicate that there were two paleo-glaciations in the area, which were the early and late Dali Glaciations, and that these occurred during the time periods 5.76 × 104 aBP and 1.6 × 104 aBP respectively, being the southernmost paleo-glaciations to have taken place in China. Two step-like paleo-planation surfaces were formed vertically at the mountain (that is, at the summit of Cangshan, which is 3800 to 4000 m above sea level (a.s.l) in height; and at the paleo-glacial and peri-glacial active zones: 3700 to 3900 m a.s.l. in height). Meanwhile three widespread erosion surfaces can be identified at about 2900 to 3500 m, 3000 to 3100 m and 2450 to 2550 m a.s.l. in height; three fluvial fans developed on the landform at about 2250 to 2200 m, 2200 to 2150 m and 2150 to 2100 m a.s.l. in height respectively, and lacustrine relief developed surrounding the Erhai Lake.
Highlights
The Yunnan-Guizhou plateau, located on the famous Mediterranean-Himalaya orogen, was activated and tilted by the Tibetan plateau uplift and the Himalaya orogenic movement after the Neogene period, so that the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau rose in the form of both a lift-stop and a block-uplift, and its landforms are characterized by plateau-block faults, with deep mountain incised valleys, interspersed with lake basins
The area around Cangshan Mountain, located on the southeastern fringes of the Tibetan Plateau, is a key region in terms of revealing the processes involved in the uplifting of the Tibetan Plateau, plus its environmental effects
The landforms in the area of Cangshan and Erhai Lake are characterized by diverse compositions on a multiple level, with fusions in the landscape
Summary
The Yunnan-Guizhou plateau, located on the famous Mediterranean-Himalaya orogen, was activated and tilted by the Tibetan plateau uplift and the Himalaya orogenic movement after the Neogene period, so that the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau rose in the form of both a lift-stop and a block-uplift, and its landforms are characterized by plateau-block faults, with deep mountain incised valleys, interspersed with lake basins. The Chinese glaciologist Shi Yafeng stressed its importance in terms of the glaciological field [2], and the formation of the mountain and the glacier attracted much attention from other scholars whose research was focused on the Tibetan Plateau [3]. Gregory spent his time observing the geological setting in northwest Yunnan, and a more detailed scientific expedition was carried out by W. It is important to review and confirm the facts regarding the formation and evolution of Cangshan Mountain and the Dali glacier by going through the contrasting research work in other regions, and the results of this review will help give important clues as to the climatic effects caused by the Tibetan uplift [9]. Our research work has included systemic field and laboratory work, in order to gain more intelligence on this issue since the mid to late 1990s
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
