Mongolian plateau: Evidence for a late Cenozoic mantle plume under central Asia

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 1993 Mongolian plateau: Evidence for a late Cenozoic mantle plume under central Asia Brian F. Windley; Brian F. Windley 1Department of Geology, Leicester University, Leicester LE1 7RH, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mark B. Allen Mark B. Allen 1Department of Geology, Leicester University, Leicester LE1 7RH, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Brian F. Windley 1Department of Geology, Leicester University, Leicester LE1 7RH, England Mark B. Allen 1Department of Geology, Leicester University, Leicester LE1 7RH, England Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1993) 21 (4): 295–298. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0295:MPEFAL>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Brian F. Windley, Mark B. Allen; Mongolian plateau: Evidence for a late Cenozoic mantle plume under central Asia. Geology 1993;; 21 (4): 295–298. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0295:MPEFAL>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The 2500 x 700 km Mongolian plateau (average elevation 2000 m) is situated between the Altai orogen and the Siberian craton and occupies much of Mongolia and Transbaikalia in Russia. The plateau is characterized by (1) basin and range topography and two major domes(Hentai, 600 x 300 km, and Hangai, 800 x 550 km), where altitudes reach 3905 m; (2) lithosphere that is thinner than adjacent areas (minimum ∼50 km); (3) elevated heat flow (up to 120 mW/m2); (4) dominantly alkaline basaltic volcanism in the form of cones, lava fields, and volcanic plateaus mostly of Miocene-Quaternary age, and (5) rifts, including Baikal (main evolution in the Pliocene-Quaternary), Tunka (Oligocene-early Miocene), and Hobsogol (Pliocene-Quaternary). Existing models explain these features in terms of diapiric upwelling of a mantle asthenolith below the main rifts and/or as a long-distance effect of the India-Asia collision. We propose that the late Cenozoic uplift of the whole Mongolian plateau and associated rifting, magmatism, high heat flow, and lithospherec thinning are not externally driven by the India-Asia collision, but are the expression of the interaction of a mantle plume with overlying lithosphere. Some rifts link and interact with major strike-slip faults, such as the Bolnai. Such faults may be the major expression of the India-Asia collision in this region. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.