Paragenesia of Quaternary pediments and river terraces on the north piedmont of Wutai Mountains

Abstract

A study has been made of the paragenetic relations of the pediments and river terraces on the northern piedmont of Wutai Mountains via geomorphologic mapping of 1:10000 scale, and an analysis on the role of tectonic, climatic, and drainage factors in the parageneses. The Quaternary pediments and river terraces on the north piedmont of Wutai Mountains united to constitute six steps of geomorphic surfaces. The episodic uplifting of fault blocks was the dominant factor in the formation of the unified surfaces, however, climatic change and drainage diversities led to undulation of the surfaces. The second terrace of Yangyan River (T2) was formed in the last glacial maximum, when the river was in aggradational state. The third to fifth terraces were formed in interglacial stages, when the river was in equilibrium or degradational state. It is inferred that climate had no insignificant effect on the river incision caused by tectonic uplifting. In light of terraces dating, since the Quaternary the Wutai fault-block mountains experienced six rapid uplifting events, and the starting time of the last four events was respectively 1.2, 0.6, 0.13, and 0.02 Ma B.P.