Climatic and tectonic evolution in the North Qaidam since the Cenozoic: Evidence from sedimentology and mineralogy

Abstract

Clay mineralogy and bulk mineral composition of Tertiary sediments in Qaidam were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy in order to better understand regional climate change resulting from uplift of the Northeast Tibetan Plateau. Climate change in Qaidam since ∼53.5 Ma could be divided into four stages: a warm and seasonally arid climate between ∼53.5 and 40 Ma, a cold and arid climate from ∼40 to 26 Ma, a warm and humid climate between ∼26 and 13.5 Ma, and a much colder and arid climate from ∼13.5 to 2.5 Ma, respectively. The illite crystallinity and sedimentary facies suggested that uplift events took place around >52–50, ∼40-38, ∼26-15, ∼10-8, and <5 Ma in the Qaidam region, respectively. The climate in Qaidam Basin could have been controlled by global climate prior to 13.5 Ma. As the Tibetan Plateau reached a significant elevation by ∼13.5 Ma, and the climate cycles of the East Asian monsoon might add additional influence.

Keywords

clay mineral / illite crystallinity / paleoclimate / Qaidam Basin / Tibetan Plateau

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