Hartmann, K., Wünnemann, B., Hölz, Sebastian , Krätschell, Anna and Zhang, Hucai (2011) Neotectonic constraints on the Gaxun Nur inland basin in north–central China, derived from remote sensing, geomorphology and geophysical analyses. In: Growth and Collapse of the Tibetan Plateau. ; 353 , ed. by Gloaguen, R. and Ratschbacher, L.. GSL Special Publications . Geological Society Publ. House, Bath, UK, pp. 221-233. ISBN 978-1-86239-326-4

Text Geological_Society,_London,_Special_Publications-2011-Hartmann-221-33.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (823kB) | Contact

Abstract

The endorheic Gaxun Nur Basin (GNB, local name: Ejina basin), which is located north of the Tibetan Plateau between the tectonic stress fields of the Qilian Shan and the Gobi-Tienshan, has evolved as a large inland basin filled with deltaic sediments during the past 250 ka. Here we present selected examples of geomorphological, sedimentological and geophysical evidence of tectonic activity and discuss a possible time frame of selected occurrences.

We used medium-scale geomorphological mapping supported by analyses of Landsat ETM images, Corona images and an Aster Digital Terrain Model (Aster-DTM), combined with field surveys, dated sediment sections, and geophysical investigations using electromagnetic methods.

The spatio-temporal distribution of radiocarbon-dated lake sediments within the northern GNB indicates a non-even distribution of neotectonic activity with west–east increasing amplitude of subsidence rates from 0.8–1.1 m/ka in the western part and more than three times higher rates in the eastern part.

Our data indicate that tectonic has strongly amplified climate-induced environmental changes and may be regarded as an example of non-climatic pulses affecting lake-hydrology and basin development.

Actions (login required)

View Item