View in EDS

Late-Cenozoic tectonic versus glacial control on the topographic evolution of the Terskey Range, Kyrgyz Tian Shan.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Late-Cenozoic tectonic versus glacial control on the topographic evolution of the Terskey Range, Kyrgyz Tian Shan.
Authors: Gong, Lingxiao1,2 gong@uni-potsdam.de, van der Beek, Peter1, Sobel, Edward R.1, Schildgen, Taylor F.1,2, Mariotti, Apolline2, Bernard, Maxime1,3, Glodny, Johannes2, Wapenhans, Isabel1
Source: Geology. Apr2026, Vol. 54 Issue 4, p379-383. 5p.
Subject Terms: *Glaciation, *Neotectonics, *Landscapes, *Soil erosion, *Geological time scales, *Glacial Epoch
Abstract: The relative influence of tectonics and climate on topography and surface processes remains poorly constrained in many mountainous regions. The effect of late-Cenozoic glaciations on global erosion rates and relief is particularly disputed. The Terskey Range, in the Kyrgyz Tian Shan, can provide key insights to these questions due to its well-documented late-Cenozoic tectonic activity and substantial Quaternary glacier cover. To address these questions, we investigated two valleys within the Terskey Range, separated by 40 km: the glacial Barskoon Valley and the mostly fluvial Kyzyl Suu Valley. We present new apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He (AHe) thermochronology data from valley-bottom samples in the Barskoon Valley and re-analyzed published low-temperature thermochronology data for both valleys. Inverse 3-D thermalkinematic modeling indicates a shared tectonic history for both valleys, including accelerated thrusting starting at 10–8 Ma. In contrast to the Kyzyl Suu Valley, the Barskoon Valley additionally records a 22% increase in relief over the past ∼2 m.y., suggesting rapid valley deepening following the initiation of glaciation in the Terskey Range. These results imply that the impact of Quaternary climate change on erosion rates is highly spatially variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
Description
Abstract:The relative influence of tectonics and climate on topography and surface processes remains poorly constrained in many mountainous regions. The effect of late-Cenozoic glaciations on global erosion rates and relief is particularly disputed. The Terskey Range, in the Kyrgyz Tian Shan, can provide key insights to these questions due to its well-documented late-Cenozoic tectonic activity and substantial Quaternary glacier cover. To address these questions, we investigated two valleys within the Terskey Range, separated by 40 km: the glacial Barskoon Valley and the mostly fluvial Kyzyl Suu Valley. We present new apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He (AHe) thermochronology data from valley-bottom samples in the Barskoon Valley and re-analyzed published low-temperature thermochronology data for both valleys. Inverse 3-D thermalkinematic modeling indicates a shared tectonic history for both valleys, including accelerated thrusting starting at 10–8 Ma. In contrast to the Kyzyl Suu Valley, the Barskoon Valley additionally records a 22% increase in relief over the past ∼2 m.y., suggesting rapid valley deepening following the initiation of glaciation in the Terskey Range. These results imply that the impact of Quaternary climate change on erosion rates is highly spatially variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00917613
DOI:10.1130/G53908.1