Paleogene–Neogeneenvironmental evolution and the uplift‐sedimentation response of theNETibetan Plateau

Abstract

AbstractThere are controversies about the climate evolution and driving mechanism around the Tibetan Plateau since the late Cenozoic. To better understand this issue, the Ningnan Basin on the north‐eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau was taken as the research object. The Ningnan Basin was arid at 23–18 Ma under the influence of global climate change. The extensive deformation indicates that the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and intracontinental pushing has influenced the Ningnan Basin and the paleoclimate began to be affected in 23 Ma. During the period of 17–13 Ma, the Ningnan Basin was warm and humid and was still under the influence of global climate change. During 8.5–8 Ma, the environment suddenly became dry. At the same time, the Tibetan Plateau was intensely uplifted, which strengthened the winter winds and weakened the summer winds, resulting in the aridity of the Ningnan Basin.