Abstract:

 The uplift history of Tibetan Plateau and Himalaya is the key boundary condition in many Cenozoic geological events. Thus it profoundly affects the interpretation of the geological processes ranging from global cooling to the changes of Asian environments during the Cenozoic. Although various proxies have been applied, many of debates on the timing of the surface uplift of Tibetan Plateau and Himalaya still exist. The main reason is some of the proxies are problematic in themselves. Therefore, it is necessary to review these proxies together and to reassess their significances for the uplift of Tibetan and Himalaya. On the basis of our studies in northcentral Tibet, as well as the existing possible estimates, we provide a new model for the growth of Tibetan Plateau: Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes gained their elevations during Eocene time, whereas its northern area was still low and southern area was under sea level at that time. The ProtoTibetan Plateau expanded throughout the Neogene toward its present southern and northern margins in the Himalaya and Qilian Mountains.

Key words: Key words: Tibet Plateau; Himalaya; uplift history; Cenozoic