Palaeomagnetic and geochronologic results from lower cretaceous volcanics of the western Qiangtang terrane and implications for the Lhasa-Qiangtang collision.

ABSTRACT: The Lhasa-Qiangtang collision is key to understanding the formation and evolution of the Tibetan Plateau; however, the precise timing of this event remains hotly debated. To address this uncertainty, we present a combined palaeomagnetic and geochronologic study of Lower Cretaceous Meiriqieco Formation rhyolites from the western Qiangtang terrane. Our geochronologic data reveal an Early Cretaceous (ca. 113-109) age for the Meiriqieco Formation, contradicting previous Late Jurassic assignments. The tilt-corrected site-mean direction yields a palaeopole at 74.3°N, 250.5°E with A₉₅ = 4.7° (N = 23). Integrating our new and existing palaeomagnetic data, we place the western Qiangtang terrane at ~ 23.1°N during the Early Cretaceous. Comparison with Early Cretaceous palaeomagnetic data

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12749633 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature