Early Pleistocene magmatism in the central part of the Greater Caucasus

An isotope-geochronological study of young magmatism in the central part of the Greater Caucasus (Kazbek neovolcanic area) on the territory of Russia and Georgia has been carried out. It was proved for the first time that, in the Early Pleistocene, there was a separate impulse of magmatic activity in this area. The area of endogenic activity for the period identified was contoured on the basis of the integrated isotope-geochronological, petrological-geochemical, and geological data. It has been shown that the Early Pleistocene volcanism inherits the area of Neogene volcanism in the Kazbek region and, therefore, presents the final impulse of the second (Pliocene) stage of the Late Cenozoic magmatism. Thus, Early Pleistocene volcanism was not a precursor of Late Quaternary magmatism as the latter has other spatial patterns of the location of volcanic centers.     

Neogene and Quaternary coexisting in the geological time scale: The inclusive compromise

Removing the Tertiary and Quaternary Periods whilst conserving the Paleogene and Neogene Periods in The Geological Timescale 2004 caused a storm of protest. One response was to advocate restoring an enlarged Quaternary and consigning the Neogene to a minor role within the Tertiary. Amongst an array of practical, traditional, sentimental and anthropocentric reasons for this response, the one hard-core justification was that the rigidly nested hierarchy of the geological timescale must be preserved.The central objective of this paper is conserving the historically legitimate, Miocene-present, Neogene Period and System. There are two options for conserving the Quaternary concurrently with the Neogene: (i) an inclusive compromise in a flexible hierarchy, and (ii) an upgrading of Pliocene and Pleistocene divisions to the level of epoch.In the inclusive compromise there coexist alternative pathways through the hierarchical ranks. Thus geohistorians and biohistorians have two options for traversing the hierarchy from era to age, as in this example using the hierarchical positioning of the Calabrian Age and Stage:either Cenozoic [era]↔Neogene [period]↔Pleistocene [epoch]↔Calabrian [age],or Cenozoic [era]↔Quaternary [subera]↔Pleistocene [epoch]↔Calabrian [age].We reaffirm that the inclusive compromise is entirely viable. In so doing we (i) challenge the necessity of the rigidly nested hierarchy, which should be capable of a little flexibility; (ii) reject all analogies of the arbitrary and conventional chronostratigraphic hierarchy with three natural biological hierarchies; (iii) reaffirm the integrity of the Neogene extending to the present; and (iv) see no reason to doubt the harmonious coexistence of the two options preserving the Quaternary and Neogene traditions in an orderly working and stable time scale.In the alternative schema conserving the Neogene, divisions of the Pliocene and Pleistocene are upgraded, so that the Late Pleistocene, Early Pleistocene and Late Pliocene Epochs comprise the Quaternary Subperiod, itself equivalent to Late Neogene. The inflexibly nested hierarchy is preserved but the Tertiary is lost.     

Small mammals from the early Pleistocene of the Granada Basin, southern Spain

The Pliocene and Pleistocene continental sedimentary records of the western sector of the Granada Basin, southern Spain, consist of alternating fluvial and lacustrine/palustrine sediments. Two Quaternary sections from this sector have been sampled: Huétor Tájar and Tojaire. They have yielded remains of rodents, insectivores and lagomorphs. The presence in the Huétor Tájar and Tojaire sections of Mimomys, Apodemus atavus, Castillomys rivas and two different species of Allophaiomys, indicates an Early Pleistocene age. These deposits, which are related to a fluvio-lacustrine system, can be differentiated from an older (Pliocene) braided fluvial system. Their dating has important repercussions on the paleogeographic reconstruction of the basin. The conditions inferred from the ecological preferences of the small mammal associations are wet and cold. These associations suggest a predominance of open herbaceous habitats, followed by forested habitats; semiaquatic habitats are the least represented.     

The structure of the Monte Amiata volcano-geothermal area (Northern Apennines, Italy): Neogene-Quaternary compression versus extension

The tectonic evolution of the Mt Amiata volcano-geothermal area is under discussion. Some authors state that this region, as well as the hinterland of the Northern Apennines, were affected by compression from the Cretaceous to the Quaternary. In contrast, most authors believe that extension drove the tectonic evolution of the Northern Apennines from the Early Miocene to the Quaternary. Field data, seismic analyses and borehole logs have been integrated in order to better define the structural features of the continental crust in the Mt Amiata geothermal area. In this paper I propose the hypothesis that the structure of the crust in the Mt Amiata volcano-geothermal area derives from two main geological processes: (1) contractional tectonics related to the stacking of the Northern Apennines (Cretaceous–Early Miocene), (2) subsequent extensional collapse of the hinterland of the mountain chain, and related opening of the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea (Early Miocene–Quaternary). Compressional and extensional structures characterise the Mt Amiata region, although extensional structures dominate its geological framework. In particular the extension produced: (a) Middle-Late Miocene boudinage of the previously stacked tectonic units; (b) Pliocene–Quaternary normal faulting which favoured the emplacement of a magmatic body in the middle-upper crust; and (c) the eruption of the Mt Amiata volcano, which gave rise to an acid and intermediate volcanic complex (0.3–0.19 Ma). The extension produced the space necessary to accommodate the Middle-Late Miocene marine and continental sediments. Pliocene and Quaternary normal and transtensional faults dissected the previous structures and influenced the Early Middle Pliocene marine sedimentation within the structural depressions neighbouring the Mt Amiata volcano. The magmatic body was emplaced at depth (about 6–7 km) during the Pliocene extension, and produced the eruption of the Mt Amiata volcano during the Late Pleistocene. This gave rise to local uplift, presently reaching about 3,000 m, as well as a negative Bouguer anomaly (−16 mgal), both centred on the Mt Amiata area. The crustal dome shows a good correspondence with the convex shape of the regional seismic marker known as the K-horizon, which corresponds to the 450°C isotherm, and the areas with greatest heat flow. This is probably a consequence of the above-cited magmatic body presently in the process of solidification. A Late Pleistocene eruption occurred along a crustal fissure striking N50° (Mt Amiata Fault), which crosscuts the crustal dome. Hydrothermal circulation, proven by the occurrence of thermal springs and gas vents (mainly CO₂ and H₂S), mainly occurs along the Mt Amiata Fault both in the northeastern ans southwestern sides of the volcano.     

Large- and small-mammal distribution patterns and chronostratigraphic boundaries from the Late Pliocene to the Middle Pleistocene of the Italian peninsula

Over the last 50 years the studies on terrestrial mammals of the Italian peninsula have provided a large volume of data and a more detailed knowledge of faunal events during the Late Pliocene and Quaternary. Moreover geological, sedimentological, palynological and magnetostratigraphical investigations on the Pliocene–Pleistocene continental sedimentary basins have yielded the possibility of a detailed calibration of the faunal successions. Thus, palaeontologists have been able to reconstruct faunal sequences and to propose biochronological scales based on large and small mammals, respectively. In the present contribution an integration of the two biochronological scales is proposed, and the successions of bioevents are carefully compared. This integrated approach allows the constraint of the sequence of large- and small-mammal events in a more reliable way, and therefore it results in a more detailed and consistent chronological use of mammalian assemblages. Particular attention is paid to the faunal changes that correspond to the Middle–Late Pliocene (2.6 ma), Pliocene–Pleistocene (1.8 ma) and Early–Middle Pleistocene (Gauss–Matuyama transition) chronostratigraphical boundaries.     

Lithostratigraphical correlation of micromammal sites and biostratigraphy of the Upper Pliocene to Lower Pleistocene in the Northeast Guadix‐Baza Basin (southern Spain)

The Plio‐Pleistocene non‐marine sequence in the northeast Guadix–Baza Basin (southern Spain) comprises alluvial and lacustrine deposits (Baza Formation). The results of a revised lithostratigraphical correlation between sections from the middle and upper members of the Baza Formation in the northeast part of the basin, supported by detailed mapping, is presented. The position of micromammal sites in the lithostratigraphical scheme, together with the results of intensive palaeontological sampling for small mammal remains, has allowed us to develop a high‐resolution biostratigraphical framework for the area. This provides an opportunity to refine the biozonation for the Plio‐Pleistocene micromammal faunas, and to define faunal events from the late Villanyian (late Pliocene) to the early Pleistocene. On the basis of the lithostratigraphical and biostratigraphical approaches we obtain the following sequence of biozones for the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene: Kislangia gusii, Mimomys cf. reidi, M. oswaldoreigi, Allophaiomys pliocaenicus and A. burgondiae. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

洞庭盆地两护村孔孢粉组合及其气候与地层意义

两护村ZKC1孔位于洞庭盆地安乡凹陷的东南部,孔内第四系(底部跨上新世)厚达294 m,为河流和湖泊沉积,自下而上依次为上新世—早更新世华田组、早更新世汨罗组、中更新世洞庭湖组、晚更新世坡头组以及全新统等。对ZKC1孔第四系进行了详细的孢粉分析,自下而上划分出16个孢粉组合带。ESR年龄和孢粉组合及其反映的气候特征指示华田组下段形成于上新世末。根据孢粉组合特征,结合构造—沉积演化和区域气候背景,重塑洞庭盆地上新世末以来的气候演化过程:上新世末期由孢粉带Ⅰ和Ⅱ指示具暖干气候。早更新世经历了凉干(孢粉带Ⅲ、Ⅳ)→暖湿间凉干(孢粉带Ⅴ～Ⅶ)→冷干间温湿(孢粉带Ⅷ～Ⅹ)→暖较湿(孢粉带Ⅺ,Ⅻ)的气候演变过程。中更新世早期无孢粉样品(洞庭湖组下部砾石层),其沉积环境暗示冷干气候条件;中期由孢粉带ⅩⅢ反映出暖稍湿的气候特征;晚期因构造抬升缺失沉积,同期湿热化事件指示暖湿气候。晚更新世早期缺乏沉积,据区域对比应为寒冷气候;中期由孢粉带ⅩⅣ指示温较湿的气候特征;晚期缺失沉积,系寒冷气候下区域海平面下降所致。全新世经历了暖稍湿(孢粉带ⅩⅤ)→暖稍干(孢粉带ⅩⅥ)的演变。上述气候演变过程与ZKC1孔化学蚀变指数曲线反映的气候演变过程以及中国东部第四纪气候演化基本吻合。以孔深140 m为界,上部孢粉数量显著高于下部,种属也更为丰富。这一变化很可能对应于一次重要的地质事件,其成因有待今后深入研究。     

罗布泊东部阿奇克谷地第四纪古地理

通过对罗布泊东部阿奇克谷地中部AK1孔及露头剖面第四纪沉积特征的综合研究,初步分析了阿奇克谷地第四纪以来的沉积环境与古地理演化。结果表明,阿奇克谷地第四纪古地理受上新世以来区域构造控制,谷地两侧北山及阿尔金山的隆升,一方面为其提供了丰富的物质来源,同时也控制了其沉积环境的演化。其中第四纪以来阿奇克谷地沉积环境有两次明显变化,早更新世中期谷地中开始出现湖相沉积;中更新世晚期湖相沉积范围扩大,为罗布泊湖的大发展期。晚更新世谷地两侧普遍出现砾石层,与中更新世呈不整合接触,表明构造抬升造成湖泊退缩。晚更新世以来湖泊沉积环境波动变化加快。     

辽宁西部第四纪哺乳动物及其地层时代

以大、小凌河流域为中心的辽西地区第四纪地层分布广泛, 奥陶纪石灰岩为主的基岩使该地区喀斯特地貌发育, 并在水溶蚀作用下形成洞穴, 为哺乳动物栖息提供了理想的场所。20世纪70年代以前曾发现过建平、凌源西八间房、喀左鸽子洞和锦县沈家台等化石产地, 之后陆续发现了喀左帽儿山洞穴、二布尺洞穴、朝阳马山洞和凌源沟门洞化石产地等。根据动物化石组合及其对比, 辽西发现的这些化石群分别代表中更新世晚期、晚更新世早期、晚更新世中期和晚更新世晚期4个地质时代。这些材料的发现, 对辽西乃至整个东北地区第四纪哺乳动物研究及区域第四纪地层的划分对比等具有重要意义。     

四川渡口地区晚第四纪沉积物的孢粉分析及其地质意义

作者在四川渡口地区选择了桐子林、金江火车站、盐边新村三个露头剖面,做了系统的孢粉取样及分析。本文就分析结果,讨论了本区第四纪地层的划分、对比及古环境等方面问题。     

大兴安岭哈拉哈河-绰尔河第四纪火山分期: K-Ar年代学与火山地质特征

大兴安岭中部哈拉哈河-绰尔河第四纪火山区分布有34座火山,这些火山总体呈北东向带状分布,火山岩分布面积约400 km2,岩性主要为碱性橄榄玄武岩.根据火山地质特征,结合火山岩K-Ar测年结果,哈拉哈河-绰尔河第四纪火山可进一步划分为早、中、晚更新世和全新世4期.早更新世火山岩,由于被后期火山岩覆盖,主要分布于火山区周边和出露在河谷中.中更新世火山活动最强,不论火山数量(27座)还是熔岩流规模都超过该区第四纪火山的一半以上.晚更新世时期火山活动趋弱,火山活动范围缩小,只局限于小范围区域.全新世火山活动又进入新的高峰期,强爆破式喷发和规模宏大的熔岩流,以及保存完好的熔岩流地貌是全新世火山之特点.     

周口店地区第四纪哺乳动物群的演化与环境变迁探讨

讨论了Ａｌｉｌｅｐｕｓａｎｎｅｃｔｅｎｓ、ＨｙｐｏｌａｇｕｓｂｒａｃｈｙｐｕｓＬｅｐｕｓｓｐ．、Ｓｃｉｕｒｏｔａｍｉａｓｐｒａｅｃｏｘ、ＡｌｌｏｃｒｉｃｅｔｕｓｔｅｉｌｈａｒｄｉＣｒｉｃｅｔｉｎｕｓｖａｒｉａｎｓ、Ｈｙｐｅｒａｃｒｉｕｓｙｅｎｓｈａｎｅｎｓｉｓ、Ａｌｌｏｐｈａｉｏｍｙｓｃｆ．ｐｌｉｏｃａｅｎｉｃｕｓ、Ｐｒｏｅｄｒｏｍｙｓｃｆ．ｂｅｄｆｏｒｄｉ、Ｃｈａｒｄｉｎｏｍｙｓｎｉｈｅｗａｎｉｃｕｓ、Ｍｕｓｃｆ．ｍｕｓｃｕｌｕｓ和Ａｐｏｄｅｍｕｓｄｏｍｉｎａｎｓ的地史分布。根据哺乳动物群的分析与对比，得出第１８地点为早更新世早期，第１２地点、东洞地点为早更新世中期，第９地点、西洞地点为早更新世晚期，第１３地点为早更新世末期至中更新世初期，第１、２、５、６、１１、１０、２１、２３及上店洞地点为中更新世，新洞为中更新世晚期至晚更新世早期，东岭子洞为晚更新世，山顶洞为晚更新世晚期。还讨论了周口店地区一些主要第四纪哺乳动物群的生态类型特点，第四纪的气候波动及生态环境变迁。     

青藏高原古大湖与夷平面的关系及高原面形成演化过程

青藏高原经过古近纪挤压缩短和增厚地壳均衡隆升,晚新生代形成了以走滑和伸展为主的相对稳定构造环境。中新世早期与晚更新世分别发育巨型古大湖,上新世-早更新世发育很多规模较大的古湖泊,古大湖对夷平面形成演化具有重要的控制作用。中新世早期(（24.1±0.6） ~（14.5±0.5）Ma)以古大湖的湖面为侵蚀基准面,经过隆起区剥蚀夷平和长期湖相沉积,在高海拔环境下形成早期夷平面。中新世晚期-第四纪以湖面与五道梁群湖相沉积顶面为基准,在高海拔环境下继续发生剥蚀夷平和准平原化,逐步形成主夷平面或高原面。第四纪河流溯源侵蚀导致内外流水系分界线自东向西迁移,在青藏高原东部形成高山峡谷地貌。     

Paleogeography of the Upper Rhine Graben (URG) and the Swiss Molasse Basin (SMB) from Eocene to Pliocene

Twenty paleogeographic maps are presented for Middle Eocene (Lutetian) to Late Pliocene times according to the stratigraphical data given in the companion paper by Berger et al. this volume. Following a first lacustrine-continental sedimentation during the Middle Eocene, two and locally three Rupelian transgressive events were identified with the first corresponding with the Early Rupelian Middle Pechelbronn beds and the second and third with the Late Rupelian Serie Grise (Fischschiefer and equivalents). During the Early Rupelian (Middle Pechelbronn beds), a connection between North Sea and URG is clearly demonstrated, but a general connection between North Sea, URG and Paratethys, via the Alpine sea, is proposed, but not proved, during the late Rupelian. Whereas in the southern URG, a major hiatus spans Early Aquitanian to Pliocene times, Early and Middle Miocene marine, brackish and freshwater facies occur in the northern URG and in the Molasse Basin (OMM, OSM); however, no marine connections between these basins could be demonstrated during this time. After the deposition of the molasse series, a very complex drainage pattern developed during the Late Miocene and Pliocene, with a clear connection to the Bresse Graben during the Piacenzian (Sundgau gravels). During the Late Miocene, Pliocene and Quaternary sedimentation persisted in the northern URG with hardly any interruptions. The present drainage pattern of the Rhine river (from Alpine area to the lower Rhine Embayment) was not established before the Early Pleistocene.     

Pleistocene oceanographie changes indicated by deep sea benthic foraminifera in the northern Indian Ocean

An attempt has been made to understand the Pleistocene bottom water history in response to the paleoclimatic changes in the northern Indian Ocean employing quantitative analyses of deep sea benthic foraminifera at the DSDP sites 219 and 238. Among the 150 benthic foraminifera recorded a few species show dominance with changing percent frequencies during most of the sequence. The dominant benthic foraminiferal assemblages suggest that most of the Pleistocene bottom waters at site 219 and Early Pleistocene bottom waters at site 238 are of North Indian Deep Water (NIDW) origin. However, Late Pleistocene assemblage at site 238 appears to be closely associated with a water mass intermediate between North Indian Deep Water (NIDW) and Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). Uvigerina proboscidea is the most dominant benthic foraminiferal species present during the Pleistocene at both the sites. A marked increase in the relative abundance ofU. proboscidea along with less diverse and equitable fauna during Early Pleistocene suggests a relative cooling, an intensified oceanic circulation and upwelling of nutrient rich bottom waters resulting in high surface productivity. At the same time, low sediment accumulation rate during Early Pleistocene reveals increased winnowing of the sediments possibly due to more corrosive and cold bottom waters. The Late Pleistocene in general, is marked by relatively warm and stable bottom waters as reflected by low abundance ofU. proboscidea and more diverse and equitable benthic fauna. The lower depth range for the occurrence ofBulimina aculeate in the Indian Ocean is around 2300 m, similar to that of many other areas.B. aculeata also shows marked increase in its abundance near the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary while a sudden decrease in the relative abundance ofStilostomella lepidula occurs close to the Early/Late Pleistocene boundary.     

福建九龙江河口第四纪沉积物特征及沉积环境演变

根据福建九龙江河口ZK1孔及ZK7孔沉积物AMS(Accelerator Mass Spectrometry,加速器质谱测年技术) ¹⁴C测年、古地磁和剖面特征分析,进行该地区的第四纪地层划分,依据粒度特征,结合磁化率、微体古生物和Sr/Ba等环境代用指标进行沉积相分析,重建了该区晚第四纪的古环境演变历史。结果表明:(1)九龙江河口第四纪沉积时代为晚更新世中期至全新世晚期。(2)上更新统沉积可划分为下部龙海组洪冲积相和上部东山组河漫滩相沉积,中间有10 ka的沉积间断,末次冰期又再遭受风化剥蚀作用,推测有5～6 ka的风化剥蚀期。(3)全新统最早沉积年代约为14 ka BP,依次出现河口湾相、河口砂坝—分汊河道相、潮滩相沉积。(4)根据年代学数据和沉积相变化,重塑了该区晚第四纪沉积环境变化过程,为该区的第四纪研究和工程地质工作提供了参考依据。     

中国北方上新世晚期-更新世早期风成沉积物磁化率各向异性初探

前人对中国黄土高原晚更新世黄土沉积物的磁化率各向异性的研究表明,磁化率椭球体最大轴(Kmax)偏角的方向能够指示黄土沉积时期的搬运动力方向,即古风向,并可以通过这种途径进行古季风的重建.本研究试图通过对中国黄土高原晚上新世-早更新世转折时期的风成沉积磁化率各向异性研究进一步检验其在古风向重建方面的应用潜力.选择分别地处黄土高原中部、南部和东部地区的灵台、渭南和保德3个剖面,对红粘土向黄土过渡时期4个不同地层单元古土壤层(S32)、黄土层(L33)、过渡层(TU)以及红粘土沉积(RC)的样品进行了磁化率各向异性测量,结果表明磁线理L值很小,而磁面理F较为发育,这与前人对晚更新世黄土沉积磁化率各向异性的研究结果一致;同时,4个不同地层单元的磁面理F、各向异性度P和形状因子T在3个剖面上均表现出随土壤发育程度增强而减小的变化趋势,说明后期的成壤作用能够不同程度地降低磁面理、磁化率各向异性度以及形状因子的大小.与前人对于晚更新世黄土沉积磁化率各向异性的研究结果不同的是3个剖面的S32,L33,TU以及RC的Kmax的偏角似乎并不能反映出当时的搬运动力方向,即古风向,而长期的压实作用以及不同程度的后期土壤化作用是造成这一时期黄土和红粘土沉积物磁化率各向异性最大轴偏角方向未能反映出当时搬运动力方向(古风向)的原因之一.     

华北地区晚新生代几个地层单元的讨论

阳原盆地晚新生界以其出露完好, 层序清楚, 富含古生物、古人类遗存而闻名于世。近年来, 随着研究精度的不断提高, 在地层详细划分与地层单元的使用上却不很统一, 甚至较为混乱。我们在开展《1:5万化稍营、北水泉幅区域地质调查及泥河湾层研究》和《我国北方晚更新世标准地层单元“许家窑组”再研究》等科研项目中, 对阳原盆地东部上新世红土、泥河湾层进行多重地层划分与地层单元的厘定。鉴于篇幅所限, 本文仅就阳原盆地上新世红层、许家窑组, 以及许家窑组与泥河湾层的关系等方面作一介绍。其主要成果有: 一、阳原盆地上新世红层从岩石地层、生物地层、磁性地层及古环境分析, 应属一套多成因的红层建造, 不应重复建组, 建议合并, 沿用石匣组。二、通过对许家窑遗址一带, 以火山灰层为标志的第四纪地质结构调查和剖面的测制, 化石的新发现, 证实含许家窑动物群、文化层之上的地层时代为晚更新世, 之下的岩石地层应属中更新世。这些成果为泥河湾盆地晚新生代标准地层单元的岩性特征及属性提供了新依据。     

Geological evidence bearing on the Miocene to Recent structural evolution of the New Hebrides arc

The New Hebrides archipelago is a complex reversed-arc system that can be divided into four major volcanic provinces. The Western Belt is an Early to Middle Miocene extinct volcanic arc that, as a result of polarity reversal, is now incorporated into the frontal arc of the present-day configuration. The Eastern Belt initially received detritus in the early Middle Miocene from a tholeiitic arc complex but in the Mio-Pliocene became the locus of a more calc-alkaline arc volcanism. Volcanic activity then ceased in the Eastern Belt but is well-represented as a third and largely submerged Marginal Province through the Pliocene into the Early Pleistocene. The present volcanic line, the Central Chain, is essentially a continuation of the Marginal Province volcanism into Recent times.Initial tectonic events in the New Hebrides arc were associated with the regional disruption in the Middle Miocene of an east-facing system, with consequent termination of Western Belt arc volcanism. The Western Belt remained as a landmass during the lowermost Late Miocene but subsided following a Late Miocene renewal of island arc volcanism to the east. This latest phase was coeval with initial expansion of the North Fiji Basin and marked the advent of the New Hebrides as a westwards-migrating reversed-arc system. During arc migration there were apparent hiatuses in island arc volcanism, the most notable being a Middle Pliocene to Late Pleistocene period of quiescence in the central sector.Tectonism in the Early Pleistocene-Recent raised the fore-arc, brought about rifting and extension to the rear and concentrated volcanism along the presently-active Central Chain.     

昆仑山口第四纪化石组合的生态环境分析及其对昆仑山隆升的意义

最近从昆仑山口地区的羌塘组、三岔河组及格尔木河阶地采集了一些第四纪生物化石样品，这些生物化石包括一些哺乳类动物的牙齿、昆虫类、植物苇、藁类茎干化石以及大量双壳类和腹足类化石．化石生态组合的比较研究和埋藏学研究提供了有意义的沉积环境变迁的古气候的信息，据此推断昆仑山在上新世－早更新世的海拔高度估计在７００～１５００ｍ；早、中更新世之交昆仑山迅速地大幅度抬升至３０００～３５００ｍ左右，此后昆仑山相对缓慢地持续上升至目前高度