Scientists reconsider exact age of plateau
30/10/2004 9:18
Scientists said new evidence found in Qinghai Province supports the theory
that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau formed 14 million years ago.
This is the first
time scientists have found clay and silt deposits in Xining City and Tu
Autonomous County of Huzhu. Similar evidence has been found previously in Nepal,
said Lu Huayu, a researcher with the Institute of Earth Environment at the
Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Scientists have three theories about the
plateau’s age. One says it rose about 2 to 3 million years ago and is still
rising. Another believes it happened about 8 million years ago in compliance
with the synchronized appearance of monsoons and drastic climate changes. The
other theory, which the new evidence supports, says the plateau rose to its
highest point 14 million years ago and has been collapsing ever since.
Lu
has been in charge of a project to drill for clay deposits in Xining City and Tu
Autonomous County. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau covers an area of 2.3 million
square kilometers in Tibet, Qinghai, western Sichuan and southwestern Gansu. It
is the highest plateau in the world.
Study of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
calls for joint efforts in geomorphology and climatology. Scientists will
continue research into the plateau’s exact age, Lu said.
Xinhua
|
