Abstract
The Neogene elevation history of the Mount Everest region is key for understanding the tectonic history of the world's highest mountain range, the evolution of the Tibetan Plateau, and climate patterns in East and Central Asia. In the absence of fossil surface deposits such as paleosols, volcanic ashes, or lake sediments, we conducted stable isotope paleoaltimetry based on the hydrogen isotope ratios (δ D) of hydrous minerals that were deformed in the South Tibetan detachment shear zone during the late Early Miocene. These minerals exchanged isotopically at high temperature with meteoric water (δ D water = 156% ± 5%) that originated as high-elevation precipitation and infi ltrated the crustal hydrologic system at the time of detachment activity. When compared to age-equivalent near-sea-level foreland oxygen isotope (δ 18O) paleosol records (δ 18Owater = 5.8% ± 1.0%), the difference in δ18Owater is consistent with mean elevations of ≥5000 m for the Mount Everest area. Mean elevations similar to modern suggest that an early Himalayan rain shadow may have infl uenced the late Early Miocene climatic and rainfall history to the north of the Himalayan chain. © 2013 Geological Society of America.
DOI
10.1130/g34331.1
Publication Date
2013-07-01
Publication Title
Geology
Volume
41
Issue
7
Publisher
Geological Society of America
ISSN
1943-2682
Embargo Period
2024-11-25
First Page
799
Last Page
802
Recommended Citation
Gébelin, A., Mulch, A., Teyssier, C., & et al. (2013) 'The Miocene elevation of Mount Everest', Geology, 41(7), pp. 799-802. Geological Society of America: Available at: https://doi.org/10.1130/g34331.1
