Evolution of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts: A case study in the Qilian Mountains
The Qilian Mountains are a typical active fold-thrust belt. A series of large and elongated drainage basins are oriented almost parallel to the Mountain Chain. Conversely, on North flank of the Qilian Mountains, transverse rivers dominate the drainage network. However, the evolution of these drainag...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Earth Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2022.980928/full |
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| author | Zhenhua Ma Zhenhua Ma Didi Yang Xiaomiao Li Xiaomiao Li Zhantao Feng Qi Wang Tingjiang Peng |
| author_facet | Zhenhua Ma Zhenhua Ma Didi Yang Xiaomiao Li Xiaomiao Li Zhantao Feng Qi Wang Tingjiang Peng |
| author_sort | Zhenhua Ma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Qilian Mountains are a typical active fold-thrust belt. A series of large and elongated drainage basins are oriented almost parallel to the Mountain Chain. Conversely, on North flank of the Qilian Mountains, transverse rivers dominate the drainage network. However, the evolution of these drainage patterns is still poorly understood. Here, we first review the evolutionary history of the drainage pattern of major rivers in the Qilian Mountains. We find that early transverse-dominated river networks are progressively replaced by longitudinal-dominated rivers during mountain building. Because the incision rate of transverse rivers is defeated by the uplift rate of mountains, the transverse rivers would be diverted toward the fold tips and gradually lengthened. Then, we analyze the evolutionary trends of drainage networks using topographic metrics. We suggest that longitudinal rivers, especially the upper reach of longitudinal rivers, will be captured by transverse rivers. Our study shows that the evolution of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts has two stages: in the early stage, transverse rivers would be replaced by longitudinal rivers; in the later stage, the upper longitudinal rivers would be captured by transverse tributaries. Moreover, the evolution model of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts is validated by using the TopoToolbox Landscape Evolution Model (TTLEM). Tectonics and deformation impart a lasting impression on the planform pattern of drainage networks. However, the drainage network will show different patterns in various evolution stages, even with consistent tectonic conditions. The results of this study may help investigate the drainage network evolution process in other active fold-thrust belts. |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-6463 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T13:16:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Earth Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-c2fe29b9f9504c5993a91111a5de86cc2022-12-22T02:45:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632022-08-011010.3389/feart.2022.980928980928Evolution of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts: A case study in the Qilian MountainsZhenhua Ma0Zhenhua Ma1Didi Yang2Xiaomiao Li3Xiaomiao Li4Zhantao Feng5Qi Wang6Tingjiang Peng7School of Geography and Tourism, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems & College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaSchool of Geography and Tourism, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao, ChinaSchool of Geography and Tourism, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems & College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems & College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaShandong Provincial Eco-environment Monitoring Center, Jinan, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems & College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaThe Qilian Mountains are a typical active fold-thrust belt. A series of large and elongated drainage basins are oriented almost parallel to the Mountain Chain. Conversely, on North flank of the Qilian Mountains, transverse rivers dominate the drainage network. However, the evolution of these drainage patterns is still poorly understood. Here, we first review the evolutionary history of the drainage pattern of major rivers in the Qilian Mountains. We find that early transverse-dominated river networks are progressively replaced by longitudinal-dominated rivers during mountain building. Because the incision rate of transverse rivers is defeated by the uplift rate of mountains, the transverse rivers would be diverted toward the fold tips and gradually lengthened. Then, we analyze the evolutionary trends of drainage networks using topographic metrics. We suggest that longitudinal rivers, especially the upper reach of longitudinal rivers, will be captured by transverse rivers. Our study shows that the evolution of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts has two stages: in the early stage, transverse rivers would be replaced by longitudinal rivers; in the later stage, the upper longitudinal rivers would be captured by transverse tributaries. Moreover, the evolution model of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts is validated by using the TopoToolbox Landscape Evolution Model (TTLEM). Tectonics and deformation impart a lasting impression on the planform pattern of drainage networks. However, the drainage network will show different patterns in various evolution stages, even with consistent tectonic conditions. The results of this study may help investigate the drainage network evolution process in other active fold-thrust belts.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2022.980928/fulldrainage patterndivide migrationfold-thrust beltlandscape evolution modelqilian mountains |
| spellingShingle | Zhenhua Ma Zhenhua Ma Didi Yang Xiaomiao Li Xiaomiao Li Zhantao Feng Qi Wang Tingjiang Peng Evolution of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts: A case study in the Qilian Mountains Frontiers in Earth Science drainage pattern divide migration fold-thrust belt landscape evolution model qilian mountains |
| title | Evolution of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts: A case study in the Qilian Mountains |
| title_full | Evolution of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts: A case study in the Qilian Mountains |
| title_fullStr | Evolution of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts: A case study in the Qilian Mountains |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evolution of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts: A case study in the Qilian Mountains |
| title_short | Evolution of drainage patterns in active fold-thrust belts: A case study in the Qilian Mountains |
| title_sort | evolution of drainage patterns in active fold thrust belts a case study in the qilian mountains |
| topic | drainage pattern divide migration fold-thrust belt landscape evolution model qilian mountains |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2022.980928/full |
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