CREATE: Comprehensive Research on East Asia Tectonic Evolution


Study Area

 South East Asia is a "natural laboratory" for studying important geological processes including continental collision, mountain building, lithospheric deformation, delamination and extension, and their potential impacts on physical environment of the planet Earth. The collision of India with the Asian continent, which started from early Cenozoic time and resulted in the uplift of Himalayas and Tibetan plateau, for example, is widely believed to have served as the key ¨tectonic control〃 for the changes of not only regional monsoon patterns and ocean currents but also global climate and seawater composition. In order to better understand the tectonic evolution of South East Asia after the India-Asia collision, several integrated research projects (namely CREATE, SPOT and ACT) led by faculty members at Department of Geology, NTU have been proposed to and funded by the National Science Council in the past few years. The research teams have already obtained fruitful outcomes, which include a series of scientific papers published in reputed international journals.

The projects are proposed to study certain important issues regarding the tectonic evolution of South East Asia. These issues are: (a) Geological processes involved in the India-Asia collision zone and surrounding areas; (b) Development of large-scale fault systems in SE Asia and opening of the South China Sea; (c) Interaction between the Taiwan orogeny and rifting in the Okinawa Trough; (d) Genesis of extensive magmatic activities over the entire East Asian region; (e) The overall tectonic impacts on regional and global physical environment; (f) Collision/suturing events of continental blocks in East Asia.

One of the major achievements, published in Nature (20 August, 1998) with a news-and-views comment, is that we report evidence for potassium-rich magmatism of ~40-30 million years old in the eastern part of the Tibetan plateau. The inference we can accordingly envision is that this immense region began rising up some 40 million years ago, significantly earlier than any previous thoughts based on information from the western part of the plateau, which rose most likely in the last 20 million years. This important finding enables us to propose a diachronous uplift model for the Tibetan plateau that could better accommodate the tectonic-forcing interpretation for Cenozoic global cooling and compositional change of the ocean water. New knowledge thus gained, furthermore, may be applied to many other categories in the plate tectonics scheme of earth sciences.

Field trip to Ailao Shan Shear Zone, SW China



Field trip to Red-River Shear Zone, N. Vietnam

Publications: 

(A) Research Papers:

1. Lo, C.H., Onstott, T.C. and Wang Lee, C.M (1993) 40Ar/39Ar dating of plutonic/metamorphic rocks from Chinmen Island off Southeast China and its tectonic implications.  Jour. Geol. Soc. China 36, 35-55.

2. Yui, T.F., Rumble, D., III, and Lo, C.H. (1995) Unusually low 18O ultra-high-pressure metamorphic rocks from the Sulu Terrain, eastern China. Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta 59, 2859-2864.

3. Li, S., Jagoutz, E., Zhang, Z., Chen, W. and Lo, C.H. (1995) Structure of high-pressure metamorphic belt in Dabie Mountains and its tectonic implications.   Chinese Sci. Bull., 40 (Supplement): 139-140.

4. Yui, T.F., Rumble III, D., Chen, C.H. and Lo, C.H. (1997) Stable isotope characteristics of eclogites from the ultra-high-pressure metamorphic terrain, east-central China.  Chemical Geology 137, 135-147.

5. Chung, S.-L., Lee, T.-Y., Lo, C.H., Wang, P.-L., Chen, C.-Y., Yem, N.T., Hoa, T.T., and Genyao, W. (1997) Intraplate extension prior to continental extrusion along the Ailao Shan-Red River shear zone. Geology 25, 311-314.

6. Yang, H.-C., Chen, W.-S., Lo, C.H., Chen, C.H., Huang, H., Wang, X. and Lee, C.W. (1997) 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology of granitoids from the Pingtan-Dongshan Metamorphic Belt and its tectonic implications. Jour. Geol. Soc. China 40, 559-586.

7. Tien, J.-L., Chen, C.-H., Lo, C.H. and Lai, Y.S. (1997) Contrasting cooling rates of coeval granitic plutons in the Zhangzhou Igneous Complex, SE China: evidences from 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology and Al-amphibole geobarometer.  Jour. Geol. Soc. China 40, 607-624.

8. Lee, T.-Y., Lo, C.-H., Chung, S.L., Wang P.L., Cung, T.C., Hoang, N., Chen, C.Y., Lin, W.P., and Yem, N.T. (1998) 40Ar/39Ar Dating Result of Neogene Basalts in Vietnam and its Tectonic Implication.   In M. Flower, et al. (eds.) "Mantle Dynamics and Plate Interactions in East Asia", AGU Geodynamic Series vol. 27, 317-330.

9. Chung, S.L., Lo, C.H, Lee, T.Y., Zhang, Y., Xie, X., Li, X., Wang, K.-L. and Wang, P.-L. (1998) Diachronous uplift of the Tibetan plateau staring 40 Myr ago.  Nature 394, 723-725.

10. Yang, H.-C., Chen, W.-S., Lo, C.H., Chen, C.-H., Huang, H., Wang, X. and Lee, C.W. (1998) Role of the Nanjih Fault on the exhumation of the Pingtan-Dongshan Metamorphic Belt, SE China. Jour. Geol. Soc. China 41, 409-440.

11. Wang, P.-L., Lo, C.H., Lee, T.Y., Chung, S.L., Lan, C.Y. and Yem, N.T. (1998) Thermochronological evidence for movement of the Ailao Shan - Red River shear zone: a perspective from Vietnam. Geology 26, 887-890. 

12. Li, S., Chen, Y., Emil, J., Zhang, Z., Chen, W. and Lo, C. H. (1998) Geochemical and geochronological constraints on the tectonic outline of the Dabie Mountains, Central China: a continent-microcontinent-continent collision model.   Continental Dynamics 3, 14-31. 

13. Jahn, B.M., Wu, F., Lo, C.H. and Tsai, C.-H. (1999) Crust-mantle interaction induced by deep subduction of the continental crust: geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic evidence from post-collisional mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Northern Dabie Complex, central China.  Chemical Geology., 157, 119-146. 

14. Liou, Y.-S., Lo, C.-H., Tsai, C.-H., Wang, P.-L. and Chen, C.-H. (1999) Thermochronolgical study of the Dabie Shan ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terrane, east central China.   Jour. Geol. Soc. China 42, 159-188.

15. Yang, T.F., Wang, J.-R., Lo, C.H., Chung, S.-L., Tien, R.-L., Xu, R., and Deng, W. (1999) The thermal history of the Lhasa block, south Tibetan Plateau based on FTD and Ar-Ar dating. Radiation Measurements 31, 627-632.

16. Lu, H.-Y., Tien, J.-L., Lo, C.-H. and Chen, C.H. (1999) Thermal modeling and chronological constraints of granitic plutonism in Zhangzhou igenous complex, SE China.   Jour. Geol. Soc. China 42, 493-520. 

17.  Li, S., Jagoutz, E., Lo, C.-H., Chen, Y., Li, Q., and Xiao, Y. (1999) Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr and 40Ar-39Ar Isotopic Systematics of the Ultrahigh Pressure Metamorphic Rocks in the Dabie-Sulu Belt, Central China: A Retrospective View. International Geology Review 41, 1114-1124. 

18.  Liou, Y.S., Lo, C.H., Tsai, C.-H., Chung, S.-L., Qiu, J. and Li, X. (1999) 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of volcanic and intrusive rocks in the Dabie and Sulu terranes, Eastern China, and their tectonic implications.  Journal Geol. Soc. China 42, 521-542. 

19.  Lo, C.-H. and Knittel, U. (2000) Lithosphere Dynamics and Natural Resources in East Indochina and adjacent areas  preface.  Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 18, 253-253. 

20.  Lan, C.-Y., Chung, S.-L., Shen, J. J., Lo, C.-H., Wang, P.-L., Hoa, T. T., Thanh, H. H. and Mertzman, S.A. (2000) Geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic characteristics of granitic rocks from northern Vietnam. Jour. Asian Earth Sciences 18, 71-84. 

21.  Wang, P.-L., Lo, C.-H., Chung, S.-L., Lee, T.-Y., Lan, C.-Y. and Yem, N. T. (2000) Onset of the movement along the Ailao Shan  Red River Shear Zone: evidence from 40Ar/39Ar thermochronogical data. Jour. Asian Earth Sciences 18, 85-96. 

22. Wang, K.L., C.H. Chen, S.L. Chung, C.H. Lo, L.H. Lin, T.F. Yang and H.Y. Lee (2000) Field occurrence, Ar-Ar dating and petrochemical features of volcanic successions in the Mienhuayu off NE Taiwan. Jour. Geol. Soc. China 43, 247-266.

23. Li, S., Jagoutz, E., Lo, C.-H., Chen, Y., Li, Q., and Xiao, Y. (2000) Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr and 40Ar-39Ar Isotopic Systematics of the Ultrahigh Pressure Metamorphic Rocks in the Dabie-Sulu Belt, Central China: A Retrospective View.  In W.G. Ernst and J. G. Liou (eds.) Ultra-High Pressure Metamorphism and Geodynamics In Collision-Type Orogenic Belts .  Bellwether Publishing Ltd. 234-244.

24. Tsai, C.-H., Lo, C.-H., Liou, J.-G. and Jahn, B.-m. (2000) Evidence against subduction related magmatism for the Jiaoziyan Gabbro, Northern Dabie Shan, China.   Geology 28, 943-946.

25. Qiu, J., Lo, C.-H., Zhou, J., McInnes, B.A. (2000) Potash-rich magmatism and associated gold-copper mineralization in the Yishu deep fault zone and its vicinity, eastern China. Resource Geology 50, 269-280.http://www.kt.rim.or.jp/~srg/backn/index.html

26. Lan, C.-Y., Chung, S.-L., Lo, C.-H., Lee, T.-Y., Wang, P.-L., Li, H. and Toan, D. V. (2001) First evidence for Archean continental crust in northern Vietnam and its implications for crustal and tectonic evolution in Southeast Asia. Geology 29, 219-222.

27. Lo, C.-H., Chung, S.-L., Lan, C.-Y., Lee, T.-Y., Li, H.-M., Nam, T. and Sano, Y. (2001) Evidence for Archean continental crust in northern Vietnam and its implications for tectonic evolution in SE Asia.  Gondwana Research vol. 4, No.4, p. 691.

28. Wang, P.-L., Lo, C.-H., Chung, S.-L., Lee, T.-Y., Lan, C.-Y. and Thang, T.V. (2001) Reply to the comment by Leloup et al. on ¨Onset timing of the left-lateral movement along the Ailao Shan-Red River Shear Zone: 40Ar/39Ar dating constraint from the Nam Dinh Area, northeastern Vietnam〃.   Jour. Asian Earth Sci. 20, 101-103.

29. Qiu J., Wang D., Lo C.-H. and Liu H. (2001) 40Ar-39Ar Dating for volcanic rocks of Qingshan Formation in Jiaolai basin, eastern Shandong province: A case study of the Fenlingshan volcanic apparatus in Wulian County. Geological Journal of China Universities 7(3):351-355.(in Chinese with English abstract).

30. Qiu J., X u, X., Lo, C.-H. (2001) Potash-rich volcanic rocks and lamprophyres in western Shandong Province: 40Ar-39Ar dating and source tracing. Chinese Science Bulletin 46(18):1500-1508 (in Chinese with English abstract).

30. Qiu J., X u, X., Lo, C.-H. (2002) Potash-rich volcanic rocks and lamprophyres in western Shandong Province: 40Ar-39Ar dating and source tracing. Chinese Science Bulletin 46(18), 1500-1508 (in Chinese with English abstract). (English version is published in Chinese Science Bulletin 47(2), 91-99).

31. Chen, W.-M., Huang, Y.-C., Iizuka, Y., Lo, C.-H., Wu, H., Song, S., Yang, J., Xu, Z. and Yang, H.-Y. (2002) Integrated P-T paths of high-pressure rocks and their tectonic implications for the Mountain-building of the North Qilian, China.   Acta Geologica Sinica, 76, 44-62.

32. Liu H., Qiu, J., Lo, C.-H., Xu, X., Ling, W. and Wang, D. (2002) Petrogenesis of the Mesozoic potash-rich volcanic rocks in the Luzong basin, Anhui Province: geochemical constraints.  Geochimica 31(2), 129-140. (in Chinese with English abstract).

33. Zhang, R.Y., Shua, Y.-H., Liou, J.G. and Lo, C.H. (2002) Discovery of clinoenstatite in garnet pyroxenites from the Dabie-Sulu ultrahigh-pressure terrane, east-central China. Amer. Mineral. 87, 867-874.

34. Li, X.-H., Zhou, H.-W., Chung, S.-L., Lo, C.-H., Wei, G.-J., Liu, Y. and Lee, C.-Y. (2002) Geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic characteristics of Late Paleogene ultrapotassic magmatism in southeastern Tibet. International Geology Review 44, 559-574.

35. Lee, H.-Y., Chung, S.-L., Wang, J.-R., Wen, D.-J., Zhang, Y., Xie, Y., Lo, C.-H., Yang, T. F., Lee, T.-Y., Wu, G. and Ji, J. (2003) Miocene Jiali Faulting and its implications for Tibetan tectonic evolution. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 205, 185-194.

36. Wu, F.Y., Jahn, B.M., Wilde, S.A., Lo, C.H., Yui, T.Z., Lin, Q., Ge, W.C. and Sun, D.Y. (2003) Highly fractionated I-type granites in NE China: geochronology and petrogenesis.  Lithos 66, 241-273.

37. Lan, C.Y., Chung, S.L., Long, T.V., Lo, C.H., Lee, T.Y. and Merztman, S.A. (2002) Geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic constraints from the Kontum Massif, Central Vietnam for the crustal evolution of the Indochina Block. Precambrian Research (in press).

38. Ho, K.-S., Chen, J.-C., Lo, C.-H. and Zhao, H.-L. (2002) 40Ar-39Ar dating and geochemical characteristics of late Cenozoic basaltic rocks from the Zhejian-Fujian region, SE China: eruption ages, magma evolution and petrogenesis. Chem. Geol. (in press)

(B) Books and Related Articles

Lo, C.H. and Teng, L.S. (1995) Recent studies on the Dabie-Sulu ultra-high pressure metamorphic belts.  Natural Sciences Newsletter, NSC, vol. 7, pp.60-63.

Lo, C.H., Chang, W.-Y. and Tsai, Y.-B. (1997) Organization and Progress on the NSC integrated project: CREATE 1 - Cenozoic collision/extrusion tectonics in East Asia.  National Science Council Monthly, 25(9), 639-643. 

Lo, C.H. and Chung, S.-L. (1997) Lithosphere evolution of southeast China (eds.), Jour. Geol. Soc. China, vol. 40, no. 3.

Chung, S.L., C.S., Lee, J.-C. Sibuet, R. Shinjo, T.Y. Lee, S.K. Hsu, C.S. Liu, C.T. Shyu, M.P. Chen, C.H. Lo, K.L. Wang and A.J. Crawford (1998) Understanding the initiation of a continental arc-backarc system and its interaction with Taiwan arc-continent collision by drilling the southernmost part of Okinawa Trough (SPOT). Letter of Intent (Preliminary Proposal) to the International ODP-JOIDES scientific committees.

Flower, M.F., Chung, S.-L., Lo, C.H. and Lee, T.-Y. (1998)  Mantle Dynamics and Plate Interactions in East Asia (eds.) American Geophysics Union, Geodynamic Series. Vol. 27. 

Chung, S.-L., Lo, C.-H. and T.-Y. Lee (1999) Uplift of Tibetan Plateau and global climate change: exploring the impacts of tectonic evolution on the change of global environment.  Natural Sciences Newsletter, NSC, vol. 11, No. 3, 90-92.

Lo, C.-H. and Knittel, U. (2000) Lithosphere Dynamics and Natural Resources in East Indochina and adjacent areas (eds.) Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, vol. 18, no. 3.