Stepwise Lithospheric Delamination Leads to Pulsed Cenozoic Uplifts of Central Tien Shan

Abstract The Tien Shan provides an ideal site to study mechanism of intracontinental orogeny due distant effect Indo-Asian collision. We investigate lithospheric structures, in particular the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB), Central (CTS) using S wave receiver functions. results show distinct structures across orogen. Under southern CTS, LAB is shallower than that Tarim Basin; a 50 km vertical offset implies part lithosphere has been delaminated. middle two phases negative velocity gradient are obtained, which may indicate new and ongoing delamination underneath. northern CTS Kazakh Shield northward, stable although inclines southward slightly. periods under account well for pulsed uplifts at ~11-8 Ma ~5-0 Ma, respectively.