Evidence of a geological event and environmental change in the catchment area of the Yellow River at 0.15 Ma

Yellow River erosion through Longyang Gorge and Sanmen Gorge at 0.15 Ma corresponds with a rapid uplifting of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau and strong incision in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River. Evidence from the upper reaches, middle reaches and lower reaches suggests that this event was controlled by intensive tectonic movement and climatic change. Evidence suggests that the onset of the last interglacial in the upper reaches began a little earlier than 0.15 Ma, and coincides with lake sedimentary records, and oxygen isotope records from the Guliya ice core in the Tibet Plateau. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.