Physics

Geology

Climate change

Meteorology

Isotope

Mathematics

δ18O

Physical geography

Precipitation

Oceanography

Mathematical analysis

Geochemistry

Arid

Paleontology

Geography

Stable isotope ratio

Geometry

Central asia

Plateau (mathematics)

Climatology

Quantum mechanics

Isotopes of oxygen

Paleoclimatology

Elevation (ballistics)

Science

Paleotopographic reconstructions of the Tibetan Plateau based on stable isotope paleoaltimetry methods conclude that most of the Plateau's current elevation was already reached by the Eocene, ~40 million years ago. However, changes in atmospheric and hydrological dynamics affect oxygen stable isotopes in precipitation and may thus bias such reconstructions. We used an isotope-equipped general circulation model to assess the influence of changing Eocene paleogeography and climate on paleoelevation estimates. Our simulations indicate that stable isotope paleoaltimetry methods are not applicable in Eocene Asia because of a combination of increased convective precipitation, mixture of air masses, and widespread aridity. Rather, a model-data comparison suggests that the Tibetan Plateau only reached low to moderate (less than 3000 meters) elevations during the Eocene, reconciling oxygen isotope data with other proxies.

Revised paleoaltimetry data show low Tibetan Plateau elevation during the Eocene