Propagating uplift controls on high-elevation, low-relief landscape formation in Southeast Tibetan Plateau

International audienceHigh-elevation, low-relief surfaces are widespread in many mountain belts. However, the origin of these surfaces has long been debated. In particular, the Southeast (SE) Tibetan Plateau has extensive low-relief surfaces perched above deep valleys and in the headwaters of three of the world’s largest rivers (Salween, Mekong and Yangtze). Synthesized low-temperature thermochronologic data indicate that uplift of the Tibetan Plateau may have propagated progressively from NW to SE, with thermochronologic ages at ~50 Ma observed in the headwaters and interfluves of the rivers but young ages