Stable isotope constraints on the elevation history of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California

摘要: Research on the uplift history of Sierra Nevada mountain range has yielded seemingly conflicting results. Some studies argue for substantial within past 3–5 m.y.; others suggest that high elevations may have existed since Cretaceous. The rain shadow across is associated with a strong isotopic gradient, lower δ18O values in precipitation leeward side range. Reconstruction value meteoric water as monitor paleoelevation focused mainly Sierras, but interpretation results these be complicated by shifts global climate and regional moisture sources. We address concerns analyzing tooth enamel bioapatite from contemporaneous mammalian fossils either present By sampling range, differences induced can isolated other complicating factors. Our indicate at least 16 Ma, which an important constraint models tectonic evolution western United States. Unfortunately, temporal resolution localities too coarse to differentiate between glacial interglacial during 2 m.y., so we cannot evaluate if there was latest Cenozoic pulse or elevation loss.