Paleomagnetic age of the Tangxian planation surface, northwestern Zhongtiao Shan of the Shanxi Graben System, North China

Abstract A numerical formation age for the Tangxian planation surface (TXPS) in North China is still controversial. The TXPS, beveled across paleoarchean basement rocks, is overlain by late Cenozoic conglomerate, aeolian red clay, and loess. The magnetostratigraphy of two late Cenozoic deposition sections is established, and two other sections are recorded and measured in this work. The magnetostratigraphy indicates six normal magnetozones (N1 to N6) and six reverse magnetozones (R1 to R6). These magnetozones are correlated to chron C1n through C2An.1r, indicating that the TXPS was formed at 3.12–3.03 Ma. The characteristics of the Zhongtiao Shan tectonic uplift and its relationship with the Tibetan Plateau and Ordos Block are discussed in terms of tectonic uplift. The TXPS formation and accumulation of the late Cenozoic sediments are mainly controlled by tectonic activities. The formation and uplift of the TXPS with a lag in the Shanxi Graben System is consistent with the activities of the Tibetan Plateau and Ordos Block, implying that the NE extension of the Tibetan Plateau epeirogenic uplift advances successively.