This Research Topic is Volume II of a series. The previous volume can be found here:
Sichuan-Tibet Traffic Corridor: Fundamental Geological Investigations and Resource EndowmentThe Sichuan-Tibet traffic corridor (STTC), located across the southeastern region of the Tibetan Plateau in China, has been gaining extensive attention from scientists in different fields around the world. Specifically, the region of the STTC has been generated by a series of continental accretions and the collision between the Indian and Asian continents, and has greatly influenced global geodynamics and even climate systems. The unique topographic, geological, and local climatic environment is quite spectacular and probably the most complex on Earth. Moreover, progress regarding the primary geological problems of the STTC has been made for, and during, the development of high-speed railway, hydropower station, tunnel, and urban planning projects, particularly focused on formation mechanisms of geological hazards and corresponding prevention and control technologies. This research thus provides scientific support for safe construction and operation in the region. However, the geology and surface processes in the region of the STTC are still relatively poorly understood and require further investigation.
Key geological information including lithological sequence, magmatic activity, sedimentary environment, metamorphism, tectonic evolution, and behavior of active faults need to be further documented. It is worth noting that the Tibetan Plateau boasts rich natural resources, including rare metals (e.g., Li, Rb), copper, lead, zinc, tin, gold, silver, molybdenum, and chromites. In addition, geothermal and water resources are especially abundant. The STTC acts as an essential conduit of resources that guides the industrial layout and greatly promotes the development and utilization of resources. Therefore, it is of great necessity to explore and evaluate the resources of traffic corridors in Sichuan-Tibet and their adjacent areas.
In this Research Topic, Original Research Articles and Reviews are welcome. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
• Interactions between tectonics, erosion, and sedimentation of the Tibetan Plateau
• Multi-scale structural deformation and spatial-temporal evolution of the Tibetan Plateau
• Magmatic process and dynamic evolution
• Diverse mineral deposits and multiple mineralization events
• Formation mechanism, exploration, and evaluation of different types of resources
• Tectonic-thermal evolution and the exhumation of high-grade metamorphic rocks
• Applications of remote sensing in the interpretation related to lithology, structure, metamorphism, and geohazards
• Active tectonics and surface processes (e.g., mechanisms of geohazards) in the Tibetan Plateau