KARST GEOMORPHOLOGICAL TYPES AND DEVELOPMENT CHARACTERISTICS AT DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS IN QINGHAI-TIBET PLATEAU

The karst geomorphology is commonly developed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Previous researchers have studied on the regional karst geomorphology, runoff zone and genesis, but fewer on the overall summary of the types and development of karst geomorphology at different elevations. On the basis of systematical study and summarization, with referring to the literature, this paper concludes that there are obvious diversities in karst geomorphologic types and development characteristics in term of different elevations. The karst geomorphology in areas of very high altitude (≥ 5000 m) can be divided into the types of uplifted tectonic plateau mountain, inland lake basin, inland lake depression, inland plateau mountain, alpine glacial valley and plateau mountain bedrock, with intensive weathering and denudation, forming numerous residual peaks, stone columns, depressions, etc. The karst geomorphology in the high altitude areas(3500-5000 m) involves karst alpine valley, karst mid-high mountain lake, alpine glacial valley, uplift tectonic plateau mountain, inland lake basin and inland lake depression types, with intensive structural dissolution, mainly developed with macro needle karsts, peak cluster depressions, karst caves and funnels. The karsts with middle altitude(1000-3500 m) are in the geomorphologic types of karst alpine valley, karst mid-mountain lake, plateau mountain erosion residual peak, plateau mountain peak lake, inland lake depression and karst coast, with intensive structural erosion and weak weathering and denudation. The karst forms are basically preserved, mainly developing small peak cluster depressions, dissolved holes, dissolved marks and dissolved fissures. This study is expected to provide guidance and reference for the research of rational utilization of surface water resources, geological disaster control, geomorphology and landscape, as well as the major engineering construction in karst mountain areas of the plateau.