Table of Contents
What is the animal life like in Kunlun Mountains?
Occasional stagnant water pools provide browsing and water for several wild ungulates, such as the Tibetan gazelle and Tibetan goat antelope (chiru), along with large herds of wild asses (kiang) and clusters of wild yaks. In the more humid western mountains, argali sheep (Ovis ammon) graze on the high grasslands.
Why is Tibetan plateau still rising?
Since these sediments were light, they crumpled into mountain ranges rather than sinking to the floor. The Indo-Australian plate continues to be driven horizontally below the Tibetan Plateau, which forces the plateau to move upwards; the plateau is still rising at a rate of approximately 5 mm (0.2 in) per year.
How old are the Kunlun Mountains?
about 250 million years ago
The principal folded structures and granitic rocks of the Kunlun Mountains date to about 250 million years ago, a time during which there was much mountain building in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Why is Tibet dry?
The immense height of this mountain range cools down the winds from Southeast Asia, taking most of the rain with it as the gusts cross the higher slopes of the mountains. It is these mountains that keep the region of Tibet dry for majority of the year, with only around 460mm of rainfall a year, on average.
Where in China is the plateau of Tibet located?
You may find that Tibet lies in the southwest of China and it is whole inland. It has four neighboring provinces in China: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to its northwest and Qinghai province to its north, Sichuan province to its east and Yunnan province to its southeast.
How long is the Kunlun Mountains?
The Kunlun Mountains are part of one of the longest mountain chains in Asia, extending for more than 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi). The chain forms the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau south of the Tarim Basin.