AFT data from the Qilian Shan indicate stepwise northeastward growth of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau since the early Eocene, corresponding to India–Eurasia collision.
Rapid cooling during Cretaceous corresponds to the collision of the Lhasa block with the Eurasian.
Rapid cooling since early Eocene in the South Qilian Shan corresponds to India–Eurasia collision.
The study results shed light on the tectonic evolution of the Qilian Shan.