Effects of the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

The Tibetan Plateau (Qinghai–Xizang Plateau) extends over the latitude–longitude domain of 25–458N, 70–1058E, with a size of about one-quarter of the Chinese territory and a mean elevation of more than 4,000m above sea level (Figure 13.1, color section). Surface elevation changes rapidly across the boundaries of the Plateau, especially the southern boundary, and strong contrasts exist between the western and eastern parts in land surface features, vegetation, and meteorological characteristics (e.g., Ye and Gao, 1979b; Smith and Shi, 1995). At these altitudes the mass of the atmosphere over the surface is only 60% that at sea level. Because of the lower densities, various radiative processes over the Plateau, particularly in the boundary layer, are quite distinct from those over lower elevated regions (e.g., Liou and Zhou, 1987; Smith and Shi, 1992; Shi and Smith, 1992). Therefore, the Tibetan Plateau exerts profound thermal and dynamical influences on atmospheric circulation.