Rapid topographic growth of the Taiwan orogen since ~1.3-1.5 Ma.

We present the first paleotopographic reconstruction of Taiwan by measuring the hydrogen isotope composition of leaf waxes (δH) preserved in 3-Ma and younger sediments of the southern Coastal Range. Plant leaf waxes record the δH of precipitation during formation, which is related to elevation. Leaf waxes produced across the orogen are transported and deposited in adjacent sedimentary basins, providing deep-time records of the source elevation of detrital organic matter.

Mantle fluids associated with crustal-scale faulting in a continental subduction setting, Taiwan.

We report noble gas signatures of groundwater, hot springs, and bedrock samples from a major fault system that separates regional-scale blocks of accreted, continental materials in southern Taiwan. Despite the continental setting, the isotopic signatures argue for the presence of mantle derived fluids, suggesting that the active fault system is deep-seated. This is consistent with deep, non-volcanic tremors identified in the same area.