Abstract

Detailed investigations along the Yarlung Tsangpo suture zone, Tibet result in the following conclusions. (1) Arc, forearc, and subduction complex elements of at least one intra-oceanic island arc which once lay within Tethys and accreted to India prior to its collision with Asia are preserved within the suture. (2) Collision-related tectonic melange is widespread. (3) Temporallydistinct conglomeratic molasse units were developed; they are related to different collision events. (4) Improved radiolarian fossil data place constraints on timing of the development of intra-oceanic terranes and melange formation. (5) A simple unconformable contact occurs between Upper Oligocene–Lower Miocene conglomerates and the southern Lhasa terrane; the socalled south-directed Gangdese thrust does not exist. These new results suggest the former existence of an intra-oceanic subduction system within Tethys and indicate that considerable revision of existing models for the evolution of the Yarlung Tsangpo suture zone is required.

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