New interpretation of tectonic model in south Tibet

Abstract

We present a new interpretation of tectonic evolution in southern Tibet that is drastically different from the existing models. A detailed tectono-sedimentary study crossing the Yarlung Zangpo ophiolite zone shows that many geological features are different from those commonly described in large subduction collision models. For example, no N–S oriented shear zones are found between the ophiolitic sequence and country flysch strata, whereas a conformable contact relationship is recognized between them. A tectonic window exists inside the ophiolite body in the Bailang region. Some intrusion-like mafic–ultramafic bodies occurred in the Renbu region, where the country strata are in sub-concordant contact with these bodies and show contact metamorphic aureole. Toward the west, the ophiolite zone was separated by flysch sequences into sub-parallel branches. In the Lhasa region, the sedimentary facies are similar on both sides of the Zangpo Valley, and have preserved an intact Mesozoic basin system. Instead of ophiolite rocks, volcaniclastic deposits occurred in the corresponding location of the ophiolite in the Zangpo Valley. Consequently, we conclude that the Zangpo ophiolite zone has a tectonic affinity of back-arc basin with its spasmodic growth of juvenile oceanic crust. The real tectonic suture, or the closure zone of the Neotethys, should be represented by the High Himalaya Central Gneiss Unit, which shows a large scale strong shearing in same orientation, high metamorphism and protracted re-mobilization. The oceanic crust subducted northward and split off the Himalaya continental front arc, created the Zangpo back-arc basin since Late Triassic. The collapse of the Zangpo back-arc basin by supra-subduction occurred since the Eocene. The final collision between India and the Himalayan arc took place since Late Eocene with a re-mobilized large shear system. The major mylonitic zones migrated progressively southward with bulk of shear slip absorbing the crust of north India and south Tibet.