Adakitic Rocks Resulting from Partial Melting of Metabasite at High-Pressure Granulite-Facies Condition during Continental Collision

Objective Previous studies on adakitic rocks with high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios have established that such rocks may form in a variety of tectonic settings through different petrogenetic processes including： （1） partial melting of subducted young （〈25 Ma）, hot and hydrated oceanic slab; （2） partial melting of thickened lower crust; （3） assimilation and fractional crystallization processes involving basaltic magma; （4） partial melting of delaminated lower crust; and （5） partial melting of hydrous garnet peridotite. The various origins for adakites provide important constraints on crustal growth and evolution throughout the Earth＇s history.

STUDY ON UNIFIED INTER-SPHERICAL ACTING OF CONTINENTAL COLLISION OF TIBET PLATEAU

At first, the paper reviews, analyses and discusses uplifting mechanism and history, current situation of Tibet plateau. Coal\|bearing strata and coal seam were discovered by surveying and many rocks samples and structural samples were collected, which established the foundation for further studying. From all above, the paper has studied strata system, time\|spatial evolution, magma activity and its regularity of continental collision of Tibet plateau and rock’s mechanical features under high temperature and pressure. The paper has also summerized tectonic features, studied geological process by time coordinate and proposed multidisciplinary geological model. The paper has proposed evolutinal model of modern structural stress field in early quaternary, modern structural stress field and crustal deformation and explored geophysical field features and deep structures from man\|mad earthquake, regional gravity field and electrical structures, thus established geophysical field model. In addition, the paper proposed overall dynamic model according to stress field, displacement orientation and velocity restriction condition, indoplate collision to Eurasia.Thoroughly, the paper has studied and stated mechanical system, non\|stability, multibody collision mechanics and mantle plume mechanical model and established mechanical model. Finally, the paper has studied numeral simulation about spheric inter\|acting during continental collision of Tibet plateau, from this, analysed and inferred its evolution history.

Introduction to “Metallogenesis of Continental Collision”

There is a general consensus that Plate Tectonics can explain metallogenesis based on the collisions between oceanic and continental crust. For instance, the large-sized porphyry copper deposits that occur along the Cordillera of the Andes around the east coast of the Pacific, and in the Phillipines, Malaysia and Indonesia along the western coast of the Pacific that sit upon the massive Pacific plates. They are considered to be typical of deposits resulting from collision between the oceanic and continental crust. Many experts, however, have long held a negative view about whether the collision between continental crusts can lead to metallogenesis. In recent years, Chinese geologists have proposed a new concept for ＂Continent-Continent Collision Metallogenesis＂ after many years of studying in the Qinghai--Tibet Plateau. Here we give a brief introduction to this idea.

Tectonic Nature of the Northern Segment of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt:A Rift or Continental Collision Belt?

Objective The tectonic characteristics and evolution of the Paleoproterozoic Jiao-Liao-Ji belt have been extensively studied in recent decades （Fig. 1 a）. Two main models have been proposed for the formation of this belt： a continental-or arc-continent collisional belt, and the opening and closure of an intra-continental rift. The main reasons for these ongoing debates are own to the complex composition, including metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary rocks, multiple pulses of granitic magmatism, meta-mafic intrusions, and tectono- metamorphic history. In addition, earlier work focused on the geochronology and metamorphic evolution, whereas the source properties, petrogenesis, and tectonic setting of the metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary sequence and meta- mafic intrusions are poorly understood.

India-Eurasian collision vs. ocean-continent collision

Ample observational evidence shows that there is a northward crustal subduction zone underneath the Yarlung Zangbo suture between India and Eurasia. It penetrates Moho to a depth of about 100 km. There are probably multiple such crustal subductions under the Himalayas. They are different from lithosphere subduction during oceanic collisions. The detected slabs in the upper mantle north of the Yarlung Zangbo suture can be interpreted as remains of the Indian Plate＇s mantle lithosphere. In contrary to ocean-continent subduction, the mantle lithosphere is de- laminated from the crust as the Indian Plate subducts underneath Eurasia. Existing structural images of the crust and upper mantle of the Tibetan Plateau reveal that there were both northward and southward subductions over different geological period, causing some seismic velocity annmalies around those subduction zones.

Pre-collision Granites and Post-collision Intrusive Assemblage of the Kelameili-Harlik Orogenic Belt

The main types of intrusive rocks in the Kelameili-Harlik Hercynian orogenic belt include calc-alkaline granites, diabase dykes, kaligranites and alkaline granites. Investigation in field geology, petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry shows that the calc-alkaline granites belong to the syntexis-type (or I-type) and were formed in a pre-collisional magmatic arc environment. In consideration of the fact that kaligranites have many features of alkaline granites with higher consolidation temperatures than the calc-alkaline granites and show a discontinuity of minor element and REE evolution in respect to the calc-alkaline granites, they could not have been derived by differentiation of magmas for the calc-alkaline granites, but are likely to have been generated in an environment analogous to that for alkaline granites. The triplet of basic dyke swarms, kaligranites and alkaline granites could be regarded as a prominent indication of the initial stage of post-collisional delamination and extension. These rocks might have originated from underplating and intraplating of mantle-derived magmas at varying levels with varying degrees of partial melting, mixing, and interchange of crustal and mantle materials

Post-Late Paleozoic Collisional Framework of Southern Great Altai

We outline the post-Late Paleozoic （latest Permian to Cenozoic） collisional framework of the southern Great Altai （Central Asia） produced by the convergence between the Tuva-Mongolia and Junggar continental terranes （microplates）. The collisional structures in the region classified on the basis of their geometry and deformation style, dynamic metamorphism, and compositions of tectonites are of three main types： （1） mosaic terranes made up of large weakly deformed Paleozoic blocks separated by younger shear zones; （2） contractional deformation systems involving structures formed in post-Late Paleozoic time, parallel faults oriented along collisional deformation systems, and relict lenses of Paleozoic orogenic complexes; and （3） isolated zones of dynamic metamorphism composed mostly of collisional tectonites different in composition and alteration grade.

The Himalayan Collisional Orogeny:A Metamorphic Perspective

This paper introduces how crustal thickening controls the growth of the Himalaya by summarizing the P-T-t evolution of the Himalayan metamorphic core.The Himalayan orogeny was divided into three stages.Stage 60–40 Ma:The Himalayan crust thickened to~40 km through Barrovian-type metamorphism(15–25°C/km),and the Himalaya rose from<0 to~1000 m.Stage 40–16 Ma:The crust gradually thickened to 60–70 km,resulting in abundant high-grade metamorphism and anatexis(peak-P,15–25°C/km;peak-T,>30°C/km).The three sub-sheets in the Himalayan metamorphic core extruded southward sequentially through imbricate thrusts of the Eo-Himalayan thrust,High Himalayan thrust,and Main Central thrust,and the Himalaya rose to≥5,000 m.Stage 16–0 Ma:the mountain roots underwent localized delamination,causing asthenospheric upwelling and overprinting of the lower crust by ultra-high-temperature metamorphism(30–50°C/km),and the Himalaya reached the present elevation of~6,000 m.Underplating and imbricate thrusting dominated the Himalaya’growth and topographic rise,conforming to the critical taper wedge model.Localized delamination of mountain roots facilitated further topographic rise.Future Himalayan metamorphic studies should focus on extreme metamorphism and major collisional events,contact metamorphism and rare metal mineralization,metamorphic decarbonation and the carbon cycle in collisional belts.

Geophysical signatures of fluids in a reactivated Precambrian collisional suture in central India

The Central India Tectonic Zone （CITZ） marks the trace of a major suture zone along which the south Indian and the north Indian continental blocks were assembled through subduction-accretion- collision tectonics in the Mesoproterozoic. The CITZ also witnessed the major, plume-related, late Cretaceous Deccan volcanic activity, covering substantial parts of the region with continental flood basalts and associated magmatic provinces. A number of major fault zones dissect the region, some of which are seismically active. Here we present results from gravity modeling along five regional profiles in the CITZ, and combine these results with magnetotelluric （MT） modeling results to explain the crustal architecture. The models show a resistive （more than 2000 Ω. m） and a normal density （2.70 g/cm3） upper crust suggesting dominant tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite （TTG） composition. There is a marked correlation between both high-density （2.95 g/cm3） and low-density （2.65 g/cm3） regions with high conductive zones （〈80 Ω. m） in the deep crust. We infer the presence of an interconnected grain boundary network of fluids or fluid-hosted structures, where the conductors are associated with gravity lows. Based on the conductive nature, we propose that the lower crustal rocks are fluid reservoirs, where the fluids occur as trapped phase within minerals, fluid-filled porosity, or as fluid-rich structural conduits. We envisage that substantial volume of fluids were transferred from mantle into the lower crust through the younger plume-related Deccan volcanism, as well as the reactivation, fracturing and expulsion of fluids transported to depth during the Mesoproterozoic subduction tectonics. Migration of the fluids into brittle fault zones such as the Narmada North Fault and the Narmada South Fault resulted in generating high pore pressures and weakening of the faults, as reflected in the seismicity. This inference is also supported by the presence of broad gravity lows near these faults, as well as the low velocity in the lower crust beneath regions of recent major earthquakes within the CITZ.

Partial melting of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks at convergent continental margins: Evidences, melt compositions and physical effects

Ultrahigh-pressure（UHP） metamorphic rocks are distinctive products of crustal deep subduction,and are mainly exposed in continental subduction-collision terranes. UHP slices of continental crust are usually involved in multistage exhumation and partial melting, which has obvious influence on the rheological features of the rocks, and thus significantly affect the dynamic behavior of subducted slices. Moreover,partial melting of UHP rocks have significant influence on element mobility and related isotope behavior within continental subduction zones, which is in turn crucial to chemical differentiation of the continental crust and to crust-mantle interaction.Partial melting can occur before, during or after the peak metamorphism of UHP rocks. Post-peak decompression melting has been better constrained by remelting experiments; however, because of multiple stages of decompression, retrogression and deformation, evidence of former melts in UHP rocks is often erased. Field evidence is among the most reliable criteria to infer partial melting. Glass and nanogranitoid inclusions are generally considered conclusive petrographic evidence. The residual assemblages after melt extraction are also significant to indicate partial melting in some cases. Besides field and petrographic evidence, bulk-rock and zircon trace-element geochemical features are also effective tools for recognizing partial melting of UHP rocks. Phase equilibrium modeling is an important petrological tool that is becoming more and more popular in P-T estimation of the evolution of metamorphic rocks; by taking into account the activity model of silicate melt, it can predict when partial melting occurred if the P-T path of a given rock is provided.UHP silicate melt is commonly leucogranitic and peraluminous in composition with high SiO_2,low MgO, FeO, MnO, TiO_2 and CaO, and variable K_2 O and Na_2 O contents. Mineralogy of nanogranites found in UHP rocks mainly consists of plagioclase ＋ K-feldspar ＋ quartz, plagioclase being commonly albite-rich.Trace element pattern of the melt is characterized by significant enrichment of large ion lithophile elements（LILE）, depletion of heavy rare earth elements（HREE） and high field strength elements（HFSE）,indicating garnet and rutile stability in the residual assemblage. In eclogites, significant Mg-isotope fractionation occurs between garnet and phengite; therefore, Mg isotopes may become an effective indicator for partial melting of eclogites.

ANALYSIS ON GOLD AND COPPER ORE-FORMING SYSTEM WITH COLLISION OROGENY OF EASTERN TIANSHAN

According to tectono stratigraphical division principle, different units in Kangguertage Huangshan collision zone, Eastern Tianshan, are divided into order and disorder two types of stratum rock associations, which belong to two kinds of different tectono volcanic activity belts. The collision ororeny and ductile shear zone have a strong space time coupling. Based on the island arc bearing volcanic rock on both sides of the collision zone, time of ore forming and rock forming, characteristics of collision granit, geochemical province, special multistage collision orogeny and intracontinental orogeny basin forming developed features have been found. Gold and copper deposits, with the relation to the collision orogeny, are divided into seven genetic types. The ten metallogenic zones are classified into two kinds of ore forming system of paleo continental margin. Metallogenesis of gold deposits can be classified into five stages. Gold and copper deposits are distributed in belts with the relation to the development of the collision orogeny. The distribution of main large scale copper deposits in the north part of the collision zone and most large middle scale gold deposits in the south part of the collision zone can direct the prospecting for gold and copper deposits. The actual targets are put forward.

A Paleogeographic and Depositional Model for the Neogene Fluvial Succession, Pishin Belt, Northwest Pakistan: Effect of Post Collisional Tectonics on Sedimentation in a Peripheral Foreland Setting

Detailed facies analysis of the Neogene successions of the Pishin Belt （Katawaz Basin） has enabled documentation of successive depositional systems and paleogeographic settings of the basin formed by the collision of the northwestern continental margin of the Indian Plate and the Afghan Block. During the Early Miocene, subaerial sedimentation started after the final closure of the Katawaz Remnant Ocean. Based on detailed field data, twelve facies were recognized in Neogene successions exposed in the Pishin Belt. These facies were further organized into four facies associations i.e. channels, crevasse splay, natural levee and floodplain facies associations. Facies associations and variations provided ample evidence to recognize a number of fluvial architectural components in the succession e.g., low-sinuosity sandy braided river, mixed-load meandering, high-sinuosity meandering channels, single-story sandstone and/or conglomerate channels, lateral accretion surfaces （point bars） and alluvial fans. Neogene sedimentation in the Pishin Belt was mainly controlled by active tectonism and thrusting in response to the oblique collision of the Indian Plate with the Afghan Block of the Eurasian Plate along the Chaman-Nushki Fault. Post Miocene deformation of these formations successively caused them to contribute as an additional source terrain for the younger formations.

青藏高原陆陆碰撞-挤出活动构造体系控震作用:以1990年以来强震活动为例

青藏高原是地中海-喜马拉雅地震带上强震活动最频繁的区域之一,深入认识该区的活动构造体系控震效应对于区域强震危险性分析具有重要科学意义。从陆陆碰撞-挤出活动构造体系角度,对青藏高原自1990年以来的MW≥6.0强震活动及控震构造机制进行分析发现,青藏高原陆陆碰撞-挤出构造体系对区域强震活动起到显著控制作用,区域强震事件尤其是MW≥6.5地震主要出现在构造体系的主要边界断裂带上,并显示出相对有规律的时空迁移过程,而且青藏高原东部的多层次挤出-旋转活动构造体系构成了1990年以来强震过程的主要控震构造,其次是喜马拉雅主前缘逆冲断裂带。因此,青藏高原挤出构造体系应是未来强震活动趋势分析最值得关注的区域,尤其是当前最为活跃的巴颜喀拉次级挤出构造单元。对比分析土耳其安纳托利亚板块及周边的强震活动发现,该区具有类似的陆陆碰撞-挤出构造体系及控震效应,表明该构造体系是陆内造山中的一种典型的控震构造。进一步综合分析认为,活动构造体系控震效应的主要表现:一是构造体系中主要断块的边界断裂带通常是强震活动的主要场所;二是构造体系中不同构造带的强震活动常具有联动效应或相互触发关系,其中的复杂或特殊构造部位则是易出现双震或震群活动的场所;三是当构造体系中某个构造单元或构造带处于活跃阶段时,便会出现强震丛集现象。另外,充分认识构造体系中主要活动断层间的协调变形关系,活动断层带上的强震活动的分段破裂行为,以及活动断层上强震原地复发通常存在“周期长、准周期性和丛集性”的特点等,有助于在根据活动构造体系分析区域未来强震活动趋势时更为准确地判定活动断层带的未来强震危险性。

青藏高原1990年以来的M_W≥6.5强震事件及活动构造体系控震效应

深入认识青藏高原陆陆碰撞-挤出构造体系作用下的强震活动特点及未来强震活动趋势,对于区域防震减灾具有重要科学意义。统计分析青藏高原及邻区1900年以来的M≥6.0强震活动发现,青藏高原自1950年西藏墨脱—察隅8.6级大地震以来正处于新一轮相对缓慢的地震能释放期,但1990年以来的强震发生率和地震释放能显示出逐步增高趋势,并可能预示下一轮地震能快速释放期的临近。活动构造体系控震分析表明,青藏高原陆陆碰撞-挤出构造体系中的“多层次挤出-旋转活动构造体系”构成了1990年以来新一轮M_W≥6.5强震活动的主要控震构造,尤其是其中的巴颜喀拉挤出构造单元的强震活动最为显著,指示其目前正处于构造活跃状态,而且这一状态可能仍将持续。综合研究认为,在区域强震活动趋势分析中,充分认识活动构造体系控震效应,将有助于更好地分析判断区域未来强震时空迁移过程及最可能出现的构造部位。考虑到当前强震活动过程中,青藏高原“多层次挤出-旋转活动构造体系”的未来强震活动趋势仍会持续,需要重点关注挤出块体边界上3条大型左旋走滑断裂带,阿尔金—祁连—海原断裂系、东昆仑断裂带和鲜水河—小江断裂带的未来强震危险性,其次是断块内部断裂。

深部过程和物质架构对大陆碰撞带Cu-REE成矿系统的控制:以冈底斯和三江碰撞带为例

青藏高原是全球最典型的大陆碰撞带,发育世界级规模的斑岩Cu成矿带和REE成矿带,但目前尚不清楚大陆碰撞如何控制它们的形成。基本问题是:触发碰撞增厚的岩石圈熔融的机制,岩石圈架构与Cu-REE成矿的关系以及Cu-REE和挥发分的来源及成矿机制。利用深反射地震和卫星重力数据的联合反演,结合大地电磁(MT)阵列和地球化学数据,对冈底斯正向碰撞带和三江侧向碰撞带的岩石圈结构进行了成像分析,探讨深部过程和物质架构对于Cu-REE成矿的控制。新生代印度大陆-亚洲大陆碰撞过程中,俯冲的印度大陆岩石圈发生了显著的撕裂,从而为软流圈上升流提供了通道,改造了上覆的岩石圈并引发融熔。这一过程产生超钾质熔体,这些熔体上升并在地壳底部积聚,其高的热流值和挥发分释放诱发了上覆新生下地壳的熔融形成富水岩浆,角闪石分离结晶造成岩浆氧化,这种富水高氧逸度的岩浆有利于Cu的迁移和富集。研究表明,三个关键因素形成了与碰撞相关的斑岩矿床:中等角度板片俯冲,板片撕裂和富硫化物新生下地壳的熔融。在三江侧向碰撞带的扬子克拉通边缘,由印度大陆俯冲或地幔对流驱动的热软流圈的垂直上升流和横向流动导致克拉通大陆岩石圈发生热侵蚀和部分熔融。克拉通边缘的大陆岩石圈先前经历了来自再循环海洋沉积物的富含REE和CO_(2)的流体的交代作用,从而富集了REE,后来又被沿着岩石圈不连续面(例如走滑断层、裂谷)上升的碳酸岩熔体携带,形成大型的碳酸岩型稀土矿床。而缺乏源区交代作用的克拉通大陆岩石圈的熔融可能会产生碳酸岩、超钾质岩和镁铁质岩熔体,但它们形成碳酸岩型稀土矿床的潜力有限。

西藏南部绒布地区上白垩统宗卓组沉积相与沉积环境演化

宗卓组地层作为中生代海相沉积的重要组成部分,记载了西藏南部地区白垩纪古海洋、古气候等重要地质历史信息。通过对砂岩进行镜下观察、物源分析、粒度分析等方面的研究,笔者等对绒布地区上白垩统宗卓组的沉积相类型和沉积环境演化有了新的认识。粒度分析指示沉积时期水体搬运动力较弱、存在浊流沉积;宗卓组内3种不同类型的砂岩镜下特征、地球化学特征和锆石U-Pb年龄,指示3类砂岩的物源不同。笔者等在宗卓组共识别出陆棚相、大陆斜坡相和深海盆地3类沉积相,并对其进行了更为详细的划分。晚白垩世新特提斯洋壳向北俯冲,俯冲结束后印度—亚洲大陆发生初始碰撞。结合研究区构造背景分析,笔者等推测这是导致研究区沉积环境由半深海环境变为深海环境的原因。对研究区宗卓组地层和砂岩来源进行分析后得出:在洋壳俯冲阶段,宗卓组为被动大陆边缘沉积;在之后印度—亚洲陆陆碰撞的初始碰撞阶段,特提斯喜马拉雅被动陆缘已不复存在,并完全过渡为前陆盆地。

华南雪峰山地区新元古代岩石弹性性质研究

雪峰山构造带位于华南大陆中部,中国深地专项对雪峰山构造带进行地震探测,并且获取了地震剖面,通过地震资料解释认为雪峰山下面存在隐伏造山带,时代为古元古代(2.05~1.75 Ga),并且经历了新元古代裂谷作用改造,该裂谷作用可能与罗迪尼亚超大陆裂解有关,对于重新认识华南大地构造演化历史以及重建全球罗迪尼亚超大陆和哥伦比亚超大陆演化模式具有重要意义。论文通过采用超声波脉冲透射方法研究雪峰山地区新元古代板溪群、冷家溪群轻变质—沉积岩波速特征,结果表明波速随压力呈非线性迅速增加,超过临界压力后,波速随压力呈逐渐缓慢线性增加。线理、面理发育的岩石,最快波方向平行面理、线理,最慢波方向垂直面理、线理,岩石地震波速各向异性介于2%~12%之间。对比理论计算波速与实验测量波速可知,理论计算结果与实际测量结果一致性较好,说明实验测量波速大小基本准确,为雪峰山地区地震资料解释提供了波速数据。

Developing the plate tectonics from oceanic subduction to continental collision

The studies of continental deep subduction and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism have not only promoted the development of solid earth science in China, but also provided an excellent opportunity to advance the plate tectonics theory. In view of the nature of subducted crust, two types of subduction and collision have been respectively recognized in nature. On one hand, the crustal subduction occurs due to underflow of either oceanic crust (Pacific type) or continental crust (Alpine type). On the other hand, the continental collision proceeds by arc-continent collision (Himalaya-Tibet type) or continent-continent collision (Dabie-Sulu type). The key issues in the future study of continental dynamics are the chemical changes and differential exhumation in continental deep subduction zones, and the temporal-spatial transition from oceanic subduction to continental subduction.

A review on the numerical geodynamic modeling of continental subduction,collision and exhumation

Continental subduction and collision normally follows oceanic subduction,with the remarkable event of formation and exhumation of high-to ultra-high-pressure(HP-UHP)metamorphic rocks.Based on the summary of numerical geodynamic models,six modes of continental convergence have been identified:pure shear thickening,folding and buckling,one-sided steep subduction,flat subduction,two-sided subduction,and subducting slab break-off.In addition,the exhumation of HP-UHP rocks can be formulated into eight modes:thrust fault exhumation,buckling exhumation,material circulation,overpressure model,exhumation of a coherent crustal slice,episodic ductile extrusion,slab break-off induced eduction,and exhumation through fractured overriding lithosphere.During the transition from subduction to exhumation,the weakening and detachment of subducted continental crust are prerequisites.However,the dominant weakening mechanisms and their roles in the subduction channel are poorly constrained.To a first degree approximation,the mechanism of continental subduction and exhumation can be treated as a subduction channel flow model,which incorporates the competing effects of downward Couette(subduction)flow and upward Poiseuille(exhumation)flow in the subduction channel.However,the(de-)hydration effect plays significant roles in the deformation of subduction channel and overriding lithosphere,which thereby result in very different modes from the simple subduction channel flow.Three-dimensionality is another important issue with highlighting the along-strike differential modes of continental subduction,collision and exhumation in the same continental convergence belt.

Constraining the timing of the India-Asia continental collision by the sedimentary record

Placing precise constraints on the timing of the India-Asia continental collision is essential to understand the successive geological and geomorphological evolution of the orogenic belt as well as the uplift mechanism of the Tibetan Plateau and their effects on climate,environment and life.Based on the extensive study of the sedimentary record on both sides of the Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone in Tibet,we review here the present state of knowledge on the timing of collision onset,discuss its possible diachroneity along strike,and reconstruct the early structural and topographic evolution of the Himalayan collided range.We define continent-continent collision as the moment when the oceanic crust is completely consumed at one point where the two continental margins come into contact.We use two methods to constrain the timing of collision onset:(1) dating the provenance change from Indian to Asian recorded by deep-water turbidites near the suture zone,and(2) dating the age of unconformities on both sides of the suture zone.The first method allowed us to constrain precisely collision onset as middle Palaeocene(59±l Ma).Marine sedimentation persisted in the collisional zone for another 20-25 Ma locally in southern Tibet,and molassic-type deposition in the Indian foreland basin did not begin until another 10-15 Ma later.Available sedimentary evidence failed to firmly document any significant diachroneity of collision onset from the central Himalaya to the western Himalaya and Pakistan so far.Based on the Cenozoic stratigraphic record of the Tibetan Himalaya,four distinct stages can be identified in the early evolution of the Himalayan orogen:(1) middle Palaeocene-early Eocene earliest Eohimalayan stage(from 59 to 52 Ma):collision onset and filling of the deep-water trough along the suture zone while carbonate platform sedimentation persisted on the inner Indian margin;(2) early-middle Eocene early Eohimalayan stage(from 52 to 41 or 35 Ma):filling of intervening seaways and cessation of marine sedimentation;(3) late Eocene-Oligocene late Eohimalayan stage(from 41 to 25 Ma):huge gap in the sedimentary record both in the collision zone and in the Indian foreland;and(4) late Oligocene-early Miocene early Neohimalayan stage(from 26 to 17 Ma):rapid Himalayan growth and onset of molasse-type sedimentation in the Indian foreland basin.