Tectonic evolution of the India-Asia suture zone since Middle Eocene time, Lopukangri area, south-central Tibet

Suture zones often archive complex geologic histories underscored by episodes of varying style of deformation associated with intercontinental collision. In the Lopukangri area of south-central Tibet (29 degrees 54'N, 84 degrees 24'E) field relationships between tectonic units juxtaposed by the India-Asia suture are well exposed, including Indian passive margin rocks (Tethyan Sedimentary Sequence), forearc deposits (Xigaze Group), magmatic arc rocks (Gangdese batholith and Linzizong Formation) and syncollision deposits (Eocene-Miocene conglomerates). To better understand the structural history of this area, we integrated geologic mapping with biotite 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology and zircon U-Pb geochronology. The first-order structure is a system of north-directed thrusts which are part of the Great Counter thrust (GCT) that places Indian passive margin rocks and forearc deposits on top of magmatic arc rocks and syn-tectonic conglomerates. We infer the south-directed Late Oligocene Gangdese Thrust (GT) exists at unexposed structural levels based on field mapping, cross sections, and regional correlations as it has been documented immediately to the east. A granite in the footwall has a U-Pb zircon age of 38.4 +/- 0.4 Ma, interpreted to be the age of emplacement of the granite, and a younger 40Ar/39Ar biotite age of 19.7 +/- 0.1 Ma. As the granite sample is situated immediately below a nonconformity with low grade greenschist facies rocks, we interpret the younger age to reflect Miocene resetting of the biotite Ar system. Syn-tectonic deposits in the Lopukangri area consist of three conglomerate units with a total thickness of similar to 1.5 km. The lower two units consist of cobble gravel pebble conglomerates rich in volcanic and plutonic clasts, transitioning to conglomerates with only sedimentary clasts in the upper unit. We correlate the syncollision deposits to the Eocene-Oligocene Qiuwu Formation based on field relationships, stratigraphy and petrology. Petrology and clast composition suggest the lower two units of the Qiuwu Formation had a northern provenance (Lhasa block and magmatic arc) and the upper unit had a southern provenance (Tethyan Sedimentary Sequence). Our observations are consistent with paleocurrent data from other studies which suggest a predominant south-directed paleoflow for this formation. We propose a model in which: (1) granites intrude at 38.4 +/- 0.4 Ma; (2) are exhumed by erosion; (3) and buried due to regional subsidence and initial deposition of a conglomerate unit; (4) exposed by the GT at similar to 27-24 Ma to provide detritus; (5) buried a second time by hanging wall-derived sedimentary deposits and the GCT, then (6) exposed from a depth of similar to 12-10 km by a blind thrust at 19 Ma. An alternate model describes: (1) intrusion of the granites at 38.4 +/- 0.4 Ma, followed by (2) exhumation of the granites via normal faulting to provide detritus; (3) then burial by the GCT at similar to 24 Ma, followed by (4) exhumation via regional erosional denudation at similar to 19 Ma. Exposure of the GT west of Xigaze has not been confirmed. We suggest that shallower structural levels of the India-Asia suture zone are exposed to the west of the study area, compared to the east, where the GT has been previously documented. The GCT in the area is short-lived, as it is cut and offset by a Middle Miocene similar to N-striking W-dipping oblique normal fault system. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.