HP–UHP metamorphism and tectonic evolution of orogenic belts: introduction

Middle Paleozoic convergent orogenic belts in western Inner Mongolia (China): framework, kinematics, geochronology and implications for tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Based mainly on field geological observation and geochronologic data, six tectonic units have been recognized in western Inner Mongolia (China), including, from south to north: North China Craton (NCC), Southern Orogenic Belt (SOB), Hunshandake Block (HB), Northern Orogenic Belt (NOB), South Mongolia microcontinent (SMM), and Southern margin of Ergun Block (SME), suggesting that the tectonic fr...

Himalayan Metamorphism and Its Tectonic Implications

The Himalayan range exposes a spectacular assemblage of metamorphic rocks from the midand deep crust that have fostered numerous models of how the crust responds to continental collisions. Recent petrogenetically based petrologic and geochronologic studies elucidate processes with unprecedented resolution and critically test models that range from continuum processes to one-time events. The pro...

Role of supra-subduction zone ophiolites in the tectonic evolution of the southeastern Zagros Orogenic Belt, Iran

Ophiolitic rocks in the southeastern part of the Zagros Orogenic Belt can be separated from southwest to northeast, into two groups: the Neyriz ophiolites and the Naien–Shahrebabak–Baft ophiolites. The southeast sector of Sanandaj-Sirjan wasdelimited by the two nearly synchronous ophiolitic belts in its southwestern and northeastern margins. In this study, new ophiolitic formation models were u...

Mesozoic Basin Development and Tectonic Evolution of the Dabieshan Orogenic Belt, Central China

Why do continents break-up parallel to ancient orogenic belts?

The frequently observed parallelism between rifts and the pre­ existing orogenic fabric of continents suggests that the inherited tectonic fabric of the lithosphere influences the rupture of continents. We propose that the existence of a pervasive fabric in the lithospheric mantle induces an anisotropie strength in the lithosphere, that guides the propagation of continental rifts. Subcrustal ma...