The Wulanmoren Accretionary Complex Unravels Early Devonian to Late Triassic Multiple‐Arc Amalgamation in the Tianshan Orogen (NW China)

Abstract Reconstructing the tectonic architecture of southern Altaids is great importance to piece together continental growth history Central Asian continent. In this paper, we address subduction‐accretion process Paleo‐Tianshan Ocean, one branch South Tianshan in Altaids, through a detailed geological and geochemical investigation Wulanmoren Accretionary Complex (WAC). The WAC composed ophiolitic mélanges, ocean plate stratigraphy turbiditic coherent units. study, present key geological, petrological, evidence indicating back‐arc island affinity igneous rocks WAC. Zircon U‐Pb dates these ages range between 380.2 ± 1.3 302.0 5.3 Ma. sedimentary matrix units mélanges were deposited Early Devonian (∼405 Ma) Late Triassic (∼222 Ma), rather than Silurian strata as previously thought. However, some detrital zircons are Precambrian, pointing complex evolution involving multiple terrains arcs different that accreted from mid‐Paleozoic Mesozoic.