Latest Cretaceous Himalayan tectonics: Obduction, collision or Deccan-related uplift?

摘要: Abstract Diverging interpretations and incompatible scenarios have been proposed for the early stages of Himalayan history. Numerous researchers postulated that northern India was involved in ophiolite obduction, arc–continent, or continent–continent collision during Late Cretaceous Early Paleocene, but firm geological evidence never produced. In this article we argue against orogenic events predating when Neotethys Ocean still open. The Tethys sedimentary record testifies to anorogenic evolution, primarily controlled by dynamic uplift passive margin prior massive outburst Deccan lavas eventually followed thermal subsidence. Major stratigraphic gaps pelagic sediments suggest such tectono-magmatic episode started affect base Indian Plate Campanian possibly even Santonian, 10 20 Ma before climax flood-basalt eruptions. abrupt increase siliciclastic supply accumulation rates recorded basins all around subcontinent Maastrichtian progradation coastal quartzarenites along Paleocene. Sandstones derived from rejuvenated craton uplifted inner continental south are dominantly not exclusively quartzose. Felsitic volcanic rock fragments Cr-spinels, many which with same geochemical fingerprint as spinels newly found throughout Danian succession, resisted combined effect subequatorial weathering subsequent diagenesis, testify detritus basalts reached far South Tibet. At close Paleocene drifted away Seychelles block, subsidence led widespread carbonate deposition Himalaya. This illustrates how mega-events magmatic upwelling lithospheric cooling may control passive-margin sedimentation patterns, occurred first next latest Cretaceous/Paleocene.