Paleomagnetism of the Xigaze ophiolite and flysch (Yarlung Zangbo suture zone, southern Tibet): latitude and direction of spreading

The Xigaze ophiolite (29.2°N, 89.5°E), which outcrops in the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone, represents the remnants of an oceanic lithosphere formed in middle Cretaceous times between the Lhasa block to the north and the Indian plate to the south. In an attempt to define the paleo-orientation and latitude of the spreading center at which it has been created, a paleomagnetic study has been done on three sites in volcanics and overlying (or interbedded) radiolarites forming the upper part of the ophiolite sequence and also on seven sites in the Xigaze Group flysch which stratigraphically overlies the volcanics to the north. In each site, hand-blocks carefully oriented both with sun and magnetic compass have been sampled. The paleomagnetism data, combined with structural data on the ophiolite dolerite intrusives, allow a partial reconstruction of South Eurasia at the time of formation of the Xigaze ophiolite. The paleolatitude of accretion and deposition of the Xigaze ophiolite and overlying sediments is found to be 10–20°N. Both ophiolite and basin have encountered a 85 ± 20° anti-clockwise rotation. The corresponding ridge was close to the southern margin of the Lhasa block and was oriented N175 ± 25°.