The odyssey of Tibetan Plateau accretion prior to Cenozoic India-Asia collision: Probing the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Bangong-Nujiang Suture

Abstract The tectono-magmatic evolution of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethyan Ocean (BNO) plays a crucial role in understanding the Tibetan Plateau accretion before the Cenozoic India-Asia collision. The microcontinents and oceanic plateau recognized recently within the BNO provide important clues for constructing the subduction process between BNO and the Qiangtang terrane (QT). In this contribution, we provide a comprehensive overview of the multidisciplinary information from magmatism, metamorphism, stratigraphy, geochronology, geochemistry, Hf isotopic data, ophiolite suites, and paleomagnetism to gain insights into the spatially and temporally related geodynamic processes of the BNO. A compilation of geochronological data indicates that the emplacement of the diverse igneous suites occurred mainly during three stages: stage 1 (190–150 Ma), stage 2 (130–110 Ma), and stage 3 (110–70 Ma). The igneous suites, including granitoids, mafic intrusions and volcanic rocks, formed two arcuate E–W trending belts that parallel the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone (BNSZ) and are correlated to the double sided subduction of the BNO. We infer that the BNO initially opened at ~270 Ma between the Lhasa terrane and QT, although the relationship between the BNO and Longmu Tso-Shuanghu paleo-Tethyan ocean (LSO) is still unclear. Age data related to metamorphism, arc magmatism, supra-subduction zone (SSZ) ophiolites, and sedimentary strata indicate that the northward subduction of the BNO started at ~190 Ma, followed by the subduction of microcontinents beneath the QT at 195 Ma. In contrast, the subsequent southward subduction of the BNO started at ~170 Ma, resulting in the opening of the Shiquanhe-Namuco ocean (SNO). As indicated by the high Mg volcanic suite, intra-ocean subduction within the BNO also occurred during 170-145 Ma, possibly related to the resistance from subduction of ocean plateau and slab retreat. Based on evidence from petrology, isotope geochronology, and isotopic geochemistry, we also infer that the magmatic lull during 145–130 Ma is related to the slab subduction of ocean plateau beneath the SQ. The closure of the BNO was most likely diachronous, which started as early as Late Jurassic and continued to the late Early Cretaceous (120–110 Ma).