Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 27 November 1992:
Vol. 258. no. 5087, pp. 1466 - 1470
DOI: 10.1126/science.258.5087.1466
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Simultaneous Miocene Extension and Shortening in the Himalayan Orogen

K. V. Hodges 1, R. R. Parrish 2, T. B. Housh 1, D. R. Lux 3, B. C. Burchfiel 1, L. H. Royden 1, and Z. Chen 4

1 Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
2 Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E8, Canada
3 Department of Geology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469
4 Chengdu Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chengdu 610082, Sichuan, China

The South Tibetan detachment system separates the high-grade metamorphic core of the Himalayan orogen from its weakly metamorphosed suprastructure. It is thought to have developed in response to differences in gravitational potential energy produced by crustal thickening across the mountain front. Geochronologic data from the Rongbuk Valley, north of Qomolangma (Mount Everest) in southern Tibet, demonstrate that at least one segment of the detachment system was active between 19 and 22 million years ago, an interval characterized by large-scale crustal thickening at lower structural levels. These data suggest that decoupling between an extending upper crust and a converging lower crust was an important aspect of Himalayan tectonics in Miocene time.

Submitted on July 6, 1992
Accepted on October 2, 1992


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Late tectonic and metamorphic evolution of the Piedmont accretionary wedge (Queyras Schistes lustres, western Alps): Evidences for tilting during Alpine collision.
S. Schwartz, P. Tricart, J.-M. Lardeaux, S. Guillot, and O. Vidal (2009)
Geological Society of America Bulletin 121, 502-518
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Pre-Miocene deformation of the Himalayan superstructure, Hidden valley, central Nepal.
D. A. Kellett and L. Godin (2009)
Journal of the Geological Society 166, 261-275
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The role of mantle delamination in widespread Late Cretaceous extension and magmatism in the Cordilleran orogen, western United States.
M. L. Wells and T. D. Hoisch (2008)
Geological Society of America Bulletin 120, 515-530
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Diagnostic features and processes in the construction and evolution of Oman-, Zagros-, Himalayan-, Karakoram-, and Tibetan-type orogenic belts.
M. P. Searle (2007)
Geological Society of America Memoirs 200, 41-61
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Styles of continental contraction: A review and introduction.
R. W. H. Butler and S. Mazzoli (2006)
Geological Society of America Special Papers 414, 1-10
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Channel flow, ductile extrusion and exhumation in continental collision zones: an introduction.
L. Godin, D. Grujic, R. D. Law, and M. P. Searle (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 1-23
   Abstract »    PDF »
A synthesis of the Channel Flow-Extrusion hypothesis as developed for the Himalayan-Tibetan orogenic system.
K. V. Hodges (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 71-90
   Abstract »    PDF »
Kinematic dilatancy effects on orogenic extrusion.
B. Grasemann, M. A. Edwards, and G. Wiesmayr (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 183-199
   Abstract »    PDF »
Ductile extrusion in continental collision zones: ambiguities in the definition of channel flow and its identification in ancient orogens.
R. R. Jones, R. E. Holdsworth, M. Hand, and B. Goscombe (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 201-219
   Abstract »    PDF »
Locking of southward extrusion in favour of rapid crustal-scale buckling of the Greater Himalayan sequence, Nar valley, central Nepal.
L. Godin, T. P. Gleeson, M. P. Searle, T. D. Ullrich, and R. R. Parrish (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 269-292
   Abstract »    PDF »
40Ar/39Ar thermochronological constraints on the cooling and exhumation history of the South Tibetan Detachment System, Nyalam area, southern Tibet.
Y. Wang, Q. Li, and G. Qu (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 327-354
   Abstract »    PDF »
Crustal structure, restoration and evolution of the Greater Himalaya in Nepal-South Tibet: implications for channel flow and ductile extrusion of the middle crust.
M. P. Searle, R. D. Law, and M. J. Jessup (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 355-378
   Abstract »    PDF »
Structural evolution and vorticity of flow during extrusion and exhumation of the Greater Himalayan Slab, Mount Everest Massif, Tibet/Nepal: implications for orogen-scale flow partitioning.
M. J. Jessup, R. D. Law, M. P. Searle, and M. S. Hubbard (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 379-413
   Abstract »    PDF »
Normal-sense shear zones in the core of the Higher Himalayan Crystallines (Bhutan Himalaya): evidence for extrusion?.
R. Carosi, C. Montomoli, D. Rubatto, and D. Visona (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 425-444
   Abstract »    PDF »
Oligocene-Miocene middle crustal flow in southern Tibet: geochronology of Mabja Dome.
J. Lee, W. McClelland, Y. Wang, A. Blythe, and M. McWilliams (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 445-469
   Abstract »    PDF »
The Malashan gneiss dome in south Tibet: comparative study with the Kangmar dome with special reference to kinematics of deformation and origin of associated granites.
M. Aoya, S. R. Wallis, T. Kawakami, J. Lee, Y. Wang, and H. Maeda (2006)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 268, 471-495
   Abstract »    PDF »
Thermal Constraints on the Emplacement Rate of a Large Intrusive Complex: The Manaslu Leucogranite, Nepal Himalaya.
C. ANNEN, B. SCAILLET, and R. S. J. SPARKS (2006)
J. Petrology 47, 71-95
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
North-south extension in the Tibetan crust triggered by granite emplacement.
M. Aoya, S. R. Wallis, K. Terada, J. Lee, T. Kawakami, Y. Wang, and M. Heizler (2005)
Geology 33, 853-856
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
U-Pb zircon constraints on the tectonic evolution of southeastern Tibet, Namche Barwa Area.
A. L. Booth, P. K. Zeitler, W. S.F. Kidd, J. Wooden, Y. Liu, B. Idleman, M. Hren, and C. P. Chamberlain (2004)
Am J Sci 304, 889-929
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Strain, deformation temperatures and vorticity of flow at the top of the Greater Himalayan Slab, Everest Massif, Tibet.
R. D. Law, R.D. Law, M.P. Searle, and R.L. Simpson (2004)
Journal of the Geological Society 161, 305-320
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The structural geometry, metamorphic and magmatic evolution of the Everest massif, High Himalaya of Nepal-South Tibet.
M. P. Searle, M.P. SEARLE, R.L. SIMPSON, R.D. LAW, R.R. PARRISH, and D.J. WATERS (2003)
Journal of the Geological Society 160, 345-366
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Thermal and baric evolution of garnet granulites from the Kharta region of S Tibet, E Himalaya.
A. BORGHI, D. CASTELLI, B. LOMBARDO, and D. VISONA (2003)
European Journal of Mineralogy 15, 401-418
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Encouraging the extrusion of deep-crustal rocks in collisional zones.
A. Hynes (2002)
Mineralogical Magazine 66, 5-24
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Pressure-temperature paths from garnet-zoning: Evidence for multiple episodes of thrust burial in the hinterland of the Sevier orogenic belt.
T. D. Hoisch, M. L. Wells, and L. M. Hanson (2002)
American Mineralogist 87, 115-131
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Seismic stratigraphy and correlation of major regional unconformities in the northern Arabian Sea.
C. Gaedicke, A. Prexl, H.-U. Schluter, H. Meyer, H. Roeser, and P. Clift (2002)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 195, 25-36
   Abstract »    PDF »
A brief history of the Indus River.
P. D. Clift (2002)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 195, 237-258
   Abstract »    PDF »
U-Th-Pb Dating of Phosphate Minerals.
T. M. Harrison, E. J. Catlos, and J.-M. Montel (2002)
Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 48, 524-558
   Full Text »    PDF »
Development of the Indus Fan and its significance for the erosional history of the Western Himalaya and Karakoram.
P.D. Clift, N. Shimizu, G.D. Layne, J.S. Blusztajn, C. Gaedicke, H.-U. Schluter, M.K. Clark, and S. Amjad (2001)
Geological Society of America Bulletin 113, 1039-1051
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Structure of the Main Central Thrust zone and extrusion of the High Himalayan deep crustal wedge, Kishtwar-Zanskar Himalaya.
B. J. Stephenson, B. J. STEPHENSON, M. P. SEARLE, D. J. WATERS, and D. C. REX (2001)
Journal of the Geological Society 158, 637-652
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Himalayan inverted metamorphism and syn-convergence extension as a consequence of a general shear extrusion.
J.-C. Vannay, J.-C. VANNAY, and B. GRASEMANN (2001)
Geological Magazine 138, 253-276
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Neotectonics of the Thakkhola graben and implications for recent activity on the South Tibetan fault system in the central Nepal Himalaya.
J. M. Hurtado Jr, K. V. Hodges, and K. X Whipple (2001)
Geological Society of America Bulletin 113, 222-240
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Episodicity during orogenesis.
G. S. Lister, M. A. Forster, and T. J. Rawling (2001)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 184, 89-113
   Abstract »    PDF »
Th-Pb ion-microprobe dating of allanite.
E.J. Catlos, S. S. Sorensen, and T. M. Harrison (2000)
American Mineralogist 85, 633-648
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Tectonics of the Himalaya and southern Tibet from two perspectives.
K. V. Hodges (2000)
Geological Society of America Bulletin 112, 324-350
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Reconstructing early Himalayan tectonic evolution and paleogeography from Tertiary foreland basin sedimentary rocks, northern India.
Y. Najman and E. Garzanti (2000)
Geological Society of America Bulletin 112, 435-449
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The evolution of the Main Mantle Thrust in the Western Syntaxis, Northern Pakistan.
T. W. Argles (2000)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 170, 101-122
   Abstract »    PDF »
Extensional and compressional faults in the Everest Lhotse massif, Khumbu Himalaya, Nepal.
M. P. SEARLE (1999)
Journal of the Geological Society 156, 227-240
   Abstract »    PDF »
The thermodynamics of Himalayan orogenesis.
K. V. Hodges (1998)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 138, 7-22
   Abstract »    PDF »
Miocene, north-vergent extensional displacements along the Main Mantle Thrust, NW Himalaya, Pakistan.
K. J. VINCE and P. J. TRELOAR (1996)
Journal of the Geological Society 153, 677-680
   Abstract »    PDF »
Active tectonism in the intracontinental Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco: synchronous crustal shortening and extension.
F. GOMEZ, M. BARAZANGI, and M. BENSAID (1996)
Journal of the Geological Society 153, 389-402
   Abstract »    PDF »
P-T-t evolution of orogenic belts and the causes of regional metamorphism.
M. Brown (1995)
Geological Society, London, Memoirs 16, 67-81
   Abstract »    PDF »
P-T-t evolution of orogenic belts and the causes of regional metamorphism.
M. BROWN (1993)
Journal of the Geological Society 150, 227-241
   Abstract »    PDF »
Cause and effect among thrust and normal faulting, anatectic melting and exhumation in the Himalaya.
P. England and P. Molnar (1993)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 74, 401-411
   Abstract »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)