Graphite reaction weakening of fault rocks, and uplift of the Annapurna Himal, central Nepal

Hydrothermal graphite has been added to a regional-scale postmetamorphic fault zone in the High Himalaya. Fault rocks contain graphite veins and cement that locally constitute >50% of the rock. Individual graphite veins are as much as 1 cm wide, and are locally almost pure graphite, with minor muscovite and anatase. Hydrothermal graphite grain size (10–500 µm) is substantially greater than background metamorphosed organic matter (∼1 µm). The...