Geochemistry and zircon U-Pb geochronology of granitoids in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt, northern Tibetan Plateau: origin and tectonic implications

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB) in the northern margin of the Tibet Plateau is characterized by widespread granitic plutons, which are keys to understanding the tectonic evolution of the EKOB. The Zhiyu pluton, newly recognized in the central part of the EKOB, mainly consists of monzogranites, biotite granites and quartz diorites. Their LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb results show formation ages of 447 ± 1.6 Ma, 448 ± 2.5 Ma and 408 ± 1.8 Ma. The...