Garnet, tourmaline and muscovite-bearing leucogranites, gneisses and migmatites of the Higher Himalayas from Zanskar, Kulu, Lahoul and Kashmir

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Abstract
Summary: Approximately 30–50% of the map area of the Central Crystalline Complex of the Higher Himalayas in Zanskar, Kulu, Lahoul and Kishtwar-Kashmir (NW India) is composed of Miocene leucogranites intruding metamorphic basement rocks. Ultrametamorphism at deeper crustal levels resulted in in situ anatexis, migmitization and lit-par-lit intrusions or stromatic layering within high-grade metasedimentary rocks. Garnet, tourmaline and muscovite-bearing granites locally contain biotite, apatite or kyanite. Leucogranites at higher crustal levels are associated with a widespread network of anastomosing dykes and sills with high tourmaline content. Rare-earth-element (REE) abundances are relatively low. Garnets are compositionally variable and are usually unzoned. Extremely high 87 Sr/ 86 Sr initial ratios of leucogranites (0.755–0.769) indicate a crustal anatectic origin while the wide range of Sr initial ratios can be explained by melting of a variety of metasedimentary rocks of the subducting Indian Shield. Radiometric ages of Himalayan leucogranites (28–12 Ma) follow closely in time a thermal peak of metamorphism (40–25 Ma). Inversion of metamorphic isograds during large-scale crustal subduction along several major thrust zones in the Higher Himalayas followed immediately after generation of the leucogranites. The leucogranites are interpreted as anatectic melts of high-grade metamorphic crystalline basement, generated at depth by residual (Barrovian) heat with a large amount of volatile and fluid flux. Frictional heating along the N-dipping Main Central Thrust is not considered a major source of heat for generation of the leucogranites.