NO EXCESSIVE CRUSTAL GROWTH IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN OROGENIC BELT: FURTHER EVIDENCE FROM FIELD RELATIONSHIPS AND ISOTOPIC DATA

We provide new field observations and isotopic data for key areas of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), reiterating that no excessive crustal growth occurred during its ca. 800 Ma long orogenic evolution. Many Precambrian blocks (microcontinents) identified in the belt are exotic and are most likely derived from the northern margin of Gondwana, including the Tarim craton.We provide new field observations and isotopic data for key areas of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), reiterating that no excessive crustal growth occurred during its ca. 800 Ma long orogenic evolution. Many Precambrian blocks (microcontinents) identified in the belt are exotic and are most likely derived from the northern margin of Gondwana, including the Tarim craton