Rb-Sr Systematics of Granitoids of the Central Gneissic Complex, Arunachal Himalaya: Implications on Tectonism, Stratigraphy and Source

Precambrian Central Gneissic Complex (CGC) in the Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh comprises the oldest Sela Group thrusting over the Bomdila Group, with the Salari Group being the youngest. Augen gneiss of the Bomdila Group, granite of the Salari Group and hornblende granite gneiss of the Sela Group define Rb-Sr isochron ages of 1914 ± 23, 1536 ± 60 and 481 ± 23 Ma, respectively. The 481 Ma age on the hornblende gneiss from the oldest Sela Group is attributed to the resetting of Rb-Sr clock due to tectonic imprint of the Main Central Thrust (MCT). The 1914 Ma age of the augen gneiss, the oldest reported so far from the Arunachal Himalaya, is either the emplacement age or latest metamorphic event. The 1536 Ma old emplacement age of the granite intruding the black shale of the Salari Group disproves the hitherto considered Gondwana age for the black shale, and, thus, necessitates revision in its chronostratigraphy. (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i of the hornblende granite gneiss and Salari granite is high (0.719 and 0.709) indicating a crustal source for these, whereas it is low for the augen gneiss (0.703) suggesting an inherited signature of the upper mantle source together with some crustal contamination. Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron ages from the Arunachal Himalaya are correlatable with those reported from other parts of the Indian Himalaya. These cumulatively point to at least three major periods of activity in the Himalaya at ca. 2060 ± 250, 1530 ± 90 and 530 ± 75 Ma.