Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating on plagiogranite from Kuerti ophiolite in Altay, North Xinjiang

Field observation, petrological and geochemical characteristics of plagiogranite from Kuerti ophiolite indicate a similar origin to those in shearing zones. It is derived from partial melting of amphibolite that is developed from gabbro within the ocean layer 3 shear zone by the low-angle shearing deformation during the oceanic crust migrating process. Zircon SHRIMP age of 372±19 Ma for the plagioganite from Kuerti ophiolite indicates that this ophiolite formed in the Devonian period and it also represented the time of extension of the Kuerti backarc basin that is relevant to the northwards subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic crust. Therefore, the northwards subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean beneath the Siberian Plate began in the early stage of the Late Paleozoic era.