The Ophiolitic Suture Zones of the Ladakh and the Kallas Region-A Comparison

The 2500 km long Himalayan Suture Zone is discussed along two important crosssections, the Ladakh and the Kailas region. The ophiolitic rocksand the structural setting is in both areas surprisingly similar. In the north the Transhimalayan plutons are transgressed by the Kailas molasse on which elements of the Suture Zone such as flysch and ophiolitic melanges are thrust towards the north. Contrasting to this movement, ophiolitic nappes are thrust southwards on top of platform sediments such as the Spongtang nappe in the Ladakh region and the Kiogar-Jungbwa nappe south of Mount Kailas. In both nappes, conspicuous uItrafemic rocks form the highest thrust elements. Southward thrusting preceded the compressional northwards thrusting.