Age and tectonic significance of Permian granites in western Zanskar, HighHimalaya

Field and U-Pb geochronology data are presented for two new occurrences of Permian Himalayan granites, at Parkatchic (at ca. 270 Ma) and Sankoo (at 26 8 +/- 5 Ma), western Zanskar. The granites were deformed during Late Eocene -Early Miocene metamorphism, and K-Ar and Ar-Ar systematics of micas and am phiboles were reset, as indicated by Ar-40/ Ar-39 mica ages of 19-13 Ma. Pe rmian granites from the High Himalaya were previously known only from one l ocation but are significant because they are believed to be related to lowe r crustal melting that accompanied mafic volcanism (Panjal Trap volcanics) along the north Indian plate margin during rifting of Gondwana.