Argon 39‐argon 40 dating of metamorphic and plutonic events in the north and high Himalaya belts (southern Tibet‐China)

New 39 Ar− 40 Ar radiometric data are presented. They concern the metasedimentary series and the orthogneiss pluton of Kangmar. Ages as young as 13 Ma are found which may be related either to the metamorphism or to the resetting of the minerals during the emplacement of the numerous intrusive bodies into the North Himalaya Belt. Inherited excess argon is found in micas from the orthogneiss previously dated at 562 Ma. These bodies are constituted by leucogranitic magmas, the biotites and the muscovites of which the granites intrude (Lhagoi Kangri Massif). Same range of ages is found in the High Himalaya Belt for micas from leucogranites. Ages as young as 4 Ma are found on micas from the southern part of the cross section between Nyalam and Zham. The recent uplifts and/or the movement of recent normal faults may be related to these young ages.