The U-Pb Isotopic Age of Zircon from Hongliuhe Ophiolites in East Tianshan Mountains, Northwest China
东天山红柳河地区蛇绿岩U-Pb同位素年龄

The U-Pb isotopic age of zircon from gabbro in Hongliuhe ophiolites is about 425.5±2.3 Ma. This age that can be considered to be the formation time of the gabbro shows that the ophiolites were formed in Early Silurian, corresponding to Gleedonian period of Wenlock. The result indicates that the central Tianshan Mountains were separated from the Tarim plate and formed a discrete terrain in Early Silurian.