Author name: Ze-Zhou Wang

The geochemical characterization of Himalayan leucogranites offers important insights into both their petrogenesis and Himalayan orogenic processes. Himalayan leucogranites are characterized by strongly peraluminous compositions that are comparable to melts derived from anatexis of sedimentary rocks. Their radiogenic (Sr, Nd, and Hf) isotopic compositions point to metasediments from the Higher Himalayan Sequence of the Indian plate as the primary source rocks, with minor contributions from other lithologies. Himalayan leucogranites display considerable variability in trace element ratios (e.g., Rb/Sr, Nb/Ta, Zr/Hf, and Eu/Eu*) and significant fractionation of non-traditional stable isotopes (e.g., Mg, K, Zn, Rb, and Ba), which provide key constraints on the respective roles of source heterogeneity, crystal fractionation, magma–fluid interaction, and crustal melting in their formation.

Himalayan leucogranites crop out intermittently over 2000 km along the crest of the world’s youngest and largest mountain range. They are derived from partial melting of continental crust during a classic continental collisional orogeny. Studies of these leucogranites have significantly advanced knowledge of crustal anatexis, felsic magmatic differentiation, and the tectonic evolution of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen. This Elements thematic issue provides an overview of the petrogenesis and significance of the Himalayan leucogranites including field relations, source rocks, petrology, geochemistry, tectonics, and links to orogenesis and economic resources. It not only summarizes the state-of-the-art research on Himalayan leucogranites but also demonstrates how a multidisciplinary approach can help constrain the origins and evolution of granites, their associated mineralizations, and related geodynamic development.