Geodynamics of Central Asian Orogenic Belt
The Central Asian Orogenic Belt is the largest Earth accretionary system and is currently the most studied area in the whole world thanks to occurrence of giant mineral resources deposits. The tectonic evolution of this belt occurred during two main events related first to large scale Pacific type subduction and followed by convergence of Gondwana derived cratons with Siberia in the north. The global material budget, time scales and mechanisms of these two geodynamic events is not understood as yet. Ten year history of annual expeditions to Mongolia, China and Russia in collaboration with Mongolian, Chinese, Russian, French and US partners lead to progressive unravelling of most exciting and complex geodynamic history of this critical region where accretionary systems passes to collisional orogen and where Asian continent grown at exceptional rate in Paleozoic.