Kohistan - an island arc turned on its side! Jijal granulite complex Kamilla amphibolites Chilas layered complex Kohistan granitic batholith Upper arc volcanics Upper arc - sediments

Caught in the middle of the India-Eurasia collision in Pakistan and NW India/Kashmir is ancient island arc. This was active some 30 million years before collision. The Himalayan orogeny has tipped it on end - providing a natural section from bottom (in the south) to top (in the north) - all accessible thanks to the Karakoram Highway. Use the yellow boxes to visit the rocks.

Subduction zones

Return to dynamic earth home page