| Abstract: | Different attempts have been done to deduce the shortening of the Himalayan belt during the India\|Asia convergence. Dewey et al. (1989) and Le Pichon et al.(1992) calculated an India\|Asia shortening of 2300～2150km and 2800～3000km in the western and eastern syntaxes, respectively, since the late 45Ma. According to seafloor\|spreading reconstruction, a total shortening of 3000～500km was estimated after the initial contact of the two plates at 55～50Ma (Molnar and Tapponier, 1975 ; Molnar et al., 1988 ; Replumaz, 1999). Since 40Ma, the part of shortening only accommodated by the Himalayan belt was estimated around 470km in the western part (Coward and Butler, 1985) and 550 to 630km to the east (Ratsbacher et al., 1994 ; Replumaz, 1999). In contrast, global plate reconstructions suggest that the shortening in the Himalaya is of about 1250～250km (Achache et al., 1984 ; Powell et al., 1988 ; Dewey et al.,1989 ; Klootwijk et al., 1992 ; Matte et al., 1997). This discrepancy between the amount of shortening estimated by balancing the Himalayan belt and by plate reconstruction favour the existence of a greater India buried up to 1000km north of the present\|day Indus suture zone and subducted before Middle Eocene time (Klootwijk et al., 1979 ; Patriat and Achache, 1984). |
