Abstract The nature of the basement beneath the Northern Qiangtang Block (NQ) in central Tibet remains poorly constrained owing to the widespread Phanerozoic sedimentary cover and limited exposed basement rocks. In this study, we present U–Pb geochronological, trace-element, and Hf isotopic data for zircon xenocrysts recovered from the Yushu gabbro, with the aim of probing the hidden deep crust. The zircon xenocrysts yield two distinct age populations: igneous cores at ca.
