Geochronology, petrogenesis and tectonic significance of peraluminous granites from the Chinese Altai, NW China

► Peraluminous granites in the Chinese Altai have zircon U-Pb ages of 419-393 Ma. ► The exposed metasedimentary rocks (Habahe Group) can be a major candidate as the source rocks. ► Precursor magmas were produced by partial melting of sedimentary rocks at shallow crustal level. ► A hot subduction regime may be caused by upwelling of the asthenosphere in the Chinese Altai. ► Ridge subduction model can account for upwelling of the asthenosphere and crustal magmatism in the Paleozoic.