Secondary pyrrhotite remanences from the Tethyan Himalaya acquired during Eocene (western Himalaya) and Oligocene to early Miocene (central and eastern Himalaya) were evaluated for block rotations. Oroclinal bending is well reflected by paleomagnetic data in the western part of the Himalaya also showing a uniform counterclockwise rotation of India versus the Tethyan Himalaya. In contrast, data from the central part and preliminary results from the eastern part indicate an abrupt change to unexpected clockwise rotations versus India where oroclinal bending would predict no rotation or slight counterclockwise rotations. It can be hypothesised that these clockwise rotations are a result of a large dextral shear zone related to lateral extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau, with an onset in central Nepal. However, the existing gap in suitable data from the eastern part of the Himalaya was hindering a closer evaluation of this question. The hypothesis is reconsidered in the light of new findings.
