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Because of a complicated metamorphic history, the isotopic systematics of the ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks in the Dabie-Sulu belt, east China, appear to be rather different from what were expected. Depending on the degree of retrograde metamorphism and on the retentivity of isotopes, the radiogenic isotopic systematics in the UHP metamorphic rocks yielded a wide range of radiometric ages. Some of these ages are geologically meaningful, but others may not be. In some fine-grained UHP metamorphic rocks, Sm/Nd isotopic systematics appear to be in equilibrium among the UHP phases, showing the best estimate for the age of peak metamorphism at 226 ± 3 Ma. On the other hand, retrograde overprinting often makes the interpretation of isotopic data more difficult. It is common to find that the Sm/Nd and Rb/Sr isotopic systematics among the UHP phases and retrograde phases are not in …