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The character of arcs varies over time with significant temporal fluctuations in the quantity and spatiotemporal patterns of magmatism. However, the driving mechanisms for this episodic behavior of arcs need more constraints. This paper analyzed the published data along with our new zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotopic and whole-rock geochemical data of plutonic rocks in the Gangdese belt in southern Tibet to explore the features, potential drivers, and tectonic implications of episodic arc activity in the Gangdese arc. A comprehensive compilation of U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopic analyses of zircon grains from igneous rocks in the Gangdese belt, sedimentary rocks in trench fill sequences, forearc basins and foreland basins, and sands from modern river reveals that: 1) Gangdese arc activity was episodic during Late Cretaceous to Middle Eocene, displaying two magmatic flare-ups (ca. 100–80 and 65–45 Ma) and one magmatic lull (ca. 80–65 Ma), and 2) both flare-up magmas show relatively positive ε Hf (t) values (+5 ~ +15) indicative of juvenile sources suggesting these magmas are dominated by contributions from the depleted mantle. In contrast, the magmatic lull between these two magmatic flare-ups could be caused by flat subduction of the Neotethyan slab beneath the southern margin of the Lhasa terrane. These flare-ups likely contributed greatly to the crustal thickening of the Gangdese belt. Constraints from paleo-elevation and geochemical proxies for crustal thickness showed that the ~100–80 Ma flare-up was accompanied by the formation of a thick arc root while the ~65–45 Ma flare-up likely developed in a thinner crust without an arc root. [Display omitted] • Gangdese arc activity was episodic, displaying magmatic flare-ups (~100–80 and ~65–45 Ma). • Flare-up magmatism contributed to crustal thickening. • Gangdese batholith had an arc root at ~90 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]