Crustal growth stages in the Songino block of the early caledonian superterrane in Central Asia: II. Geochemical and Nd-isotope data

Geochemical and Nd isotope data are reported for Late Riphean metamorphic complexes and granitoids of the Bayannur zone of the Songino block in the Early Caledonian superterrane of Central Asia. Geological, geochronolgical, geochemical, and isotope data were integrated to discuss rock sources and main mechanisms responsible for the formation and evolution of the Late Riphean continental crust. It was established that lithotectonic complexes of the Bayannur zone were formed on a convergent plate during Late Proterozoic tectonogenesis (around 1.3–0.78 Ga). This period primarily produced a juvenile crust represented by paleooceanic (N- and E-MORB types) and island arc basalts. An interval of 800–880 Ma was marked by the formation of rocks of the Bayannur complex and metaterrigenous sequence (accretionary wedge) of the Kholbonur complex, and the emplacement of quartz diorites and granodiorites of the Gashunnur pluton due to erosion and melting of both Late Riphean juvenile sources and ancient possibly Early Precambrian crustal material in a setting of ensialic island arc. At the final stage of the Late Riphean evolution of the Bayannur zone, postkinematic granitoids of the Bayannur pluton, and gabbrodiorites and anorthosites of the Ontsula pluton were derived from mantle juvenile and crustal sources in a within-plate setting. In terms of isotope characteristics, the crystalline complexes of the Bayannur zone are comparable with the Japan-type modern island arc systems. A synthesis of geological, geochronological, and isotope-geochemical data indicates a much wider distribution of the Late Riphean juvenile crust-forming processes than considered previously and remobilization of continental crust in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Fold Belt. The Vendian-Paleozoic stage in the evolution of this segment was characterized by an intense growth of juvenile crust, while magmatism during Late Riphean stage was determined by mixing of Late Riphean juvenile and ancient Early Precambrian sources.     

No excessive crustal growth in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Further evidence from field relationships and isotopic data

We provide new field observations and isotopic data for key areas of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), reiterating our previous assessment that no excessive crustal growth occurred during its ca. 800 Ma long orogenic evolution. Many Precambrian blocks (microcontinents) identified in the belt are exotic and are most likely derived from the northern margin of Gondwana, including the Tarim craton. Ocean opening in the Palaeo-Asian Ocean, arc formation and accretionary processes began in the latest Mesoproterozoic along the southern margin of the Siberian craton and continued into the Neoproterozoic, giving rise to tectono-metamorphic terranes distinct from the exotic microcontinents in that they include tectonically mixed ancient crust as well as juvenile, mantle-derived igneous rocks. Several previous assessments of crustal growth based on the distribution of oceanic and island arc complexes and on Nd isotopic data for post-accretion igneous rocks are questionable, and we show that such data, in combination with the occurrence of old zircon xenocrysts, frequently signify tectonic mixing of juvenile and ancient crustal components.The only truly juvenile terranes, including oceanic crust and intra-oceanic arcs, seem to occur in northeastern Kazakhstan, in the Altai-Sayan region of Siberia and in the Lake and Trans-Altai zones of Mongolia. The largest area of pre-CAOB continental crust forms a broad belt from northwestern Kazakhstan via the Kyrgyz North and Middle Tianshan to the Yili Block and Chinese Central Tianshan in NW China. Most arcs in the CAOB formed on older continental crust, or with substantial addition of old crustal material via sediment recycling, similar to the situation in the present Southwest Pacific in southern Indonesia, and we suspect that the volume of old material in the lower crust of the CAOB is considerable but largely unaccounted for because of lack of geophysical data. Comparing the lithospheric mantle domains as revealed by Os model ages, with ancient crust at least Mesoproterozoic in age and predating formation of the CAOB significantly reduces the volume of new juvenile crust generated during the orogeny. We conclude that the volume of truly juvenile crustal material in the CAOB is about 20%, similar to that in other accretionary orogens through Earth history, and considering the ca. 800 Ma history of the belt this is not anomalous.     

Collisional granitoids of the Dzhida zone of the Central Asian Fold belt,Southwestern Transbaikalia: Age and conditions of the formation

This paper considers the geological structure, composition, and age of the Darkhintui, Barun-Gol, and Khuldat granitoid plutons of the Dzhida zone of Caledonides of the Central Asian Fold belts. These plutons were formed in the Late Cambrian-Early Ordovician in the range between 490 ± 2 and 477 ± 6 Ma, after tectonic juxtaposition of the oceanic and island-arc complexes of the Dzhida Zone and volcanogenic-carbonate-terrigenous rocks of the Khamardaban zone, i.e., at the collisional stage of the region evolution. Geological, geochronological, geochemical, and Nd isotope data indicate that the collisional granitoids of the Dzhida zone were derived by melting of continental crust thickened through accretion. The sources for parental melts of the granitoids were presumably Vendian-Early Cambrian juvenile igneous rocks of ophiolite and island-arc complexes, as well as the crustal material of the Lower Paleozoic flyschoid sediments of the back-arc basin of the Dzhida zone and metaterrigenous rocks of the Khamardaban zone.     

Composition, sources, and mechanism of continental crust growth in the Lake zone of the Central Asian Caledonides: I. Geological and geochronological data

Data on the composition, inner structure, and age of volcanic and siliceous-terrigenous complexes and granitoids occurring in association with them in the Caledonian Lake zone in Central Asia are discussed in the context of major relations and trends in the growth of the Caledonian continental crust in the Central Asian Foldbelt (CAFB). The folded structures of the Lake zone host basalt, basalt-andesite, and andesite complexes of volcanic rocks that were formed in distinct geodynamic environments. The volcanic rocks of the basalt complex are noted for high concentrations of TiO₂ and alkalis, occur in association with fine-grained siliceous siltstone and siliceous-carbonate rocks, are thus close to oceanic-island complexes, and were likely formed in relation to a mantle hotspot activity far away from erosion regions supplying terrigenous material. The rocks of the basalt-andesite and andesite complexes have lower TiO₂ concentrations and moderate concentrations of alkalis and contain rock-forming amphibole. These rocks are accompanied by rudaceous terrigenous sediments, which suggests their origin in island-arc environments, including arcs with a significantly dissected topography. These complexes are accompanied by siliceous-terrigenous sedimentary sequences whose inner structure is close to those of sediments in accretionary wedges. The folded Caledonides of the Lake zone passed through the following evolutionary phases. The island arcs started to develop at 570 Ma, their evolution was associated with the emplacement of layered gabbroids and tonalitetrondhjemite massifs, and continued until the onset of accretion at 515–480 Ma. The accretion was accompanied by the emplacement of large massifs of the tonalite-granodiorite-plagiogranite series. The postaccretionary evolutionary phase at 470–440 Ma of the Caledonides was marked by intrusive subalkaline and alkaline magmatism. The Caledonides are characterized by within-plate magmatic activity throughout their whole evolutionary history, a fact explained by the accretion of Vendian-Cambrian oceanic structures (island arcs, oceanic islands, and back-arc basins) above a mantle hotspot. Indicators of within-plate magmatic activity are subalkaline high-Ti basalts, alkaline-ultrabasic complexes with carbonatites and massifs of subalkaline and alkaline gabbroids, nepheline syenites, alkaline granites, subalkaline granites, and granosyenites. The mantle hotspot likely continued to affect the character of the lithospheric magmatism even after the Caledonian folded terrane was formed.     

兴蒙造山带正ε(Nd,t)值花岗岩的成因和大陆地壳生长

大陆地壳的生长速率和地壳生长的位置均是地球科学中的最基本的问题。现有的许多大陆地壳生长模式认为 ,90 %的大陆地壳生长于 18亿年以前 ,显生宙以来的地壳生长不到整个地壳的 10 % ,主要位于活动大陆边缘。近年来在兴蒙造山带发现大量具有新生地壳来源性质的花岗岩产生于 50 0～ 10 0Ma ,对上述传统看法提出了挑战。现有的Nd同位素资料表明 ,兴蒙造山带的显生宙花岗岩 ,不论形成于什么时代和什么构造背景 ,也不论属于何种成因类型 ,几乎都具有正ε(Nd ,t)值和年轻的Nd模式年龄tDM 。从西往东 ,随着时代逐渐变新ε(Nd ,t)值有逐渐降低的趋势。花岗岩的tDM同由蛇绿岩和岛弧杂岩记录的古亚洲洋扩张的时间基本一致。只有一些在新元古代微陆块上的花岗岩才显示负ε(Nd ,t)值和较老的tDM,反映了其源岩包括前寒武纪地壳同地幔来源物质的不同程度混合。兴蒙造山带的花岗岩具有地幔来源的ε(Nd ,t)值 ,说明这些花岗岩中有一部分 (例如加里东期和海西早期 )可能同板块俯冲作用有关 ,花岗岩的来源是被交代的地幔楔。而大面积的晚古生代—中生代花岗岩则可能是由 80 0～6 0 0Ma前俯冲的洋壳形成的新生大陆地壳在拉伸体制下部分熔融而成。如果情况是这样 ,显生宙就曾发生过大规模的地壳生长。板内岩浆活动 ,特别是     

Reworking of the Gangdese magmatic arc,southeastern Tibet: post‐collisional metamorphism and anatexis

The Gangdese magmatic arc, southeastern Tibet, was built by mantle‐derived magma accretion and juvenile crustal growth during the Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic northward subduction of the Neo‐Tethyan oceanic slab beneath the Eurasian continent. The petrological and geochronological data reveal that the lower crust of the southeastern Gangdese arc experienced Oligocene reworking by metamorphism, anatexis and magmatism after the India and Asia collision. The post‐collisional metamorphic and migmatitic rocks formed at 34–26 Ma and 28–26 Ma respectively. Meta‐granitoids have protolith ages of 65–38 Ma. Inherited detrital zircon from metasedimentary rocks has highly variable ages ranging from 2708 to 37 Ma. These rocks underwent post‐collisional amphibolite facies metamorphism and coeval anatexis under P–T conditions of ~710–760 °C and ~12 kbar with geothermal gradients of 18–20 °C km ^{? 1}, indicating a distinct crustal thickening process. Crustal shortening, thickening and possible subduction erosion due to the continental collision and ongoing convergence resulted in high‐P metamorphic and anatectic reworking of the magmatic and sedimentary rocks of the deep Gangdese arc. This study provides a typical example of the reworking of juvenile and ancient continental crust during active collisional orogeny.     

Geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic constraints on the genesis of the Soheyle-PaKuh granitoid rocks (central Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt,Iran)

ABSTRACT

Soheyle-Pakuh granitoid rocks, with a variety of quartz diorite, quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, tonalite, and granite, have been emplaced into the Tertiary volcanic rocks in the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc in central Iran. Zircon U–Pb dating yields an age of 39.63 ± 0.93 Ma for the crystallization of this body. Whole-rock compositions show that SiO₂ changes from 52.31 to 65.78 wt.% and Al₂O₃ varies from 15.54 to 18.24 wt.%, as well as high concentrations of large-ion lithophile elements (LILE, e.g. Cs, Rb, Ba, and K) and quite low contents of high field strength elements (HFSE, e.g. Nb, Ti, P), as expected in I-type arc granitoids formed in an active continental margin setting. Initial ratios of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd exhibit ranges 0.7043–0.7047 and 0.51284 to 0.51287, respectively, with positive εNd_(t) from +4.9 to +5.5 with a young TDM1 age (483–674 Ma); this tracer isotopic data suggesting that the SPG originated from juvenile basaltic crust derived from depleted mantle (~90%) with variable contributions from undepleted mantle and approximately 10% old lower crust, despite diverse processes (e.g. magma mixing and fractional crystallization) during their evolution and emplacement into a local extensional setting within the continental margin arc. The isotopic data are similar to those of other Phanerozoic granitoids of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and corroborate melting of predominantly mantle-derived juvenile crustal protoliths and indicating extensive addition of new continental crust, during Cambrian-Neoproterozoic time, in the suprasubduction zone beneath the central Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc. Generation of these types of granitoids favours a model whereby rollback and (or) break-off of a subducted slab with subsequent lithospheric extension triggered by mantle upwelling, heat advection, and underplating resulting in melting of the central UDMA mantle-derived juvenile lower continental crust in the Late Eocene.     

Neoproterozoic magmatic complexes of the Songino block (Mongolia): A problem of formation and correlation of Precambrian terranes in the Central-Asian Orogenic Belt

An important role of the early Neoproterozoic juvenile crustal growth in the formation of the Khangai group of Precambrian terranes in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt was demonstrated by the example of the Holbo Nur Zone of the Songin Block. Magmatic complexes of this zone correspond to different settings of the Early Neoproterozoic ocean: oceanic islands, mid-ocean ridges, intraoceanic island arcs, and turbidite basins. Obtained data on volcanic rocks and associated granitoids constrain a timing of the island-arc magmatic complexes, at least within the interval of 888–859 Ma. The comparison of structures of the Songino and Tarbagatai blocks of the Khangai group of terranes showed that they share many common features in their geology and evolution and may be united into the single Songino–Tarbagatai terrane. This terrane was formed owing to the Early Neoproterozoic (~800 Ma) accretion of the ocean island, spreading, island-arc, and turbidite complexes of the oceanic plate to a stable continental massif represented by the Early Neoproterozoic Ider Complex of the Tarbagatai Block. The involvement of the Dzabkhan terrane into a Khangai collage of terranes is constrained between the formation of the volcanic rocks of the Dzabkhan Formation (~770–755 Ma), which are unknown in the Songino–Tarbagatai terrane, and the Tsagaan-Olom carbonate cover (~630 Ma), overlying both the Dzabkhan and Songino–Tarbagatai terranes. It was proposed that the formation of the Precambrian terranes of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt began from the Early Neoproterozoic accretion to the Rodinia supercontinent. The fragmentation of the latter above a mantle superplume at the end of the Early Neoproterozoic spanned also the newly formed fold area. This led to the formation of terranes, which included both fragments of the Paleoproterozoic craton and Early Neoproterozoic structures. Subsequent amalgamation of these Precambrian crustal fragments into composite terranes possibly occurred at the end of the early Baikalian tectonic phase.     

Crust-forming processes in the Hercynides of the Central Asian Foldbelt

The paper reports data on the evolutionary history of magmatism, its conditions, and sources in the process of the development of the Southern Mongolian Hercynides during the pre-accretion, continental-margin, and rifting stages within the time span from the Silurian to Early Permian. The Hercynian continental crust in the southern Mongolian segment of the Central Asian Foldbelt (CAFB) was determined to have grown in the environment of ensimatic island arcs, backarc basins, spreading centers, and oceanic islands or plateaus, with material coming from the depleted and, perhaps, also enriched mantle sources in the open ocean that surrounded the Siberian paleocontinent on the side of the Caledonian margin. This made it possible to recognize the Early-Middle Paleozoic epoch of juvenile crustal growth in CAFB and the corresponding isotopic crustal province with a total area of more than 200 thousand km². The principal differences between the composition and structure of the blocks surrounding the Hercynian regions (Caledonides in the Gobi Altai and Grenwillides in the South Gobi microcontinent) testify that the southern margin of the Caledonian Siberian continent and the Grenvillides of the South Gobi microcontinent had different geological histories and were spatially separated. The structural complex of the Paleoasian ocean, including the terranes of the South Gobi microcontinent, were transformed into a continental block in the latest Devonian-earliest Carboniferous, in relation with accretion processes, folding, metamorphism, and tectonic delamination along the boundaries of structurally heterogeneous domains. The subsequent recycling of the crust by magmatic processes was related to the development of an active continental margin (ACM). The development of an ACM in the Hercynides resulted from and was a continuation of the motions of the continental and oceanic lithospheric plates, i.e., processes that brought about the Hercynian accretion. The evolution history of the ACM was subdivided into two stages: early (a continental-margin stage proper) and late (rifting stage). The rocks of the early stage were produced at 350–330 Ma and compose a differentiated basalt-andesite-rhyodacite complex and related massifs of the granodiorite-plagiogranite and banatite (diorite-monzonite-granodiorite) associations. During the rifting stage at 320–290 Ma, a bimodal basalt-comendite-trachyrhyolite association was formed, along with accompanying alkali granite massifs. In the southern Mongolian segment of the Hercynides, the rocks of the rifting stage compose two subparallel rift zones: Gobi-Tien Shan, which extends along the boundaries of the South Gobi microcontinent, and the Main Mongolian lineament, which marks the boundaries between the Hercynides and Caledonides in the CAFB. The rift structures are made up of alkali granitoids and normal-alkalinity granitoids, which are atypical of rift zones. Their genesis is thought to have been related to crustal anatexis, a process that was triggered by rift-related magmas at an unusual combination of rifting and ACM tectonic setting. The basic rocks of the rift associations have geochemical signatures atypical of continental rifting. They show Ta and Nb minima and K and Pb maxima, as is typical of rocks generated at convergent plate boundaries. Nevertheless, the broad variations in the concentrations and ratios of some major and incompatible trace elements and in the Sr, Nd, and O isotopic composition of the rift basaltoids allowed us to distinguish their high-and low-Ti varieties, which were produced with the participation of three mantle sources: depleted mantle similar to the source of basalts in midoceanic ridges, enriched mantle like the source of basalts in oceanic islands, and the mantle material of the metasomatized mantle wedge. The origin of andesites in the rift zones is explained by the contamination of mantle basaltoid melts with sialic (predominantly sedimentary) material of the continental crust or the assimilation of anatectic partial granite melts.     

Juvenile versus recycled crust in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Implications from ocean plate stratigraphy,blueschist belts and intra-oceanic arcs

New or “juvenile” crust forms and grows mainly through mafic to andesitic magmatism at Pacific-type or accretionary type convergent margins as well as via tectonic accretion of oceanic and island-arc terranes and translation of continental terranes. During the last decades the juvenile or recycled nature of crust has been commonly evaluated using whole-rock isotope and Hf-in-zircon isotope methods. However, evidence for the accretionary or Pacific-type nature of an orogenic belt comes from geological data, for example, from the presence of accretionary complexes (AC), intra-oceanic arcs (IOA), oceanic plate stratigraphy units (OPS), and MORB-OIB derived blueschist belts (BSB). The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) represents the world's largest province of Phanerozoic juvenile crustal growth during ca. 800 m.y. between the East European, Siberian, North China and Tarim cratons. From geological point of view, the CAOB is a typical Pacific-type belt as it hosts numerous occurrences of accretionary complexes, intra-oceanic arcs, OPS units, and MORB-OIB derived blueschist belts. In spite of its accretionary nature, supported by positive whole rock Nd isotope characteristics in CAOB granitoids, the Hf-in-zircon isotope data reveal a big portion of recycled crust. Such a controversy can be explained by presence of accreted microcontinents, isotopically mixed igneous reservoirs and by the tectonic erosion of juvenile crust. The most probable localities of tectonic erosion in the CAOB are the middle and southern Tienshan and southern Transbaikalia because these regions comprise a predominantly recycled crust (based on isotope data), but the geological data show the presence of intra-oceanic arcs, blueschist belts and accreted OPS with oceanic island basalts (OIB) and tectonically juxtaposed coeval arc granitoids and accretionary units. This warrants combination of detailed geological studies with isotopic results, as on their own they may not reflect such processes as tectonic erosion of juvenile crust and/or arc subduction.     

The formation processes and isotopic structure of continental crust of the Chingiz Range Caledonides (Eastern Kazakhstan)

According to this paper, the juvenile crust of the Chingiz Range Caledonides (Eastern Kazakhstan) was formed due to suprasubduction magmatism within the Early Paleozoic island arcs developed on the oceanic crust during the Cambrian–Early Ordovician and on the transitional crust during the Middle–Late Ordovician, as well as to the attachment to the arcs of accretionary complexes composed of various oceanic structures. Nd isotopic compositions of the rocks in all island-arc complexes are very similar and primitive (ε_Nd(t) from +4.0 to +7.0) and point to a short crustal prehistory. Further increase in the mass and thickness of the crust of the Chingiz Range Caledonides was mainly due to reworking of island-arc complexes in the basement of the Middle and Late Paleozoic volcanoplutonic belts expressed by the emplacement of abundant granitoids. All Middle and Late Paleozoic granitoids have high positive values of ε_Nd(t) (at least +4), which are slightly different from Nd isotopic compositions of the rocks in the Lower Paleozoic island-arc complexes. Granitoids are characterized by uniform Nd isotopic compositions (<2–3 ε units for granites with a similar age), and thus we can consider the Chingiz Range as the region of the Caledonian isotope province with an isotopically uniform structure of the continental crust.     

Two types of magma sources of rare-metal alkali granites

The geological setting, age, and magma sources of rare-metal ores at the Khalzanburgetdei deposit in western Mongolia and the Khan Bogd occurrence in southern Mongolia are considered. The Khalzanburgetdei deposit, 392 Ma in age, is situated in the Lake Zone of the Early Caledonides of the Central Asian Foldbelt at a branch of a triple junction of grabens. The Khan Bogd occurrence, about 290 Ma in age, is located in the South Mongolian Hercynian Zone and related to a continental rift conjugated in space and time with Hercynian island-arc systems. To estimate features of rare-metal magma sources, the Nd and O isotopic compositions were used, as well as ratios of incompatible elements (Nb-U, Nb-Zr, La-Yb, Th-Ta, and Ce-Pb). Since the granitic magma was commonly saturated with these elements, their ratios may be used for estimation of magma source compositions, trends of magma fractionation, and accumulation of rare-metal minerals. A mixture of an OIB source and crustal material (Caledonian ophiolitic and island-arc complexes) served as a source of rare-metal granitic rocks of the Khalzanburgetdei deposit, while the Khan Bogd occurrence was related to a source of subduction-related basic rocks, probably, with participation of the depleted and enriched mantle and continental crust.     

Construction of the granitoid crust of an island arc. Part II: a quantitative petrogenetic model

Results of simple model calculations that integrate cumulate compositions from the Kohistan arc terrain are presented in order to develop a consistent petrogenetic model to explain the Kohistan island arc granitoids. The model allows a quantitative approximation of the possible relative roles of fractional crystallization and assimilation to explain the silica-rich upper crust composition of oceanic arcs. Depending in detail on the parental magma composition hydrous moderate-to-high pressure fractional crystallization in the lower crust/upper mantle is an adequate upper continental crust forming mechanism in terms of volume and compositions. Accordingly, assimilation and partial melting in the lower crust is not per se a necessary process to explain island arc granitoids. However, deriving few percent of melts using low degree of dehydration melting is a crucial process to produce volumetrically important amounts of upper continental crust from silica-poorer parental magmas. Even though the model can explain the silica-rich upper crustal composition of the Kohistan, the fractionation model does not predict the accepted composition of the bulk continental crust. This finding supports the idea that additional crustal refining mechanism (e.g., delamination of lower crustal rocks) and/or non-cogenetic magmatic process were critical to create the bulk continental crust composition.     

Early Precambrian granitoids of the Batomga inlier of the southeastern Siberian Platform basement: Age and geodynamic formation settings

New data on the age, composition, sources, and formation conditions of the Early Precambrian granitoids of the Batomga inlier of the southeastern Siberian Platform basement are discussed. Geochronological SRHIMP II U–Pb study of the zircons reveals that the calc-alkaline granitoids of the Khoyunda Complex are 2056–2057 Ma in age and their formation was related to the Early Proterozoic stage in the development of the Batomga granite–greenstone domain. It is established that the primary melts for these rocks formed in subduction settings through melting of the depleted mantle source with some contribution of ancient crustal material. In terms of temperature, partial melting followed by crystallization of the granitoids under peak metamorphic conditions corresponds to the transition between amphibolite and granulite facies at elevated pressure; high temperature and high-grade metamorphism are subduction-related phenomena reflected in the back-arc settings of the active continental margin. The protoliths of calc-alkaline metavolcanics of the Batomga Group are found to be chronologically and compositionally analogous to the subduction granitoids of the Khoyunda and Dzhagdakan complexes; i.e., these granitoids are coeval with the Batomga island arc. The lower age limit of the Batomga Group is estimated at 2.2 Ga and its upper age limit is defined by the age of the intruded Khoyunda granitoids. The formation of the rocks of the Batomga Group and associated granitoids of the Khoyunda and Dzhagdakan complexes reflects the formation of the continental crust at the Early Paleoproterozoic stage of the evolution of the Batomga lithosphere block (2.2–2.0 Ga ago).     

Post-collisional granitoids from the Dabie orogen in China: Zircon U–Pb age, element and O isotope evidence for recycling of subducted continental crust

While recycling of subducted oceanic crust is widely proposed to be associated with oceanic island, island arc, and subduction-related adakite magmatism, it is less clear whether recycling of subducted continental crust takes place in continental collision belts. A combined study of zircon U–Pb dating, major and minor element geochemistry, and O isotopes in Early Cretaceous post-collisional granitoids from the Dabie orogen in China demonstrates that they may have been generated by partial melting of subducted continental crust. The post-collisional granitoids from the Dabie orogen comprise hornblende-bearing intermediate rocks and hornblende-free granitic rocks. These granitoids are characterized by fractionated REE patterns with low HREE contents and negative HFSE anomalies (Nb, Ta and Ti). Although zircon U–Pb dating gives consistent ages of 120 to 130 Ma for magma crystallization, occurrence of inherited cores is identified by CL imaging and SHRIMP U–Pb dating; some zircon grains yield ages of 739 to 749 Ma and 214 to 249 Ma, in agreement with Neoproterozoic protolith ages of UHP metaigneous rocks and a Triassic tectono-metamorphic event in the Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt, respectively. The granitoids have relatively homogeneous zircon δ¹⁸O values from 4.14‰ to 6.11‰ with an average of 5.10‰ ± 0.42‰ (n = 28) similar to normal mantle zircon. Systematically low zircon δ¹⁸O values for most of the coeval mafic–ultramafic rocks and intruded country rocks preclude an AFC process of mafic magma or mixing between mafic and felsic magma as potential mechanisms for the petrogenesis of the granitoids. Along with zircon U–Pb ages and element results, it is inferred that the granitic rocks were probably derived from partial melting of intermediate lower crust and the intermediate rocks were generated by amphibole-dehydration melting of mafic rocks in the thickened lower crust, coupled with fractional crystallization during magma emplacement. The post-collisional granitoids in the Dabie orogen are interpreted to originate from recycling of the subducted Yangtze continental crust that was thickened by the Triassic continent–continent collision. Partial melting of orogenic lithospheric keel is suggested to have generated the bimodal igneous rocks with the similar crustal heritage. Crustal thinning by post-collisional detachment postdated the onset of bimodal magmatism that was initiated by a thermal pulse related to mantle superwelling in Early Cretaceous.     

Evolution of arc crust and relations between contrasting sources: U-Pb (age), Nd and Sr isotope systematics of the ophiolitic terrain of SW Norway

The U/Pb dating of ophiolite and arc complexes in the Caledonides of SW Norway has demonstrated that these spatially associated rocks are also closely related in time. A sequence of tholeiitic island arc volcanics, and an unconformably overlying sequence of calc-alkaline volcanics have been dated as 494 ± 2 Ma (2σ) and 473 ± 2 Ma respectively. Ophiolitic crust formed both prior to, and during the first 10 Ma after the tholeiitic island arc volcanism. Boninitic and island arc tholeiitic dyke swarms intruded the ophiolites soon after they formed and represent a second phase of spreading-related magmatism in the ca 20 Ma period that separated the tholeiitic and the calc-alkaline island arc volcanism. The magmatism ended with the formation of alkaline, ocean island basalt (OIB)-like magmas. Quartz dioritic and S-type granitic plutons, dated to 479 ± 5 Ma and 474 +3/−2 Ma respectively, intruded into the base of the arc crust during and subsequent to the boninitic magmatism, and at the time when calc-alkaline volcanic centres developed. The quartz dioritic and the granitic rocks contain inherited zircons of Precambrian age which prove the involvement of a continental source. This together with the geology of the terrain and the geochemistry of these plutons suggests that the granitic magmas were partly derived from subducted clastic sediments. The Sr and Nd isotope systematics indicate that the same continental source was a component in the boninitic and the calc-alkaline magmas. While the calc-alkaline magmas may have gained this continental component at a crustal level by assimilation, both geology and isotope systematics suggest that the continental component in the boninitic rocks was introduced by source contamination – possibly by a direct interaction between the mantle source and the S-type granitic magmas. A modified mid ocean ridge basalt-like mantle source was the principal source during the earliest and the main crust forming stage. This source became replaced by an OIB-like source during the later stages in the evolution of this ancient arc. Received: 27 June 1994 / Accepted: 16 September 1996     

Tectonic evolution of Early Paleozoic island-arc systems and continental crust formation in the Caledonides of Kazakhstan and the North Tien Shan

The extended Saryarka and Shyngyz-North Tien Shan volcanic belts that underwent secondary deformation are traced in the Caledonides of Kazakhstan and the North Tien Shan. These belts are composed of igneous rocks pertaining to Early Paleozoic island-arc systems of various types and the conjugated basins with oceanic crust. The Saryarka volcanic belt has a complex fold-nappe structure formed in the middle Arenigian-middle Llanvirnian as a result of the tectonic juxtaposition of Early-Middle Cambrian and Late Cambrian-Early Ordovician complexes of ensimatic island arcs and basins with oceanic crust. The Shyngyz-North Tien Shan volcanic belt is characterized by a rather simple fold structure and consists of Middle-Late Ordovician volcanic and plutonic associations of ensialic island arcs developing on heterogeneous basement, which is composed of complexes belonging to the Saryarka belt and Precambrian sialic massifs. The structure and isotopic composition of the Paleozoic igneous complexes provide evidence for the heterogeneous structure of the continental crust in various segments of the Kazakh Caledonides. The upper crust of the Shyngyz segment consists of Early Paleozoic island-arc complexes and basins with oceanic crust related to the Saryarka and Shyngyz-North Tien Shan volcanic belts in combination with Middle and Late Paleozoic continental igneous rocks. The deep crustal units of this segment are dominated by mafic rocks of Early Paleozoic suprasubduction complexes. The upper continental crust of the Stepnyak segment is composed of Middle-Late Ordovician island-arc complexes of the Shyngyz-North Tien Shan volcanic belt and Early Ordovician rift-related volcanics. The middle crustal units are composed of Riphean, Paleoproterozoic, and probably Archean sialic rocks, whereas the lower crustal units are composed of Neoproterozoic mafic rocks.     

Nd and Pb Isotopic Composition of Granitoids in the Khangai Batholith as an Indicator of Crust-Forming Processes in the Terranes of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Khangai batholith is one of the largest groups of granitoid plutons produced in Central Asia in the Late Permian–Early Triassic, at 270–240 Ma. The batholith occurs in the Khangai collage of Precambrian terranes, which include Early Precambrian crustal blocks (Dzabkhan and Tarbagatai) and Early to Late Neoproterozoic structures of the Songino block in their surroundings. The axial zone of this collage is overprinted by a basin filled with Devonian volcanic–siliceous rocks and Early to Middle Carboniferous terrigenous rocks. The isotopic parameters (Nd and Pb) of granitoids in the Khangai batholith indicate that the melts were derived from compositionally contrasting crustal sources and a single mantle one. The massifs hosted in the Precambrian blocks were produced with the involvement of lower crustal material, with various ages of the origin of the crust and its differentiation into upper and lower ones. The crust of the Tarbagatai and Dzabkhan blocks was produced in the Early Archean and was differentiated at the Archean–Proterozoic boundary. The crust of the Songino block was formed in the Paleoproterozoic and differentiated in the Early Neoproterozoic. According to the Pb and Nd isotopic parameters of granitoids in the Khangai Basin, the regional continental crust was close to the juvenile one, i.e., the continental crust of the Khangai Basin had still not been differentiated by the time when the Khangai batholith was produced. A single mantle source was involved in the origin of the melts of granitoids of the Khangai batholith in various tectonic blocks. The evolution of the Pb isotopic composition of this sources is consistent with the Stacey–Kramers model at µ = 9.5. This source can be identified with the enriched mantle, which has a higher U/Pb ratio than the depleted mantle and lower ε_Nd(T) of 0 to +2.     

浙南加里东期龙泉岩体年代学、地球化学特征及其地质意义

龙泉岩体是浙南地区少有的加里东期花岗质岩体.岩石学、 地球化学和年代学研究显示,龙泉岩体由花岗岩-二长花岗岩组合(花岗岩类)和英云闪长岩-奥长花岗岩-花岗闪长岩组合(TTG)组成,两类岩石组分普遍富集大离子亲石元素Rb、Ba、Th、U、K,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta、P、Ti,显示岛弧岩浆岩的特征.TTG岩石的地球化学特...     

The origin and emplacement of the Lajishankou ophiolite complex in the South Qilian belt: evidences from geological mapping

Many ophiolite complexes like those of Oman and New Caledonia represent fragments of ancient oceanic crust and upper mantle generated at supra‐subduction zone environments and have been obducted onto the adjacent rifted continental margin together with the accretionary complexes and intra‐oceanic arcs. The Lajishan ophiolite complexes in the Qilian orogenic belt along the NE edge of the Tibet‐Qinghai Plateau are one of several ophiolites situated to the south of the Central Qilian block. Our geological mapping and petrological investigations suggest that the Lajishankou ophiolite complex consists of serpentinite, wehrlite, pyroxenite, gabbro, dolerite, and pillow and massive basalts that occur in a series of elongate fault‐bounded slices. An accretionary complex composed mainly of basalt, radiolarian chert, sandstone, mudstone, and mélange lies structurally beneath the ophiolite complex. The Lajishankou ophiolite complex and accretionary complex were emplaced onto the Qingshipo Formation of the Central Qilian block which shows features typical of turbidites deposited in a deep‐water environment of passive continental margin. Our geochemical and geochronological studies indicate that the mafic rocks in the Lajishankou ophiolite complex can be categorized into three distinct groups: massive island arc tholeiites, 509 Ma back‐arc dolerite dykes, and 491 Ma pillow basaltic and dolerite slices that are of seamount origin in a back‐arc basin. The ophiolite and accretionary complex constitute a Cambrian‐early Ordovician trench‐arc system within the South Qilian belt during the early Paleozoic southward subduction of the South Qilian Ocean prior to Early Ordovician obduction of this system onto the Central Qilian block.