Gondwana from top to base in space and time

Gondwana is reviewed from the unification of its several cratons in the Late Neoproterozoic, through its combination with Laurussia in the Carboniferous to form Pangea and up to its progressive fragmentation in the Mesozoic. For much of that time it was the largest continental unit on Earth, covering almost 100 million km², and its remnants constitute 64% of all land areas today. New palaeogeographical reconstructions are presented, ranging from the Early Cambrian (540 Ma) through to just before the final Pangea breakup at 200 Ma, which show the distributions of land, shallow and deep shelves, oceans, reefs and other features at nine selected Palaeozoic intervals. The South Pole was within Gondwana and the Gondwanan sector of Pangea for nearly all of the Palaeozoic, and thus the deposition of significant glaciogenic rocks in the brief Late Ordovician (Hirnantian) and the much longer Permo-Carboniferous ice ages help in determining where their ice caps lay, and plotting the evaporites in the superterrane area indicates the positions of the subtropics through time. Reefs are also plotted and selected faunal provinces shown, particularly at times such as the Early Devonian (Emsian), when high climatic gradients are reflected in the provincialisation of shallow-marine benthic faunas, such as brachiopods.In Late Palaeozoic and Early Mesozoic times, Gondwana (with Africa at its core) lay over the African large low shear-wave velocity province (LLSVP), one of two major thermochemical piles covering ca. 10% of the core–mantle boundary. The edges of the LLSVPs (Africa and its Pacific antipode) are the plume generation zones (PGZs) and the source regions of kimberlite intrusions and large igneous provinces (LIPs). Our palaeomagnetic reconstructions constrain the configuration of Gondwana and adjacent continents relative to the spin axis, but in order to relate deep mantle processes to surface processes in a palaeomagnetic reference frame, we have also rotated the PGZs to account for true polar wander. In this way, we visualize how the surface distribution of LIPs and kimberlites relate to Gondwana's passage over the PGZs. There are only two LIPs in the Palaeozoic (510 and 289 Ma) that directly affected Gondwanan continental crust, and kimberlites are rare (83 in total). This is because Gondwana was mostly located between the two LLSVPs. The majority of Palaeozoic kimberlites are Cambrian in age and most were derived from the African PGZ. Sixty-six Early Mesozoic kimberlites are also linked to the African LLSVP. All known LIPs (Kalkarindji, Panjal Traps, Central Atlantic Magmatic Province and Karoo) from 510 to 183 Ma (the lifetime of Gondwana) were derived from plumes associated with the African LLSVP, and three of them probably assisted the breakup of Gondwana and Pangea.     

Palaeomagnetic results from the Lancer 1 stratigraphic drillhole,Officer Basin,Western Australia,and implications for Rodinia reconstructions

A partial record of the positions of Australia during Middle to Late Neoproterozoic time is provided by palaeomagnetic results for samples from the Lancer 1 stratigraphic drillhole in Western Australia. Lancer 1 was drilled vertically to 1501 m, through essentially horizontal Neoproterozoic strata of the western Officer Basin. We studied 123 samples from 28 intervals of drillcore which were oriented by matching features (fractures, cross-beds, etc.) in the core with oriented acoustic scanner images of the drillhole walls. Three new palaeopoles are reported for red mudstones and sandstones (redbeds) of the Browne (44.5°N, 141.7°E, dp = 5.1°, dm = 9.0°), Hussar (62.2°N, 85.8°E, dp = 7.3°, dm = 14.6°), and Kanpa (74.0°N, 128.8°E, dp = 7.7°, dm = 14.8°) Formations of the ca 830 – 720 Ma Buldya Group (Supersequence 1), which exhibit stable, two-polarity magnetisations carried by fine-grained hematite and magnetite. The overlying ca 610 – 590 Ma Wahlgu Formation glaciogenic diamictite (Supersequence 3) yielded dispersed directions and an imprecise palaeopole that overlaps results from the glaciogenic Elatina Formation and other Late Neoproterozoic rock units. The results help to elaborate the Middle to Late Neoproterozoic apparent polar wander path for Australia and indicate, in agreement with palaeoclimatic data and previous palaeomagnetic studies, that the continent was slow-moving and occupied low latitudes at this time. Assuming that Australia and Laurentia were still joined at ca 780 Ma, comparison of the new Hussar Formation palaeopole with coeval Laurentian data favours AUSMEX, rather than SWEAT or AUSWUS, as the most likely configuration of these two continents in Rodinia. This preliminary study of Lancer 1 demonstrates the utility of acoustic scanner logs for orienting drillcores, as well as the scope for additional sampling and palaeomagnetic studies of Lancer 1, and other oriented drillcores, to yield a more continuous record of Australia's past motions and to provide magnetostratigraphic data for enhancing inter-basin correlations.     

Geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopes of the Early Mesozoic intrusive rocks in the south Hunchun,Yanbian area,Northeast China: petrogenesis and implications for crustal growth

This paper presents major element, trace element, and new zircon Hf isotopic data for the Early Mesozoic intrusive rocks in the south Hunchun, Yanbian area, Northeast China. These data are used to constrain the petrogenesis of these intrusive rocks and their implications for the Phanerozoic continental growth of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Combining geology, geochronology, and whole-rock geochemistry, we identify three distinct episodes of magmatism as Early–Middle Triassic (249–237 Ma), Late Triassic (224–206 Ma), and Early Jurassic (200–187 Ma). The Early–Middle Triassic (249–237 Ma) adakitic tonalite and granodiorite were produced by the partial melting of subducted oceanic slabs, and the melts were contaminated by mantle peridotite during their ascent, whereas the coeval non-adakitic diorite and monzogranite were most likely derived from partial melting of crustal material. The remarkably high zircon Hf isotopic signature (ε_Hf(t) = + 9.4 – +18.9), the enrichment in large-ion lithophile element and light rare earth elements, and the depletion in high field strength element suggest that these 224 Ma gabbros were derived from the partial melting of depleted mantle modified by subduction-related fluids. The 212 Ma monzogranite was most likely derived from juvenile material mixed with old crustal material as evidenced by their high SiO₂, low MgO, and low Cr concentrations and variable ε_Hf(t) values (–4.6 to +10.0). Except for the 197 Ma tonalites with affinity to the high silica adakites, the overall geochemical evolution of Early Jurassic (200–187 Ma) rocks was consistent with fractional crystallization from quartz diorite, granodiorite, and monzogranite to syenogranite. Both the Early Jurassic syn-subduction lateral continental growth by accretion of arc complexes and the Late Triassic post-collisional vertical continental growth by accretion of mantle-derived material played an important role in the Phanerozoic continental growth of the CAOB.     

Intracontinental movements in Western Gondwanaland: a palaeomagnetic test

Early Cretaceous intracontinental movements within Africa and/or South America, to account for misfit problem in the pre-drift reconstruction of Western Gondwana, have been tested using palaeomagnetic poles from both continents. Each continent has been considered as comprising separate subplates according to the boundaries proposed by Pindell and Dewey (1982) and Curie (1983): i.e., northern Africa ( ), southern Africa ( ), northern South America (nsa) and southern South America ( ). Visual and statistical distribution of Late Permian to Jurassic poles from the African subplates indicate two distinct groups before rotating relative to , while after the rotation they become indistinguishable. The distribution and sparsity of data from South America limit the study in this continent as the data are statistically indistinguishable before and after rotation of with respect to . When the test is extended to the reconstruction of Western Gondwana, the tightest grouping of the poles occurs when an intracontinental movement is assumed within Africa. This suggests that the misfit between the two continents is probably due to intracontinental deformation within Africa and not in South America. If confirmed, this may have profound implications in the kinematics of the processes related to the opening of the South and Central Atlantic Oceans and also the origin of the West African Rift System.     

Tectonic rotations in the Deseado Massif, southern Patagonia, during the breakup of Western Gondwana

Paleomagnetic investigation in the Deseado Massif, southern Patagonia, suggests that Triassic sedimentary rocks carry a latest Triassic to Jurassic remagnetization and that earliest Jurassic plutonic complexes carry a reversed polarity magnetization of thermoremanent origin. Despite uncertainties in the timing of the observed remanence in the Triassic rocks and the lack of paleohorizontal control on the plutonic complexes, comparison of the derived pole positions with the most reliable Late Triassic–Jurassic apparent polar wander paths indicates that the study areas underwent significant clockwise vertical-axis rotation. In contrast, paleomagnetic results from mid-Cretaceous rocks in the region indicate no rotation. The observed crustal rotations in the Deseado Massif are thus bracketed to have occurred between Jurassic and Early Cretaceous times, documenting southern Patagonian deformation during the breakup of Western Gondwana and then enlarging the regional record of clockwise rotations associated with this event. These results suggest a more complex than previously supposed tectonic evolution of this part of South America.     

Nature and significance of the late Mesozoic granitoids in the southern Great Xing’an range,eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

ABSTRACT

Abundant late Mesozoic granitic rocks are widespread in the southern Great Xing’an Range (GXAR), which have attracted much attention due to its significance for the Mesozoic tectonic evolution in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. However, controversy has still surrounded the late Mesozoic geodynamic switching in the continental margin of east China, especially the spatial and temporal extent of the influence of the Mongol-Okhotsk and Palaeo-Pacific tectonic regimes. In order to better understand the Late Mesozoic evolutionary history of the southern GXAR, a number of geochemical, geochronological, and isotopic data of the granitoids in this region are collected. Magmatism in the southern GXAR can be divided into six phases: Late Carboniferous (325–303 Ma), Early-Middle Permian (287–260 Ma), Triassic (252–220 Ma), Early Jurassic (182–176 Ma), Late Jurassic (154–146 Ma), and Early Cretaceous (145–111 Ma). Mesozoic magmatic activities in the southern GXAR peaked during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, accompanied by large-scale mineralization. Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic evidence of these granitic rocks suggested they were likely originated from a mixed source composed of lower crust and newly underplated basaltic crust. Assimilation-fractional crystallization (AFC) or crustal contamination possibly occurred in the magma evolution, and a much more addition of juvenile component to the source of the Early Cretaceous granitoids than that of Late Jurassic. The closure of Mongol-Okhotsk ocean and the break-off of the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic slab at depth in the Jurassic triggered extensive magmatism and related mineralization in this region. The Jurassic intrusive activities was affected by both the subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate and the closure of Mongol-Okhotsk ocean. Less influence of the Mongol-Okhotsk tectonic regime on the Early Cretaceous magmatism, whereas, in contrast the Palaeo-Pacific tectonic regime possibly continued into the Cenozoic.     

Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous tectonic evolution of the Bayanhushuo area,southern Great Xing’an Range,NE China: constraints from zircon U–Pb geochronological and geochemical data of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks

This study presents new zircon U–Pb geochronology, geochemistry, and zircon Hf isotopic data of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks that crop out in the Bayanhushuo area of the southern Great Xing’an Range (GXR) of NE China. These data provide insights into the tectonic evolution of this area during the late Mesozoic and constrain the evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. Combining these new ages with previously published data suggests that the late Mesozoic volcanism occurred in two distinct episodes: Early–Middle Jurassic (176–173 Ma) and Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous (151–138 Ma). The Early–Middle Jurassic dacite porphyry belongs to high-K calc-alkaline series, showing the features of I-type igneous rock. This unit has zircon ε_Hf(t) values from +4.06 to +11.62 that yield two-stage model ages (T_DM2) from 959 to 481 Ma. The geochemistry of the dacite porphyry is indicative of formation in a volcanic arc tectonic setting, and it is derived from a primary magma generated by the partial melting of juvenile mafic crustal material. The Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks belong to high-K calc-alkaline or shoshonite series and have A₂-type affinities. These volcanics have ε_Hf(t) and T_DM2 values from +5.00 to +8.93 and from 879 to 627 Ma, respectively. The geochemistry of these Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks is indicative of formation in a post-collisional extensional environment, and they formed from primary magmas generated by the partial melting of juvenile mafic lower crust. The discovery of late Mesozoic volcanic and subvolcanic rocks within the southern GXR indicates that this region was in volcanic arc and extensional tectonic settings during the Early–Middle Jurassic and the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, respectively. This indicates that the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate was undergoing subduction during the Early–Middle Jurassic, and this ocean adjacent to the GXR may have closed by the Late Middle Jurassic–Early Late Jurassic.     

Triassic breakup of Pangea in southern Mexico: Thermochronological evidence from the Tianguistengo formation

Southern Mexico is a key area for unraveling the tectonic evolution of North America because it contains the stratigraphic and structural record of the major tectonic events that shaped this continental mass, such as the breakup of Pangea and the growth of the North America Cordilleran Orogeny. However, multiple reactivations of faults and erosion of the stratigraphic record do not permit to adequately assess the timing of these tectonic events. Although most authors suggested that lithospheric extension and exhumation of continental blocks during Pangea breakup started in Mexico by Early Jurassic time, works published in the last decade provide an increasing number of thermo-tectonic evidence of an earlier phase of continental thinning. In this work, we present detrital apatite thermochronological and geochemical data (trace elements including rare earth elements) from fluvial deposits of the Tianguistengo formation, which is the oldest stratigraphic unit of the Otlaltepec Basin, a major basin in southern Mexico that has been linked to Pangea breakup. Our data show that at least a part of the Tianguistengo formation was derived from the adjacent Pennsylvanian–Cisuralian Totoltepec pluton. Apatite fission-track-based time–temperature modelling for unreset apatite populations suggests that the main exhumation of the Totoltepec pluton, which prompted the deposition of a part of the Tianguistengo formation, took place during Late Triassic time. Thus, our results suggest that Pangea breakup in southern Mexico started at least by Middle–Late Triassic time (240–230 Ma), as it is recorded in the Otlaltepec Basin.     

重大地史事件、节律及圈层耦合

文章讨论了岩石圈的联合古陆事件，生物圈的重要生物类别的出现、生物爆发事件和集群绝灭事件，水圈和大气圈的海平面变化事件和气候的变冷、变暖事件。联合古陆事件包括陆核型联合古陆（２５００Ｍａ）、初始原地台型联合古陆（１９００Ｍａ）、成熟原地台型联合古陆（１４５０Ｍａ）、地台型联合古陆（８５０Ｍａ）和大陆型联合古陆（２５０Ｍａ）事件；生物圈事件包括原核生物、真核生物、后生动物、带壳后生动物的出现事件，寒武纪生物大爆发事件，奥陶纪—志留纪之交（４３９Ｍａ）、晚泥盆世弗拉斯期—法门期之交（３６７Ｍａ）、二叠纪—三叠纪之交（２５０Ｍａ）、三叠纪—侏罗纪之交（２０８Ｍａ）、白垩纪—第三纪之交（６５Ｍａ）的生物集群绝灭事件，并从遗迹化石的角度，阐述了后生动物及其行为习性的起源和演化的新观点。水圈和大气圈事件包括晚震旦世、奥陶纪—志留纪之交、晚石炭世的自节律海平面变化事件，奥陶纪和白垩纪的他节律高海平面事件，震旦纪—寒武纪和二叠纪—三叠纪之交的耦合节律海平面变化事件，并以泥盆纪为例作了进一步阐述。这些事件是岩石圈、生物圈、水圈和大气圈发展、演化的重要里程碑。上述事件的重要特征是，在时间上的节律性和在成因上的圈层耦合效应。     

The earliest Jurassic A-type granite in the Nanling Range of southeastern South China: petrogenesis and geological implications

The tectonic transition from the palaeo-Tethyan to palaeo-Pacific dynamic domains in the South China Block (SCB) is still a matter of debate. The A-type granites collected from the southeastern SCB offered an opportunity to illustrate this tectonic transition. This article records a set of petrographic, geochronological, and geochemical data for the Wengong granitic pluton from the eastern Nanling Range. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating shows a crystallization age of 196.9 ± 4.4 Ma with ε_Hf(t) values ranging from +2.1 to +7.7. The samples have high SiO₂, Zr+Nb+Ce+Y, FeOt/MgO, Ga/Al, and Y/Nb and are depleted in Nb–Ta, Zr–Hf, Ba, Sr, Ti, and Eu, similar to those of the A₂-type granite. Their initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios range from 0.70885 to 0.70983 and the ε_Nd(t) values range from ?2.9 to ?1.1, close to those of the Early Palaeozoic mafic rocks in the southeastern SCB. The Wengong A₂-type granite was derived from partial melting of the mafic rocks underplated into the lower crust during the Early Palaeozoic.

The Mesozoic A-type granites in the southeastern SCB can be subdivided into 229–215 Ma (Late Triassic), 197–152 Ma (Jurassic), and 135–92 Ma (Cretaceous). They differ in geochemical and spatial distribution characteristics. The Late Triassic A-type granites were formed in the post-collision extensional setting associated with the palaeo-Tethyan dynamic domain, whereas the Cretaceous A-type granites were under the control of the palaeo-Pacific dynamic domain. The A-type granites were hardly exposed during the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic and Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. The Jurassic A-type granites were formed in the intra-plate extensional setting, a response to the tectonic transition from the palaeo-Tethyan to palaeo-Pacific dynamic domains. Thus, the occurrence of the Wengong A₂-type granite indicates that this tectonic transition possibly initiated at the earliest Early Jurassic.     

A review of Indian Phanerozoic palaeomagnetism: Implications for the India-Asia collision

An overview is presented of the Indian apparent polar wander path (APWP) for the Phanerozoic and in particular for post-Late Palaeozoic times. This APWP is compiled on basis of data available at October 1981 from peninsular and extrapeninsular Indo-Pakistan and from DSDP cores from the Indian plate. One of the more important and newly recognized features of this APWP is a large-scale Triassic-Jurassic loop. This loop indicates a changeover from a Late Palaeozoic-Early Mesozoic northwards and counter-clockwise rotational movement, with Greater India reaching moderately low southern latitudes, into a southwards and clockwise rotational movement during the Early to Middle Jurassic. Recognizable likewise in APWP's from other Gondwana continents, this loop reflects the opening of the Neotethys.Studies of extrapeninsular regions up to and north of the Indus-Tsangpo suture zone have shown wide-spread presence of magnetic overprints, which delineate two regionally confined age groups. Younger overprints (20–40 m.y.) predominate in the more external thrust zones. Older overprints (50–60 m.y.), in contrast, are found in the more internal zones both north and south of the Indus-Tsangpo suture zone. The latter are interpreted to reflect a late phase of relaxation in the Early Tertiary collision of Greater India with south-central Asia or off-shore island arcs, which occurred at equatorial to low northern palaeolatitudes (0°–10°N). Subsequent northwards movement over 2500–3000 km or more and impingement of Greater India into southern Asia resulted into large-scale underthrusting of Greater India along the Main Central Thrust beneath southern Tibet, and to clockwise rotation of thrust units in the Western Himalaya. A discrepancy between Indian palaeomagnetic data and results available todate from southern Tibet is discussed.     

The Late Carboniferous to Late Triassic segment of the apparent polar wander path of Iberia

A palaeomagnetic study has been carried out at 16 well-dated sites from four areas in central Spain (southeastern Iberian Massif and western Iberian Ranges) in order to constrain the Late Carboniferous to Late Triassic segment of the apparent polar wander path (APWP) of Iberia. 322 samples (218 with useful results) were collected from andesitic rocks at Atienza (287 ± 12 Ma) and from Triassic continental red beds at Molina de Aragón (Anisian-Ladinian), Alcaraz (Ladinian-Carnian), Alcázar de San Juan (Ladinian-Carnian) and Cuevas de Ayllón (Carnian-Norian). Comparison of the palaeomagnetic results from the western Iberian Ranges and from the Iberian Massif indicates that the investigated area of the Iberian Ranges forms part of Stable Iberia. The palaeomagnetic poles obtained in this study and a revision of previous palaeomagnetic data, discarding poles obtained from areas of doubtful stability, show together a gradual and consistent change in latitude and longitude resulting in a coherent segment of the APWP for the Late Carboniferous to Late Triassic time span.     

Jurassic break-up of the Peri-Gondwanan margin in northern Colombia: Basin formation and implications for terrane transfer

Jurassic extensional basins developed along the northwestern margin of South America during the break-up of Pangea. Presently, these basins are dispersed in several tectonic blocks of the northern Andes and Mexico, hindering reconstruction of western equatorial Pangea before break-up. This is the case of the Cosinas Basin (Guajira block) and the Machiques Basin (Perijá Range), in northern Colombia, which are filled by Jurassic sedimentary and volcano-sedimentary successions. Autochthonous and para-autochthonous hypotheses on the origin of this basins have been proposed. The purpose of this research is to document the sedimentological evolution, depositional age (Sr-isotope + U-Pb geochronology), sediment provenance and paleogeography of the Cosinas and Machiques basins in order to constrain whether these basins formed within a single extensional margin or they formed as extensional basins in different tectonic blocks. Volcanic detrital zircon U-Pb ages documented in La Quinta Formation in the Machiques Basin and at the base of Rancho Grande Formation in the Cosinas Basin suggest that extensional basins were active in Early Jurassic time. However, a significant difference exists in their subsequent history. Whereas in the Machiques Basin dominates the accumulation of Lower and Middle Jurassic volcanoclastic deposits with abrupt lateral thickness changes, accumulation in the Cosinas Basin is dominantly of siliciclastic strata, with the record of two major marine incursions in Late Jurassic time. Integration of provenance results indicates that the Santander Massif supplied sediments to the Machiques Basin. In contrast, Middle to Upper Jurassic sandstones of the Cosinas Basin document unroofing of basement blocks that include metamorphic, sedimentary and plutonic rocks from the Guajira and Maya blocks. The similarity in age and composition of pre-Jurassic rocks in northwestern South America and the so-called peri-Gondwana blocks in the Mexican subcontinent (i.e., Maya and Oaxaquia blocks) challenge the use of detrital zircon population as an indicator of the autochthonous or para-autochthonous origin of the Guajira block. Large uncertainty of paleomagnetic results, and the lack of constraints for the time magnetization acquisition preclude estimating paleolatitudes for the Guajira block in Jurassic time but support previous interpretation of ca. 70°-90° clockwise rotation of the Guajira block relative to stable South America craton.Our preferred paleogeography considers that the Cosinas and Machiques basins were close to each other along the western continental margin of Pangea during the onset of extension in Early Jurassic time. The change from continental to marine depositional environments in Middle to Late Jurassic time along the Cosinas Basin, which have not been identified in the Machiques Basin or other autochthonous Jurassic basins in northwestern South America, allow us to propose that these blocks were separated during the Callovian - Tithonian interval, with the Cosinas Basin remaining closer to a conjugate Mexican margin, that we interpret as the Maya block. Collision of the Guajira block with the South American margin occurred near the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary, as documented by deformation of Jurassic units previous to deposition of Berriasian strata in the Guajira block.     

Palaeomagnetic assessment of plutons from the southern Peninsular Ranges batholith and the Jurassic Vizcaíno igneous suites,Baja California,México

ABSTRACT

We report geological and palaeomagnetic data from five discrete plutons in the southern part of the Peninsular Ranges batholith (PRB) and one pluton that is part of the Jurassic plutonic suite in the Vizcaíno peninsula. The PRB plutons are Cretaceous and belong to the Alisitos island arc. The Jurassic pluton intrudes a Triassic-Jurassic ophiolite.

Our study was designed to evaluate the palaeomagnetic homogeneity of the batholith from the Sierra San Pedro Mártir, at ~31°N, to about ~28.3°N. The Punta Prieta, Nuevo Rosarito, San Jerónimo, and La Rinconada plutons in the western zone of the PRB are characterized by magnetizations residing in magnetite. The Compostela pluton is emplaced in a transition zone and has a magnetization that resides in haematite. The five Cretaceous plutons yield a combined palaeopole at 80.3°N, 162.1°E, A₉₅ = 9.8°, N = 5 that after correcting for the opening of the Gulf of California rotates to 77.6°N, 173.6°E, the rotated pole being in angular distance of only 4.4° from the North America reference pole. The Jurassic San Roque pluton yields a mean 0.6°N, 306.1°E, A₉₅ = 9.2°, N = 10, which is discordant, showing a clockwise rotation of about 131° ± 16° and flattening of 9.5° ± 12.9° with respect to the 150 Ma cratonic reference palaeopole. The results suggest that the intrusion of the undeformed Cretaceous Punta Prieta to Compostela plutons (128.1 ± 1.4 and 100.5 ± 2.7 Ma, respectively) restricts tectonic accretion of the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous sequences to the North America margin to the time before mid-Cretaceous magmatism (~100 Ma) in the PRB near present latitude 28°N. Mesozoic and Cenozoic strike-slip faulting along the Vizcaíno margin can account for the 131° clockwise rotation of the San Roque pluton. Our results do not support significant latitudinal movement between Vizcaíno, the PRB, and mainland Mexico with the exception of the Neogene San Andreas Fault-related right lateral movement.     

Tectonic nature of the NE Asian continental margin during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous: constraints from the geochronology and geochemistry of igneous rocks in the NE North China Craton

ABSTRACT

This paper presents geochronological, geochemical, and zircon Hf–O isotope data for late Mesozoic intrusive rocks from the northeastern North China Craton (NCC), with the aim of constraining the late Mesozoic tectonic nature of the NE Asian continental margin. U–Pb zircon data indicate that the Late Mesozoic magmatism in the northeastern NCC can be subdivided into two stages: Late Jurassic (161 ? 156 Ma) and Early Cretaceous (125 ? 120 Ma). Late Jurassic magmatism consists mainly of monzogranites. These monzogranites display high Sr/Y ratios and the tetrad effect in their REE, respectively, and have negative ε_Hf(t) values (?22.6 to ?15.8). The former indicates that the primary magma was generated by partial melting of thickened NCC lower crust, the latter suggests that the monzogranites were crystallized from highly fractionated magma, with the primary magma derived from partial melting of lower continental crust. Combined with the spatial distribution and rock associations of the Late Jurassic granitoids, we conclude that the Late Jurassic magmatism in the eastern NCC formed in a compressional environment related to oblique subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasia. The Early Cretaceous magmatism consists mainly of granitoids and quartz diorites. The quartz diorites formed by mixing of melts derived from the mantle and lower crust. The coeval granitoids are classified as high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous series. Some of the granitoids are similar to A-type granites. The granitoid ε_Hf(t) values and T_DM2 range from ?14.3 to ?1.4 and 2089 to 1274 Ma, respectively. These values indicate that their primary magma was derived from partial melting of lower crustal material of the NCC, but with a contribution of mantle-derived material. We therefore conclude that Early Cretaceous magmatism in the northeastern NCC occurred in an extensional environment related to westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath Eurasia.     

Sedimentary record of Jurassic northward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean: insights from detrital zircons

The subduction polarity and related arc–magmatic evolutional history of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean, which separated the South Qiangtang terrane to the north from the North Lhasa terrane to the south during the Mesozoic, remain debated. This study tries to reconstruct the subduction and evolution of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean on the basis of U–Pb and Hf isotopic analyses of detrital zircons in samples from sedimentary rocks of the middle-western section of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone in Gerze County, central Tibet. The Middle Jurassic Muggargangri Group in the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone was deposited in a deep-sea basin setting on an active continental margin. The Late Jurassic strata, such as the Sewa Formation, are widely distributed in the South Qiangtang terrane and represent deposition on a shelf. The Early Cretaceous Shamuluo Formation in the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone unconformably overlies the Muggargangri Group and was probably deposited in a residual marine basin setting. The detrital zircons of the Muggargangri Group contain seven U–Pb age populations: 2.6–2.4 Ga, 1.95–1.75 Ga, 950–900 Ma, 850–800 Ma, 650–550 Ma, 480–420 Ma, and 350–250 Ma, which is similar to the age populations in sedimentary rocks of the South Qiangtang terrane. In addition, the age spectra of the Shamuluo Formation are similar to those of the Muggargangri Group, indicating that both had a northern terrane provenance, which is conformed by the north-to-south palaeocurrent. This provenance indicates northward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang oceanic crust. In contrast, two samples from the Sewa Formation yield variable age distributions: the lower sample has age populations similar to those of the South Qiangtang terrane, whereas the upper possesses only one age cluster with a peak at ca. 156 Ma. Moreover, the majority of the late Mesozoic detrital zircons are characterized by weakly positive εHf(t) values that are similar to those of magmatic zircons from arc magmatic rocks in the South Qiangtang terrane. The findings, together with information from the record of magmatism, indicate that the earliest prevalent arc magmatism occurred during the Early Jurassic (ca. 185 Ma) and that the principal arc–magmatic stage occurred during the Middle–Late Jurassic (ca. 170–150 Ma). The magmatic gap and scarcity of detrital zircons at ca. 140–130 Ma likely indicate collision between the Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes. The late Early Cretaceous (ca. 125–100 Ma) magmatism on both sides of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone was probably related to slab break-off or lithospheric delamination after closure of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean.     

敦化-密山断裂带的平移距离:来自松嫩-张广才岭-佳木斯-兴凯地块古生代-中生代岩浆作用的制约

敦化-密山断裂带是郯庐断裂北段的重要分支之一,其大规模左行走滑发生的时限以及平移距离一直存在较大争议。本文系统地总结了松嫩-张广才岭地块东缘、佳木斯地块以及兴凯地块之上古生代-中生代火成岩的锆石U-Pb年代学资料,结合其空间分布特征,对敦化-密山断裂带的平移时限及距离提供了制约。研究表明,松嫩-张广才岭地块东缘与兴凯地块在古生代-中生代期间具有类似的岩浆活动历史,两个地块之上该时期的岩浆作用可以划分为8个主要期次:中-晚寒武世(ca.500~516Ma)、早奥陶世(ca.480~486Ma)、晚奥陶世(ca.450~456Ma)、中志留世(ca.426~430Ma)、早二叠世(ca.285~292Ma)、晚二叠世(ca.255~260Ma)、晚三叠世(ca.202~210Ma)和早侏罗世(ca.185~186Ma)。相比之下,佳木斯地块中的古生代-中生代早期岩浆事件则集中在晚寒武世(~492Ma)、晚泥盆世(~388Ma)、早二叠世(~288Ma)、晚二叠世(~259Ma)和早侏罗世(~176Ma),而晚奥陶世-志留纪和晚三叠世的岩浆活动在佳木斯地块未见报道。早白垩世晚期(ca.105~110Ma)和晚白垩世(ca.90~94Ma)的岩浆活动在三个地块均存在。上述结果表明兴凯地块东缘与松嫩-张广才岭地块东缘在早古生代经历了共同的地质演化历史,而中生代早期,兴凯地块西缘与松嫩-张广才岭地块东缘经历了同样的岩浆作用历史。上述结果暗示,敦化-密山断裂可能经历了至少两次平移,分别发生在中-晚二叠世-早三叠世和中-晚侏罗世-早白垩世,推测其总的平移距离约400km。结合研究区中生代期间的构造演化历史,敦化-密山断裂中生代的左行平移应与中-晚侏罗世-早白垩世期间古太平洋板块(Izanagi板块)的斜向俯冲相联系。     

Gondwana: Its shape,size and position from Cambrian toTriassic times

Gondwana and the associated peri-Gondwana fragments cover an area which isabout two-thirds of the area of all continents above the 2000 m bathymetric contour. The Gondwana continents formed by break-up during a geologically short period (Jurassic to Tertiary times), coinciding with the eruption of flood basalts. The uplift caused by associated plumes probably provided the extra stresses necessary for continental separation. It is unclear whether plumes alone were able to fragment Gondwana. By contrast, the smaller, more numerous, peri-Gondwana fragments are generally elongate and their period of formation spans the whole of the Phanerozoic. Their shapes are tentatively attributed to trench suction and associated effects caused by south dipping slabs acting mostly on the northern margin of Gondwana; their migration to retreat of the hinge lines of the subduction zones generally northwards. Gondwana's position during the Cambrian to Triassic interval is uncertain. The most recent apparent polar wander paths (APWPs), based on high quality palaeomagnetic data, are incompatible with the distributions of corals, tillites and the Clarkeia shelly fauna of Silurian age. Somewhat surprisingly, a new APWP based on all available pal˦omagnetic poles is in much better agreement with the fossil and sediment distributions even though many poles have not been magnetically tested. A solution to the ‘Pang˦a problem’ is proposed, in which it is suggested that many of the Gondwana poles for the period 340-200 Ma have been remagnetised. However, all the APWPs give improbable polar positions for some Early Cambrian Moroccan archaeocyathids. Rates of change of pole position for the new modified APWP (‘apparent drift rates’) are similar to post-Triassic rates, implying that plate driving forces have not changed much during the Phanerozoic.     

Revised palaeomagnetic data for the Australian Mesozoic and a synthesis of late Palaeozoic—Mesozoic results for Gondwanaland

Revised palaeomagnetic data for the Mesozoic of Australia confirm the unity of Gondwanaland until the mid-Jurassic. By combining palaeomagnetic poles from all the Gondwana continents, an apparent polar shift is recognized for the late Palaeozoic, Triassic and Jurassic.     

Major types and time–space distribution of Mesozoic ore deposits in South China and their geodynamic settings

The ore deposits of the Mesozoic age in South China can be divided into three groups, each with different metal associations and spatial distributions and each related to major magmatic events. The first event occurred in the Late Triassic (230–210 Ma), the second in the Mid–Late Jurassic (170–150 Ma), and the third in the Early–Mid Cretaceous (120–80 Ma). The Late Triassic magmatic event and associated mineralization is characterized by peraluminous granite-related W–Sn–Nb–Ta mineral deposits. The Triassic ore deposits are considerably disturbed or overprinted by the later Jurassic and Cretaceous tectono-thermal episodes. The Mid–Late Jurassic magmatic and mineralization events consist of 170–160 Ma porphyry–skarn Cu and Pb–Zn–Ag vein deposits associated with I-type granites and 160–150 Ma metaluminous granite-related polymetallic W–Sn deposits. The Late Jurassic metaluminous granite-related W–Sn deposits occur in a NE-trending cluster in the interior of South China, such as in the Nanling area. In the Early–Mid Cretaceous, from about 120 to 80 Ma, but peaking at 100–90 Ma, subvolcanic-related Fe deposits developed and I-type calc-alkaline granitic intrusions formed porphyry Cu–Mo and porphyry-epithermal Cu–Au–Ag mineral systems, whereas S-type peraluminous and/or metaluminous granitic intrusions formed polymetallic Sn deposits. These Cretaceous mineral deposits cluster in distinct areas and are controlled by pull-apart basins along the South China continental margin. Based on mineral assemblage, age, and space–time distribution of these mineral systems, integrated with regional geological data and field observations, we suggest that the three magmatic–mineralization episodes are the result of distinct geodynamic regimes. The Triassic peraluminous granites and associated W–Sn–Nb–Ta mineralization formed during post-collisional processes involving the South China Block, the North China Craton, and the Indo-China Block, mostly along the Dabie-Sulu and Songma sutures. Jurassic events were initially related to the shallow oblique subduction of the Izanagi plate beneath the Eurasian continent at about 175 Ma, but I-type granitoids with porphyry Cu and vein-type Pb–Zn–Ag deposits only began to form as a result of the breakup of the subducted plate at 170–160 Ma, along the NNE-trending Qinzhou-Hangzhou belt (also referred to as Qin-Hang or Shi-Hang belt), which is the Neoproterozoic suture that amalgamates the Yangtze Craton and Cathaysia Block. A large subduction slab window is assumed to have formed in the Nanling and adjacent areas in the interior of South China, triggering the uprise of asthenospheric mantle into the upper crust and leading to the emplacement of metaluminous granitic magma and associated polymetallic W–Sn mineralization. A relatively tectonically quiet period followed between 150 and 135 Ma in South China. From 135 Ma onward, the angle of convergence of the Izanagi plate changed from oblique to parallel to the coastline, resulting in continental extensional tectonics and reactivation of regional-scale NE-trending faults, such as the Tan-Lu fault. This widespread extension also promoted the development of NE-trending pull-apart basins and metamorphic core complexes, accompanied by volcanism and the formation of epithermal Cu–Au deposits, granite-related polymetallic Sn–(W) deposits and hydrothermal U deposits between 120 and 80 Ma (with a peak activity at 100–90 Ma).