Juxtaposition of adakite, boninite, high-TiO2 and low-TiO2 basalts in the Devonian southern Altay, Xinjiang, NW China

We present petrographic and geochemical data on representative samples of the Devonian adakite, boninite, low-TiO₂ and high-TiO₂ basalts and associated rocks in the southern Altay areas, Xinjiang, NW China. These volcanic rocks mostly occur as tectonic blocks within suture zones between the Siberian and Junggar plates. Adakite occurs in the Suoerkuduke area ca. 40 km south of Fuyun, and actually represents a poorly-sorted massive volcaniclastic deposit, mostly consisting of a suite of hornblende andesite to pyroxene andesite. The geochemical features of the adakite suggest its generation by melting of subducted oceanic crust. Boninite occurs in the Saerbulake area ca. 20 km southwest of Fuyun, as pillowed lava or pillowed breccia. It is associated with high-TiO₂ basalt/gabbro and low-TiO₂ basalt. The boninites are metamorphosed, but contain relict clinopyroxene with Mg# (=100*Mg/(Mg+Fe)) of 90–92, and Cr₂O₃ contents of 0.5–0.7 wt% and chromian spinel with Cr/(Cr+Al) ratio of 0.84. The bulk rock compositions of the boninites are characterized by low and U-shaped REE with variable La/Yb ratios. They are classified as high-Ca boninite. The Cr-rich cpx phenocryst and Chromian spinel suggests that the boninites were formed by melting of mildly refractory mantle peridotite fluxed by a slab-derived fluid component under normal mantle potential temperature conditions. Basaltic rocks occur as massive flows, pillowed lavas, tuff breccia, lapilli tuff and blocks in tectonic mélanges. Together with gabbros, the basaltic rocks are classified into high-TiO₂ (>1.7 wt%) and low-TiO₂ (<1.5 wt%) types. They show variable trace element compositions, from MORB-type through transitional back-arc basin basalt to arc tholeiite, or within plate alkalic basalt. A notable feature of the Devonian formations in the southern Altay is the juxtaposition of volcanic rocks of various origins even within a limited area; i.e. the adakite and the boninites are associated with high-TiO₂ and low-TiO₂ basalts and/or gabbros, respectively. This is most likely produced by complex accretion and tectonic processes during the convergence in the Devonian–Carboniferous paleo-Asian Ocean between the Siberian and Junggar plates.     

Deciphering an Archean mantle plume: Abitibi greenstone belt,Canada

The 2724–2722 Ma Stoughton-Roquemaure Group (SRG) of the Abitibi greenstone belt (the Archean Superior Province, Canada) is a ≤ 2 km thick komatiite–basalt succession intermittently exposed for about 50 km along strike. The ultramafic and mafic rocks occur mainly as pillowed, brecciated, and massive flows with well preserved spinifex textures in the komatiites. Volcanological, comparative stratigraphic and geochemical studies of the group along a volcanic marker horizon at the base of the succession allow the assessment of magma emplacement processes and mantle source rocks. Major feeder channels, secondary distributary tubes surrounded by pillowed flows with minor breccias and hyaloclastites display facies architecture of small volume flow fields (1–2 km³). Within the SRG, Al-depleted (ADK; Barberton-type) and Al-undepleted (AUK; Munro-type) komatiitic lavas are intercalated with tholeiitic basalt flows at a m- to 10s of m scale. Basalts and komatiites are inferred to be mantle plume-related; both rock types form two groups with characteristics of ADK and AUK including Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ~ 9–12 for ADK versus 17–22 for AUK, as well as (Gd/Yb)_n with > 1.3 versus ~ 1, respectively. The interdigitation of compositionally different flow units, limited extent of SRG volcanic rocks and facies architecture with the prevalence of small volume flows argue for a relatively small, heterogeneous mantle plume during the incipient stage of the evolution of the Archean Abitibi belt. Assuming that the scale of heterogeneities is comparable to the field expression of compositional changes and stratigraphy, it can be suggested that geochemical plume ‘layering’ is on 10s to 100s of m-scale. The evolution of this Archean mantle plume from inception to demise compares favorably with the Yellowstone hotspot which is assumed to have developed over 17 m.y. and had a diameter of about 300 km.     

Petrogenesis of Neoarchaean volcanic rocks of the MacQuoid supracrustal belt: A back-arc setting for the northwestern Hearne subdomain,western Churchill Province,Canada

Rocks exposed in the MacQuoid-Gibson Lakes region, northwest Hearne subdomain, western Churchill Province, Canada comprise three major lithotectonic assemblages: the Principal volcanic belt; the metasedimentary MacQuoid homocline and; the Cross Bay plutonic complex. Neoarchaean supracrustal rocks of the belt range in age from <2745 to <2672 Ma and were intruded during the interval <2689 to 2655 Ma by diverse plutonic units ranging from gabbro through syenogranite, but greatly dominated by tonalite. Volcanic rocks occur only in the Principal volcanic belt and the MacQuoid homocline, are metamorphosed to amphibolite facies and vary from rare pillowed to common massive basalt and andesite, intercalated with less abundant, thin, dacitic to rhyolitic tuffs, lavas and volcaniclastic rocks. Basalt and andesite are dominated by subalkaline, FeO^T-rich tholeiites with less common calc-alkaline rocks with higher SiO₂ contents and variable trace element contents. Felsic volcanic rocks exhibit calc-alkaline affinities and similarly diverse trace element abundances. The diverse trace element chemistry of the basalt and andesite supports their derivation from a heterogeneous mantle source(s) capable of generating MORB-, Arc-, BABB- and boninite-like rocks. Two geochemically distinct, arc-like suites were generated through contamination of the primary mantle-derived magmas either via assimilation of lower or middle tonalitic crust, or through contamination of their mantle source through subduction. Geochemical features of the felsic volcanic rocks indicate that these formed via both anatexis of crust in the amphibolite ± garnet stability field and via fractionation of more primitive progenitors in mid-upper crustal magma chambers. ɛNd_{t = 2680 Ma} isotopic compositions cluster near depleted mantle, indicating that significant incorporation of older, >2700 Ma crust likely did not occur. ɛNd_{t = 2680 Ma} values for three specimens, one from each of the Arc-like suites and one BABB-like basalt are slightly lower than the remainder, suggesting very minor incorporation of slightly older crust.These features imply that the processes that generated the MacQuoid supracrustal belt required simultaneous tapping of geochemically distinct mantle reservoirs with concomitant anatexis of sialic crust (garnet stability field) and fractionation of felsic magmas in upper crustal magma chambers. Shallow water deposition of abundant volcaniclastic rocks and semipelite along with minor conglomerate and quartzite was broadly contemporaneous with this magmatism. We envisage a geodynamic setting characterized by tectonomagmatic processes similar to those of modern supra-subduction zone back-arc marginal basins such as the Sea of Japan. Therein, an extensional, back-arc setting, likely proximal to continental crust, provides an explanation for a broad swath of diverse mantle-derived rocks intercalated with less common felsic rocks as well as an abundance of immature clastic metasedimentary rocks.     

Controls on prolate and oblate geode geometries in the Veia Alta basalt flow,largest world producer of amethyst,Paraná volcanic province,Brazil

Variable intensity of hydrothermal alteration of the Veia Alta basalt flow, Ametista do Sul, Brazil, exerted the fundamental control on the shape and size of the amethyst geodes. The loss on ignition (LOI) of the host basalt is used as a proxy for intensity of alteration and has direct relationship with the height of the geodes (up to 150 cm in the three study mines) and with the prolaticity of geodes. All rocks with LOI > 5 wt.% host prolate geodes and all oblate geodes are hosted in rocks with LOI < 5 wt.%. An additional observation is the extensive mobility of several elements during hydrothermal alteration (variable LOI), including SiO₂, K₂O and Rb. The hydrothermal origin of the geodic cavities is thus established and their shapes explained by the empirical observation of the results from a previous numerical simulation experiment.     

Kinematics and age constraints of deformation in a Late Carboniferous accretionary complex in Western Junggar,NW China

The Karamay area, situated in the eastern part of Western Junggar, Southern Altaids, contains an ophiolitic mélange with ultramafic rocks, gabbro, basalt, chert and limestone, which show typical block-in-matrix structures, and coherent turbidites and tuffs. These lithological associations are interpreted as incoherent and coherent series formed in an accretionary complex. On the basis of detailed field mapping and analyses of the asymmetry of imbricate thrusts, duplexes, tilted structures, shear band cleavages, and the NW-verging inclined to overturned folds, we conclude that the overall movement in the accretionary complex was top-to-the-NW. The youngest tuff involved in the deformation contains detrital zircons that have a U–Pb age (LA-MC ICP-MS) of 308 ± 7 Ma. ³⁹Ar–⁴⁰Ar resistance furnace step-heating of amphibole separates from a diorite dike, which cuts the folded and imbricated rocks in the accretionary prism, yielded a plateau age of 307 ± 2 Ma. Consequently, the age of the deformation in the prism is tightly constrained at 307–308 Ma, implying that the deformation occurred in an extremely short time-span during SE-ward subduction. Combined contemporaneous occurrence of Baogutu adakite, high-Mg, Sr-enriched and Y-poor dioritic dikes, Miaoergou charnockite, and Maliya mafic rocks, we further suggest the accretionary complex was cut by near-trench volcanic rocks and plutons possibly due to interaction with a spreading ridge.     

Neoproterozoic arc–back-arc system in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt: Evidence from supra-subduction zone ophiolites

Ophiolites are widely distributed in the Central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt, occurring as clusters in the northern (NCEDO) and southern (SCEDO) segments. Mineralogical and geochemical data on the volcanic sections of Wizer (WZO) and Abu Meriewa (AMO) ophiolites as representatives of the NCEDO and SCEDO, respectively, are presented.The WZO volcanic sequence comprises massive metavolcanics of MORB-like compositions intruded by minor boninitic dykes and thrust over island-arc metavolcanic blocks in the mélange matrix. Such transitional MORB-IAT-boninitic magmatic affinities for the WZO metavolcanics suggest that they most likely formed in a protoarc–forearc setting. Chemical compositions of primary clinopyroxene and Cr-spinel relicts from the WZO volcanic section further confirm this interpretation. The compositional variability in the WZO volcanic sequence is comparable with the associated mantle rocks that vary from slightly depleted harzburgites to highly depleted harzburgites containing small dunite bodies, which are residues after MORB, IAT and boninite melt formation, respectively. Source characteristics of the different lava groups from the WZO indicate generation via partial melting of a MORB source which was progressively depleted by melt extraction and variably enriched by subduction zone fluids. MORB-like magma may have been derived from ~ 20% partial melting of an undepleted lherzolite source, leaving slightly depleted harzburgite as a residuum. The generation of island-arc magma can be accounted for by partial melting (~ 15%) of the latter harzburgitic mantle source, whereas boninites may have been derived from partial melting (~ 20%) of a more refractory mantle source previously depleted by melt extraction of MORB and IAT melts, leaving ultra-refractory dunite bodies as residuum.The AMO volcanic unit occurs as highly deformed pillowed metavolcanic rocks in a mélange matrix. They can be categorized geochemically into LREE-depleted (La/Yb_CN = 0.41–0.50) and LREE-enriched (La/Yb_CN = 4.7–4.9) lava types that show an island arc to MORB geochemical signature, respectively, signifying a back-arc basin setting. This is consistent, as well, with their mantle section. Source characteristics indicate depleted to slightly enriched mantle sources with overall slight subduction zone geochemical affinities as compared to the WZO.Generally, CED ophiolites show supra-subduction zone geochemical signature with prevalent island arc tholeiitic and minor boninitic affinities in the NCEDO and MORB/island-arc association in the SCEDO. Such differences in geochemical characteristics of the NCEDO and SCEDO, along with the abundance of mature island arc metavolcanics which are close in age (~ 750 Ma) to the ophiolitic rocks, general enrichment in HFSE of ophiolites from north to south, and lack of a crustal break and major shear zones, is best explained by a geotectonic model whereby the CED represents an arc–back-arc system above a southeast-dipping subduction zone.     

U–Pb (zircon) and geochemical constraints on the age,origin, and evolution of Paleozoic arc magmas in the Oyu Tolgoi porphyry Cu–Au district,southern Mongolia

Uranium–Pb (zircon) ages are linked with geochemical data for porphyry intrusions associated with giant porphyry Cu–Au systems at Oyu Tolgoi to place those rocks within the petrochemical framework of Devonian and Carboniferous rocks of southern Mongolia. In this part of the Gurvansayhan terrane within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, the transition from Devonian tholeiitic marine rocks to unconformably overlying Carboniferous calc-alkaline subaerial to shallow marine volcanic rocks reflects volcanic arc thickening and maturation. Radiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic compositions (ε_Nd(t) range from + 3.1 to + 7.5 and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values for feldspars range from 17.97 to 18.72), as well as low high-field strength element (HFSE) contents of most rocks (mafic rocks typically have < 1.5% TiO₂) are consistent with magma derivation from depleted mantle in an intra-oceanic volcanic arc. The Late Devonian and Carboniferous felsic rocks are dominantly medium- to high-K calc-alkaline and characterized by a decrease in Sr/Y ratios through time, with the Carboniferous rocks being more felsic than those of Devonian age. Porphyry Cu–Au related intrusions were emplaced in the Late Devonian during the transition from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline arc magmatism. Uranium–Pb (zircon) geochronology indicates that the Late Devonian pre- to syn-mineral quartz monzodiorite intrusions associated with the porphyry Cu–Au deposits are ~ 372 Ma, whereas granodiorite intrusions that post-date major shortening and are associated with less well-developed porphyry Cu–Au mineralization are ~ 366 Ma. Trace element geochemistry of zircons in the Late Devonian intrusions associated with the porphyry Cu–Au systems contain distinct Th/U and Yb/Gd ratios, as well as Hf and Y concentrations that reflect mixing of magma of distinct compositions. These characteristics are missing in the unmineralized Carboniferous intrusions. High Sr/Y and evidence for magma mixing in syn- to late-mineral intrusions distinguish the Late Devonian rocks associated with giant Cu–Au deposits from younger magmatic suites in the district.     

Petrogenesis of ore-forming and pre/post-ore granitoids from the Kounrad,Borly and Sayak porphyry/skarn Cu deposits,Central Kazakhstan

Ore-forming porphyries and barren granitoids from porphyry Cu deposits differ in many ways, particularly with respect to their adakitic affinity and calc-alkaline characteristics. In this study, zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os dating, whole rock geochemistry, whole rock Sr–Nd–Pb and zircon O–Hf isotopic analyses were carried out on the ore-forming granitoids from the Kounrad, Borly and Sayak deposits, and also on pre-ore and post-ore granitoids in adjacent regions of Central Kazakhstan. Geochronology results indicate that pre-ore magmatism occurred in the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous (361.3–339.4 Ma), followed by large scale Cu mineralization (325.0–327.3 Ma at Kounrad, 311.4–315.2 Ma at Borly and 309.5–311.4 Ma at Sayak), and finally, emplacement of the Late Carboniferous post-ore barren granitoids (305.0 Ma). The geochemistry of these rocks is consistent with calc-alkaline arc magmatism characterized by strong depletions in Nb, Ta and Ti and enrichments in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, suggesting a supra-subduction zone setting. However, the ore-forming rocks at Kounrad and Sayak show adakitic characteristics with high Sr (517.5–785.3 ppm), Sr/Y (50.60–79.26), (La/Yb)_N (9.37–19.62) but low Y (6.94–11.54 ppm) and Yb (0.57–1.07 ppm), whereas ore-forming rocks at Borly and barren rocks from northwest of Borly and Sayak have normal arc magma geochemical features. The Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotopic compositions show three different signatures: (1) Sayak granitoids have very young juvenile lower crust-derived compositions ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.70384 to 0.70451, ɛ_Nd (t) = + 4.9 to + 6.0; T_DM2 (Nd) = 580 to 670 Ma, ɛ_Hf (t) = + 11.3 to + 15.5; T_DM^C (Hf) = 330 to 600 Ma, δ¹⁸O = 6.0 to 8.1‰), and were probably generated from depleted mantle-derived magma with 5–15% sediment melt addition in the magma source; (2) the Kt-1 granite from northwest of Sayak shows extremely enriched Sr–Nd isotopic compositions ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.71050, ɛ_Nd (t) = − 7.8, T_DM2 (Nd) = 1700 Ma), likely derived from partial melting of ancient continental crust; (3) other granitoids have transitional Sr–Nd compositions between the Sayak and Kt-1 samples, indicating a juvenile lower crust source with the addition of 10–30% of ancient crustal material. The pre-ore magmatism was probably related to partial melting of juvenile lower crust due to northward subduction of the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean, whereas the ore-forming adakitic rocks at Aktogai, Kounrad and Sayak formed by partial melting of thickened lower crust which subsequently delaminated. The ore-forming rocks at Borly, and the later post-ore barren granites, formed by partial melting of juvenile lower crust with normal thickness. This tectonic setting supports the existence of an Andean-type magmatic arc in the Devonian to the Late Carboniferous, resulting from the subduction of the Junggar–Balkhash oceanic plate. The link between whole rock geochemistry and scale of mineralization suggests a higher metallogenic potential for adakitic rocks than for normal arc magmatism.     

Constraints of C–O–S–Pb isotope compositions and Rb–Sr isotopic age on the origin of the Tianqiao carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposit,SW China

The Tianqiao Pb–Zn deposit in the western Yangtze Block, southwest China, is part of the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou (SYG) Pb–Zn metallogenic province. Ore bodies are hosted in Devonian and Carboniferous carbonate rocks, structurally controlled by a thrust fault and anticline, and carried about 0.38 million tons Pb and Zn metals grading > 15% Pb + Zn. Both massive and disseminated Pb–Zn ores occur either as veinlets or disseminations in dolomitic rocks. They are composed of ore minerals, pyrite, sphalerite and galena, and gangue minerals, calcite and dolomite. δ³⁴S values of sulfide minerals range from + 8.4 to + 14.4‰ and display a decreasing trend from pyrite, sphalerite to galena (δ³⁴S_pyrite > δ³⁴S_sphalerite > δ³⁴S_galena). We interpret that reduced sulfur derived from sedimentary sulfate (gypsum and barite) of the host Devonian to Carboniferous carbonate rocks by thermal–chemical sulfate reduction (TSR). δ¹³C_PDB and δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of hydrothermal calcite range from –5.3 to –3.4‰ and + 14.9 to + 19.6‰, respectively, and fall in the field between mantle and marine carbonate rocks. They display a negative correlation, suggesting that CO₂ in the hydrothermal fluid was a mixture origin of mantle, marine carbonate rocks and sedimentary organic matter. Sulfide minerals have homogeneous and low radiogenic Pb isotope compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.378 to 18.601, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.519 to 15.811 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.666 to 39.571) that are plotted in the upper crust Pb evolution curve and overlap with that of Devonian to Carboniferous carbonate rocks and Proterozoic basement rocks in the SYG province. Pb isotope compositions suggest derivation of Pb metal from mixed sources. Sulfide minerals have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios ranging from 0.7125 to 0.7167, higher than Sinian to Permian sedimentary rocks and Permian Emeishan flood basalts, but lower than basement rocks. Again, Sr isotope compositions are supportive of a mixture origin of Sr. They have an Rb–Sr isotopic age of 191.9 ± 6.9Ma, possibly reflecting the timing of Pb–Zn mineralization. C–O–S–Pb–Sr isotope compositions of the Tianqiao Pb–Zn deposit indicate a mixed origin of ore-forming fluids, which have Pb–Sr isotope homogenized before the mineralization. The Permian flood basalts acted as an impermeable layer for the Pb–Zn mineralization hosted in the Devonian–Carboniferous carbonate rocks.     

Paleozoic tectonics of the southern Chinese Tianshan: Insights from structural,chronological and geochemical studies of the Heiyingshan ophiolitic mélange (NW China)

In the southern Chinese Tianshan, the southernmost part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), widespread ophiolitic mélanges form distinct tectonic units that are crucial for understanding the formation of the CAOB. However, the timing of tectonic events and the subduction polarity are still in controversy. In order to better understand these geological problems, a comprehensive study was conducted on the Heiyingshan ophiolitic mélange in the SW Chinese Tianshan. Detailed structural analysis reveals that the ophiolitic mélange is tectonically underlain by sheared and weakly metamorphosed pre-Middle Devonian rocks, and unconformably overlain by non-metamorphic and undeformed lower Carboniferous (Serpukhovian) to Permian strata. The igneous assemblage of the mélange comprises OIB-like alkali basalt and andesite, N-MORB-like tholeiitic basalt, sheeted diabase dikes, cumulate gabbro and peridotite. Mafic rocks display supra-subduction signatures, and some bear evidence of contamination with the continental crust, suggesting a continental marginal (back-arc) basin setting. Zircons of a gabbro were dated at 392 ± 5 Ma by the U–Pb LA-ICP-MS method. Famennian–Visean radiolarian microfossils were found in the siliceous matrix of the ophiolitic mélange. Mylonitic phyllite which displays northward-directed kinematic evidence yielded muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of 359 ± 2 Ma and 356 ± 2 Ma.These new data, combined with previously published results, suggest that the mafic protoliths originally formed in a back-arc basin in the Chinese southern Tianshan during the late Silurian to Middle Devonian and were subsequently incorporated into the ophiolitic mélange and thrust northward during the Late Devonian to early Carboniferous. Opening of the back-arc basin was probably induced by south-dipping subduction of the Paleo-Tianshan Ocean in the early Paleozoic, and the Central Tianshan block was rifted away from the Tarim block. Closure of the back-arc basin in the early Carboniferous formed the South Tianshan Suture Zone and re-amalgamated the two blocks.     

Paleoproterozoic high-Mg low-Ti gabbro-granite series in eastern Sarmatia: Geochemistry and formation conditions

We present nomenclature and geochemical classification of Paleoproterozoic LILE-enriched high-Mg low-Ti mafic-granitoid rocks of the eastern margin of the Sarmatia paleocontinent and substantiate their tectonic position. Two differentiated rock series are recognized: (1) biotite-orthopyroxene melanorite-quartz-meladiorite-melagranodiorite and (2) hornblende-biotite quartz-diorite-tonalite-granodiorite. Both series correspond in chemical composition to calc-alkalic gabbro-diorites, diorites, tonalites, and granodiorites. As follows from their mineralogical and geochemical compositions, these are norite-diorite rocks (intrusive analogs of boninites) (SiO₂ = 52-65 wt.%, MgO = 5-20 wt.%, TiO₂ = 0.2-0.8 wt.%) and high-Mg granitoids (SiO₂ = 60-70 wt.%, Na₂O/K₂O = 0.65-1.33, MgO = 3.23-7.40 wt.%, K₂O = 1.9-4.0 wt.%), respectively. Their high Mg# values (67-87) and Cr contents (> 100 ppm), on the one hand, and their isotope-geochemical characteristics similar to those of the host metaterrigenous rocks, the magma enrichment in LILE, and the presence of Ni sulfide ores with a predominance of light sulfur isotopes, on the other, testify to crustal contamination of mantle magmas. The rock series are nearly of the same age and belong to the same magmatic system, where high-Mg granitoids are differentiates of parental high-Mg (boninite-like) norite-dioritic magma. This is confirmed by a gradual increase in SiO₂ and K₂O contents and a decrease in Mg# and Ni, Co, V, and Cr contents in the sequence from norites to granodiorites and by the facies and phase relationships between the series. Intrusion of rocks took place at shallow depths following the low-temperature metamorphism and folding under postcollisional collapse of the East Sarmatian orogen.     

Late Paleozoic subduction system in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Evidences from geochronology and geochemistry of the Xiaohuangshan ophiolite in the Beishan orogenic belt

The Xiaohuangshan ophiolite of the Beishan (Inner Mongolia) is located in the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. It consists of several blocks composed dominantly of serpentinized ultramafic rocks, cumulative gabbros and basalts. The geochemical data of gabbros and basalts obtained from the Xiaohuangshan ophiolite are similar to tholeiitic rocks. They all have low TiO₂ and high Al₂O₃ contents. Their light rare earth elements are slightly enriched, (La/Yb)_N = 3.62–6.80, similar to the typical enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts. The mafic rocks display enrichments in large ion lithophile elements and depletions in high field strength elements, as well as significant Nb–Ta–Ti negative anomalies, similar to subduction-derived rocks. All these geochemical characteritics indicate that the Xiaohuangshan ophiolite would form in a subduction zone from a slightly enriched mantle source. Ion microprobes (SHRIMP) U–Pb dating were conducted on zircons from the basalt and gabbro. The weighted mean ages are 336.4 ± 4.1 Ma and 345 ± 14 Ma, which are considered as the crystallization ages of the basalt and gabbro, respectively. Together with other two units, the Dongqiyishan arc belt and the Yueyashan–Xichangjing ophiolite, the Xiaohuangshan ophiolite forms a Late Paleozoic arc-basin system, indicating that the Paleo-Asian Ocean did not close in the early Carboniferous. Based on the geochemical characteristics of adjacent geological bodies and their settings, the Xiaohuangshan ophiolite is considered as an indicator of a suture zone between the different epicontinental belts in the Beishan region.     

The Zhaheba ophiolite complex in Eastern Junggar (NW China): Long lived supra-subduction zone ocean crust formation and its implications for the tectonic evolution in southern Altaids

The composite Zhaheba ophiolite complex, exposed in Eastern Junggar in the Southern Altaids, records an unusually long record of oceanic crust and magmatic arc evolution. The Zhaheba ophiolite complex consists of ultramafic rocks, gabbro, diorite, basalt and chert intruded by diabase dikes and diorite porphyry. These rocks are overlain by a several-km-thick section of tuffaceous rocks, volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks, and intermediate volcanic rocks. The igneous rocks of the ophiolite complex show negative Nb and Ta anomalies and LREE enrichment relative to HREE, suggesting the influence of fluids derived from a subducting oceanic slab. The LA-ICPMS U–Pb age of zircons from gabbro is 495.1 ± 3.5 Ma. Zircon ages from diorite and basalt are 458.3 ± 7.2 Ma and 446.6 ± 6.0 Ma, respectively. The basalt is locally overlain by bedded chert. Diabase dikes and diorite porphyry yield the U–Pb ages of 421.5 ± 4.1 Ma and 423.7 ± 6.5 Ma, respectively. The age of stratigraphically lower part of the overlying volcanic–volcaniclastic section is constrained to be about 410 Ma, the maximum depositional age of the tuffaceous sandstone from U–Pb detrital zircon ages. Late rhyolite at the top of the stratigraphic section yielded a U–Pb zircon age of 280.3 ± 3.7 Ma. The age and stratigraphic relationships for the Zhaheba ophiolite complex and related rocks suggest that the period of ~ 70 Ma of initial supra-subduction magmatism was followed by construction of a mature island arc that spanned an additional 140 Ma. Many other ophiolites in the southern Altaids appear to record similar relationships, and are represented as substrates of oceanic island arcs covered by island arc volcanism in supra-subduction zone. The occurrence of the Zhaheba ophiolite complex with tuffaceous and intermediate to felsic volcanic rocks is different from the rock association of classic Tethyan SSZ ophiolites but similar to some ophiolites in North America. Although the Zhaheba ophiolite belt is flanked by the Dulate arc in the north and Yemaquan arc in the south, it cannot stand a suture between two arcs. It is suggested that Devonian–Carboniferous Dulate arc was built on the late Cambrian–middle Ordovician Zhaheba supra-subduction oceanic crust. The late Carboniferous rocks and early Permian rocks in Dulate arc are interpreted to form in the extensional process within Zhaheba–Dulate arc composite system.     

U–Pb zircon geochronology and geochemistry of Neoproterozoic volcanic rocks in the Tarim Block of northwest China: implications for the breakup of Rodinia supercontinent and Neoproterozoic glaciations

As the lowest volcanics-bearing unit of the Neoproterozoic succession, the Beiyixi Formation is the key to understanding the early response to the breakup of the Roninia supercontinent in the Tarim Block. The SHRIMP analyses of zircons from the volcanic rocks at the bottom of the Beiyixi Formation yield a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 755 ± 15 Ma. This is interpreted as the eruption age of the Beiyixi volcanic rocks. The Beiyixi volcanic rocks consist of bimodal basalt and dacite-rhyolite with a SiO₂ gap between 55% and 65%. The mafic rocks display negative ɛ_Nd (755 Ma) values (−9.9 to −10.8), moderate enrichment in LILE and variable depletion in Nb, Ta and P, resembling those of the tholeiitic basalts in continental rift. Geochemical and Nd isotopic characteristics suggest that the mafic rocks were derived from partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle reservoir. The felsic rocks show negative ɛ_Nd (755 Ma) values (−7.9 to −9.2), negative Nb, Ta, P and Ti anomalies, very high La_N/Yb_N (62–92) ratios and LILE abundances, and may be generated by melting of eclogites or garnet amphibolites in the lower crust, as a result of basalt emplacement into continental crust during continental rifting. The age of 755 ± 15 Ma indicates that the Beiyixi glaciation took place later than 755 Ma and it could be correlated with the Chang’an glaciation in the Yangtze Block and the Sturtian–Rapitan glaciation in other Rodinia Blocks. The geochemical characteristics of the Beiyixi volcanic rocks resemble those of the rift-related magmatism in other Rodinia Blocks, suggesting that the Beiyixi volcanism was a part of global magmatism during the breakup of Rodinia supercontinent. The age and geochemical features of the Beiyixi volcanic rocks also reveal that the mantle plume activity spread to the northwestern margin of the Rodinia supercontinent and probably resulted in the breakup between Australia and Tarim Blocks.     

Petrology of the Rainy Lake area,Minnesota, USA-implications for petrotectonic setting of the archean southern Wabigoon subprovince of the Canadian Shield

The Rainy Lake area in northern Minnesota and southwestern, Ontario is a Late Archean (2.7 Ga) granite-greenstone belt within the Wabigoon subprovince of the Canadian Shield. In Minnesota the rocks include mafic and felsic volcanic rocks, volcaniclastic, chemical sedimentary rocks, and graywacke that are intrucded by coeval gabbro, tonalite, and granodiorite. New data presented here focus on the geochemistry and petrology of the Minnesota part of the Rainy Lake area. Igneous rocks in the area are bimodal. The mafic rocks are made up of three distinct suites: (1) low-TiO₂ tholeiite and gabbro that have slightly evolved Mg-numbers (63–49) and relatively flat rare-earth element (REE) patterns that range from 20–8 x chondrites (Ce/Yb_N=0.8–1.5); (2) high-TiO₂ tholeiite with evolved Mg-numbers (46–29) and high total REE abundances that range from 70–40 x chondrites (Ce/Yb_N=1.8–3.3), and (3) calc-alkaline basaltic andesite and geochemically similar monzodiorite and lamprophyre with primitive Mg-numbers (79–63), enriched light rare-earth elements (LREE) and depleted heavy rare-earth elements (HREE). These three suites are not related by partial melting of a similar source or by fractional crystallization of a common parental magma; they resulted from melting of heterogeneous Archean mantle. The felsic rocks are made up of two distinct suites: (1)low-Al₂O₃ tholeiitic rhyolite, and (2) high-Al₂O₃ calc-alkaline dacite and rhyolite and consanguineous tonalite. The tholeiitic felsic rocks are high in Y, Zr, Nb, and total REE that are unfractionated and have pronounced negative Eu anomalies. The calcalkaline felsic rocks are depleted in Y, Zr, and Nb, and the REE that are highly fractionated with high LREE and depleted HREE, and display moderate negative Eu anomalies. Both suites of felsic rocks were generated by partial melting of crustal material. The most reasonable modern analog for the paleotectonic setting is an immature island arc. The bimodal volcanic rocks are intercalated with sedimentary rocks and have been intruded by pre- and syntectonic granitoid rocks. However, the geochemistry of the mafic rocks does not correlate fully with that of mafic rocks in modern are evvironments. The low-TiO₂ tholeiite is similar to both N-type mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB) and low-K tholeiite from immature marginal basins. The calc-alkaline basaltic andesite is like that of low-K calc-alkaline mafic volcanic rocks from oceanic volcanic arcs; however, the high-TiO₂ tholeiite is most similar to modern E-type MORB, which occurs in oceanic rifts. The conundrum may be explained by: (1) rifting of a pre-existing immature arc system to produce the bimodal volcanic rocks and high-TiO₂ tholeiite; (2) variable enrichment of a previously depleted Archean mantle, to produce both the low- and high-TiO₂ tholeiite and the calc-alkaline basaltic andesite, and/or (3) enrichment of the parental rocks of the high-TiO₂ tholeiite by crustal contamination.     

Geochronology and geochemical characteristics of the Dongping ore-bearing granite,North China: Sources and implications for its tectonic setting

The Dongping gold deposit, located in Chongli County (Hebei Province) about 200 km northwest of Beijing, is one of the largest gold-producing areas along the northern margin of the North China Craton. It is located in the of Shuiquangou alkaline igneous complex of Middle Devonian age (394.3 ± 3.2 Ma), composed chiefly of highly alkaline syentite and quartz syenites. This study reveals the age of the Carboniferous in the deposit at 351.7 ± 2.8 Ma (MSWD = 1.9). The Dongping deposit is locally hosted in Cretaceous (~143 ± 1 Ma) alkali granites that intruded the older and the gold mineralization is closely associated genetically with this event. Hydrothermal zircons in the alkali granites have Th/U ratios mostly ranging between 0.01 and 0.7 indicating oscillatory zoning. A few grains with high Th/U ratios (1.31–2.07) may be from metamorphic domains. Negative εHf(t) values of the zircon mainly range between −19.75 and −16.93, suggesting that they originated principally by the melting of recycled continental crust. Less abundant zircons with εHf(t) ranging from −25.76 to −23.46, with Hf model ages (T_DM2) of 2.54 to 2.67 Ga, (mainly 2.2 to 2.3 Ga) suggest that recycled Neoarchean basement was also present in the source region. The Devonian syenites and quartz syenites have T_DM1 ages ranging from 1.96 to 2.08 Ga. Zircons from these rocks have εHf(t) values of −11.9 to −18.9. Certain zircons from the gold-bearing granite of Paleozoic age have an initial ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratio of 0.281816 to 0.282058 and 0.282147 to 0.282348, reflecting a homogenous distribution of hafnium isotopes typical of magmatic sources. The T_DM1 and T_DM2 of the latest intrusion varying 1.33 to 1.59 Ga and 1.72 to 2.11 Ga respectively, indicating that the Neoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic rocks of this area are an important source for the younger magma which are important to forming ore deposits. The TDM₂ indicate that the magma may be derived from a very old crustal basement (~2.67 Ga) in the northern margin of North China Craton by partial melting.     

Field and geochemical characteristics of Mesoarchean to Neoarchean volcanic rocks in the Storø greenstone belt,SW Greenland: Evidence for accretion of intra-oceanic volcanic arcs

The Storø greenstone belt, southern West Greenland, consists of thrust-imbricated slices of Mesoarchean (>3060 Ma) and Neoarchean (ca. 2800 Ma) mafic to ultramafic volcanic rocks, volcaniclastic sediments, and gabbro–anorthosite associations. The belt underwent polyphase metamorphism at upper amphibolite facies conditions between 2650 and 2600 Ma. The contacts between the Mesoarchean and Neoarchean volcanic rocks, and surrounding Eoarchean to Neoarchean tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) gneisses are tectonic and typically bounded by high-grade mylonites. Regardless of age, the volcanic rocks are dominated by mafic amphibolites with a tholeiitic basalt composition, near-flat to slightly enriched light rare earth element (LREE) patterns (La/Sm_cn = 0.91–1.48), relatively flat to slightly depleted heavy-REE (HREE) (Gd/Yb_cn = 1.0–1.28), and pronounced negative Nb–Ta anomalies (Nb/Nb* = 0.34–0.73) on chondrite- and primitive mantle-normalized diagrams. These geochemical characteristics are consistent with subduction zone geochemical signatures and partial melting of a shallow (<80 km) mantle source free of residual garnet. There is no geochemical evidence for contamination by older continental crust. The overall field and geochemical characteristics suggest that the thrust-imbricated basaltic rocks were erupted in intra-oceanic subduction zone settings. Sedimentary rocks are represented by garnet–biotite and quartzitic gneisses. They are characterized by relatively high contents of transition metal (Ni = 10–154 ppm; Cr = 7–166 ppm) and enriched LREE patterns (La/Sm_cn = 1.38–3.79). These geochemical characteristics suggest that the sedimentary rocks were derived from erosion of felsic to mafic igneous source rocks. Collectively, the structural and lithogeochemical characteristics of the Storø greenstone belt are consistent with collision (accretion) of unrelated Archean volcanic rocks formed in supra-subduction zone geodynamic settings. Accordingly, the Mesoarchean and Neoarchean rock record of the Storø greenstone belt may well be explained in terms of modern-style plate tectonic processes.     

Geology and genesis of Kafang Cu–Sn deposit,Gejiu district,SW China

Kafang is one of the main ore deposits in the world-class Gejiu polymetallic tin district, SW China. There are three main mineralization types in the Kafang deposit, i.e., skarn Cu–Sn ores, stratiform Cu ores hosted by basalt and stratiform Cu–Sn ores hosted by carbonate. The skarn mainly consists of garnet and pyroxene, and retrograde altered rocks. These retrograde altered rocks are superimposed on the skarn and are composed of actinolite, chlorite, epidote and phlogopite. Major ore minerals are chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, cassiterite, pyrite and scheelite. Sulfur and Pb isotopic components hint that the sources of different types of mineralization are distinctive, and indicate that the skarn ore mainly originated from granitic magma, whereas the basalt-hosted Cu ores mainly derived from basalt. Microthermometry results of fluid inclusions display a gradual change during the ore-forming process. The homogenization temperature of different types of inclusions continuously decreases from early to late mineralization stages. The salinities and freezing temperatures exhibit similar evolutionary tendencies with the T _{homogenization}, while the densities of the different types keep constant, the majority being less than 1. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic values (δ¹⁸O and δD) of the hydrothermal fluids fall within ranges of 3.1 to 7.7‰ with an average of 6.15‰, calculated at the corresponding homogenization temperature, and − 73 and − 98‰ with an average of − 86.5‰, respectively. Microthermometry data and H–O isotopes indicate that the ore-forming fluid of the Kafang deposit is mainly derived from magma in the early stage and a mixture of meteoric and magmatic water in late stage. Molybdenite Re–Os age of the skarn type mineralization is 83.4 ± 2.1 Ma, and the stratiform ores hosted by basalt is 84.2 ± 7.3 Ma, which are consistent with the LA-ICP-MS zircon age of the Xinshan granite intrusion (83.1 ± 0.4 Ma). The evidence listed above reflects the fact that different ore styles in the Kafang deposit belong to the same mineralization system.     

Triassic volcanism in eastern Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces,NE China: Chronology,geochemistry, and tectonic implications

With the aim of constraining the Early Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), we undertook zircon U–Pb dating and geochemical analyses (major and trace elements, Sr–Nd isotopes) of volcanic rocks of the Luoquanzhan Formation and Daxinggou Group in eastern Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, China. The analyzed rocks consist mainly of dacite and rhyolite, with SiO₂ contents of 68.52–76.65 wt%. Three samples from the Luoquanzhan Formation and one from the Daxinggou Group were analyzed using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb zircon techniques. Three zircons with well-defined oscillatory zoning yielded weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 217 ± 1, 214 ± 2, and 208 ± 1 Ma, and one zircon with oscillatory zoning yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 201 ± 1 Ma. These ages are interpreted to represent the timing of eruption of the volcanic rocks. The Triassic volcanic rocks are characterized by high SiO₂ and low MgO concentrations, enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.7040–0.7050 (Luoquanzhan Formation) and 0.7163–0.7381 (Daxinggou Group), and ε_Nd (t) = 1.89–3.94 (Luoquanzhan Formation) and 3.42–3.68 (Daxinggou Group). These geochemical features indicate an origin involving the partial melting of juvenile lower crust (Nd model ages (T_DM2) of 651–821 Ma) and that compositional variation among the volcanic rocks arose from mineral fractionation and minor assimilation. These volcanic rocks formed within an extensional environment following collision of the NCC and Jiamusi-Khanka Massif during the Late Paleozoic–Early Triassic.     

Petrology of Karoo volcanic rocks in the southern Lebombo monocline,Mozambique

The Karoo volcanic sequence in the southern Lebombo monocline in Mozambique contains different silicic units in the form of pyroclastic rocks, and two different basalt types. The silicic units in the lower part of the Lebombo sequence are formed by a lower unit of dacites and rhyolites (67–80 wt.% SiO₂) with high Ba (990–2500 ppm), Zr (800–1100 ppm) and Y (130–240 ppm), which are part of the Jozini–Mbuluzi Formation, followed by a second unit, interlayered with the Movene basalts, of high-SiO₂ rhyolites (76–78 wt.%; the Sica Beds Formation), with low Sr (19–54 ppm), Zr (340–480 ppm) and Ba (330–850 ppm) plus rare quartz-trachytes (64–66 wt.% SiO₂), with high Nb and Rb contents (240–250 and 370–381 ppm, respectively), and relatively low Zr (450–460 ppm). The mafic rocks found at the top of the sequence are basalts and ferrobasalts belonging to the Movene Formation. The basalts have roughly flat mantle-normalized incompatible element patterns, with abundances of the most incompatible elements not higher than 25 times primitive mantle. The ferrobasalt has TiO₂ ∼ 4.7 wt.%, Fe₂O_3t = 16 wt.%, and high Y (100 ppm), Zr (420 ppm) and Ba (1000 ppm). The Movene basalts have initial (at 180 Ma) ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7052–0.7054 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.51232, and the Movene ferrobasalt has even lower ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70377) and higher ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.51259). The silicic rocks show a modest range of initial Sr-(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70470–0.70648) and Nd-(¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.51223–0.51243) isotope ratios. The less evolved dacites could have been formed after crystal fractionation of oxide-rich gabbroic cumulates from mafic parental magmas, whereas the most silica-rich rhyolites could have been formed after fractional crystallization of feldspars, pyroxenes, oxides, zircon and apatite from a parental dacite magma. The composition of the Movene basalts imply different feeding systems from those of the underlying Sabie River basalts.