Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of early Carboniferous alkaline volcanic rocks in Karamay region of West Junggar,Northwest China

ABSTRACT

Zircon U–Pb geochronological and geochemical analyses are reported for a suite of the early Carboniferous volcanic rocks from West Junggar (Northwest China), southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), with the aim to investigate the sources, petrogenesis, and tectonic implications. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb analysis from an andesite yielded concordant weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 345 ± 3 Ma, indicating the presence of early Carboniferous volcanic rocks in West Junggar. The early Carboniferous volcanic rocks consist of basalt, basaltic andesite, and andesite. Geochemically, all the samples bear the signature of ocean island basalt (OIB), and are characterized by alkaline affinity with minor variations in SiO₂ compositions (45.13–53.05 wt.%), high concentrations of Na₂O + K₂O (5.08–8.89 wt.%) and TiO₂ (1.71–3.35 wt.%), and LREE enrichment and HREE depletion ((La/Yb)_N = 7.1–12.4), with weak Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.9–1.1) and no obvious Nb, Ta, and Ti negative anomalies. These features suggest that the early Carboniferous volcanic rocks were derived from an OIB-related source that consists of oceanic lithosphere with ~1–3% degree partial melting of garnet lherzolite. From these observations, in combination with previous work, we conclude that the early Carboniferous alkaline volcanic rocks in Karamay region formed by upwelling of asthenospheric mantle through a slab window in a forearc setting during consumption of the West Junggar Ocean. Meanwhile, seamounts, which formed in the Late Devonian and were accreted and subducted in Karamay arc, also brought geological effects in the subduction zone.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of the middle Silurian volcanic rocks in northern West Junggar,NW China

Zircon U–Pb geochronological and geochemical analyses are reported for a suite of the middle Silurian volcanic rocks from northern West Junggar (NW China), southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), with the aim to investigate the sources, petrogenesis, and tectonic implications. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb analysis from an andesite yielded a concordant weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 429 ± 3 Ma, indicating the presence of middle Silurian volcanic rocks in northern West Junggar. The andesite is tholeiite series and characterized by minor variations in compositions (SiO₂ = 55.68–59.17 wt.%, Al₂O₃ = 14.56–17.7 wt.%, TiO₂ = 0.55–1.23 wt.%, Na₂O + K₂O = 3.46–7.16 wt.%, and P₂O₅ = 0.15–0.37 wt.%), with wider MgO content (2.18–6.48 wt.%) and Mg# (57.4–77.9). All andesitic rocks are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs; e.g. Rb, Ba, K, and Th) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), but strongly depleted in some high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g. Nb, Ta and Ti), with slight negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.8–1). These features suggest that the andesitic magmas were derived from 2–8% partial melting of a garnet lherzolite depleted mantle source with subducted sediments metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. Combining the current study with those data in existing literature, we conclude that the middle Silurian volcanic rocks formed in an intra-oceanic subduction setting during consumption of the Irtysh–Zaysan Ocean, and further confirm the eastern extension of the early Palaeozoic Boshchekul–Chingiz volcanic arc of East Kazakhstan in China.     

Petrology and geochemistry of Early Permian volcanic rocks in South Tian Shan,NW China: implications for the tectonic evolution and Phanerozoic continental growth

Situated in the southwest of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), the South Tian Shan (STS) Block is a key area for understanding the final accretion of the CAOB. A suite of volcanic rocks interbedded with continental sediments from the Xiaotikanlike Formation lies along the southwestern edge of the Tian Shan orogen. Laser-ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer U–Pb dating provided a crystallization age of 295.0 ± 2.8 Ma (MSWD = 1.3), suggesting an Early Permian magmatic event. The volcanic rocks show a variable composition, with dominant rhyolites and dacites, subordinate basaltic andesites and few basalts. The felsic rocks are enriched in K and exhibit remarkably negative anomalies in Ba, Sr, Eu, P and Ti. These anomalies associated with their high negative ε _Nd(t) values and old Nd model ages suggest that they are most likely sourced from ancient lower crustal rocks. The mafic rocks are characterized by high Mg#, Cr, Ni contents, negative Nb, Ta anomalies and pronounced enrichment in light rare earth elements as well as mild enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements. The mafic rocks are thus inferred to derive from enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle. The petrographic and geochemical characteristics of the Xiaotikanlike Formation volcanic rocks indicate that they were generated under a post-collisional regime. Therefore, the final collision between the Tarim Craton and the Kazakhstan–Yili terrane took place before Early Permian, most probably at Late Carboniferous. Differing from other tectonic units of the CAOB, the recycling of ancient lithospheric crust played a significant role in the continental growth of the STS Block.     

Tectonic Implications of the Carboniferous Volcanic Rocks in the Eastern Junggar — Evidence from Zircon U‐Pb Ages and Geochemistry

Well Drilling shows that the volcanic rocks from the Carboniferous Batamayineishan Formation in the Eastern Junggar basin are mainly composed of volcaniclastic rocks (av. 52%) and volcanic lavas (32%), with a small amount of volcanic pyroclastic lavas (av. 11%). The volcanic lavas are basalt‐basaltic andesite‐andesite‐dacite assemblage. The LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb dating of the andesite and the dacite yielded 325～321 Ma and 310 Ma ages, respectively, which is of high agreement with the published age (300 Ma) of basalts from this Formation, it is implied that an important volcanic activity occurred in Junggar basin in the late Carboniferous. The lavas have low TiO₂ and high Na₂O, indicating a calc‐alkaline series. Geochemical data show that they are characterized by LREE‐enriched patterns with slightly negative Eu anomalies. The rocks have high large ion lithophile element (LILE), and low high field strength element (HFSE) concentrations, with strong negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies. From basic through intermediate to felsic, the depletions in Sr, Ti and P of the studied volcanic rocks increase gradually. These geochemical characteristics indicate that the volcanic rocks are magmatic evolution products attributed to partial melting of mantle‐derived spinelle lherzolite related to oceanic subduction in an island‐arc setting. In combination with the LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb dating, it is inferred that subduction of the Junggar Ocean in eastern Junggar basin lasted to the Late Carboniferous. Consequently, the final closure of the Junggar Ocean occurred most likely after 310 Ma.     

Zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the post-collisional volcanic rocks in eastern Xinjiang Province,NW China: implications for the tectonic evolution of the Junggar terrane

We report zircon U–Pb geochronologic and geochemical data for the post-collisional volcanic rocks from the Batamayineishan (BS) Formation in the Shuangjingzi area, northwestern China. The zircon U–Pb ages of seven volcanic samples from the BS Formation show that the magmatic activity in the study area occurred during 342–304 Ma in the Carboniferous. The ages also indicate that the Palaeo-Karamaili Ocean had already closed by 342 Ma. Moreover, the volcanic rocks also contained 10 inherited zircons with ages ranging from 565 to 2626 Ma, indicating that Precambrian continental crust or microcontinents with accretionary arcs are two possible interpretations for the basement underlying the East Junggar terrane. The sampled mafic-intermediate rocks belong to the medium-K to high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic series, and the formation of these rocks involved fractional crystallization with little crustal contamination. These Carboniferous mafic-intermediate rocks show depletions in Nb and Ta and enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb, Ba, U, and Th) and light rare earth elements. The low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (0.7034–0.7042) and positive ε_Nd(t) values (+2.63 to +6.46) of these rocks suggest that they formed from depleted mantle material. The mafic-intermediate rocks were most likely generated by 5–10% partial melting of a mantle source composed primarily of spinel lherzolite with minor garnet lherzolite that had been metasomatized by slab-derived fluids and minor slab melts. In contrast, the felsic rocks in the BS Formation are A-type rhyolites with positive ε_Nd(t) values and young model ages. These rocks are interpreted to be derived from the partial melting of juvenile basaltic lower crustal material. Taken together, the mafic-intermediate rocks formed in a post-collisional extensional setting generated by slap breakoff in the early Carboniferous (342–330 Ma) and the A-type rhyolites formed in a post-collisional extensional setting triggered by the upwelling asthenosphere in the late Carboniferous (330–304 Ma).     

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of suprasubduction volcanic complexes of the Char shear zone,eastern Kazakhstan

The paper presents new petrographic, geochemical, and petrologic data from volcanic rocks of suprasubduction origin of the Char shear zone in eastern Kazakhstan. We discuss bulk rock composition (concentrations of major and trace elements), types of mantle sources and parameters of their melting, conditions of crystallization of mafic magma, and geodynamic settings of basalt eruption. According to the major element composition, the volcanic rocks are basalt, andesibasalt, and andesite of tholeiitic and transitional, from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline, series. They are characterized by low TiO₂ (0.85 wt.% on average) and crystallization trends in MgO–major elements plots. In terms of trace element composition, the volcanic rocks possess moderately LREE-enriched rare-earth element patterns and are characterized by negative Nb anomalies present on the multi-element spectra (Nb/La_pm = 0.14–0.47; Nb/Th_pm = 0.7–1.6). The distribution of rare-earth elements (La/Sm_n = 0.8–2.3, Gd/Yb_n = 0.7–1.9) and the results of geochemical modeling in the Nb–Yb system suggest high degrees of melting of a depleted mantle source at spinel facies depths. Fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene, plagioclase, and opaque minerals also affected the final composition of the volcanic rocks. Clinopyroxene monomineral thermometry calculations suggest that the melts crystallized within a range of 1020–1180 °C. We think that this volcanic complex formed at a western active margin of the Paleo-Asian Ocean.     

Geochemical constraints on the tectonic setting of basaltic host rocks to the Windy Craggy Cu-Co-Au massive sulphide deposit,northwestern British Columbia

Windy Craggy is an approximately 300 Mt Cu-Co-Au volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. The Windy Craggy deposit is hosted by the Middle Tats Volcanics (MTV), a Late Triassic volcano-sedimentary sequence of intercalated mafic pillowed to massive volcanic flows and sills and calcareous argillite that are part of the Alexander terrane. The host footwall and hangingwall flows and sills are predominantly alkalic basalts (Nb/Y > 0.70). MTV alkali basalts at Windy Craggy are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) >100X chondrite compared to chondrite, have steep REE patterns [(La/Yb)_cn = 7.1–25.4], and generally lack the Ta and Nb depletions relative to primitive mantle (e.g. [Nb/Th]_pm = 0.68–1.94) characteristic of arc environments, although most have [Nb/La]_pm < 1. By contrast, volcanic rocks away from the deposit (and regionally; Lower Tats Volcanics, LTV) as well as late dikes that cross-cut all lithologies including metamorphic and deformational fabrics are sub-alkalic tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalts and basaltic andesites that are less enriched in the LREEs (10–100X chondrite), have less steep REE patterns [(La/Yb)_cn = 0.41–10.6], and show well-developed Ta and Nb depletions (arc signatures; [Nb/Th]_pm = 0.20–0.79), consistent with formation in an oceanic arc environment. The co-occurrence of tholeiitic/calc-alkaline arc rocks with alkalic rocks indicates that the LTV (former) and MTV (latter) formed from melts that were influenced to varying degrees by subducted oceanic crust, and likely formed within a back-arc basin setting formed on a rifted oceanic arc. There is no geochemical or isotopic evidence for major involvement of continental crust. The LTV basalts likely were produced by progressive depletion in the source by partial melting of mantle overlying the subducting oceanic crust. The presence of the MTV alkalic Windy Craggy rocks overlying the LTV is consistent with the presence of a slab-window, perhaps related to subduction of a spreading centre, which allowed more enriched magmas to reach the surface with only minimal interaction with subduction-modified mantle. The presence of this slab-window might have provided the mechanism for the generation of anomalously high heat flow close to the seafloor, which initiated and sustained vigorous, long-lived hydrothermal activity necessary for the precipitation of large accumulations of massive sulphide. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a large VMS deposit associated with a slab-window.     

Orogenic Volcanism in Eastern Kazakhstan: Composition,Age, and Geodynamic Position

Studies of volcanic rocks in orogenic troughs of Eastern Kazakhstan were carried out. The troughs were formed at late-orogenic stages of evolution of Hercynian Altai collision system. Volcanic rocks are represented by basalts, andesites, dacites and rhyolites. Based on geochemical and isotopic data, the basalts and andesites derived from mafic magmas that formed as a result of partial melting of garnet peridotites in the upper mantle under the orogen. U–Pb zircon data prove two volcanic stages: more-scaled Middle Carboniferous (~311 Ma) and less-scaled Early Permian (297–290 Ma). Basalts and andesites in lower parts of the orogenic troughs and independent dacite-rhyolite structures were formed at the Middle Carboniferous stage. Parental mafic magmas were formed as a result of partial melting of mantle substrates in local transtensional zones along large shear faults. The formation of dacites and rhyolites could have been caused by partial melting of crustal substrates under effect of mafic magmas. Transtensional movements in the lithosphere of orogenic belts may indicate the beginning of collapse of orogens. A smaller volume of basalts and andesites formed at the Early Permian stage. Geochemical data prove the independent episode of partial melting in upper mantle. Synchronous basalts and andesites also appeared at wide territory in Tian Shan, Central Kazakhstan, and Central and Southern Mongolia. Early Permian volcanism indicates general extension of the lithosphere at the postorogenic stages. Large-scaled Early Permian mafic and granitoid magmatism in Central Asia has been interpreted in recent years as the Tarim Large Igneous Province caused by Tarim mantle plume activity. Thus, the extension of the lithosphere and associated volcanism in the Early Permian can be an indicator of the onset of the plume–lithosphere interaction process.

     

汝城地区晚中生代火山岩地球化学特征及其对源区属性的指示

湘东南汝城地区发育一套由基性玄武岩和中酸性安山质-英安质岩石组成的火山岩建造,属于低钾拉斑系列,该火山岩系中两个玄武岩的K-Ar年龄分别为124.5±2.5Ma和127.6±1.9Ma,属晚侏罗—早白垩世产物。在主、微量元素上两者成分存在明显差异。其中安山质-英安质岩石具有高MgO特征,属高MgO岩石,LILE富集、Nb-Ta、Sr-P亏损强烈,(La/Yb)N=6.7～7.9,Eu*/Eu=0.74～0.85,具岛弧型微量元素配分型式,87Sr/86Sr(t)=0.71079～0.71118,εNd(t)=-7.64～-8.16,与adakites高Mg岩石有着明显的差别,可能是富集岩石圈地幔熔融后直接分异的产物;玄武岩LILE富集,Nb-Ta富集,(La/Yb)cn=4.0～4.3,Eu*/Eu=1.00～1.16,具OIB型微量元素配分型式,87Sr/86Sr(t)=0.70812～0.70832,εNd(t)=0.48～1.03,其源区具二元混合趋势,其源区可能是富集型岩石圈地幔端员与亏损的软流圈地幔端员的混合产物。汝城地区晚中生代玄武岩和高Mg安山质-英安质岩石源区属性的限定及其相互的空间依存关系表明该区晚中生代时有着较薄的岩石圈厚度,处于岩石圈伸展减薄的大地构造背景。     

新疆西准噶尔萨吾尔地区早石炭世埃达克岩地球化学特征、岩石成因及其意义

新疆西准噶尔萨吾尔地区阿克塔木组(新建)为一套中性火山熔岩、火山碎屑岩夹少量酸性火山熔岩建造。流纹岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄为337.9±0.77Ma,属早石炭世。安山岩地球化学特征表现为高Si O2(53.42%～64.74%)、A12O3(16.05%～19.23%),富Na2O(4.05%～8.13%)贫K2O(0.36%～3.65%),富Sr(448.1×10-6～1507×10-6),低Yb(0.94×10-6～1.79×10-6)、Y(8.48×10-6～16.92×10-6),高Sr/Y比值(36.6～89.0),富集LREE,亏损HREE,弱Eu正异常,明显的Nb、Ta、Ti负异常,具有典型的埃达克岩特征,为玄武质洋壳在石榴角闪岩相高度部分熔融的产物。阿克塔木组火山岩形成于与洋内俯冲有关的岛弧环境,为早石炭世额尔齐斯-斋桑洋南向俯冲的岩浆记录。俯冲板片边缘受到来自板片窗的高温软流圈物质加热,部分熔融形成的埃达克质熔体与地幔橄榄岩发生熔体-岩石反应,从而形成埃达克岩+富Nb玄武岩组合,同时发生与之相关的Cu-Au成矿作用。阿克塔木组早石炭世埃达克岩的发现,为西准噶尔地区晚古生代岩浆活动、构造演化和金属成矿等研究提供了可靠的依据。     

Petrogenesis of mid-Carboniferous volcanics and granitic intrusions from western Junggar Basin boreholes: geodynamic implications for the Central Asian Orogenic Belt in Northwest China

The western Junggar Basin is located on the southeastern margin of the West Junggar terrane, Northwest China. Its sedimentary fill, magma petrogenesis, tectonic setting, and formation ages are important for understanding the Carboniferous tectonic evolution and continental growth of the Junggar terrane and the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. This paper documents a set of new zircon secondary ion mass spectrometry U–Pb geochronological and Hf isotopic data and whole-rock elemental and Sr–Nd isotopic analytical results for the Carboniferous strata and associated intrusions obtained from boreholes in the western Junggar Basin. The Carboniferous strata comprise basaltic andesite, andesite, and dacite with minor pyroclastic rocks, intruded by granitic intrusions with zircon secondary ion mass spectrometry U–Pb ages of 327–324 Ma. The volcanic rocks are calc-alkaline and show low high ε_Nd(t) values (5.3–5.6) and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.703561–0.703931), strong enrichment in LREEs, and some LILEs and depletion in Nb, Ta, and Ti. Furthermore, they also display high (La/Sm)_N (1.36–1.63), Zr/Nb, and La/Yb, variable Ba/La and Ba/Th and constant Th/Yb ratios. These geochemical data, together with low Sm/Yb (1.18–1.38) and La/Sm (2.11–2.53) ratios, suggest that these volcanic rocks were derived from a 5–8% partial melting of a mainly spinel Iherzolite-depleted mantle metasomatized by slab-derived fluids and melts of some sediments in an island-arc setting. In contrast, the granitic intrusions represent typical adakite geochemical features of high Sr and low Y and Yb contents, with no significant Eu anomalies, high Mg#, and depleted ε_Nd(t) (5.6–6.4) and ε_Hf(t) (13.7–16.2) isotopic compositions, suggesting their derivation from partial melting of hot subducted oceanic crust. In combination with the previous work, the West Junggar terrane and adjacent western Junggar Basin are interpreted as a Mariana-type arc system driven by northwestward subduction of the Junggar Ocean, possibly with a tectonic transition from normal to ridge subduction commencing ca. at 331–327 Ma.     

Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb age of Late Jurassic OIB-type volcanic rocks from the Tethyan Himalaya: constraints on the initial activity time of the Kerguelen mantle plume

This work presents zircon U–Pb age and whole-rock geochemical data for the volcanic rocks from the Lakang Formation in the southeastern Tethyan Himalaya and represents the initial activity of the Kerguelen mantle plume. SHRIMP U–Pb dating of zircons from the volcanic rocks yielded a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 147 ± 2 Ma that reflects the time of Late Jurassic magmatism. Whole rock analyses of major and trace elements show that the volcanic rocks are characterized by high content of TiO₂ (2.62 wt%–4.25 wt%) and P₂O₅ (0.38 wt%–0.68 wt%), highly fractionated in LREE/HREE [(La/Yb)_N = 5.35–8.31] with no obvious anomaly of Eu, and HFSE enrichment with no obvious anomaly of Nb and Ta, which are similar to those of ocean island basalts and tholeiitic basaltic andesites indicating a mantle plume origin. The Kerguelen mantle plume produced a massive amount of magmatic rocks from Early Cretaceous to the present, which widely dispersed from their original localities of emplacement due to the changing motions of the Antarctic, Australian, and Indian plates. However, our new geochronological and geochemical results indicate that the Kerguelen mantle plume started from the Late Jurassic. Furthermore, we suggest that the Kerguelen mantle plume may played a significant role in the breakup of eastern Gondwanaland according to the available geochronological, geochemical and paleomagnetic data.     

Identifying late Carboniferous sanukitoids in Hala’alate Mountain,Northwest China: new constraint on the closing time of remnant ocean basin in West Junggar

ABSTRACT

Volcanic rocks in the Hala’alate and Aladeyikesai formations, which are composed of basaltic andesite and pyroxene andesite, are widespread in Hala’alate Mountain, West Junggar, Northwest China. These rocks (plagioclase + clinopyroxene/olivine) formed in the late Carboniferous and show a remarkable geochemical affinity with typical sanukitoids with oversaturated SiO₂ (52.9–56.9 wt.%) and high MgO (3.47–6.88 wt.%, Mg^# >48) contents. They also exhibit a narrow range of Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes within (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.7037–0.7041, εNd(t) = 4.4–6.2, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.22–18.41, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.48–15.52, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 37.99–38.30. Hala’alate Formation volcanic rocks are similar to the sanukitoids of Karamay, with high Sr (633.5–970.1 ppm), Ba (268.7–796.3 ppm), and Sr/Y (61.34–84.28), formed by partial melting of the mantle metasomatized by slab-derived adakitic melts. In contrast, Aladeyikesai Formation volcanic rocks show some affinity with sanukitoids of the Hatu area and the Setouchi Volcanic Belt, with low Sr (442.2–508.7 ppm), Ba (199.2–485.1 ppm), and Sr/Y (25.03–30.28), generated by the partial melting of subducting sediments. Identification of late Carboniferous sanukitoids in Hala’alate Mountain provides important constraints on the closing time of the remnant ocean basin in West Junggar, and implies that multi-stage subduction–accretionary orogeny plays a crucial role in the evolution and growth of the continental crust in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.     

The Central Bundelkhand Archaean greenstone complex,Bundelkhand craton,central India: geology,composition, and geochronology of supracrustal rocks

Analysis of 3.3 Ga tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) series granitoids and greenstone belt assemblages from the Bundelkhand craton in central India reveal that it is a typical Archaean craton. At least two greenstone complexes can be recognized in the Bundelkhand craton, namely the (i) Central Bundelkhand (Babina, Mauranipur belts) and (ii) Southern Bundelkhand (Girar, Madaura belts). The Central Bundelkhand greenstone complex contains three tectonostratigraphic assemblages: (1) metamorphosed basic or metabasic, high-Mg rocks; (2) banded iron formations (BIFs); and (3) felsic volcanics. The first two assemblages are regarded as representing an earlier sequence, which is in tectonic contact with the felsic volcanics. However, the contact between the BIFs and mafic volcanics is also evidently tectonic. Metabasic high-Mg rocks are represented by amphibolites and tremolite-actinolite schists in the Babina greenstone belt and are comparable in composition to tholeiitic basalts-basaltic andesites and komatiites. They are very similar to the metabasic high-Mg rocks of the Mauranipur greenstone belt. Felsic volcanics occur as fine-grained schists with phenocrysts of quartz, albite, and microcline. Felsic volcanics are classified as calc-alkaline dacites, less commonly rhyolites. The chondrite-normalized rare earth element distribution pattern is poorly fractionated (La_N/Lu_N = 11–16) with a small negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.68–0.85), being characteristic of volcanics formed in a subduction setting. On Rb – Y + Nb, Nb – Y, Rb – Ta + Yb and Ta – Yb discrimination diagrams, the compositions of the volcanics are also consistent with those of felsic rocks formed in subduction settings. SHRIMP-dating of zircon from the felsic volcanics of the Babina belt of the Central Bundelkhand greenstone complex, performed for the first time, has shown that they were erupted in Neoarchaean time (2542 ± 17 Ma). The early sequence of the Babina belt is correlatable with the rocks of the Mauranipur belt, whose age is tentatively estimated as Mesoarchaean. The Central Bundelkhand greenstone complex consists of two (Meso- and Neoarchaean) sequences, which were formed in subduction settings.     

Late Paleozoic volcanic record of the Eastern Junggar terrane, Xinjiang, Northwestern China: Major and trace element characteristics, Sr–Nd isotopic systematics and implications for tectonic evolution

The Eastern Junggar terrane of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt includes a Late Paleozoic assemblage of volcanic rocks of mixed oceanic and arc affinity, located in a structurally complex belt between the Siberian plate, the Kazakhstan block, and the Tianshan Range. The early history of these rocks is not well constrained, but the Junggar terrane was part of a Cordilleran-style accreted arc assemblage by the Late Carboniferous. Late Paleozoic volcanic rocks of the northern part of the east Junggar terrane are divided, from base to top, into the Early Devonian Tuoranggekuduke Formation (Fm.), Middle Devonian Beitashan Fm., Middle Devonian Yundukala Fm., Late Devonian Jiangzierkuduke Fm., Early Carboniferous Nanmingshui Fm. and Late Carboniferous Batamayineishan Fm. We present major element, trace element and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses of 64 (ultra)mafic to intermediate volcanic rock samples of these formations. All Devonian volcanic rocks exhibit remarkably negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies on the primitive mantle-normalized trace element diagrams, and are enriched in more highly incompatible elements relative to moderately incompatible ones. Furthermore, they have subchondritic Nb/Ta ratios, and their Zr/Nb and Sm/Nd ratios resemble those of MORBs, characteristics of arc-related volcanic rocks. The Early Devonian Tuoranggekuduke Fm., Middle Devonian Beitashan Fm., and Middle Devonian Yundukala Fm. are characterized by tholeiitic and calc-alkaline affinities. In contrast, the Late Devonian Jiangzierkuduke Fm. contains a large amount of tuff and sandstone, and its volcanic rocks have dominantly calc-alkaline affinities. We therefore propose that the Jiangzierkuduke Fm. formed in a mature island arc setting, and other Devonian Fms. formed in an immature island arc setting. The basalts from the Nanmingshui Fm. have geochemical signatures between N-MORB and island arcs, indicating that they formed in a back-arc setting. In contrast, the volcanic rocks from the Batamayineishan Fm. display geochemical characteristics of continental intraplate volcanic rocks formed in an extensional setting after collision. Thus, we propose a model that involves a volcanic arc formed by northward subduction of the ancient Junggar ocean and amalgamation of different terranes during the Late Paleozoic to interpret the formation of the Late Paleozoic volcanic rocks in the Eastern Junggar terrane, and the Altai and Junggar terranes fully amalgamated into a Cordilleran-type orogen during the end of Early Carboniferous to the Middle–Late Carboniferous.     

Geochemistry and geochronology of Carboniferous volcanic rocks in the eastern Junggar terrane,NW China: Implication for a tectonic transition

The Carboniferous tectonic setting of the Junggar terrane, northern Xinjiang, NW China, has long been a matter of debate. Voluminous Carboniferous volcanic rocks are widely distributed in the Karamaili area, the southern part of the eastern Junggar terrane. Early Carboniferous rocks comprise basalts and basaltic andesites, with enrichment of LREE and LILE and depletion of HFSE, and uniformly high ε_Nd(t) (+ 3.7 to + 4.0). Late Carboniferous rocks consist of basalts, basaltic andesites, rhyolites and minor dacites, and can be subdivided into basic and felsic groups. The basic rocks are depleted in HFSE, and show variable high ε_Nd(t) (+ 4.8 to + 6.9). They have higher Cr and Ni and lower Na₂O, U and Th contents than early Carboniferous basic rocks. The felsic rocks show A-type affinity, with typical enrichment of alkalis, LREE and HFSE and strong depletion in Ba, Sr, Eu and Ti. They have high values of ε_Nd(t) and zircon ε_Hf(t) (+ 11.6 to + 17.9). New LA-ICPMS zircon U–Pb analyses constrain their emplacement to late Carboniferous time (306.5–314.3 Ma).The Carboniferous basic rocks show negative Zr-Hf anomalies and low Th/Ce (< 0.07) and Th/La (0.06–0.16), excluding significant crustal contamination during magma evolution. They have low La/Ba (0.03–0.12), Ce/Y (< 3) and (Tb/Yb)_N (< 2) and variable Ba/Th (28–318) and Ba/La (3.1–34), suggesting that they were derived from a main spinel with minor garnet lherzolite mantle source metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. The late Carboniferous felsic rocks were produced when upwelling asthenosphere triggered partial melting of juvenile lower crust. The early Carboniferous volcanism occurred in an island-arc setting related to the southward subduction of the Paleo-Junggar Ocean plate, whereas the late Carboniferous rocks erupted in a post-collisional extensional setting. Thus, a rapid tectonic transition from arc to post-collisional extension may have occurred between early and late Carboniferous, and probably resulted from slab break-off or lithospheric delamination.     

西天山昭苏东南部阿登套地区大哈拉军山组火山岩及花岗岩侵入体的地球化学特征、时代和构造环境

西天山昭苏东南部阿登套地区大哈拉军山组火山岩主要由玄武质安山岩组成,具有富集大离子亲石元素、亏损高场强元素(如Nb、Ta、Ti)、稀土元素高度分馏的特征。这些玄武安山岩被一些钾长花岗岩和花岗斑岩脉体侵入。钾长花岗岩脉为准铝质,含有较高的Na2O+K2O、轻稀土元素、Zr、Nb、Y含量和较高的FeOT/MgO及Ga/Al比值。两类花岗岩均亏损Ba、Sr、P、Ti和Eu。钾长花岗岩和花岗斑岩给出的Laser-ICPMS锆石U-Pb年龄分别为354.2±2.3Ma和339.5±2.3Ma,表明其围岩即大哈拉军山组火山岩的形成时代不晚于早石炭世早期。综合野外地质观察、区域地质构造以及上述岩石的地球化学特征和时代,我们认为西天山昭苏南部大哈拉军山组火山岩及侵入其中的早石炭世A型花岗岩脉可能形成于活动陆缘弧后拉张环境。     

Geochemical constraints on the genesis of the volcanic rocks in the southeast of Isfahan area, Iran

Late Miocene–Pliocene to Quaternary calc-alkaline lava flows and domes are exposed in southeast of Isfahan in the Urumieh Dokhtar magmatic belt in the Central Iran structural zone. These volcanic rocks have compositions ranging from basaltic andesites, andesites to dacites. Geochemical studies show these rocks are a medium to high K calc-alkaline suite and meta-aluminous. Major element variations are typical for calc-alkaline rocks. The volcanic rocks have SiO₂ contents ranging between 53.8% and 65.3%. Harker diagrams clearly show that the dacitic rocks did not form from the basaltic andesites by normal differentiation processes. They show large ion lithophile elements- and light rare earth elements (LREE)-enriched normalized multielement patterns and negative Nb, Ti, Ta, and P. Condrite-normalized REE patterns display a steep decrease from LREE to light rare earth elements without any Eu anomaly. These characteristics are consistent with ratios obtained from subduction-related volcanic rocks and in collision setting. The melting of a heterogeneous source is possible mechanism for their magma genesis, which was enriched in incompatible elements situated at the upper continental lithospheric mantle or lower crust. The geochemical characteristics of these volcanic rocks suggested that these volcanic rocks evolved by contamination of a parental magma derived from metasomatized upper lithospheric mantle and crustal melts.     

Petrogenesis and timing of emplacement of porphyritic monzonite,dolerite, and basalt associated with the Kuoerzhenkuola Au deposit,Western Junggar,NW China: implications for early Carboniferous tectonic setting and Cu–Au mineralization prospectivity

ABSTRACT

The Kuoerzhenkuola epithermal Au deposit is located in the northern part of the West Junggar region of NW China and is underlain by a recently discovered porphyritic monzonite intrusion that contains Cu–Au mineralization. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of this intrusion yielded an age of 350 ± 4.7 Ma. The porphyritic monzonite is calc-alkaline and is characterized by high concentrations of Sr (583–892 ppm), significant depletions in the heavy rare earth elements (HREE; e.g. Yb = 0.96–2.57 ppm) and Y (10.4–23.3 ppm), and primitive mantle-normalized multi-element variation diagram patterns with positive Sr and Ba and negative Nb and Ti anomalies, all of which indicate that this intrusion is compositionally similar to adakites elsewhere. The composition of the porphyritic monzonite is indicative of the derivation from magmas generated by the melting of young subducted slab material. The area also contains Nb-enriched basalts that are enriched in sodium (Na₂O/K₂O = 1.20–3.90) and have higher Nb, Zr, TiO₂, and P₂O₅ concentrations and Nb/La and Nb/U ratios than typical arc basalts. The juxtaposition of adakitic rocks, Nb-enriched basalts, and dolerites in this region suggests that the oceanic crust of the expansive oceans within the West Junggar underwent early Carboniferous subduction. Magnetite is widespread throughout the Kuoerzhenkuola Au deposit, as evidenced by the volcanic breccias cemented by late hydrothermal magnetite and pyrite. In addition, the zoned potassic, quartz-sericite alteration, and propylitic and kaolin alteration in the deeper parts of the porphyritic monzonite are similar to those found in porphyry Cu–Au deposits. These findings, coupled with the mineralogy and geochemistry of the alteration associated with the Kuoerzhenkuola Au deposit, suggest that the mineralization in this area is not purely epithermal, with the geology and geochemistry of the porphyritic monzonite in this area suggesting that a porphyry Cu–Au deposit is probably located beneath the Kuoerzhenkuola Au deposit.     

准噶尔盆地东北缘石炭系火山岩形成机制:对准噶尔洋盆闭合时限的新启示

准噶尔古大洋作为古亚洲洋北部的重要分支及阶段性演化产物,其洋盆的俯冲、闭合时限以及盆地基底属性一直存在分歧。本文选取准噶尔盆地东北缘(乌伦古地区)石炭系火山岩来说明其岩浆来源及成因机制,通过主微量元素、Sr-Nd同位素分析结果,进一步阐明准噶尔洋盆在晚古生代的闭合时限。本次研究包括玄武岩、玄武质安山岩和安山岩三类火山岩,岩体显示低TiO₂(0.60%~0.84%)、较高的全碱K₂O+Na₂O含量(1.18%~8.59%),玄武岩为岛弧拉斑系列,安山岩类的钙碱元素含量高,具有火山弧火山岩特征。中-低⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i)(0.703 250~0.704 559)、相对亏损的Nd同位素(+4.8~+6.8)以及t_DM2(483~625 Ma)值表明玄武岩、玄武质安山岩和安山岩同为亏损地幔熔融岩浆分异结晶的产物,安山岩为地幔熔融岩浆后期分离结晶形成;微量元素与同位素地球化学示踪暗示玄武岩、玄武质安山岩和安山岩含有洋壳俯冲过程的脱水流体交代上覆地幔楔的消减组分,安山岩在深部岩浆房经历了壳-幔混合作用,受地壳成分的混染程度更大。大离子亲石元素(LILE)Ba、Sr和轻稀土元素、不相容元素(Th、U、K)相对富集,高场强元素(HFSE)Nb、Ta相对亏损,以及Pb、Zr、Hf的富集,说明该区属于与俯冲消减带相关的构造背景;结合本套火山岩高Ba/La(30.14~208.86)值、低TiO₂(0.60%~0.84%)值,以及Ce/Nb比(8.71~12.05)、Th/Nb比(0.93~1.74)等,表明准噶尔洋盆于石炭纪沿着大陆板块下部持续俯冲,洋壳板片的俯冲脱水流体交代地幔楔后增生岛弧。该套中-基性火山岩建造佐证了准噶尔洋盆闭合时限为晚石炭世(ca. 305.5±4.4 Ma),结合区域地质资料分析,提出与俯冲带有关的岩浆通过岛弧拼贴增生到大陆地壳上,进一步为准噶尔盆地基底的岛弧拼贴成因提供了新依据。