Dating the geologic history of Oman’s Semail ophiolite: insights from U-Pb geochronology

Eclogites from the deepest structural levels beneath the Semail ophiolite, Oman, record the subduction and later exhumation of the Arabian continental margin. Published ages for this high pressure event reveal large discrepancies between the crystallisation ages of certain eclogite-facies minerals and apparent cooling ages of micas. We present precise U-Pb zircon (78.95 ± 0.13 Ma) and rutile (79.6 ± 1.1 Ma) ages for the eclogites, as well as new U-Pb zircon ages for trondhjemites from the Semail ophiolite (95.3 ± 0.2 Ma) and amphibolites from the metamorphic sole (94.48 ± 0.23 Ma). The new eclogite ages reinforce published U-Pb zircon and Rb-Sr mineral-whole rock isochron ages, yet are inconsistent with published interpretations of older ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar phengite and Sm-Nd garnet dates. We show that the available U-Pb and Rb-Sr ages, which are in tight agreement, fit better with the available geological evidence, and suggest that peak metamorphism of the continental margin occurred during the later stages of ophiolite emplacement.     

Metamorphic response within different subduction–obduction settings preserved on the NE Arabian margin

Metamorphic rocks form a minor component of the NE Arabian margin in Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Conditions span almost the entire range of crustal metamorphism from very high-P/low-T eclogite and blueschist to high-P/moderate-T epidote- to upper-amphibolite and low-P/high-T granulite facies. The NE Arabian margin experienced at least six metamorphic events, each characterized by distinct peak metamorphic temperature, depth of burial, average thermal gradient and timing. Synthesis of the available metamorphic data defines five different tectonic settings that evolved during the middle Cretaceous: [1] The Saih Hatat window exposes former continental margin crust that was buried and metamorphosed in a SW-dipping subduction system. Lower-plate units in the window include relict oceanic crust with eclogite (M1–M2) parageneses that recrystallized at pressures of ~14–23 kbar under very low thermal gradients of 7–10 °C/km. Peak metamorphism occurred at ~110 Ma. Peak assemblages were overprinted by garnet–glaucophane-blueschist foliations (M3) at about ~104–94 Ma that formed at ~10–15 kbar and 10–15 °C/km during the first-stage of isothermal exhumation. [2] Metamorphic soles in the footwall of the Semail ophiolite experienced a two-stage history of deep burial and peak metamorphism at ~96–94 Ma, followed by retrogression during obduction onto the continental margin between ~93 and 84 Ma. Peak metamorphic garnet–clinopyroxene–hornblende–plagioclase assemblages (M4s), exposed at highest structural levels, formed at 743 ± 13 °C and 10.7 ± 0.4 kbar, indicating Barrovian thermal regimes of 20.0 ± 2.2 °C/km. Burial of seafloor sediments and oceanic crust to ~38 km depth, was attained within a short-lived, NE-dipping intra-oceanic subduction system. The relatively high average thermal gradient during the peak of metamorphism was the result of heating after subcretion onto the base of hanging-wall oceanic lithosphere. [3] The Bani Hamid terrane consists of seafloor cherts and calcareous turbidites, metamorphosed to low-P/high-T granulite condition at ~96–94 Ma. Diagnostic assemblages (M4b) such as orthopyroxene–cordierite–quartz–plagioclase and orthopyroxene–sapphirine–hercynite–quartz–plagioclase, formed at conditions averaging ~915 ± 35 °C, ~6.1 ± 0.9 kbar and ~42.9 ± 6.5 °C/km. The elevated average thermal gradient, combined with significant depths of burial, is anomalous for typical oceanic settings. This suggests that these sea-floor sediments were buried to ~22 km depths within the intra-oceanic subduction system, accreted onto the hanging-wall, and metamorphosed at high-T during subduction of a recently active spreading ridge. [4] A plausible plate tectonic arrangement that can account for the different metamorphic elements on the Arabian margin is one composed of divergent subduction systems: a relatively long-lived SW-dipping subduction zone at the continental margin, and a short-lived, NE-dipping intra-oceanic subduction system. Consumption of the intervening oceanic crust led to obduction of the Semail ophiolite and accreted metamorphic soles from the upper-plate of the floundered outboard subduction system. SW-directed obduction was initiated between 93.7 and 93.2 Ma and continued until ~84 Ma, producing lower-amphibolite to sub-greenschist facies retrograde fabrics in the metamorphic soles (M5) and sub-metamorphic melange in the footwall. [5] The lower-plate of the Saih Hatat window was reworked by top-to-NE extensional shear at epidote-greenschist facies grades (M6) between ~84 and 76 Ma. Crustal-scale structures were reactivated as extensional detachments that telescoped the continental margin, leading to isothermal decompression and development of an asymmetric core complex that segmented the Semail ophiolite and formed the Saih Hatat domal window.     

K-Ar ages of the metamorphic sole of the Semail Ophiolite: implications for ophiolite cooling history

K–Ar ages have been determined on micas and hornblendes in the basal metamorphic sequence and in metamorphic rocks squeezed into the mantle sequence of the Semail Ophiolite. The hornblende ages of 99±0.5 and 102±0.8 Ma and the 90 Ma ages of coexisting micas from the high-grade metamorphic portion of the sequence are interpreted as cooling stages following the peak of metamorphism (T 800–850° C, P 6.5–9 kbar). The new pressure estimates are based on findings of kyanite in garnet-amphibolite and cordierite in quartzitic rocks. These data indicate a cooling rate of 10–30° C/Ma. The oldest mica ages of 95±1 Ma are observed in the lowest-grade greenschists. These also largely represent cooling ages, but might in part also include formation ages. The pattern of the muscovite ages across the metamorphic sole indicates that the cooling front moved from the low-grade metamorphic zone, through the high-grade rocks and into the base of the overlying ophiolite. Radiometric ages of hornblendes (92.3±0.5 and 94.8±0.6 Ma) indicate that the crustal gabbro sequence cooled below 500° C later than the base of the ophiolite sequence. Metamorphism of the sole rocks occurred during subduction of oceanic sediments and volcanic or gabbroic rocks as they progressively came into contact with hotter zones at the base of the overriding plate. The peak of metamorphism must have been contemporaneous with the main magmatism in the Semail Ophiolite. One of the dated muscovites yields an age of 81.3±0.8 Ma, but this is related to discrete deformation zones that were active during late-stage emplacement of the ophiolite.     

Ultrahigh-pressure eclogite transformed from mafic granulite in the Dabie orogen, east-central China

Although ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks are present in many collisional orogenic belts, almost all exposed UHP metamorphic rocks are subducted upper or felsic lower continental crust with minor mafic boudins. Eclogites formed by subduction of mafic lower continental crust have not been identified yet. Here an eclogite occurrence that formed during subduction of the mafic lower continental crust in the Dabie orogen, east‐central China is reported. At least four generations of metamorphic mineral assemblages can be discerned: (i) hypersthene + plagioclase ± garnet; (ii) omphacite + garnet + rutile + quartz; (iii) symplectite stage of garnet + diopside + hypersthene + ilmenite + plagioclase; (iv) amphibole + plagioclase + magnetite, which correspond to four metamorphic stages: (a) an early granulite facies, (b) eclogite facies, (c) retrograde metamorphism of high‐pressure granulite facies and (d) retrograde metamorphism of amphibolite facies. Mineral inclusion assemblages and cathodoluminescence images show that zircon is characterized by distinctive domains of core and a thin overgrowth rim. The zircon core domains are classified into two types: the first is igneous with clear oscillatory zonation ± apatite and quartz inclusions; and the second is metamorphic containing a granulite facies mineral assemblage of garnet, hypersthene and plagioclase (andesine). The zircon rims contain garnet, omphacite and rutile inclusions, indicating a metamorphic overgrowth at eclogite facies. The almost identical ages of the two types of core domains (magmatic = 791 ± 9 Ma and granulite facies metamorphic zircon = 794 ± 10 Ma), and the Triassic age (212 ± 10 Ma) of eclogitic facies metamorphic overgrowth zircon rim are interpreted as indicating that the protolith of the eclogite is mafic granulite that originated from underplating of mantle‐derived magma onto the base of continental crust during the Neoproterozoic (c. 800 Ma) and then subducted during the Triassic, experiencing UHP eclogite facies metamorphism at mantle depths. The new finding has two‐fold significance: (i) voluminous mafic lower continental crust can increase the average density of subducted continental lithosphere, thus promoting its deep subduction; (ii) because of the current absence of mafic lower continental crust in the Dabie orogen, delamination or recycling of subducted mafic lower continental crust can be inferred as the geochemical cause for the mantle heterogeneity and the unusually evolved crustal composition.     

The multi-stage tectonic evolution of the Xitieshan terrane,North Qaidam orogen,western China: From Grenville-age orogeny to early-Paleozoic ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism

The geodynamic evolution of the early Paleozoic ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt in North Qaidam, western China, is controversial due to ambiguous interpretations concerning the nature and ages of the eclogitic protoliths. Within this framework, we present new LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon ages from eclogites and their country rock gneisses from the Xitieshan terrane, located in the central part of the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt. Xitieshan terrane contains clearly different protolith characteristics of eclogites and as such provides a natural laboratory to investigate the geodynamic evolution of the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic terrane. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating of three phengite-bearing eclogites and two country rock gneiss samples from the Xitieshan terrane yielded 424–427 Ma and 917–920 Ma ages, respectively. The age of 424–427 Ma from eclogite probably reflects continental lithosphere subduction post-dating oceanic lithosphere subduction at ~ 440–460 Ma. The 0.91–0.92 Ga metamorphic ages from gneiss and associated metamorphic mineral assemblages are interpreted as evidence for the occurrence of a Grenville-age orogeny in the North Qaidam UHPM belt. Using internal microstructure, geochemistry and U–Pb ages of zircon in this study, combined with the petrological and geochemical investigations on the eclogites of previous literature’s data, three types of eclogitic protoliths are identified in the Xitieshan terrane i.e. 1) Subducted early Paleozoic oceanic crust (440–460 Ma), 2) Neoproterozoic oceanic crust material emplaced onto micro-continental fragments ahead of the main, early Paleozoic, collision event (440–420 Ma) and 3) Neoproterozoic mafic dikes intruded in continental fragments (rifted away from the former supercontinent Rodinia). These results demonstrate that the basement rocks of the North Qaidam terrane formed part of the former supercontinent Rodinia, attached to the Yangtze Craton and/or the Qinling microcontinent, and recorded a complex tectono-metamorphic evolution that involved Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic orogenies.     

柴北缘从大洋俯冲到陆陆碰撞:来自开屏沟造山带M型橄榄岩的证据

造山带幔源（M型）橄榄岩虽然在高压/超高压变质带分布不多,但由于其来自俯冲板块上覆的岩石圈地幔,因此是研究俯冲隧道内俯冲板片与地幔楔之间相互作用的重要对象,对于还原超高压变质带的演化有重要意义.柴北缘鱼卡榴辉岩-片麻岩区边部附近的开屏沟存在一套橄榄岩,其岩石类型、成因、时代等都缺乏研究.对开屏沟橄榄岩全岩的主量和微量元素及铂族元素、橄榄石主量元素、锆石U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素进行了研究.结果显示,其全岩具有高的Mg#、Mg/Si和Ni值,同时表现出亏损难溶的HFSE和HREE,轻微富集LILE和LREE中与流体活动性相关的元素;橄榄石具有较高的Fo值（90.11~92.77）与NiO含量（0.32%~0.45%）、低的CaO含量（< 0.02%）;PGEs的球粒陨石标准化配分模式与交代橄榄岩和残留橄榄岩近似;两组变质锆石年龄为459.5±3.6 Ma和417.5±2.7 Ma,对应的ε_Hf（t）值为-0.71~9.45和-11.96~-1.20,分别反映了洋壳流体（或早期大陆俯冲板片流体）和陆壳流体交代的性质和时限.开屏沟橄榄岩来源于俯冲带上覆地幔楔,遭受了不同来源流体不同程度的交代作用而获得地壳特征,同时为柴北缘大洋俯冲到陆陆碰撞的构造演化提供了新证据.      

蛇绿岩型金刚石和铬铁矿深部成因

地球上的原生金刚石主要有3种产出类型,分别来自大陆克拉通下的深部地幔金伯利岩型金刚石、板块边界深俯冲变质岩中超高压变质型金刚石,和陨石坑中的陨石撞击型金刚石。在全球5个造山带的10处蛇绿岩的地幔橄榄岩或铬铁矿中均发现金刚石和其他超高压矿物的基础上,我们提出地球上一种新的天然金刚石产出类型,命名为蛇绿岩型金刚石。认为蛇绿岩型金刚石普遍存在于大洋岩石圈的地幔橄榄岩中,并提出蛇绿岩型金刚石和铬铁矿的深部成因模式。认为早期俯冲的地壳物质到达地幔过渡带(410~660 km深度)后被肢解,加入到周围的强还原流体和熔体中,当熔融物质向上运移到地幔过渡带顶部,铬铁矿和周围的地幔岩石以及流体中的金刚石等深部矿物一并结晶,之后,携带金刚石的铬铁矿和地幔岩石被上涌的地幔柱带至浅部,经历了洋盆的拉张和俯冲阶段,最终在板块边缘就位。     

Geochronology of the Duguer range metamorphic rocks,Central Tibet: implications for the changing tectonic setting of the South Qiangtang subterrane

The Duguer area represents one of the few occurrences of high-grade metamorphic rocks in the ‘Central Uplift’ zone of the Qiangtang terrane, central Tibet. The metamorphic rocks consist mainly of orthogneiss, paragneiss, and schist. To better understand the formation of these rocks, seven samples of gneiss and schist from the Duguer area were selected for in situ zircon U–Pb analysis and Ar–Ar dating of metamorphic minerals. The results suggest two distinct metamorphic stages, during the Late Triassic (229–227 Ma) and Late Jurassic (150–149 Ma). These stages correspond to the closure of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean and northward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys oceanic crust, respectively. We suggest that the Late Triassic metamorphic rocks of the Duguer area in the central South Qiangtang subterrane provide evidence of continental collision between the North and South Qiangtang subterranes, following the subduction of oceanic crust. It is likely that deep subduction of oceanic crust occurred along the Longmu Co–Shuanghu–Lancangjiang suture zone (LSLSZ), which would have hindered exhumation owing to the high density of oceanic crust. Subsequent break-off and delamination of the subducted oceanic slab at ~220 Ma may have resulted in exhumation of high-pressure and high-grade metamorphic rocks in the South Qiangtang subterrane. The Late Jurassic ages of metamorphism and deformation obtained in this study indicate the occurrence of an Andean-type orogenic event within the South Qiangtang subterrane. This hypothesis is further supported by an apparent age gap in magmatic activity (150–130 Ma) along the magmatic arc, and the absence of Late Jurassic sediments.     

Detrital chromites in metasediments of the East-Arabian continental margin in the Saih Hatat area: constraints for the palaeogeographic setting of the Hawasina and Semail basins (Oman Mountains)

 In Oman, the convergence between Arabia and Eurasia resulted in the Late Cretaceous overthrusting of oceanic crust and mantle lithosphere onto the Arabian continental margin. During this compressional event, a part of the continental plate was subducted to a depth of more than 60 km (0.5 GPa, 250–350  °C to more than 2.0 GPa, 550  °C) resulting in progressive metamorphism of the continental margin sediments, well exposed in the Saih Hatat tectonic window, northeastern Oman Mountains. We attempt to constrain the possibility of one continuous history of extension (starting along the east Arabian continental margin in the Permian) that was followed by one continuous history of convergence starting at 90 Ma near a dead oceanic ridge. This compression resulted in the observed progressive metamorphism by ophiolite overthrusting onto the continental margin. Constraining arguments are the palaeogeographic setting before ophiolite obduction of the As Sifah units and the Hawasina Complex near Ghurba. Detrital chromites in the Triassic–Cretaceous metasediments of the Hawasina Complex are compared with magmatic Semail chromites, and the whole-rock chemistry of these metasediments and associated metabasites are investigated. In contrast to former hypotheses, differences in the chemical composition between detrital and magmatic chromites, and the probable origin of all detrital chromites in the Hawasina Basin from Permian age oceanic rocks, suggest that the high-pressure metamorphic sediments of As Sifah can be considered as part of the basal deposits of the Hawasina Basin. Received: 1 September 1998 / Accepted: 18 January 1999     

柴达木盆地北缘新元古代-早古生代大洋的形成、发展和消亡

柴达木盆地北缘构造带是一条典型的早古生代造山带,是由陆壳深俯冲形成的高压/超高压变质带,产于其中的高压/超高压变质岩石原岩形成时代普遍大于750Ma,原岩的性质为陆壳属性,但柴北缘东段都兰沙柳河地区出露的含柯石英榴辉岩原岩的形成时代为516Ma,原岩的性质为洋壳属性,证实柴北缘局部地段还存在洋壳深俯冲,柴北缘地区可能记录了从大洋俯冲到大陆俯冲再到碰撞造山这一完整的演化历史。本文主要从岩石学、年代学、地球化学以及同位素地球化学等方面对柴北缘地区陆壳深俯冲前新元古代-早古生代大洋发展与演化的岩石记录进行了系统总结,认为柴北缘地区在700~850Ma时受Rodinia超大陆裂解事件的影响发生了裂解;535~700Ma时在裂解事件的基础上形成了一个新元古代-早古生代的大洋,沿柴北缘连续分布的岩石记录表明该洋盆可能在早古生代已具有一定的规模;460~535Ma时该洋壳发生了俯冲消减作用;450~460Ma期间洋盆闭合消失。这一认识对全面深入了解柴北缘高压/超高压变质带早古生代构造演化历史具有重要意义。     

西大别浒湾变质带洋壳和陆壳耦合俯冲的锆石U-Pb年龄记录及其动力学意义

西大别浒湾高压变质带是研究秦岭-大别-苏鲁造山带演化的关键区域.本文对该变质带熊店和学河两地的两个榴辉岩样品进行了LA-(MC)-ICPMS锆石U-Pb定年、微量元素分析及Hf同位素测定.熊店榴辉岩岩浆锆石得到的年龄为406±14Ma,具有高的εHf(t)值(εHf(t)=11.3±1.3),年轻的亏损地幔模式年龄(tDM=578±52Ma),其来源可能为亏损地幔,进而说明它们的原岩可能为古特提斯洋壳物质;学河榴辉岩岩浆锆石的年龄为703±8Ma,具有略低的εHf(t)值(εHf(t)=4.11±0.94),较老的亏损地幔模式年龄(tDM=1105±37Ma),其原岩可能为扬子克拉通新元古代裂谷岩浆作用产生的新生陆壳物质.这些结果表明浒湾地区存在原岩形成于新元古代和志留纪两个时期的榴辉岩.熊店榴辉岩中变质锆石的微量元素特征与岩浆锆石类似,可能为完全重结晶成因锆石,其206Ph/238U加权平均年龄为316±1Ma,代表了洋壳榴辉岩榴辉岩相峰期变质的最早时间.学河榴辉岩变质锆石以低Th/U、Nb/Ta比值为特征,其REE组成模式为不明显的Eu负异常,HREE呈平坦型.这些特征反映了这些锆石形成时出现了较大数量的石榴子石与金红石,而缺乏长石.根据锆石Ti温度计计算学河榴辉岩变质锆石形成的温度范围是704～741℃,与榴辉岩相变质温度一致.它们对应的206Pb/238U加权平均年龄为312±3Ma,可作为浒湾变质带榴辉岩相峰期变质年龄,这一结果表明浒湾变质带陆壳成因榴辉岩存在石炭纪榴辉岩相变质事件.空间上相近的古生代洋壳和新元古代陆壳具有相同的榴辉岩相变质年龄表明,浒湾变质带的洋壳和陆壳榴辉岩可能存在石炭纪的耦合俯冲作用.     

Evolution from Oceanic Subduction to Continental Collision: a Case Study from the Northern Tibetan Plateau Based on Geochemical and Geochronological Data

Two apparently distinct, sub-parallel, paleo-subduction zonescan be recognized along the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau:the North Qilian Suture Zone (oceanic-type) with ophioliticmélanges and high-pressure eclogites and blueschistsin the north, and the North Qaidam Belt (continental-type) inthe south, an ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane comprisingpelitic and granitic gneisses, eclogites and garnet peridotites.Eclogites from both belts have protoliths broadly similar tomid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) or oceanic island basalts (OIB)in composition with overlapping metamorphic ages (480–440Ma, with weighted mean ages of 464 ± 6 Ma for North Qilianand 457 ± 7 Ma for North Qaidam), determined by zirconU–Pb sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe dating.Coesite-bearing zircon grains in pelitic gneisses from the NorthQaidam UHP Belt yield a peak metamorphic age of 423 ±6 Ma, 40 Myr younger than the age of eclogite formation, anda retrograde age of 403 ± 9 Ma. These data, combinedwith regional relationships, allow us to infer that these twoparallel belts may represent an evolutionary sequence from oceanicsubduction to continental collision, and continental underthrusting,to final exhumation. The Qilian–Qaidam Craton was probablya fragment of the Rodinia supercontinent with a passive marginand extended oceanic lithosphere in the north, which was subductedbeneath the North China Craton to depths >100 km at c. 423Ma and exhumed at c. 403 Ma (zircon rim ages in pelitic gneiss). KEY WORDS: HP and UHP rocks; subduction belts; zircon SHRIMP ages; Northern Tibetan Plateau     

Petrology and geochronology of ultrahigh-pressure granitic gneiss from South Dulan,North Qaidam belt,NW China

abstract

An integrated study including petrography, mineral chemistry, metamorphic P–T path modelling, and zircon U–Pb dating was conducted on a granitic gneiss and enclosed eclogite from South Dulan, North Qaidam UHP (ultrahigh-pressure) belt. The result shows that the granitic gneiss underwent a clockwise P–T path with a peak-P stage at 655–745°C, 30–34 kbar, and a subsequent peak-T stage at 815–870°C, 14–18 kbar, which is similar to the P–T estimates reported for coesite-bearing continental-type eclogites in this region. The enclosed eclogite resembles an olivine–pyroxene-rich cumulate in Qaidam block. It has a similar prograde P–T path with the country gneiss and experienced a peak-P stage of 682–748°C at 27–34 kbar. Zircon U–Pb dating yields an eclogite-facies metamorphic age of 447 ± 2 Ma for the granitic gneiss and 445 ± 6 Ma for the enclosed eclogite. These ages agree with metamorphic ages obtained from paragneisses (427–439 Ma), coesite-bearing continental-type eclogites (430–451 Ma), and UHPM (ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic) oceanic crust–mantle sequence (440–445 Ma) from South Dulan, as well as UHP eclogites, garnet peridotite, and gneisses from other units (460–420 Ma) within this belt reported by others. Similar metamorphic ages as well as P–T evolution documented in gneisses and intercalated eclogites imply that both rocks experienced a coeval UHP event. Summarizing all the published geochronology data, we argue that the North Qaidam UHP belt was mainly formed by continental deep subduction at ~460 to ~420 Ma. The UHPM oceanic crust-mantle sequence in South Dulan may represent oceanic lithosphere in the transition zone between oceanic and continental crust, which was dragged upward by the exhumed continental rocks after break-off of the dense oceanic crust.     

滇西高黎贡山群变质岩的锆石年龄及其构造意义

被认为是腾冲-梁河地块前寒武纪结晶基底的滇西高黎贡山群变质岩系,其原岩及变质时代长期争论不休。岩相学和地球化学表明,组成高黎贡山群的黑云二长片麻岩、黑云角闪斜长片麻岩和变粒岩的原岩均为岩浆岩。首次对这些变质岩进行原位锆石U-Pb定年,分别获得497.8±7.2Ma～500±14Ma、83.5±0.9Ma的岩浆结晶年龄和459±5Ma、55.2±1.1Ma的变质年龄。结合相邻区碎屑锆石年龄及其区域对比分析,认为腾冲-梁河地块高黎贡山群中以石英片岩、石英岩为主体的原始沉积岩系可能形成于新元古代,应与拉萨地块有密切的亲缘关系。在早古生代环冈瓦纳大陆周缘造山过程中被寒武纪花岗岩侵入并发生变质作用;在新特提斯俯冲过程中,经历了晚中生代的安第斯型造弧作用;在印度与欧亚大陆碰撞过程中,又经历了新生代的岩浆作用、变质作用以及走滑剪切形成糜棱岩化作用。     

滇西腾冲地块高黎贡群变质沉积岩时代与原特提斯洋俯冲/增生：来自碎屑锆石U- Pb定年和岩石地球化学证据

滇西腾冲地块高黎贡群变质沉积岩时代和构造背景的厘定对正确认识原特提斯构造域演化过程及腾冲地块与冈瓦纳大陆之间的关系十分关键。岩石学、岩石地球化学结果表明,高黎贡群变质岩由变质沉积岩和变质岩浆岩组成,前者以片岩和副片麻岩为主,夹少量大理岩和石英岩,其原岩由一套杂砂岩、泥岩夹少量灰岩、硅质岩岩石组合,为深海-半深海相沉积物,形成于活动大陆边缘环境。碎屑锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年结果表明高黎贡群变质沉积岩中的锆石主要来源于与罗迪尼亚、冈瓦纳超大陆拼合及原特提斯洋俯冲有关的岩浆岩(900~1000Ma和500~600Ma),少量来源于中元古代地层(1500~1600Ma和2300~2400Ma)。4件样品中最年轻碎屑锆石群的加权平均年龄(507~510Ma)及没有出现有意义的小于470Ma碎屑锆石,表明高黎贡群变质沉积岩原岩形成于510~470Ma,是晚寒武世-早奥陶世早期原特提斯洋壳向冈瓦纳大陆下俯冲过程中,在俯冲带上盘沉积的含有大量该期火成岩碎屑的斜坡相沉积物。     

The East Anatolia-Lesser Caucasus ophiolite:An exceptional case of large-scale obduction,synthesis of data and numerical modelling

We present new,geological,metamorphic,geochemical and geochronological data on the East Anatolian-Lesser Caucasus ophiolites.These data are used in combination with a synthesis of previous data and numerical modelling to unravel the tectonic emplacement of ophiolites in this region.All these data allow the reconstruction of a large obducted ophiolite nappe,thrusted for>100 km and up to 250 km on the Anatolian-Armenian block.The ophiolite petrology shows three distinct magmatic series,highlighted by new isotopic and trace element data:(1)The main Early Jurassic Tholeiites(ophiolite s.s.)bear LILEenriched,subduction-modified,MORB chemical composition.Geology and petrology of the Tholeiite series substantiates a slow-spreading oceanic environment in a time spanning from the Late Triassic to the Middle-Late Jurassic.Serpentinites,gabbros and plagiogranites were exhumed by normal faults,and covered by radiolarites,while minor volumes of pillow-lava flows infilled the rift grabens.Tendency towards a subduction-modified geochemical signature suggests emplacement in a marginal basin above a subduction zone.(2)Late Early Cretaceous alkaline lavas conformably emplaced on top of the ophiolite.They have an OIB affinity.These lavas are featured by large pillow lavas interbedded a carbonate matrix.They show evidence for a large-scale OIB plume activity,which occurred prior to ophiolite obduction.(3)Early-Late Cretaceous calc-alkaline lavas and dykes.These magmatic rocks are found on top of the obducted nappe,above the post-obduction erosion level.This series shows similar Sr-Nd isotopic features as the Alkaline series,though having a clear supra-subduction affinity.They are thus interpreted to be the remelting product of a mantle previously contaminated by the OIB plume.Correlation of data from the Lesser Caucasus to western Anatolia shows a progression from back-arc to arc and fore-arc,which highlight a dissymmetry in the obducted oceanic lithosphere from East to West.The metamorphic P-T-t paths of the obduction sole lithologies define a southward propagation of the ophiolite:(1)P-T-t data from the northern Sevan-Akera suture zone(Armenia)highlight the presence and exhumation of eclogites(1.85±0.02 GPa and 590±5℃)and blueschists below the ophiolite,which are dated at ca.94 Ma by Ar-Ar on phengite.(2)Neighbouring Amasia(Armenia)garnet amphibolites indicate metamorphic peak conditions of 0.65±0.05 GPa and 600±20 C with a U-Pb on rutile age of 90.2±5.2 Ma and Ar-Ar on amphibole and phengite ages of 90.8±3.0 Ma and 90.8±1.2 Ma,respectively.These data are consistent with palaeontological dating of sediment deposits directly under(Cenomanian,i.e.>93.9 Ma)or sealing(Coniacian-Santonian,i.e.,≤89.8 Ma),the obduction.(3)At Hinis(NE Turkey)PT-t conditions on amphibolites(0.66±0.06 GPa and 660±20℃,with a U-Pb titanite age of80.0±3.2 Ma)agree with previous P-T-t data on granulites,and highlight a rapid exhumation below a top-to-the-North detachment sealed by the Early Maastrichtian unconformity(ca.70.6 Ma).Amphibolites are cross-cut by monzonites dated by U-Pb on titanite at 78.3±3.7 Ma.We propose that the HT-MP metamorphism was coeval with the monzonites,about 10 Ma after the obduction,and was triggered by the onset of subduction South of the Anatolides and by reactivation or acceleration of the subduction below the Pontides-Eurasian margin.Numerical modelling accounts for the obduction of an"old"~80 Myr oceanic lithosphere due to a significant heating of oceanic lithosphere through mantle upwelling,which increased the oceanic lithosphere buoyancy.The long-distance transport of a currently thin section of ophiolites(<1 km)onto the Anatolian continental margin is ascribed to a combination of northward mantle extensional thinning of the obducted oceanic lithosphere by the Hinis detachment at ca.80 Ma,and southward gravitational propagation of the ophiolite nappe onto its foreland basin.     

Prolonged Variscan to Alpine history of an active Eurasian margin (Georgia, Armenia) revealed by Ar/Ar dating

Variscan to Alpine magmatic activity on the North Tethys active Eurasian margin in the Caucasus region is revealed by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages from rocks sampled in the Georgian Crystalline basement and exotic blocs in the Armenian foreland basin. These ages provide insights into the long duration of magmatic activity and related metamorphic history of the margin, with: (1) a phase of transpression with little crustal thickening during the Variscan cycle, evidenced by HT-LP metamorphism at 329–337 Ma; (2) a phase of intense bimodal magmatism at the end of the Variscan cycle, between 303 and 269 Ma, which is interpreted as an ongoing active margin during this period; (3) further evolution of the active margin evidenced by migmatites formed at ca. 183 Ma in a transpressive setting; (4) paroxysmal arc plutonic activity during the Jurassic (although the active magmatic arc was located farther south than the studied crystalline basements) with metamorphic rocks of the Eurasian basement sampled in the Armenian foreland basin dated at 166 Ma; (5) rapid cooling suggested by similar within-error ages of amphibole and muscovite sampled from the same exotic block in the Armenian fore-arc basin, ascribed to rapid exhumation related to extensional tectonics in the arc; and finally (6) cessation of ‘Andean’-type magmatic arc history in the Upper Cretaceous. Remnants of magmatic activity in the Early Cretaceous are found in the Georgian crystalline basement at c. 114 Ma, which is ascribed to flat slab subduction of relatively hot oceanic crust. This event corresponds to the emplacement of an oceanic seamount above the N Armenian ophiolite at 117 Ma. The activity of a hot spot between the active Eurasian margin and the South Armenian Block is thought to have heated and thickened the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust. Finally, the South Eurasian margin was uplifted and transported over this hot oceanic crust, resulting in the cessation of subduction and the erosion of the southern edge of the margin in Upper Cretaceous times. Emplacement of Eocene volcanics stitches all main collisional structures.     

A cold Early Palaeozoic subduction zone in the North Qilian Mountains, NW China: petrological and U-Pb geochronological constraints

The north Qilian high‐pressure (HP)/low‐temperature (LT) metamorphic belt is composed mainly of blueschists, eclogites and greenschist facies rocks. It formed within an Early Palaeozoic accretionary wedge associated with the subduction of the oceanic crust and is considered to be one of the best preserved HP/LT metamorphic belts in China. Here we report new lawsonite‐bearing eclogites and eclogitic rocks enclosed within epidote blueschists in the North Qilian Mountains. Five samples contain unaltered lawsonite coexisting with omphacite and phengite as inclusions in garnet, indicating eclogite facies garnet growth and lawsonite pseudomorphs were observed in garnet from an additional 11 eclogites and eclogitic rocks. Peak pressure conditions estimated from lawsonite omphacite‐phengite‐garnet assemblages were 2.1–2.4 GPa at temperatures of 420–510 °C, in or near the stability field of lawsonite eclogite, and implying formation under an apparent geothermal gradient of 6–8 °C km^?1, consistent with metamorphism in a cold subduction zone. SHRIMP U‐Pb dating of zircon from two lawsonite‐bearing eclogitic metabasites yields ages of 489 ± 7 Ma and 477 ± 16 Ma, respectively. CL images and mineral inclusions in zircon grains indicate that these ages reflect an eclogite facies metamorphism. An age of 502 ± 16 Ma is recorded in igneous cores of zircon grains from one lawsonite pseudomorph‐bearing eclogite, which is in agreement with the formation age of Early Ordovician for some ophiolite sequences in the North Qilian Mountains, and may be associated with a period of oceanic crust formation. The petrological and chronological data demonstrate the existence of a cold Early Palaeozoic subduction zone in the North Qilian Mountains.     

北天山温泉群的地质特征、时代和构造意义

北天山温泉群长期以来被认为是古元古代的变质岩。最新的野外调查和锆石SHRIMP U-Pb 测年结果表明,温泉群可 以划分为三个岩石构造单元：（1）前早新元古代变质火山岩和变质沉积岩,主要包括斜长角闪岩、云母片岩、石英片岩、 黑云母片麻岩、大理岩等;（2）早新元古代混合岩和正片麻岩;（3）早古生代未变质变形的辉长岩和闪长岩。上述三种岩 石组合类型均被后期二云母花岗岩（脉）所侵入。温泉县以南的混合岩和花岗片麻岩中锆石的SHRIMP U-Pb 年龄分别为 926±12 Ma 和907±11 Ma,与天山地区出露的新元古代花岗岩类的时代基本一致。结合前人对花岗片麻岩Nd 同位素组成 的研究,花岗片麻岩应为古老地壳物质部分熔融的产物,而同期的混合岩化作用则是新元古代地壳加厚和部分熔融的直接 地质证据。辉长岩和闪长岩侵入到温泉群花岗片麻岩和斜长角闪岩中,其中闪长岩的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb 年龄为452±7 Ma, 并含有1.1 Ga 和1.4 Ga 的继承锆石。根据前人的研究成果,本区早古生代辉长岩和闪长岩具有岛弧岩浆岩的地球化学特征, 可能与准噶尔-巴尔喀什洋的俯冲作用有关,这一俯冲增生作用最终导致伊犁北部与哈萨克斯坦陆块在志留纪拼贴造山, 并使温泉群前寒武纪变质岩与侵入岩发生变质变形作用。     

辽北地区早-中二叠世变质火山-碎屑岩年代学和地球化学特征:对华北板块北缘东段构造演化的启示SCIEI北大核心CSCD

新识别的“下二台”构造杂岩作为华北板块北缘东段分布的构造混杂岩带重要组成部分,其物质组成、形成时代和构造属性仍需进一步研究,这将为探讨华北板块北缘东段晚古生代构造演化提供重要依据。作者在“下二台”构造杂岩中识别出一套早-中二叠世变质火山-碎屑岩,其以变质碎屑岩为主,并夹变质火山岩,二者在野外产出上混杂在一起。变质火山岩原岩类型包括流纹岩、英安岩、安山岩、玄武安山岩,为一套钙碱性火山岩,属于准铝质-弱过铝质岩石。根据岩相学和地球化学特征,将其分为变质酸性火山岩和变质中-基性火山岩;二者均相对富集轻稀土元素,亏损重稀土元素,轻重稀土元素分馏明显,Eu负异常不明显,但变质酸性火山岩明显亏损P、Ti元素,结合高场强元素相关性特征,认为二者不是同一基性岩浆分异的产物。变质火山岩锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb同位素年龄为272~288Ma,代表其原岩结晶年龄,时代为早二叠世;变质酸性火山岩原始岩浆来源于地壳物质的部分熔融,变质中-基性火山岩原始岩浆来源于岩石圈地幔(俯冲带附近),并遭受了地壳物质的混染,二者均形成于活动大陆边缘火山弧环境。变质碎屑岩原岩恢复为泥砂质沉积岩和砂泥质沉积岩,相对亏损轻稀土元素,富集重稀土元素,轻重稀土元素分馏较明显,Eu异常不明显。两件碎屑岩样品锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb同位素年龄主要介于267~347Ma,推断其沉积下限为267Ma和269Ma,均为中二叠世;泥砂质沉积岩可能来源于再旋回的以长英质岩石为母岩的沉积岩,砂泥质沉积岩可能来源于再旋回的以长英质和镁铁质岩石为母岩的沉积岩,二者分别形成于活动大陆边缘大陆岛弧和大洋岛弧环境。下二台地区早-中二叠世变质火山-碎屑岩为“下二台”构造杂岩重要组成部分,它表明二叠纪时期华北板块北缘东段经历了三个构造演化阶段:早二叠世古亚洲洋加速俯冲,形成新的大陆弧阶段;中二叠世古亚洲洋持续俯冲,大陆弧和大洋弧碰撞阶段;晚二叠世陆-陆碰撞前阶段。